need advice on engine/tranny combo

[papy]

Hello Folks,

I have a 67 bronco 289 that i bought several years ago from a fellow that had started a resto on it back in the late 90's

Apart from all the goodies i got with the purchase it was missing a bunch of parts like the engine and trannny

I got with the purchase a rebuilt dana 44 with disk brakes, rebuilt 9" rear and a wildhorses 3.5" SYSTEM 10 lift. The 67 is down to the bare bones- body and frame.

I am hoping to put this rig together with what i have and have collected over the years for parts.

I wont be wheeling with it often so this is more of a daily fun truck.

engine options.
302
explorer 5.0
coyote which is big dollars

manual
ZF 5 speed
NV3550

auto
C4
4R70w
6r80

any and all suggestions are welcomed. looking forward to hearing what other members have experienced with different engine/tranny combos

 

[sykanr0ng]

Explorer 5.0

If you want a manual transmission the NV3550 it will handle light off-roading and shift nice on the street.
The ZF 5 speed is better suited for serious off-road and on road use.

If you want an automatic the 4R70W

 

[papy]

syKanr0ng,

How much work /retro fitting if any is involved putting in a Explorer 5.0?

 

[bronkenn]

That is a nice looking truck. The easiest route would be the 302 with whatever trans (manual or auto) you want. The stock setup was a good running combo for the Bronco. Ken

 

[papy]

Bronkenn,
302 with carburetor?

what are everyone's thoughts on carb vs Fuel injection?

 

[bronkenn]

I am going with a Throttle body fuel injection. With the price of them nowadays, it's not a whole lot more than buying a new carb. Ken

 

[Jluck]

What's your budget? health? I would love to have a manual trans but have arthritis under my knee caps so...


Explorer/mustang (Roller) 302. Best engine/HP for the money IMO.

I'm going with a older 302, C6 Dana 20 and fuel injection because its what came together for me, My ultimate choice is a Cummins 4BT, 4 speed auto to Dana 20 or Atlas which just isn't in the cards for the current build.

 

[papy]

health is good just pricing everything out right now. I don't have a set budget yet.
what year is best for a 302 explorer/mustang?

 

[gnpenning]

Most the roller cam motor explorer/mustang will work fine. The explorer may have a better stock cam for Broncos.

You can run carb or FI on either. Carb would be cheaper, as you have the parts.

OD transmissions will need a gear change to make the best use of the OD. Since yours are rebuilt, for a auto I would look at the C4.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, the plates on top of the leaf springs are upside down. Good luck

 

[papy]

B RON CO,

I noticed that when i bought the truck. I am planning on dissembling everything and starting form scratch. Thanks

 

[Timmy390]

Food for thought.....

Buy a running driving 4x4 Explorer and transfer everything (engine, EFI and trans) over to the Bronco. Check out local craigslist. You can find some real deals out there on old explorers.

I did this but with a E350 van with 351W. I only used the motor and EFI parts that I could. parted out the van. Ended up $65 dollars in the hole on the deal.

Tim

 

[agboy91]

I have the Explorer 5.0 w/ the M5OD and the Explore 5.0w/4R70W both with NP205’s. I like both.

 

[papy]

what year Explorer 5.0 should i be looking for if i go that route? anything i should be aware of when looking for one? is it a drop in no mods procedure?

 

[sykanr0ng]

The basic block is the same as the 302 (with a few internal improvements)

The modifications are electrical and plumbing, the EFI computer and harness and the fuel pump and lines (runs at about 10x the carb system pressure).

 

[73azbronco]

explorer 5.0 that works, but carb it and keep tranny unless you want auto, then c4/4r70,

 

[nkhd1]

the 96 explorer has the gt40 heads some early 97 the later gt40p heads have the spark plugs at a different angle and will require mod to make the EB stock manifold work or need to be gt40p specific. gt40 has 3 bars on the front of the heads where the Ps have 4
They all work just need to make sure you get the stuff that fits together. Some use the manifolds that come with the explorer.

 

[papy]

Found a 1999 Ford Explorer 5.0 Eddie Bauer with 124,000 miles on it. Complete clean good running truck for $3500-ish CAN dollars. Would the 1999 explorer be a good option?

Seller said it was a full time 4x4/AWD. I didn’t know they made them in full time AWD

Just making sure I am dialed in if I decide to go with the explorer route.

Also if any members have acces to a build thread or a process for the explorer swap would h be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jluck]

That would have to be one nice explorer for that kind of money here. I have passed on one for 500.00 with 140k...