1974 New Bronco Build Clean Slate

[Joe hatton]

Folks- I just bought a 1974 bronco, bone stock minus the rear cut panels for bigger wheels, 302 with 3 on the tree and not an ounce of rust. I want to add 33” tires, power brakes, fuel injection and an automatic trans (for the wife). I am wide open for advice before I start on the Resto with your best practices or must haves. I am fairly handy mechanically minus paint and body and my budget is about 10g. I am not going to climb the side of my Everest, more of a cruiser with mild off roading. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

 

[ared77]

Congrats and welcome!

 

[BulldogBronco]

Welcome! I went with the Holley Sniper for fuel injection and I've been really happy with it but I know a lot of people find old Explorers as donors and use those motors. Which direction are you thinking there?

 

[Joe hatton]

I have a decent running 302 and will probably keep that and just add an aftermarket EFI like the sniper. Any input on better lifts, power steering conversions, etc. is greatly appreciated. Also need advice on converting to an automatic transmission dos and donts

 

[T-7ToNewOldB]

I’m a proflo 4 fan over the TBIs but more expensive if you are reusing your intake manifold. Great tuning/feedback software and one injector per cylinder just seems to make more sense to me. Comes with controls for dual electric fans if you are going electric as well.

 

[T-7ToNewOldB]

I have hydroboost on my brakes, that is a pretty sweet upgrade. Feels modern(ish) when braking. Wild Horses has good power steering kits.

 

[SteveL]

Definitely prefer hydroboost over vaccuum brakes with 33s. For shocks dont get talked into running doubles or shock hoops. Just buy the f-250 mounts up front and one of the cheaper long travel mounts for the rear. Wh has the shock jock and duffs has a similar rear mount. Use the $$ you save on good singles. Either bilstiens or the new eibachs from duffs. A 1" body lift from wh helps make room for swaps. Since you want it "wife friendly " look into the explorer swap . It will give you the efi 5.0 with an od auto tranny all in one unit set up from the factory. Use everything from the fan to the t-case.

 

[T-7ToNewOldB]

I have the 1” body lift from WHs. Definitely helps with spacing, though wasn’t enough for my transfer case/trans combo. I have an AX15 with Atlas 2. Had to clearance the trans tunnel to make room for the twin stick closest to the driver. 1.5” body lift that would not have been needed. Shouldn’t be an issue for you.

 

[Joe hatton]

This is awesome. I had dual shocks on my 73 and it rode like crap, took one shock off per wheel and it rode great - probably also a shock issue. Anyway, I don't mind changing out the intake so will research the "proflo 4" set up. I have to add a complete power steering set up as well...i assume the hydro boost brakes run off the power steering pump? Is it worth spending the extra $ for rear disc. My 73 had disc in front and drum rear and seemed just fine. Thank you to everyone!!!

 

[T-7ToNewOldB]

Yes, hydro boost runs off power steering. If you get both kits from a place like Wild Horses it simplifies the install.

Converting the rears from drums to discs is nice but not necessary. I'm sure other people here who have discs front and drums on rear can comment.

 

[T-7ToNewOldB]

The suggestion to go the explorer route is worth considering. You can get good running gear pretty cheaply. Just depends on whether you want to keep the engine you have or not.

 

[bsquared]

If your 302 is running strong, the aftermarket TBI's will be your most cost effective route. I dropped in a 96 Explorer motor and tried FITech with it, but had huge issues and could not get it running. Went back to carb for about 2 years and recently went Explorer EFI. Love it, but it's expensive and a huge learning curve. I hear good things about the Sniper but do not have experience with it.

I run a 2.5 susp lift and 2" body lift for my ZF-5 speed. 3" susp lift w/o a body lift would be pretty sweet with those 33's. As has been said, hydro boost fo sho and no need for discs on back. I run the Wild Horses saginaw PS pump and bracket. Run ground straps for motor, frame and cab. Enjoy! B2

 

[jckkys]

Considering the proposed uses you have for this truck, I don't see a reason for most of the modifications you list. Exceptions would be power brakes and an automatic transmission. You would benifit as much as your wife, both for convenience and safety.

 

[Joe hatton]

Many Thanks again to all. I think I will start with front discs, hydro boost and power steering then enjoy it for a bit while considering the next phase. Cheers!

 

[caidiali]

Rims and Tires

If your 302 is running strong, the aftermarket TBI's will be your most cost effective route. I dropped in a 96 Explorer motor and tried FITech with it, but had huge issues and could not get it running. Went back to carb for about 2 years and recently went Explorer EFI. Love it, but it's expensive and a huge learning curve. I hear good things about the Sniper but do not have experience with it.

I run a 2.5 susp lift and 2" body lift for my ZF-5 speed. 3" susp lift w/o a body lift would be pretty sweet with those 33's. As has been said, hydro boost fo sho and no need for discs on back. I run the Wild Horses saginaw PS pump and bracket. Run ground straps for motor, frame and cab. Enjoy! B2

What brand of wheels and tires are those?

 

[T-7ToNewOldB]

Many Thanks again to all. I think I will start with front discs, hydro boost and power steering then enjoy it for a bit while considering the next phase. Cheers!

Good list and you will very much notice and enjoy those upgrades.

 

[Rustytruck]

use a stock 1973-1977 original Bronco c-4 get everything from the engine plate back to the transfer case. then work from there. look on our vendors websites as they pretty much list everything to look for. look for a auto steering column and linkages. buy a whole package deal. list a want ad on our classifieds section.