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EFI engine swap

Alabama-Fatboy

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2013
Messages
22
I have a stock 77 with a 302 and C4. Do most people upgrade to the 5.0 explorer motor and rebuild there old C4?
 

70_Steve

Old Guy
Joined
Dec 13, 2002
Messages
8,317
Hi, and welcome to ClassicBroncos.com!!!!

I'm not sure anyone could say that "most people" do anything specific. There are lots of different modifications that can be done to our Broncos that have been duplicated quite a few times. But there are lots of variations on just about everything. It all depends on what you're trying to accomplish, and how you use your Bronco.

Fill us in on a few more details on what you intend to wind up with!
 

rjrobin2002

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 13, 2007
Messages
2,947
I did one with a Explorer 5.0 to a 76 Bronco c-4 and liked it and it was way cheaper and easier.
I did another with the 5.0 explorer and the Explorer overdrive transmision adapted to the bronco transfer case. Both were really nice and adapting to the C-4 was WAY cheaper cause I was able to leave the differential ratios the same. The overdrive transmission was funner to drive, but I had to spend an extra 1500 bucks having the gears swapped to a lower ration due to the overdrive.
 
OP
OP
Alabama-Fatboy

Alabama-Fatboy

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2013
Messages
22
Wanting to make it a nice everyday driver. I've ordered the wild horse 2 1/2 lift with a 1 inch body lift. Want to drive it off road when I want and just have a nice 4 x 4 that's not like everybody's jeep.
 

Izzy

Bronco Guru
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Sep 5, 2009
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Loc.
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rjrobin2002

Contributor
Bronco Guru
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Oct 13, 2007
Messages
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I loved both of my ford EFI swaps. EFIGUY on here has a great deal, you just pull an 96-01 explorer motor and mail him the harness and computer. He modifies the harness where it is a simple 3 wire hook up using all of the explorer sensors for about 500 bucks.
 

Izzy

Bronco Guru
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Sep 5, 2009
Messages
2,430
Loc.
Texas
That is similar to the RJM harness which makes it a very easy swap.
 

rjrobin2002

Contributor
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http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224697

This is the best way and the mustang stuff requires a bunch of sensors from 5 different vehicles and then you have to buy a harness and computer. So for 500 bucks for EFI guys service you can use all the sensors that will come with your junk yard engine.


Or you will spend about 1000 bucks on the RJM harness, new distributor, new sensors, mustang computer and so on.
 

garberz

Bronco Influencer
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
6,864
Loc.
Conejo Valley, Ca.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224697

This is the best way and the mustang stuff requires a bunch of sensors from 5 different vehicles and then you have to buy a harness and computer. So for 500 bucks for EFI guys service you can use all the sensors that will come with your junk yard engine.


Or you will spend about 1000 bucks on the RJM harness, new distributor, new sensors, mustang computer and so on.

I just finished up mine using EFI Guy's service for the Explorer PCM. It's running great. My motor has about 100K mi. on it. I've had it on and off the road for almost a month now.
Here's my install.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232854

Mark
 

broncoman1972

Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 4, 2004
Messages
1,300
.....and just have a nice 4 x 4 that's not like everybody's jeep.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Welcome aboard!

I am in the middle of an Explorer swap using the 4r70w trans from the Explorer (modded with a manual valve body - offroad mostly...) I took care of the harness myself and EFIGuy did the programming. I'm not up and running yet but hope to be by the time the weather warms up.
 

Pa PITT

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Messages
11,300
Loc.
Stephenville TEXAS
Alabama FatBoy Hell yes if it can be done to a Bronc someone here has done it.. .. Welcome aboard ..
.. And I had 4 Great Grand Pa's from the Alabama 44th..
 

70_Steve

Old Guy
Joined
Dec 13, 2002
Messages
8,317
Wanting to make it a nice everyday driver. I've ordered the wild horse 2 1/2 lift with a 1 inch body lift. Want to drive it off road when I want and just have a nice 4 x 4 that's not like everybody's jeep.
Still not a whole lot of information A-F!!!

Everyday driver, but what kind of driving? In town, highway? Do you need to be able to drive 65 mph for extended periods of time?

What kind of off-road driving. Hill climbs? Rock crawling? Mud bogs? Easy trail rides?

And, besides, the current 302 and C4, what else does your Bronco currently have? What size tires? Suspension lift? Body lift? Gear ratios?

For a generic everyday driver I would suggest some kind of 302/5.0. Plenty of power for just about all kinds of driving. EFI is a good thing, but would suggest staying with a Ford conversion rather than any of the aftermarket conversions. For the tranny, I'd have to suggest some type of overdrive tranny. AOD, AOD-E, etc. Lots of choices there, and that will be where the biggest expense will probably be, especially if the tranny you choose needs a transmission controller. Leave the stock Dana20 transfer case.

I'd also suggest a 2 1/2" suspension lift and a 1" body lift. That will give you decent handling and clearance for 33" tires. I would not install double shocks anywhere. Single shocks will give the best ride.
 

EFI Guy

TheEFIguy@gmail
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Apr 14, 2013
Messages
1,168
Loc.
BFE
For the tranny, I'd have to suggest some type of overdrive tranny. AOD, AOD-E, etc. Lots of choices there, and that will be where the biggest expense will probably be, especially if the tranny you choose needs a transmission controller. Leave the stock Dana20 transfer case.

Explorer EFI has built in 4r70w control. ;)

I think the biggest expense of going with the OD trans would be the trans to t-case adapter unless you switch to a 205. But, even that has added costs.
 

pcf_mark

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Messages
3,696
Welcome to the party! Jeeps are like belly buttons - everyone has one.


This site has the best group of people on any site I have every seen.
 

ransil

Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
8,138
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224697

This is the best way and the mustang stuff requires a bunch of sensors from 5 different vehicles and then you have to buy a harness and computer. So for 500 bucks for EFI guys service you can use all the sensors that will come with your junk yard engine.


Or you will spend about 1000 bucks on the RJM harness, new distributor, new sensors, mustang computer and so on.

That is some bad math there..

you still need to factor in the cost of the Explorer EFI stuff on top of the $500

The RJM harness is new and costs about $550
 
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