Poll: Frame swap

[Wyo4x4er]

So, I work at a place called Anything Scout here in AMes, IA. And we are working on a frame swap that puts a new modern frame and suspension under and old scout. Now being an EB owner I began to wonder if this might be something the rest of our community would be interested in. If it works like I think it will, it would be bolting on coil suspension front and rear and maybe even a way to swap a modular motor into our classics.

SO how many people would be interested in this?

 

[bowhunter]

There's several out there already and a few before, that are no longer available. Really depends on workmanship, custom ability and "ultimately" price before folks would be interested (in my opinion).

Because...at the end of the day, it's not very difficult to modify the original frame.

Post up some pics of what you guys are doing on a scout and let some folks critique it.

 

[half cab]

Fellas not to far from me put a late model Chevy pu chassis under an EB a couple yrs ago. Big write up in Bronco Driver about it ...wasn't very popular on here.

I believe it was in issue #51 ..Called it a half breed..

 

[clarrance]

Krawlers Edge already builds complete new chassis with coils front and rear, 4linked, sway bars, etc. The frame is designed to fit larger engine platforms not just the mod motor, and if you want a 4door or a stretched Bronco they have new frames and chassis for that too.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have no desire for it. Don't know anyone who would.

Reading your plans I am confused. Are you thinking of a whole new chassis? From the bolt on coil springs front and rear comment (you must have forgot that a Bronco already comes with coils up front) that you are thinking of using the existing chassis and just making a bolt on suspension pirated from something more modern. Don't really see anything to be gained by re-inventing the wheel there. Lots of suspension options already exist, don't see anyone looking for IFS. The narrowness of the Bronco frame makes for just about any sort of retrofitting a massive chore. The only modern chassis that I have found to be close to the narrow Bronco frame is from an H1 hummer. Having searched them over in the past, Component locations, tape measuring stuff, that isn't going to be anywhere near a bolt in.

 

[sykanr0ng]

The box frame, such as the early Bronco already has, are what people put under inferior vehicles that do not have them.

The Scouts had box frames as well, so I'm not sure why they would need a different frame instead of simply welding on what is wanted.

So pointless modifications IMO.

 

[TN1776]

Very limited market. Ford only made what, 240,000 Broncos in 11 years? Very large percentage of them are gone. Very small percentage of owners would have any desire to go with an aftermarket frame. I am sure you could sell a few but I doubt it would be worth the time, effort, and cost to go into production.

 

[Wyo4x4er]

Yes I realize it has coils in the front, and boxed frame. THis swap would be a fully boxed frame, with new body mounts locations and solid axles.
Yes scouts do have a boxed frame and you can spend a lot of money putting whatever suspension you want on it.

THe benefit is mostly for those that would want to have brand new frame that allows for off the shelf suspension upgrades versus putting in one themselves. It is also a wider frame that would be able to accomadate a wide variety of engine options.

I understand that it might not be a popular idea for purists or DIYers.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I really don't see any benefits that you describe. Frame width isn't the limiting factor on installing an engine in a Bronco, engine compartment size is. Changing the frame down nothing to address the lack of room between the firewall and the grill. The master cylinder is still in the same place as well.

Already have solid axles.

Any bolt on suspension would be limited to your suspension design as it wouldn't interchange with anything else out there.

Changing the frame around like you propose would also create a huge list of normal bolt ons that would no longer bolt on and need custom fabrication. Just the fuel tank for example. Transmission crossmembers.

What has happened is you created something (at least in your head) and are trying to find a market for that. Edison found that was a bad way to do business. It is very hard to find a problem for a solution. Good business is the other way around. find a problem and make a solution for it. Bronco frames are not a problem. Unless you can find a super special suspension that solves all other suspension problems and that happens to require a new frame, this is a dead end project.

 

[sykanr0ng]

I understand that it might not be a popular idea for purists or DIYers.

This "purists or DIYers" describes huge portions of the owners of classic Broncos.

You are planning on making a product for a very small part of an already small market, and when we tell you that simple fact you become defensive.

 

[fordguy]

i have a friend who modified an early bronco frame to fit a 48 ford pickup. now he has a 48 4wd truck. they had to extend the bronco frame a bit to make it work

 

[Apogee]

Doesn't Art Morrison Enterprises make the frames for the Icon Broncos? I realize they don't sell them to anyone other than Icon, but maybe that says more than anything else. While I think the market is small, I wouldn't discourage anybody from making something for the EB's, more options the merrier IMHO. That said, I'd be shocked if they sold more than a handful a year, but if that works for "Anything Scout's" business model, then more power to them. Speaking from experience with my business, niche products for niche markets have the potential to be lucrative ideas. Since it sounds like they're tooled up for Scout frames, I can't imagine the leap would be too great to an EB.

Krawler's Edge makes a very nice product from what I've seen, so tell them to bring their A-game since that will be the primary competition.

Tobin

 

[Broncobowsher]

From the Art Morrison/Icon thing. Icon orders frames to there own specs, and Art Morrison builds them to Icon specs. Art Morrison will still build a Bronco frame, just not to Icon specs for you. Unless your design specs just so happen to be EXACTLY the same as Icon's. At which point it will still be built to your specs and have your name on it, not Icon's. What you design they build, not what someone else designs and they build one for you.

I have even thought of doing a wide frame for a Bronco. So far as to figure out how to take a stock frame, cut out the crossmembers and widen it that way. At which point moving the body mounts inboard to match the body holes. Made a whole lot of work, not really anything gained.