The Tricky EcoBoost Early Bronco Build

[Tricky Dick]

Looks like a really solid foundation to start with. The fact it has the 170 in it, most likely will have 4.10 gears. The year dosent have as much to do with it. If it were a V8 it could have 3.50 or 4.10 in it. If you are going to put any more motor to it (other than the 170) and you are going to wheel it I wouldnt spend a cent on that dana 30. Try to find a dana 44. They do pop up on here from time to time and would be a direct bolt in. The dana 44 is stronger all around and has tons of aftermarket support. If your just driving on the street or staying with the 170 you could roll with the dana 30.

Good luck!

I'm thinking 31s and light wheeling until I get the final build plan sorted.

Should my original exterior color have been white like the inside?

 

[Tricky Dick]

I've mostly decided the 2.3/X15 is the way to go largely due to the support the AX15 already has for EBs. It's 1-5 gearing is very close to the 6G 1-5, just missing the crawl gear and second overdrive. With 4.10 gears and 35s this puts RPM/MPH charts right inline with a 6G with 4.70s and 35s. I give up the 95:1 6G crawl ratio but I have a fix for that - Blackbox to NP205 - gets me to 88:1 with 4.10 and if I wanted to go larger on the tires 4.88 would be 100:1.

Dropping a few links here so I don't lose them.

Crossmember https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-77-ford-bronco-ax15-transmission-crossmember-kit
Ecoboost to AX15 adapter https://quickdrawbrand.com/ford/adapter-kit-ford-2-3-ecoboost-to-jeep-ax15-nv3550-5-speed/
Blackbox https://northwestfab.com/products/blackbox-np205-titan
Twin stick knobs https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/produ...RNV5W6moF3Obj6Olh9cvk-wTypi6zZfGBVMnJYS9fUZCA
NP205 mount https://www.totalmetalinnovations.com/np-205-t-case-mount-p/205-t-case-mount.htm
Silverback flares https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/silverbacks_set4/Bronco_Fender_Flares

 

[stout22]

Looks like you have a solid Bronco to work with.
As far as the interior color the factory painted the interior and exterior the same color. The dash panel and door panels would have been parchment. But I'm not a 66 expert so there could be differences. I like your plan on getting it going and enjoying it while you continue your search for parts.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Looks like you have a solid Bronco to work with.
As far as the interior color the factory painted the interior and exterior the same color. The dash panel and door panels would have been parchment. But I'm not a 66 expert so there could be differences. I like your plan on getting it going and enjoying it while you continue your search for parts.

Thanks. I kind of like it in red too, not sure how I'm going to proceed there but it's a decision for down the road. My TBP seats are black so the interior will follow.

 

[Yeller]

Wow! wish mine was that nice when I started, you got all the part LOL.

 

[Okie69]

Those parts look like you’re steering into territory where that D30 will be unhappy pretty quickly. Might want to really think about finding a D44.

My D30 lasted about 2 hours into my first “mild” wheeling trip with 35s

 

[Tricky Dick]

Those parts look like you’re steering into territory where that D30 will be unhappy pretty quickly. Might want to really think about finding a D44.

My D30 lasted about 2 hours into my first “mild” wheeling trip with 35s

I don't think those parts and the D30 will be spending any time together beyond the street. Leaning hard on finding some Rubicon D44s for the final build. I am pretty light on the throttle though and have made Jeep D30s survive on 35s fine.

I just worked out with a guy to swap his married NP205 for a spare divorced NP205 I have. One thing to check off.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Wow! wish mine was that nice when I started, you got all the part LOL.

I'm guessing yours cost just a little bit less at that time too I can't believe what I gave for this thing but when I think about other dumb stuff I've blown more money can accept it.

 

[Yeller]

I'm guessing yours cost just a little bit less at that time too I can't believe what I gave for this thing but when I think about other dumb stuff I've blown more money can accept it.

No doubt, I don't envy what you must have paid. I just had a floorless, rusty tub; fenders, grill, hood, tailgate and windshield frame. everything else was hand built. No way I could replace it today for what I have in it, there was also 20 years of recycled and accumulated parts. I'm still jealous of a mostly drivable bronco to start with. Love what you are doing and the long term plan

 

[Tricky Dick]

It's on the way. Lots of extra room on the trailer but Rick wouldn't throw in any more Broncos to fill it up.

Not sure what I want to do about the passenger side gas tank addition, probably delete it as I will be running an in tank pump and don't want to deal with multiple tanks. Ideally there would be a 17-18 gallon aftermarket main tank but it looks like you get 13 or 23.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Quick Draw adapter ordered.

I keep going round and round on buying a used, reman, or new AX15. Reman seems like a good compromise at about $1500, but another $600 or so gets brand spanking new.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Buy once, cry once, as they say. 20k mile motor, new trans, new doubler (going Ecobox instead of Blackbox though so used gears), and I'll probably refresh the NP205.

 

[daddycreswell]

You getting after, hell I've yet to put on my disc brakes I bought 10 years ago.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Tricky Dick]

You getting after, hell I've yet to put on my disc brakes I bought 10 years ago.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

It will all probably sit around in boxes for months till I misplace it and have to buy again....

The last big purchase for a while. 3 month lead time!

 

[Tricky Dick]

It sure looks at home there. Wish that was mine right now.

 

[nvrstuk]

Funny story how I met him. My friend and I were driving with the Moab Safari group on Poison Spider. We came up this one hill and our group pulled over to the right and stopped but as I crested the hill I missed our group and just started following the first Bronco in front of me, which happened to be Steve's group. We followed them for quite a while until they stopped for a break. We hung back because we didn't want to intrude but they were super welcoming. Turns out we were staying in Airbnbs on the same block too.

WHAT???? You fell behind your group at the Safari and THAT GROUP didn't notice?? Holy cow, that's one of the most important things about going in a group. The Tailgunners ONLY job is to keep track of everyone and make sure you are ok. I'm kinda surprised.

Yes, please call the Broncos we all own anything but "1G". thanks.

You live in WA State? Whereabouts because you can't be too far from me as I'm there also. Congrats on the decision, have fun and I always have my .02 since you kinda asked for it. lol

Call a couple of the big Bronco houses that build Broncos on the side and ask them if they would ever swap in another TT mod into an Early Bronco. lol I did and I'm really glad I did. They said they'd never do it again. The 2.3 you are talking about is different than the TT3.5 liter I was thinking of doing but after chatting with them I said no way and I don't get scared of doing anything really. lol

If you like a ton of noise, can't hear yourself talk with the windows open or top off, love stinky diesel fumes, have to shut the engine off at any drivethrough or when pulling up to talk with friends then you know how I feel about non-common rail diesels in EB's. Make sure all your wheeling buddy's like sucking in your fumes on the trail all day too. Might have to be leading or trailgunning but not in the pack!

Anyway, I brought these points up so you could double check your "what I want out of my Bronco" so you will be happy with it when done.

Hope you do a build thread when you get going on this project!

 

[orangecrush4u]

Welcome aboard

 

[Tricky Dick]

WHAT???? You fell behind your group at the Safari and THAT GROUP didn't notice?? Holy cow, that's one of the most important things about going in a group. The Tailgunners ONLY job is to keep track of everyone and make sure you are ok. I'm kinda surprised. They did notice and it was brought up later (we actually ran back into the group again on the way out), but nobody radioed us as we left the group.

Yes, please call the Broncos we all own anything but "1G". thanks. Noted and fixed. Most of the 6G crowd doesn't know what EB means (EcoBoost? Eddie Bauer?) so it's easier to say 1G around them.

You live in WA State? Whereabouts because you can't be too far from me as I'm there also. Spokane Congrats on the decision, have fun and I always have my .02 since you kinda asked for it. lol

Call a couple of the big Bronco houses that build Broncos on the side and ask them if they would ever swap in another TT mod into an Early Bronco. lol I did and I'm really glad I did. They said they'd never do it again. The 2.3 you are talking about is different than the TT3.5 liter I was thinking of doing but after chatting with them I said no way and I don't get scared of doing anything really. lol I would think twice if I wasn't already involved in the Ecoboost swap community and didn't have my ducks in order. My ECU is ready to go with everything I don't need deleted. I ran my engine on the pallet after it was delivered.

If you like a ton of noise, can't hear yourself talk with the windows open or top off, love stinky diesel fumes, have to shut the engine off at any drivethrough or when pulling up to talk with friends then you know how I feel about non-common rail diesels in EB's. Make sure all your wheeling buddy's like sucking in your fumes on the trail all day too. Might have to be leading or trailgunning but not in the pack! Time and a place for an old diesel but I've moved on from that idea.

Anyway, I brought these points up so you could double check your "what I want out of my Bronco" so you will be happy with it when done.

Hope you do a build thread when you get going on this project!

 

[nvrstuk]

Sounds great, the 2.3 when boosted is a compact pwrhouse.

Must be Fairchild then?

I'm 179 miles due west.

Have you met any of the Early Bronco guys there?

 

[Tricky Dick]

Sounds great, the 2.3 when boosted is a compact pwrhouse.

Must be Fairchild then?

I'm 179 miles due west.

Have you met any of the Early Bronco guys there?

I'm near Fairchild but I'm just a regular civvy.

I've met maybe a dozen of the local guys and they've all been great. I would have already made some mistakes buying stuff if they hadn't pointed out some 66 differences.