The Tricky EcoBoost Early Bronco Build

[Tricky Dick]

I'm going down a rabbit hole thinking about building half ton axles down the road instead of the 1 tons....

It looks like a 19+ Ranger M220 is the right width to match a HP44, can be found with a stock e-locker, and 4.88, 5.13, etc, gearsets are out now. Looking at about $2k all in to buy everything. Paired with a HP44 with GM knuckles out would be a slick setup to run 37s and have a whole world of 6 lug wheels available.

 

[Yeller]

That works probably for 99.9% of what you will do, beyond that the risk of body damage increases by a factor of 100. Keep the weight down and things will be happy. The M220 is a stout unit and have no qualms about that.

 

[Tricky Dick]

That works probably for 99.9% of what you will do, beyond that the risk of body damage increases by a factor of 100. Keep the weight down and things will be happy. The M220 is a stout unit and have no qualms about that.

I certainly have no complaints about the one in my Bronco, although some people have been breaking plug welds but that's an easy fix. I know it's tantamount to heresy, but I just don't care for the 9", mainly due to the locker choices and the super low pinion.

I'm glad I chose to put some time on the stock axles before deciding because I'm yoyoing on the street vs trail percentages I expect. I do think I'm ultimately going to want a tube buggy with Bronco skins and I should probably save the 1 tons for that. But it's all up in the air.

 

[Yeller]

With tons in the bronco you will use it like a tub buggy because you can…. Not because you should.

If that’s what you decide to do with it great but it’s nice to have a nice ice cream getter too

 

[Tricky Dick]

With tons in the bronco you will use it like a tub buggy because you can…. Not because you should.

If that’s what you decide to do with it great but it’s nice to have a nice ice cream getter too

Sounds about right!

 

[Tricky Dick]

Ugh it's a sickness. I now own a 66 U14 as well.

Or at least the title and frame to one.

 

[Yeller]

Welcome to the brain damage zone

 

[Jwredneck]

Money ahead if you just go buy this!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/948...03141979720751/?sale_post_id=7003141979720751

 

[Tricky Dick]

Money ahead if you just go buy this!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/948...03141979720751/?sale_post_id=7003141979720751
View attachment 909084

I can never buy anything finished because I have to change everything anyway. Also I'm far too poor.

 

[Yeller]

I can never buy anything finished because I have to change everything anyway. Also I'm far too poor.

That’s why I built the the Junk Yard Rokit, the worlds smallest Rockwell buggy

 

[Tricky Dick]

Over the weekend I brought the U15 from my dad's place 400 miles away to my buddy's place 20 miles away. Getting closer! Just need to clear a spot in the garage and I can bring it the rest of the way.

I have in mind an order of restomodding like so:

New body bushings and 1" body lift.
Install driver seat so I can sit in it and daydream.
Remove old drivetrain.
Clean up front half of frame.
Set new drivetrain in and build mounts.
Plumb engine in - wiring, cooling, intake.
Drop gas tank. Weld fuel pump ring to *new* stock capacity tank. Reinstall and run fuel lines.

At this point I should be able to sit in it and daydream while revving the engine.

Inspect axles, change fluids, refurb brakes, install front discs. Install brake booster.
Install 3.5" suspension lift and 35s.
Have drivelines made and install.

At this point it should be able to move itself around and I can start chipping away at everything else as time permits.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I should probably have a build thread but I guess this can be it.

The EB is still sitting at my buddy's place but I've since ordered an Acura electric brake booster, Volvo electric PS pump, some 7* bushings, and getting an IFS Toyota steering box from a buddy.

My steering column is a bit jacked up so looking into options there. I have a Pinto column sitting on the parts rack that I keep eyeing.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Well that was fateful. I stumbled across a new body Ranger M220 with elocker on marketplace last night for the outrageous price of $100. He's even delivering it for me today. Missing calipers and has a bent shaft flange but still, stupid cheap. To top that off a buddy is giving me a 79 HP44 with GM knuckles. It's all coming together.

 

[Yeller]

Nice score!

 

[Tricky Dick]

Nice score!

I thought so. I'm still looking at a grand or so to complete it but that's tough to beat for the number of boxes it checks.

Got it.

 

[Tricky Dick]

No progress of note but I stumbled on a nice set of 285/70/17 KM3s for $100 so I'm just going to put those on initially and skip the lift for now. Should make for a shorter path to getting it on the road.

 

[sprdv1]

I'm going down a rabbit hole thinking about building half ton axles down the road instead of the 1 tons....

It looks like a 19+ Ranger M220 is the right width to match a HP44, can be found with a stock e-locker, and 4.88, 5.13, etc, gearsets are out now. Looking at about $2k all in to buy everything. Paired with a HP44 with GM knuckles out would be a slick setup to run 37s and have a whole world of 6 lug wheels available.

We all know how them rabbit holes are man

 

[Tricky Dick]

Now this is wild. I found a way to have a 6 lug front axle that unmodified new Bronco wheels will fit just like my Ranger rear axle.

88-98 GM 6 lug unit bearings will bolt onto a 00-01 Dodge D44 knuckle. The Dodge stub shaft even fits them. The GM rotor will fit in combination with Dodge calipers with some small caliper spacers. The GM center bore is slightly smaller than the 6G.

This leaves me with a somewhat crummy axle - center disconnect and low pinion. Buttt, those Dodge stubs use 5-760x u-joints - just like a 70s Ford D44. So I'd need a welded wedges axle and swap the Dodge Cs onto it.

What does this mean? I can share wheel/tire sets with my 6G, of which I have too many already. Specifically eyeing my Sasquatch beadlocks with 37" Maxxis RAZRs....

 

[Yeller]

I’d put the dodge C’s on the axle of your choice, set the pinion angle correctly while your at it and let the driveshaft spin, it won’t hurt a thing

 

[sprdv1]

I’d put the dodge C’s on the axle of your choice, set the pinion angle correctly while your at it and let the driveshaft spin, it won’t hurt a thing

the man w/the plan