The Tricky EcoBoost Early Bronco Build

[nvrstuk]

Ok, good stuff. Got the 241C torn open and it was indeed a 6 pinion. The 249J input fits right into it. Also discovered that they have different shift collars, of which I'll need to use the 241C.

So in the end I'm only robbing the Jeep input from the 249, using everything else from the 241

Kinda like putting an SBC in one🫢🫢

But without that dirty GM feeling.
But with that dirty Jeep feeling.

Had to as my first post on your thread! lol

Great progress, looking good. Interested as I was extremely interested in putting a 3.5TT in my Shorty build till I did a ton of research on all the pages of codes that needed to be deleted and it got me thinking about the "Ease and Cost" of putting a large can of worms in my toy. The model you are doing is more user friendly for coding is what I've heard. Really fun watching your progress!

 

[Tricky Dick]

But without that dirty GM feeling.
But with that dirty Jeep feeling.

Had to as my first post on your thread! lol

Great progress, looking good. Interested as I was extremely interested in putting a 3.5TT in my Shorty build till I did a ton of research on all the pages of codes that needed to be deleted and it got me thinking about the "Ease and Cost" of putting a large can of worms in my toy. The model you are doing is more user friendly for coding is what I've heard. Really fun watching your progress!

Hey now, it's an Aisin trans and New Process t-case parts.

I know a guy doing several 3.5TT swaps at once into various cars. He's a wizard with the computer side of things. What sold me on the 2.3, specifically the one I bought from Mars, is that it was turnkey and I just have to to the mechanical work. That said, I would not do Mars again. Overpriced for what you get and terrible lead times. I was told 8-10 weeks when I ordered, it ended up being exactly 6 months.

Speaking of cooling, the Mustang this engine came out of had a radiator with similar surface area as an EB, but only 1 core. When used in the 6G Bronco they gave it a much larger radiator which I will struggle to match. I'm thinking of trying a universal "Ford hot rod" radiator, the ports are in the right spots and at 19w x 27h I think it will fit ok between the frame.

 

[Yeller]

Speaking of cooling, the Mustang this engine came out of had a radiator with similar surface area as an EB, but only 1 core. When used in the 6G Bronco they gave it a much larger radiator which I will struggle to match. I'm thinking of trying a universal "Ford hot rod" radiator, the ports are in the right spots and at 19w x 27h I think it will fit ok between the frame.

I would say it is the difference of towing for the bronco and the thought that it is going to get mud in it. The bronco probably doesn't scoop air in as well for forced air either. I doubt you'll have an issue with the radiator you are proposing.


Ya gotta look out for that @nvrstuk guy, he will derail your thread with all kinds of stuff oh wait that might be me

 

[nvrstuk]

Tag team thread de-railers!!

 

[nvrstuk]

Agreed on the proposed rad. The nice thing about the "universal rads" that Griffin &/or others make is you can buy them from suppliers all over the US of A when or if they fail. Not waiting for a specialty rad when yours got a big hole in it when you are on vacation in Moab let's say with Reno (Summit) only a day away.

 

[73azbronco]

Hey please save the inline 6 carb and associated, that thing is rare.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Hey please save the inline 6 carb and associated, that thing is rare.

On it! I stashed it for safe keeping. The air cleaner still has oil in it.

 

[nvrstuk]

No rad load in a Mustang compared to an EB. Crawling doesn't force air thru to assist cooling like a street car.

I kinda chuckle when car guys say that their engine temp climbs when the have to wait at a long stoplight! lol

When we wheel at Moab we are essentially "sitting at a stoplight" all day trying to drag 5000+ lbs over rocks for hrs at a time.

 

[Tricky Dick]

No rad load in a Mustang compared to an EB. Crawling doesn't force air thru to assist cooling like a street car.

I kinda chuckle when car guys say that their engine temp climbs when the have to wait at a long stoplight! lol

When we wheel at Moab we are essentially "sitting at a stoplight" all day trying to drag 5000+ lbs over rocks for hrs at a time.

That's a nice thing about a something designed for the job from the factory, the 6G stays cool in every situation with the AC cranked.

 

[Madgyver]

Tag team thread de-railers!!

What rails are you talking about?

 

[Tricky Dick]

What rails are you talking about?

Yeah I think there would have to be rails to begin with to come off them.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Almost a really solid night.

Started out by setting a tool case up as a mock driver seat and made some engine noises, rowed some imaginary gears.

After staring at the cracked dash pad I pulled it off real quick, I think I like the no pad look.

Dropped the aux tank, zipped the front and mid cab bolts out with an impact no problem.

Then the 2 back ones snapped off, one of the core support bolts snapped off, and the other the nut came off but it's seized in the sleeve.

 

[Lawndart]

After staring at the cracked dash pad I pulled it off real quick, I think I like the no pad look.
.

Years ago, I removed my dash to get it recovered. I paused.
I have not bothered getting it recovered. I do not miss it.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Was only able to spend a couple hours tonight but I became intimately familiar with the joys of body mounts. I learned that getting the bolts out was just the tip of the iceberg.

Ended up jacking up the entire passenger side about 6" and sawzalled the sleeves in half. Put the new bushings in loosely and called it a night.

 

[nvrstuk]

Body mount removal is the christening of building your Bronco!

 

[Qumanchew]

Very cool build! I'll be following along .

 

[Tricky Dick]

So I've been debating how I want to shift all this and I think I've settled on the twin sticks as mechanical linkage mounted next to the trans shifter, and cable shift for the ecobox.

I was thinking about getting the JB shifter, which looks like a very nice unit and I hear nothing but great things, but my thrifty side took over and I'm going to try to replicate it. I snagged a B&M 6ft cable for $50 and will give it a go.

Worked on body mounts again tonight, got all the new ones in and bolts started loosely except I can't get the threads started on one of the rear most ones. Called it a night and will attempt again tomorrow with fresh patience.

 

[Scoop]

I've installed several JB twin sticks and they are quality shifters - hard to beat of the price Jon charges. I also fab'ed my own for my trail rig because no purchased twin sticks would mount to my doubler set up. Pretty easy.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I've installed several JB twin sticks and they are quality shifters - hard to beat of the price Jon charges. I also fab'ed my own for my trail rig because no purchased twin sticks would mount to my doubler set up. Pretty easy.

View attachment 913968

I might get this one and extend the linkage to hook to the 205. OTOH I have a set of old D20 twin stick shifters that wouldn't be hard to copy this design with. I bought the JB AX15 twin stick boot so this is the easy button to fit it.

 

[nvrstuk]

Before I knew Jon @ JBFab I bought triple cable shifters out of Vancouver, BC a long time ago.

After the outfit in BC warranteed 3 cables due to inferior quality, I knew Jon by then, ordered some quality cables and have never looked back.

Hope the B&M stays together for you. My pre‐JBFab cables only failed when I used them.

Your setup looks great, liking it. Keep the posts coming.