1977 Ford Bronco

Oh where to begin with all the crazy things I did to this.  What was I thinking?

First, this is my third car and I've had it since the late eighties.  It's a wagon (U15) variant, but had a fiberglass pickup top on it when I bought it from a shady guy in Dallas and drove it to Chicago where I lived for several years.  It was my daily driver for 5-6 years and made the trek with me back to Boston.

Of course, once back in Boston, I began to modify it.  I put on bigger wheels, lifted it a few inches, added obligatory fender flares, and put in a 351w engine.  I was going for the Baja Racer look and to see what I mean, check out the gallery below and  look for the pics when it was a light blue. 

I drove it that way for a long time and it was the perfect Boston hot rod. Lots of power and those big tires would go through potholes like butter. You would never see another one this nice in the Boston area and I had many offers to buy it. Then one day running errands a head gasket blew, so I towed it back home and decided it was time for a few updates.

A few updates?  I tore it down to the bare frame and body and removed every nut and bolt.  I chucked out the engine, drivetrain, and suspension.  I had the body media blasted and then went to town with metal work and welded up all the seams, fabricated fender flares, and made a custom grill. I replaced the original suspension with a custom built multi-link suspension using Fox Racing coil-over shocks, custom differentials, big Wilwood disc brakes, and more modifications than I can remember.  

It now has a 418w ci crate stroker motor, 5-speed, and everything on it, in it, and around it has been replaced. 

It's number 1 on my priority list.

ENGINE

New Ford 418w ci with 550hp and 560 ft lbs torque.  Steel crank/rods, aluminum heads, hyd roller cam, 10.5:1 pistons, Fast EFI, custom headers (by me), Billet Specialties serpentine system, double sump oil pan, custom valve covers, blah, blah, blah... 

Check out the pics of the engine bay and tell me that ain't the cleanest Bronco engine compartment ever!

DRIVETRAIN

Centerforce clutch, Ford hydraulic TB, ZF 5-speed, and Atlas transfer case. Custom driveshafts from some specialty 4x4 center I can't remember

CHASSIS

- Original frame with original suspension mounts removed, new multi-link suspension mounts added, along with new roll cage mounts.

- Front suspension consists of a custom Ford 9 inch with 5:13 gears, Duff Suspension radius arms, Fox coil-over racing shocks w/remote reservoirs, RCV constant velocity joint axles, and 14 inch Wilwood disc brakes.  I should have done a custom 4-link, but didn't know enough at the time.

- Rear suspension consists of a custom Ford 9 inch with 5:13 gears, custom triangulated 4-link, Fox coil-over racing shocks w/remote reservoirs, Strange axles, and 14 inch Wilwood disc brakes.

BODY & PAINT

- Turned into a roadster (no top) by removing vent windows and door frames. 

- Fabricated a custom firewall and front body supporting structure to replace the factory firewall, inner fenders, and related structural components. 

- The brake and hydraulic system are all hidden under the dash. 

- Added power windows and mirrors.  

- Fabricated all-steel fender flares.  

- Fiberglass hood.  

- Welded/filled body seams. 

- Custom front grill. 

- Removed/replaced tailgate handle with custom latches  to clean up the back.  

Almost ready for final body work and paint.  Color will be Bentley Neptune Blue.  Check out some of the interior/suspension pics below to see how vibrant this color is.  

INTERIOR

- Custom dashboard and digital gauges with an iPad for Navigation & Music by yours truly.   The electronics on this truck are crazy.

- All new wiring harness, ECM, digital relay box, and vehicle control module.

- Custom console by yours truly

- Custom leather seats and door panels.

- Rear storage box (behind seats) for battery and other electronics.

- Crazy roll cage tied into frame and suspension.

WHEELS & TIRES

Coddington 20x10 all around with BFG 37x11.50 all terrain tires