Explorer on Bronco chassis?

[Gonzo]

I know "anything" is possible, but would it be worth the work to put a 1st gen Explorer on a 78-79 Bronco chassis? If I were to build up an Explorer, I would want a V8 (which also means tranny & t-case swap), and at least d-44 strength axles. I know neither would be easy, I'm just thinking out loud. But why go to all the trouble of making the drivetrain work on the Explorer, if you could put the Explorer body on a Bronco? I once saw a picture of a Bronco II on a full-size Blazer chassis, and I know someone on here put an Ex. on a shortened F-250 chassis.

Here are some of my thoughts:
Explorer Sport: 102" wheelbase
Bronco: 104" wheelbase
possibly hack fenders
fitment issues with frame rail widths?
too much gap between body & frame?
fitment issues with engine/tranny?
Weight issues?

 

[Rhett]

Neat idea. Not knowing specifically the width of the 78-79 Bronco frame, etc. it's hard to say. I would think there would be problems with the 1st gen Explorer fuel tank, as it is on the driver's side midsection, so the Bronco frame might interfere there...relocating the tank would be a possibility.

Also the front or rear of the Bronco frame might have to be hacked off...maybe.

Probably body mounts would have to be fabbed up, too. I'm sure with a little 1" body lift that would help things out a lot. Talk about thinking out loud...

 

[410Fortune]

I see no reason why you cant do this, it would be similar to the F-250 project Explorer, just using a shorter F-150 style frame to start with.