Pros and Cons of early Broncos?

[Silverblade]

Im thinking about getting an old bush truck, early bronco(70s) with the 5.8L 351.

Does anyone know the pros and cons of these trucks?

 

[blichy]

Can you even get a 351 in an EB (unless it was a swap)? Unless you are meaning the second generation, which would be much bigger...

I used to have a '69 with the 302. Actually wish that I still had it (we sold it about 10 years ago ). The short wheelbase will help you out on tight trails, and they are easy to build up from what I have seen.

 

[Silverblade]

yeah they have the 5.0 302 and the 5.8 351 Windsor

I just want a beater one to play with in the bush and I like how it goes convertable

 

[Jason_25]

Uh which bronco are you talking about? 78-79 broncos are huge, and I don't think they are comfortable. They were available with some big motors. 351 and 400 (I think).

If you want a true "early bronco" (66-77) to play with your only engine choice is the 302.

 

[james t]

Originally posted by Silverblade
yeah they have the 5.0 302 and the 5.8 351 Windsor

I just want a beater one to play with in the bush and I like how it goes convertable

nope, sorry. if its a 66-77 (what is refered to as an "early bronco") it either left the factory with a 289 or a 302. the 351 was never offered, but it was a common swap (i have one right now .) either way, the things can be built up awesome for very little $$$. personally, i would go for a 76-77, as these had front discs factory. also, until 71 or 72 they had D30 front end. if its an auto, itll be a C4. transfer case is D20 all years, and these are gear driven and almost unbreakable. 66-73 (i think) had the T-shift pattern, while 74-77 had J-shift.

if you want one cheap, you better get one now. they have sort of a cult following, and cheap ones are getting rarer and rarer. if you wanna know anything else, just ask. i have turned every bolt on mine at least once, and have gotten quite good at breaking parts off-road.

 

[jimbo74]

your only engine choice isnt a 289 0r a 302.... the earlier ones only came with a 6 banger.... not till the early 70s were the v8s even offered... none of them came with 5.8s..... and only the newest ones had discs in the front.....

they are the most capable vehicle next to an explorer.. personally, i wold say that the EB and the X are on the same playing field... but different markets etc...... the scout was the first SUV that started it all

 

[Crankcase]

1 Pro....The 302 ones move nicely, and sound even nicer. Someone on my steet has one with a 302 in it, and it rocks!
1 Con....They are very old. If you need to find parts, they will be very hard to find, and not cheap either....

Anyways...go for the original style

 

[taxx]

Actually if you look around you can find the parts for reasonable amounts. I just found a 44 with disks, the track bars, control arms, calipers and all the goodies for $300. Didn't take long to find either. Of course maybe that was a fluke. So my X will soon be part EB! Its like Frankentruck!

I too would love to have an EB to build up and beat on, but until I have a bigger garage the wife will never go for it. Doesn't want to have to look at it? Oh well, Dana 44 here I come!

 

[blichy]

Originally posted by jimabena74
your only engine choice isnt a 289 0r a 302.... the earlier ones only came with a 6 banger.... not till the early 70s were the v8s even offered

Well, V8's were offered before the 70's. Mine was stock, except for the fuel pump, and it was a 302, and I have seen '67's with it too.

 

[james t]

well, when i said only engine choice i was refering to the V8's. yes, the 200 six was offered the first 2 years, then went to the 250 for 2 more (i believe). as far as parts being high, i dont think so. they are actually very cheap to work on. and also very simple. i had an intermiten wiring problem on mine when i got it. in 1 day, i completely re-wired everything in the engine compartment and underdash except the gauges, and even made it look nice with wiring loom. try that with you explorer, jimabena.

 

[dogfriend]

I havent seen a early Bronco for less that $5k in any condition around here. The only other 4wd that gets that kind of money after 30+ yrs is the original Toyota Land Cruiser.

It would be cool if Ford would just recreate it (like the new Mustang or new Thunderbird). Modernize it but make it real off road machine. Unfortuneatly, it will never happen.

 

[rpenner54]

You could get a 351 but you had to be a Baja racer. It was the strup(sp) edition I belive.

 

[james t]

the "Stroppe" edition. named after famed baja racer Bill Stroppe. around 650 produced total. year run from 71-75. could be had with a 351W as an option (one of many.)

alas, the Stroppe doesnt count. this was an afterdealer package. you could pay for it at a Ford dealership, but it was converted at Bill Stroppe's shop. sort of like a Saleen Mustang, or a Hennesey Viper.

like i said, no FACTORY 351W available...

 

[taxx]

you guys are just getting me so excited to run EB parts on my X, can't wait for spring!

 

[rpenner54]

Originally posted by james t
the "Stroppe" edition. named after famed baja racer Bill Stroppe. around 650 produced total. year run from 71-75. could be had with a 351W as an option (one of many.)

alas, the Stroppe doesnt count. this was an afterdealer package. you could pay for it at a Ford dealership, but it was converted at Bill Stroppe's shop. sort of like a Saleen Mustang, or a Hennesey Viper.

like i said, no FACTORY 351W available...

Okaydokay!

 

[Silverblade]

This sucks. There is an EB for sale over here for $3500 CANADIAN! It has a 460CI engine in it(drool) and has no rust, sitting on 36s. I need $3500 now