GoFastBroncos.com

Got a free truck and dragged it in my shop about 2 years ago. Original plan was to swap in a newer motor get bent beams and leave it kind of ratty.

The plans changed pretty quick. The frame was a greasy mess, cracked at the steering box and the drivers beam was slightly bent. Body had some rust, the bed a lot of rust. A friend and I scored an 87 frame with suspension for cheap. He wanted the frame for a bronco project. Tried finding a frame or front cut with a cross member for a reasonable price to no avail so I made my own. Decided to do a complete sort of resto mod build to a 5/8 ton daily driver. Driveline is basically 2004 chevy 6.0 4l80 np241 to a 14 bolt. Been trying to document everything but I've missed a few things along the way, was going to start this thread a while ago.

Well, that lost my interest pretty quick. I was applauding another nice Ford build, saw the engine and thought, done here.

Nice build, hope it comes out great. Pity about the engine.

Bad ass! Keeping the coil buckets?

Bitchin! Can't wait for more updates!

So narrow minded Rod! Best part for the job at the best price - who cares what name is on that label.

I'm all for this thing. This thing entails much of what I've wanted to do. I'd just got for a extra cab or crew cab, but hey, if you got the thing for free - why not! Fab work here looks GREAT. If this is who I think it is - glad to see you finally sign u - I've been meaning to text & ask for pics. If you don't know me - then you have a very similar project to a buddy & I love every inch of it!

If it were a super cab I would have went diesel. I didn't want to spend twice as much or more building a motor. I'm not a brand purist, went to the junk yard low mile motor done. Yeah Chase It's me. Decided on going front coilovers a few months later for all the obvious reasons.

Did a little research about converting the front to 8 lug before I decided on going with a 3/4 ton axle. Found out more chevy parts would do the job.



Also did a 3in cut and turn on the beams. I didn't take any pictures. Made a pretty simple jig system to do it. Glad I didn't jump the gun and do a standard 4in. 3in ended up being perfect, its a little negative with the cams at zero. Got a junk yard front diff with 4.10 gears from an f250 with the larger inner u joint. I didn't clearance the beam quite enough before powder coat, but I don't think I would ever get it to articulate that much especially with it limit strapped.

exhaust ended up being fairly simple. All 2.5 304 stainless to a 3.5 magnaflow. Its not too loud.

ChaseTruck754 wrote:So narrow minded Rod!

Yep. Ford for Ford, Chevy for Chevy. Hybrids always cost more in time and money, now and later.
It's a great project, but not what interests me. It's the gentleman's build, not mine.

ChaseTruck754 wrote: This thing entails much of what I've wanted to do.

Then stop talking about it and do it!

deyzin wrote:If it were a super cab I would have went diesel. I didn't want to spend twice as much or more building a motor. I'm not a brand purist, went to the junk yard low mile motor done. Yeah Chase It's me. Decided on going front coilovers a few months later for all the obvious reasons.

Glad you finally made a thread. And glad you went coilovers. I was hoping my pep talk on that might have stuck - lol. Again, nice fab work. Lovin this thing!

AussieRod wrote:

ChaseTruck754 wrote:So narrow minded Rod!

Yep. Ford for Ford, Chevy for Chevy. Hybrids always cost more in time and money, now and later.
It's a great project, but not what interests me. It's the gentleman's build, not mine.

ChaseTruck754 wrote: This thing entails much of what I've wanted to do.

Then stop talking about it and do it!

Yup, it's his build. So if the motor has lost your interest it's easy enough to not comment & move on to another thread.
As for me wanting to do one - I said "want" - not "going to do". Will probably never happen for me at this point, as I have too many projects already / too many irons in the fire and 2 very young kids. Crew's gotta get done before anything else gets touched and then there's already a waiting list of stuff I own after that.

Sorry for the thread side track here man. Back to pics of the lovely hybrid.

I like it.

Motor is builders choice. So it is what it is.

It looks like you used Dana 44 beams?
Did you use the Dana 44 beam ends? Or Dana 50 beam ends?
What knuckles did you use?

Good work.


David...

Its all Dana 44. The bronco knuckle just needs to be cut and shaved to fit the chevy Dana 44 caliper and bracket. The chevy snout bolts right to the bronco knuckle just needs longer studs. This is a good thread on fullsizebronco http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/23- ... tures.html

Thanks for the info. If I ever get to do a 74/75 Supercab short bed, I want to do a 44/50 hybrid ttb front end.

David...

Pretty sure a few years down the road I'll build a similar super.

I bought 04-08 seats because I want the inside all nice and powered, they also have an integrated shoulder belt. They didn't fit of course so I lowered the floor. Since I don't have a time frame for getting this thing done I planned on honing my skills with stuff like this. Body work and sheet metal has been something I've been wanting to learn and get better at. I don't recommend doing this unless you have a supercab or crewcab so you can actually get all the benefits.
I stagger welded then tig brazed with silicon bronze






random repairs. I wanted to keep as much of the floor board as possible, was not impressed with the repair floor panel.






Had the body blasted, epoxy primed and the inside front bottom door jams painted.

Wow, that is turning out nice!

deyzin wrote:Its all Dana 44. The bronco knuckle just needs to be cut and shaved to fit the chevy Dana 44 caliper and bracket. The chevy snout bolts right to the bronco knuckle just needs longer studs. This is a good thread on fullsizebronco http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/23- ... tures.html

My Bronco was done the same way.

So much want.

Any major issues you run in to with the 8 lug swap? Am looking at sourcing parts for just that now.

Any major issues you run in to with the 8 lug swap? Am looking at sourcing parts for just that now.

I got a whole axle from an 81 gmc. If getting used outer axle shafts avoid 81-85. They don't have a snap ring groove in the right spot. I found this out when I went to install my locking hubs.

deyzin wrote:

Any major issues you run in to with the 8 lug swap? Am looking at sourcing parts for just that now.

I got a whole axle from an 81 gmc. If getting used outer axle shafts avoid 81-85. They don't have a snap ring groove in the right spot. I found this out when I went to install my locking hubs.

For reference all my stuff was from a 91 suburban 2500