SHOULD I CONTINUE WITH MY EXPEDITION OR BUILD A GFB?

[rewarder]

I have had 3 Bronco's in my life and love them! Last year I purchased a 1999 Ford Expedition with the intention to make it a luxury chase vehicle. I chase my friends who race Baja. Anyway, should I pour money into my Expy or leave it as is and slowly build a Go Fast Bronco. Suspension for my Expedition is very expensive plus there is no long travel options for the rear (I have springs) My option for the front is H&M or Dixon bros but the rear is a whole different animal. I am fascinated with bronco's and absolutely love them. So my question is Keep the Expedition and built it up the best I can or get a Bronco for like $2000.00 and put together a budget Go Fast Bronco. I'm leaning toward the bronco because there are so many Bronco's out there as well as suspension options and endless advice on forums such as this. I'm kinda leaning toward getting a bronco. I find many deals on craigslist for cut and turned beams, radius arms, leaf packs etc so I don't think the build would break the bank plus I could have a capable desert truck that I wouldnt worry about beating up in the desert. My Expy is nice like a Cadillac so beating it up would make my wife sad. A couple of questions:
1: could I mix and match Cut and Turned beams with a different Radius arm manufacture? Ex. I see on craigslist good deals on cut and turned beams but in another ad from someone else they would have custom radius arms. would they be able to be used together?
2: I would like a 4-Link suspension but I really like the National Pack. That pack looks like it can handle the whoops no problem.

I'm just wondering because If I see a good deal on craigslist I might go ahead and grab the components even tho I don't have the bronco yet. I'm thinking a 1996 Bronco. Is that a good year to get for a GFB? or should I get the older one without the OBDII? Is the OBDII worth having?

[ChaseTruck754]

I'd say dump the expedition. I bought one to use as a tow vehicle, daily driver and mild chaser. It sucked at all of them & I quickly sold the thing. Mine was 4wd = AWD. Didn't research that one enough going in...

I think for a true desert/chase vehicle without completely putting you in the poor house the bronco is by far the way to go. An expedition could be cool if you dumped a TON of money into it, but it would take a LOT to make it a worthy vehicle IMO.

The broncos are dirt cheap right now & work better than the expedition out of the box. They are cheaper to get more/better results out of too!


As for the OBDII thing - depends on who you ask. I HATE them for smog reasons, but guys like them for easier diagnostics when something is up motor wise.

[rewarder]

Here is a couple of Pictures of my Expedition:

[rewarder]

As for the OBDII thing - depends on who you ask. I HATE them for smog reasons, but guys like them for easier diagnostics when something is up motor wise.

I live in Phoenix, Az so we have to get our cars emission tested. I would like to put headers on the truck. They do make headers that would pass our emissions correct? Even tho the emissions techs are kind of dummies, but I want to make sure that if there are some sort of valve that needs to be part of the headers I want to make sure I get the right headers.

Realistically, If I purchased a stock bronco for about $200.00 (you would be amazed of the nice bronco's are here in Arizona) and found some Cut & Turned beams, radius arms and a National Leaf Pack etc. What would you think price wise I could get this thing up and running and hitting the whoops? I have a ton of connections from buddies here in Phoenix who own shops like Gieser Bros, Foddrill etc. I can't afford thier services but they have all sorts of used shocks and stuff that I could buy off them at a great price. I'm thinking suspension first and fancy glass and later. Threat Motorsports has some sort of deal for like $738.00 for what looks like an entire front end minus shocks.

My wife will kill me if I sell the Expedition but I think I can buy a Bronco and go from there. I've been lurking this site for like 2 years and gathering information.

[BajaBronco13]

You can build a killer Bronco on the cheap, cut and turn beams, radius arms, Pro Comp front coil springs, Bilstein 5100 and Deavers out back. That's a great starting point.

Chris

[rewarder]

I know this is a totally subjective question, but if I do my research it seems like I can get a Bronco for $2000.00 and then get the beams for about $500, Radius arms for about $350.00 then either Deavers or nationals for like $500 (all used of course). Plus I'd have to track down some shocks. So could a dirt ready bronco be done for about $5000.00 Then in the future add glass and all the fun stuff. But at least get it ready for the desert and hit the whoops. I live in Phoenix. Is there any knowledgeable Bronco guys in Phoenix? I know a ton of guy's will pop out of the woodwork saying "I can do that" but I've ran that route before and the builder really doesn't know what they are doing. Some of the guys on here I trust like Philofab, Yikes, Shockseals etc. Is there any of those type of guys here in Phoenix? I'm not a rich guy so I don't want to get taken for a ride. I trust this website and feel that the users on this site are honest and mature (less the occasional jokes). Unlike Dezert-Rangers where all the site users are complete A$$h@les. I've been part of many Baja 1000 race teams and have won the Baja 1000 in 2003 in the Trophy Truck class. Mind you I was Chase 1 and videographer as well as the website designer. So I've been around Baja for over 20 Years. I know Larry Foddrill and Rick Geiser but obviously I can't afford their services.
Next, do I want to be part of the White Bronco Club or the Black Bronco Club. I'm sorry if this post is annoying but it's a big decision for me to sell my expedition.

What do you think I can get for my Expedition? Rancho 4" lift, 5 Mickey Thompson wheels, 5 Yoko 315 tires, 16" rims, Full McNeil Front and Rear Glass, Custom front and rear Bumpers, Leather, Ice Cold A/C, 5.4L, Airraid cold air intake, Jet Throttle Body Spacer, Flowmaster etc.

Or does anyone want to trade me their Bronco for My Expy? The webwheeler offered to trade me his Prerunner Bronco but that truck was a little too hardcore, meaning, it has taken it fair share of HARDCORE driving. Plus I'm not sure it had A/C. It was sad but I had to turn down his generous offer.

[yikes]

...do I want to be part of the White Bronco Club or the Black Bronco Club?

Haha! You can get away with "white fenders" longer on a white Bronco than you can on a black one.

[rewarder]

Hey Yikes, I really like the 1996 bronco. For some reason I like the OBDII Option. Would the OBDII help me or limit me in the long run? IMPORTANTLY, could I (or do manufacturers make a performance module for the 96 OBDII. Meaning, can I get an Edge or Bullydog performance tuner for a 1996 5.8L Bronco? I would also like to install headers. I noticed on Summits website that the long tube headers for the 5.8L would fit but they say they won't fit if there is a lift kit installed. Lastly, & I'll leave you guys alone, if I find a good deal on a Bronco but it has a lift kit installed would that be something I should avoid? Would it be better to purchase a Bronco that has stock suspension? I'm worried that with the drop down brackets and other lift kit components might give me a headache when I'm ready to insatall Cut & Turned beams & extended radius arms. I just want to avoid as many headaches as I can. Perhaps there is a specific year that would be best for me to purchase. I live in Arizona so we do have to take our vehicles to emissions. I'd like to get headers and upgraded engine performance parts. But for now, suspension is first. Also I have to sell my Expedition.

[AussieRod]

Graft on a TTB front suspension, leaf springs and bypasses onto the rear, and run it. After a while, as good as a Bronco is, 2 doors suck when you want to take family out. Long travel is always good, but QUALITY travel, well damped and bumped can still go a long way, and knowing your limits wont break anything in a hurry. Another poster on here grafted on a TTB and 8.8 (?) to a Mercury Marauder and it works. Personally, if I had the time in the US, I would have an Expy at the drop of a hat, and do the aformentioned conversion. 4 doors, room and comfort, A/C, etc..... Just my 2 cents

[BajaBronco13]

Sell the Expedition and buy this!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/3284354458.html

[AussieRod]

There you go, best of both worlds

[ChaseTruck754]

Doubt he'll get the $9k for the expedition, but that centurian would be cool. Might need some go fast goodies for the 351 with that heavy of a truck though.

[yikes]

Hey Yikes, I really like the 1996 bronco. For some reason I like the OBDII Option. Would the OBDII help me or limit me in the long run? IMPORTANTLY, could I (or do manufacturers make a performance module for the 96 OBDII. Meaning, can I get an Edge or Bullydog performance tuner for a 1996 5.8L Bronco? I would also like to install headers. I noticed on Summits website that the long tube headers for the 5.8L would fit but they say they won't fit if there is a lift kit installed. Lastly, & I'll leave you guys alone, if I find a good deal on a Bronco but it has a lift kit installed would that be something I should avoid? Would it be better to purchase a Bronco that has stock suspension? I'm worried that with the drop down brackets and other lift kit components might give me a headache when I'm ready to insatall Cut & Turned beams & extended radius arms. I just want to avoid as many headaches as I can. Perhaps there is a specific year that would be best for me to purchase. I live in Arizona so we do have to take our vehicles to emissions. I'd like to get headers and upgraded engine performance parts. But for now, suspension is first. Also I have to sell my Expedition.

I am no longer afraid of OBDII. Don't get me wrong, I still don't know much about it, but I've got a decent code reader and smart friends. What I like is that it can compensate for air flow improvements up to 400ish HP. That's good enough for me. Any more HP than that and I would just get in trouble anyway.

Have to agree with Rod. If I were you I would keep the Expy and continue the build. Better wheel base. More family room. I've wanted to build one myself. I think they're bitchen prerunners.

[ChaseTruck754]

If you're not afraid to cut a bunch on the rear end then the back end may be made to work. At least you have leafs. Mine had a mini 2 link setup with air bags and would have taken a TON or work to make decent.

Still the ground clearance on the things sucks!

[rewarder]

You guys wouldent believe how nice some of the broncos are here in Phoenix! There was a guy about two weeks ago selling like a 1984ish Bronco with long travel, new wheels and the body was straight. It was a sweet older style Bronco for only $2000.00!!!!! So, what do you think of me getting the 1996 with the OBDII? My wife will most certainly kill me for selling the Expy. But I have no family (no kids, just a wiener dog & a Bassett Hound) 99% of my driving is done by myself. If they are still up I'll post the link. Thanks for the help - what year?

Here is one of them: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/3245399818.html

[ChaseTruck754]

I'd dump the expedition in a HEARTBEAT for that. Then again I do have a 70's fetish...

[yikes]

Ahhh! I get the picture now. 1996....yes! That 70's Bronco? Yes!

[rewarder]

I might have to buy another truck. Keep my expedition and build a GFB. I'm thinking white 1996 power everything. Let the quest begin.

BTW - do they make an aftermarket performance tuner for the 96 OBDII 5.8L? I like gadgets. Thanks for your help guys.

Hunter Anderson
Phoenix, Az

[Polarcub]

Every one else has pretty much summed things up.....IMO I would sideline the expo for a bronco for the purpose you have in mind. The expo could be a fun build but you will dump a ton of money into it. You can mix and match beams and radius arms but you may run into some issues doing so. I had a few minor ones with my coilbuckets and arms but it wasnt that big of a deal. The broncos are great vehicles for chasing and playing.

If you change directions though with the expo hit me up the folks at desert concepts may be able to assist you with a long travel set up without breaking the bank, its something that has come up in conversation a few times.

As far as black or white I am partial to white because it seems to not sow the pinstriping as bad and as yikes mentioned unpainted glass is easier to deal with LOL. Good luck on this I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

[rewarder]

I think I'm just going to by a Bronco then build it up. Last few questions and I'll leave you guys alone.
1. Any particular year is the most preferred for a GFB?
2. Is OBDII worth having?
3. Should I avoid buying a Bronco with a lift installed? Lift kits seems like thy might cause problems when installing Long Travel. Being that they have drop down brackets and other odd ball bracketry that might interfere with the Long Travel

I kinda want to go crazy with it like installing a carbon dash amongst other trick components. Can I find an OBII device that will show me my MPH, MPG, RPMS, Trouble Codes, Engine temp etc. I was thinking of using that instead of traditional gauges.

Thanks for taking your time to help me.