Registered vehicle
1984 Ford Bronco “Adrian”
About the 1980–1986 Ford Bronco
from the generation archive
The third-generation Ford Bronco ran from 1980 to 1986 on Ford's redesigned 1980-1986 F-series chassis, the body enthusiasts call the "Bullnose" for its flat, forward-leaning front end and recessed grille. Ford rebodied the full-size Bronco to cut weight and improve fuel economy after the 1979 energy crisis, and the headline chassis change was the Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension, an independent setup using a Dana 44 front axle split into two swinging beams. The engine roster covered the 300 cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six and the 302 (5.0L) V8, plus an optional 5.8L V8 that changed identity early in the run: for 1980-1981 it was the 351M, a member of Ford's 335-series ("Cleveland"/M-block) family carried over from the prior generation, replaced by the lighter 351 Windsor for 1982, which then served as the top V8 for the rest of the generation. The early years leaned on smaller, economy-tuned options. Trims spanned the base Custom and the XLT, with the Eddie Bauer package joining for 1985. Around the 1985 model year the 5.0L (302) V8 picked up Ford throttle-body fuel injection (CFI), while the 5.8L (351 Windsor) stayed carbureted through the end of this generation. All seven model years used the same 104.7-inch wheelbase and removable rear hardtop.
The story
Some other stuff I've done:
35x12.50 retreaded Goodyear MT/R's with Dunlop MudRovers style tread mounted on 15x10" alloy rims
-Cut fenders to get rid of rust and to accomodate the 35's.
-Added strong tow hooks bolted with grade 8 hardware directly to the frame.
-Added mechanical oil pressure gauge.
-Removal of carpet. I wirebrushed the floor and painted it. Soon it will be rhynolined
-Ripped out the headliner and plastic door panel covers.
-Dual 6820 headunit, Sony XPlode 6" speakers in the front, 6x9" Pioneers in the rear.
Stuff in the plans:
-Solid Axle Swap to a Dana 44 (or Dana 60 if I find one cheap). It will be leaf sprung, with the shackle in the front for better pinion angle at all times.
-I've been trying to find a 10.24 GM full floater rearend with 4.10's for cheap, I can get one at the junkyard here for $250, which I'll probably do.
-Regear from 3.08's to 4.10's. 4.10's and the 300 will be perfect for highway and wheelin.
-Lift by doing a shackle flip using Sky shackles and F-350 (I believe) hangers. I'd also like to rearc the springs to gain another 1.5 inches, netting 6 inches when all is said and done. I'll do this to the front and rear.
-Traction bars of the ladder type.
-Swap to NP 435 and new clutch disc/pressure plate which is waiting to go in
-Replace and reroute vent lines to transfer case and differentals
-Spool front and rear axles.
-Make a custom intake bent from thin aluminum that will keep out water and flow well.
-Headers, looking at some long tubes right now.
-Single 3" pipe from the headers, collected by a Summit Y-Pipe, to a Hooker AeroChamber, then exiting in front of the right rear tire.
-Shave the cylinder head .010 (I think)
-Rebuild the engine, new rings, possibly new pistons, bearings, new oil pump, etc.
-Chevy rocker arms
-70's head that flows better, before emissions was as strict.
-Custom make a 2x3 intake manifold, with 2 Weber carbs.
-Saginaw power steering pump
-F-350 brake booster and eventually rear discs
-Possibly dual batteries.
-Possibly swap in a NP 205 transfer case.
-8ish point cage, roughly have some idea of what I want
-Roof basket for spare tire, hi-lift, fuel, etc that will have tubing coming up from under the top, so the top can be removed.
-Custom front and rear bumper out of probably 1/4" plate in alot of places. Rear bumper will have 1 or 2 holders for fuel cans.
-Doing body work (welding steel over rust holes) and painting black/gray/black horizontally
-Install CB radio
-I'd like to custom make LED roof lights with 20 or so per "bulb". 4 will go on the front of the basket, and 2 on the front bumper.
-Install the auxillary heater from my '81, warmed by coolant, into the '84
-New polyurethane bushings for suspension/steering
-New window/door seals
-Tint
-Hard wire a decent AC inverter
-Rhynolining the whole inside of the truck
It's a mighty big list, I know, and the sad thing is I'm sure I didn't remember all of it! — daverbmxer
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