Hi all,
I decided to start a build thread for my engine/trans swap. I've been posting updates in the 'what did you do to your bronco today' thread and I'd like to add more pics and detail and not clog that one up too bad.
Here's some background: I've had the bronco for 9-10 years now. Never really had any issues with it. Its nearly always ran good, and the issues I have had with it (bad coil, ignition actuator) never cost too much to fix. I've always wanted a bigger motor, though.
About 3-4 years ago, I saw a listing for a 'for parts' 1996 F150 with the 5.8. It was rusty and a spring bucket/shock tower was rusted through and the frame was sitting on the bump stop. Guy said other than it needing a new frame, it was a fine truck. I bought it for $500 and drove it 45 minutes home. I replaced both front shock towers and did a lot of useful truck things with it, while still daily driving my bronco.
I had always planned on putting that 5.8 in the bronco, and figured that since they are both 1996/MAF/OBDII motors, it should be fairly simple.
Also, I always kind of wished my bronco was a 5 speed. I'd read on here about how weak the M5OD from F150s is, and how a ZF was the best 5 speed for a bronco. Two summers ago, I found a 93 F250 4x4 that had the 5.8/ZF combo. I got it for $800 because it had engine issues. It ran with lots of blow-by. I really only wanted the trans and maybe the rear (sterling 4.10). I sold the engine and computer and scrapped the rest.
Over time, the bronco 5.0 developed a small coolant leak that has become progressively larger. I never could pinpoint its source, and never tried very hard to find it, but assumed it was either the water pump or intake manifold. I bought the intake gasket set and a new water pump thinking I would just redo that and fix my leak.
I decided to start a build thread for my engine/trans swap. I've been posting updates in the 'what did you do to your bronco today' thread and I'd like to add more pics and detail and not clog that one up too bad.
Here's some background: I've had the bronco for 9-10 years now. Never really had any issues with it. Its nearly always ran good, and the issues I have had with it (bad coil, ignition actuator) never cost too much to fix. I've always wanted a bigger motor, though.
About 3-4 years ago, I saw a listing for a 'for parts' 1996 F150 with the 5.8. It was rusty and a spring bucket/shock tower was rusted through and the frame was sitting on the bump stop. Guy said other than it needing a new frame, it was a fine truck. I bought it for $500 and drove it 45 minutes home. I replaced both front shock towers and did a lot of useful truck things with it, while still daily driving my bronco.
I had always planned on putting that 5.8 in the bronco, and figured that since they are both 1996/MAF/OBDII motors, it should be fairly simple.
Also, I always kind of wished my bronco was a 5 speed. I'd read on here about how weak the M5OD from F150s is, and how a ZF was the best 5 speed for a bronco. Two summers ago, I found a 93 F250 4x4 that had the 5.8/ZF combo. I got it for $800 because it had engine issues. It ran with lots of blow-by. I really only wanted the trans and maybe the rear (sterling 4.10). I sold the engine and computer and scrapped the rest.
Over time, the bronco 5.0 developed a small coolant leak that has become progressively larger. I never could pinpoint its source, and never tried very hard to find it, but assumed it was either the water pump or intake manifold. I bought the intake gasket set and a new water pump thinking I would just redo that and fix my leak.