I'm in the planning stages of a new project, dubbed '7906 Bronco. Basic idea is to drop a 1979 Bronco shell onto a shortened 2006 F150 chassis/drivetrain. Already have the Bronco in the driveway and have a repairable 2006 F150 picked out for the donor. I thought I was all set, but realized tonight that I'm missing a few critical measurements that could make or break the project...

The donor truck is a 5.4L 4x4 supercab with 6.5' box (144.5" wheel base). So ,measurements from a 2004+ F150 4x4 with the same wheel base would be ideal. But, I should be able to adjust the measurements for a different wheel base, as long as I know what the wheelbase is...

Anyway, the measurements I'm looking for are:

• Driveshaft length from u-joint to u-joint

• Length of straight section of frame rails underneath cab - I need to get the wheel base down to 104", so things are going to get ugly if there isn't 40"+ of straight frame rail to work with...

TIA,
Greg
'7906 Bronco

 

Well, I'm not sure if you can shorten the frame enough. Why don't you try a reg cab short bed as a donor, they have a 126" WB, then you only have to remove 22" instead of 41.

Are you sure the 79 has a 104 WB, they look longer than that, unless it's been shortened

 

Yeah, I tried looking for something with a wheelbase a little closer to the final 104", but impossible to find 5.4L 4x4 in std. cab, short box. Not sure they exist. But, wheelbase shouldn't matter for these measurements. As long as I know the wheelbase of the vehicle they came from, they should scale just fine. I'm almost positive the front frame rails are identical on every truck. Likewise, everything aft of a certain point is identical on every truck. All of the length variation occurs in the straight section of frame rail under the cab. So, no real difference in taking 20" out of a 124" wheelbase or 40" out of a 144" wheelbase.

By the way 05RedFX4, measurements from the truck shown in your signature would be absolutely perfect

Thanks again,
Greg

 

All i have to say is WHY?

 

Why not?

Vehicle that looks like a 1979 full-size Bronco and runs and drives like a 2006 F150... modern fuel injected motor, OD tranny, ABS, 13" discs all around, chassis that's probably 10+ times more rigid, etc... Not to mention cost... $1600 for great condition '79 Bronco with healthy engine knock. $5600 for perfect condition 2006 running gear with less than 7,000 miles. So, for less than $8,000 (after selling left over parts), I've got a great looking, low milage '7906 Bronco... What's not to like?

 

I Like IT Pics when done please

 

Just look for a reg cab FX4, they are out there. I have never seen a reg cab short bed 4x4 that wasn't an FX4. There are a few members on here that have a reg cab FX4.

 

I agree -- the classic good looks of a late-70's truck combined with the modern underpinnings of a new vehicle. Should be a sweet ride when it's finished!

 

Why not?

I think it'd be pretty gnarly myself.

 

I guess I didnt think about it when I said that. A old school bronco with all the amenities of today. It would be pretty sweet.