Aerostar 4X4

[Rulebreaker]

Man, that place looks awesome! I want to go someday!
I rebuilt the rearend in my '96 f150, replaced the fuel system in a '86 Ranger with a gen II fuel system, did a little work on a 5.0 powered 2wd Ranger then went to a wedding! All on Saturday.
I will be at the playground ALL this next weekend, Saturday-setup, sunday-wheeling, monday-cleanup. Anybody can come.
Oh, You already knew one of the cheapthrills guys.

I might be able to stop by the Sat after Labor day, and give you a hand at the playground. I'll let ya know for sure. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

This is pretty much in order.

 

[Rulebreaker]

This is a pic from pricker valley. This hill was a blast to climb. I didn't think I could make it but i did. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

This is the section of trail that I had all the kids on the passenger side + some counter weight.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Now that you have a decent amount of wheeling under the Broncostar's tires, what is the verdict?

How does it handle? Does it do better on hill climbs with the longer wheel base? or is that offset by a CG that is further back?

Is it kind of top heavy or do the axles have enough unsprung weight to keep it well planted?

This past weekend I did some wheeling with some very experianced people and we talked alot about how different vehicles do on different obstacles. Thats what has me curious about it.

 

[CheapThrillB2]

its amazing how the pics do the incline of that no justice.

 

[Rulebreaker]

Now that you have a decent amount of wheeling under the Broncostar's tires, what is the verdict?

How does it handle? Does it do better on hill climbs with the longer wheel base? or is that offset by a CG that is further back?

Is it kind of top heavy or do the axles have enough unsprung weight to keep it well planted?

This past weekend I did some wheeling with some very experianced people and we talked alot about how different vehicles do on different obstacles. Thats what has me curious about it.

Well, I didn't have very high expectations from the start because I always have wheeled short wheel base trucks. Reg cab short box Rangers, Explorer Sport, B2, Early Bronco, to name a few. However the BroncoStar does amazingly well and i actually "like" to wheel it. It is my choice for hill climbs no doubt as the long wheel base excels at climbing. It doesn't need as much wheel travel for the twisted stuff as the B2 or EB. I'm not sure why, but I assume it's because of the wheel base. In the tight trails you must drive like a trucker because it's lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng. But it does turn pretty sharp and the rockers help push the rear around. It is easy to get high centered and I had to winch several times because of this, but I can improve this by building some custom radius arms and i may do that next year. I can gain about 4" of ground clearance by changing the front suspension. I could never impress my friends with it's 2WD abilities as it's front end heavy. As far as being top heavy, I just don't have enough experience yet to answer that and I play it safe as I don't want to rush any of my precious cargo to the hospital. I'm not scared of it, as it feels stable, but crap can happen.

RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

its amazing how the pics do the incline of that no justice.

LOL It looks flat! We need 3D pic's, or we can just expect everyone here to wheel the park and check it out for themselves. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

I fixed my rocker guards Tue night, and put in a new rear wheel seal last night. So tomorrow it's going on the trailer so Sat I can work on the missing body panel. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

I worked on the snorkel tonight. i just need to pick up a short section of flexible hose and it will be finished. I'll post a pic tomorrow. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

 

[Mutant Pony]

When I built the one on the black frog I had to seal up a bunch of holes in the air cleaner housing, Then I put a sealed drain in it. I've had to use it! Just something to think about.

 

[Rulebreaker]

When I built the one on the black frog I had to seal up a bunch of holes in the air cleaner housing, Then I put a sealed drain in it. I've had to use it! Just something to think about.

I had to turn the bottom half around and I RTV'd a bunch of stuff. RB

 

[Mutant Pony]

The DRAIN was my point though. You can buy a radiator drain petcock (or rob one from an old radiator) which would work fine.
You won't need a drain IF it doesn't leak but, If it does leak... I didn't think mine would leak.

 

[Rulebreaker]

The DRAIN was my point though. You can buy a radiator drain petcock (or rob one from an old radiator) which would work fine.
You won't need a drain IF it doesn't leak but, If it does leak... I didn't think mine would leak.

It's 42" to the bottom of the air box so if I ever need the snorkle I'm in big trouble. However I like your drain idea. What about a one way valve? Water out but no air in. I got some body work done today. i'll posts some pic's once I get my hands on a camera. RB