1996/1979 Ford Ronco

[fleetbob1]

I am in the process of building the untimate Ranger the "Ronco"

it was a 1979 Bronco
Now its a 1996 Ranger

I took a perfectly good 1979 Bronco, scrapped the body, then I built the engine 351M 500 HP 700lbs ft Torque.Rebuilt the C6 trans, resealed the NP205 transfer case, rebuilt the 9" rear w/ spool added powertrax locker to the front Dana 44 solid axle, then a 4" suspension lift and 36" TSL radials.
Then I took a perfectly good 1996 Ranger 3.0 4X4 and took off the body & bed, fitted the body on the bronco. = the "Ford Ronco"
I will post pix soon

I am in the process of fitting the body now
I have to do the suspension lift & tires too but this Sunday I will finish the Body fitment, then steering, brakes,etc..........

 

[Robin Hood]

I can't wait to see this.

 

[forddude]

Sounds really cool, cant wait to see this either. I had a 79 bronco but had to part ways with it.

 

[Sunk]

I've seen it done before, but I wanna see it again!

 

[fleetbob1]

Ill take some pix tommorrow

 

[fleetbob1]

Here are some before pix

 

[fleetbob1]

The engine & drivetrain are done.Im fabing up the body mounts today, the cab sits alittle back, I had to remove the a/c heater box,(i will modify it and put it back later) the drivers side valve cover is about 1/2 inch from the firewall with no firewall mods.I am going with this position.
The centerline of the front tires is forward about 2" but it still looks cool. I used the bottom 1/2 of the Bronco steering column and made a spline to spline adapter to use the upper Ranger column.Im mounting the radiator between the roll bar in the bed with fans.

I will have to crop the front of the bed about 10"
so i can center the bed to the rear wheels, then wiring, dash,brakes,lift,tires etc
Ill keep posting

 

[fleetbob1]

12-17-2007

Middle cab mounts--- Done

Steering shaft--Done

 

[Sunk]

Nice progress

 

[fleetbob1]

Thanks, still alot of work to go

 

[Barber]

I'm more interested in this 351M that's pushing 500 HP, and 700lbs ft Torque.....

Are you exaggerating to be funny, or are you wanting everyone to believe that you are actually producing those numbers...... Where are you getting your numbers at.... What measuring device are you useing to determine these ratings..... I'm gonna have to man up an call BS one that one.....

 

[baddad457]

I'm more interested in this 351M that's pushing 500 HP, and 700lbs ft Torque.....

Are you exaggerating to be funny, or are you wanting everyone to believe that you are actually producing those numbers...... Where are you getting your numbers at.... What measuring device are you useing to determine these ratings..... I'm gonna have to man up an call BS one that one.....

Yea, I'd like to see that trick too. Ain't gonna happen as a naturally aspirated motor. Of course then again with a name like "Ronco", anything's possible.................."It slices, It Dices, it Julien's fries, peels potatoes, folds out to expose a pocket fishing rod...........................

 

[Barber]

cleans up easy, then folds for easy storage.....


Back on topic.... seeing how Tim Meyer stroked a 400 to 434ci using his stroker kit, a compression ratio of 10.5:1, Comp Cams custom ground hydraulic roller, and topped it off with CHI heads. Yet the engine dynoed just short of 500hp with 534 ft lbs of torque. now I'm no rock scientist, but something just isn't adding up here........

351 = 500hp/700lbs ft Torque....... 434 = 500hp/534 ft lbs torque



And for the record.... the only reason I'm busting this guys balls is he posted a thread very similiar to this one over on FullsizedBronco and has yet to reply to any of the questions about his hp/torque numbers....

As seen in this link here click here

 

[fleetbob1]

Many owners of Ford trucks that were originally equipped with M-block engines have chosen to upgrade their vehicles' performance by replacing the M-block with a 429/460 big block. In fact, this particular engine swap is so popular that an aftermarket industry has emerged to cater to it. (L&L Products in Dallas, Texas was originally founded specifically to manufacture and market components for Ford 385 series big block engine swaps.)

On the other hand, an M-block engine in factory trim has vast, untapped power potential. It is smaller and lighter than a big block (which is why it was developed in the first place), and when properly built, the M-block's power output is comparable to most big blocks
The forumula is :

351M block, TRW forged pistons(L2466F), Chrome rings,Aussie heads milled .030 & polished,Felpro .045 Racing head gaskets 12.5 comp ratio Crane roller 3.75 lift cam with roller lifters & rocker arms 750cfm carb,headers,MSD, etc...
I dont have a dyno to give you exact figures but according to the parts used
I should be about 450 hp and close to 575lbs torque
My figures were slightly egzaterated
But still the project moves forward,
body mounts are done, steering shaft is done,
I will be working on it this week comming,
I will post pix on progress

 

[Barber]

Like I said on the other website.... Fair enough... no hard feelings...