1994 Ford Bronco 4x4 Truck - Vehicle Feature

What if you only had one truck? What if that truck had to do it all: commuting, camping, prerunning, and trail riding? What if you didn't have a ton of cash to spend to purchase that truck? If this list of what-ifs describes your situation, we think you should take a good, hard look at an '80-'96 fullsize Ford Bronco.

Even in humble stock trim, the Bronco has a lot to offer. Built on a strong body-on-frame platform, the Bronco has room for five people and cargo space for plenty of gear. The removable hardtop offers occupants shelter from the elements and lockable storage space. Engine choices are solid and proven: Ford's 300ci inline-six, the 302 V8, and the 351 Windsor V8. Transmission choices include the heavy-duty C6 three-speed, the four-speed AOD, and finally, the electronically controlled E4OD four-speed. The Borg-Warner 1356 T-case remained in place throughout the Bronco's 16-year production span. Rear axles include the legendary Ford 9-inch and Ford's 8.8. The Twin-Traction Beam front suspension combines the ruggedness of a solid axle with the superior ride quality of IFS. A high-pinion Dana 44 third member bolts into place on the driver-side traction beam. There's a lot to like.

Lee Hayes wanted a do-it-all truck when he had the opportunity to go prerunning in Baja with famous fast guy, Curt LeDuc. "I had a different truck in mind, but after riding in Curt's Bronco I decided that that was the way to go," Lee offers. "Curt gave me a price and said that he'd have the work done in 90 days. That was all it took."

Lee rounded up a '94 Bronco from a private party, made the purchase, and delivered his new prize to Curt's shop, California Pre-Fun. Ninety days and some cash later, Lee's new Bronco was transformed into the off-road equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. California Pre-Fun's transformation included front and rear long-travel coilover suspensions, a full bumper-to-bumper rollcage, a trio of MasterCraft PreRun seats, and a full-floating Sandy Cone Ford 9-inch rearend. The Dana 44 third member up front was fitted with 4.88 gears and a limited-slip differential, while the 9-inch's Strange nodular-iron third member got a matching ring-and-pinion ratio, forty-spline axleshafts, and a spool.

A rollcage should be strong and protective, but it shouldn't crowd the occupants. To this end, the sheetmetal was trimmed back so the tubes could be tucked behind it, then the sheet and tube were welded together. This construction method also eliminates a ton of squeaks and rattles.
A rollcage should be strong and protective, but it shouldn't crowd the occupants. To this
A pair of Hella lights hides behind the protection of a bumper/skidplate combo.
Ordinarily, we don't snap photos of A/C equipment, but a functional A/C system is one of this truck's coolest features. We mean that literally and figuratively. The A/C system is normally hidden behind a Boatec fiberglass fender and beneath a Hannemann fiberglass hood.
Ordinarily, we don't snap photos of A/C equipment, but a functional A/C system is one of t

The stock rear bench seat is just too big and unsecure for the speeds and terrain this Bronco is capable of reaching. A MasterCraft PreRun seat and matching five-point harness were wisely bolted in its place. The view is great from the third seat.
The stock rear bench seat is just too big and unsecure for the speeds and terrain this Bro
Remember the cargo space we mentioned? Here it is. Yes, you can haul plenty of gear in a pickup bed, but it won't be protected from rain and dust and sticky fingers.
Remember the cargo space we mentioned? Here it is. Yes, you can haul plenty of gear in a
Lee's Bronco lashes, bolts, and straps down the gear to keep it in place during low-altitude strafing runs.
Lee's Bronco lashes, bolts, and straps down the gear to keep it in place during low-altitu

Removed for this photo, a pair of bulged Autofab fiberglass quarter-panels envelops the 35-inch Toyo Open Country M/Ts on 17-inch Ultra wheels beadlocked using Champion rings. The rear wheels spin on a pair of Sandy Cone floater hubs. Fully floating rearends let the wheels bolt toa pair of hubs instead of directly to a flanged axleshaft.
Removed for this photo, a pair of bulged Autofab fiberglass quarter-panels envelops the 35
The floating hubs are turned by a pair of axleshafts. Since the hubs support the vehicle weight and not the axleshafts, the 'shafts only need to turn the hubs. Dividing the weight-bearing and vehicle-moving jobs means that if a 'shaft breaks, the wheel stays securely attached to the housing. Behind the Ultra wheels, Wilwood Superlite II calipers bring things to a halt when needed.
The floating hubs are turned by a pair of axleshafts. Since the hubs support the vehicle
When it comes to air filters, bigger is better, and UMP air filters are some of the biggest we've seen to date. Cal Pre-Fun's 'cage work not only integrates structural reinforcement and shock mounts, it also provides attachment points for everything from the radiator to the fuse box to the battery tray to the hood pins.
When it comes to air filters, bigger is better, and UMP air filters are some of the bigges