Custom Ford Bronco 4x4 Trucks Review - Saddle Up!

Cool. Classic. Rugged. Fun. The boxy, short-wheelbase SUV Ford introduced to the off-roading public in 1966 turned 40 this year. During time's relentless march forward, the early Bronco has blazed through Baja, gone fishing and camping, conquered the rocks, appeared in films, and even scorched the dragstrip. Yes, it's been a commuter too. While the '66-'77 Bronco's cool factor won't diminish one iota with the commencement of its 41st year, we would've been remiss not to give one of the all-time off-road greats a tribute in the twilight of 2006.

With the generosity of their respective owners, we managed to corral (lame equine puns seem required in most Bronco stories, so we'll continue the tradition) two fine Blue Oval ponies that we think you'll like. The first bristles with high-zoot suspension and is powered by a fiery 351 Windsor. The second is a milder build but still boasts key upgrades that add up to a reliable, well-prepared trail machine capable of getting its lucky owner there and back, time after time.

Enough with the intro. It's time to cut to the roundup, er, chase.

What's in a Plate?
Todd Bennet is a lucky man, for his wife has a good sense of humor. Todd's lime-green Bronco's license plate reads "GRNDZ4DV," meaning "grounds for divorce." After spending way too many evenings and weekends sans Todd, Shelley Bennett devised a fitting phrase for the plate. GRNDZ4DV sits in its current state after a six-year building period. The buildup was anything but small potatoes: This machine is a step or two away from taking on SCORE's Class 3. A coilover front end and a healthy 351 under a two-pin fiberglass hood are just a few of the many upgrades. No true off-road machine is ever truly finished, but Todd's best bet is to treat Shelley to many dinner/movie nights and several rides in the lime-green dirt limo before diverting his attention back to the Bronc's to-do list. After all, the license plate is supposed to be a joke.

Here's the motivation. The...        read full caption Here's the motivation. The 351 Windsor was built by Todd with help from friend and fellow Bronco owner Chad Welling. In addition to a set of handbuilt headers, the motor breathes through an Edelbrock fuel-injection system mounted atop an Edelbrock intake manifold. A pair of Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads were ported and polished by Total Performance in Santee, California, for even better throttle response. For clog-free engine breathing, a UMP air filter is mounted under the dash and routes cool, clean air through the firewall to the throttle body with custom duct work.	Weldtec's 'cage work protects...        read full caption Weldtec's 'cage work protects both the windshield and the occupants from trail damage. Note the integrated grab handles at the front of the 'cage and the gusset plates in the upper midsection. This shows effective planning and execution: This 'cage is as user-friendly as it is strong.	The front Dana 44 was treated...        read full caption The front Dana 44 was treated to a set of sure-stopping discs, 4.11 gears, and a limited-slip differential. Weldtec Design's Jeremy Johnson flung his metal-building talents at the steering system, crafting a custom pitman arm, a custom drag link, and a custom tie rod. The tie rod sits in a double-shear mount for safety and peace of mind.
Given the Bronco's short wheelbase...        read full caption Given the Bronco's short wheelbase and solid front axle, bump control is at a premium on this rig. King coilovers with dual-rate springs work in conjunction with a pair of Bilstein bumpstops to speed the Bronco through the rough.	Pass-through shocks are no...        read full caption Pass-through shocks are no big deal in a truck bed since they don't invade any passenger space. They're a pain to have poking through the floor of an SUV because noise, heat, dust, and water can come up through the holes in the floorboards...	...A pair of Weldtec enclosures...        read full caption ...A pair of Weldtec enclosures makes the shock mounts much more civilized. Long-travel bypass shocks go a long way to make the Bronco more controllable through deep whoops and over high-speed, Baja-style dirt roads.
Weldtec offers several suspension...        read full caption Weldtec offers several suspension kits for models and brands but opted to use James Duff radius arms on Todd's Bronco. "Customers will come in asking for the James Duff radius arms," Jeremy notes. "They work well, so I'm happy to put them on my customers' trucks."	The Bronco came stock with...        read full caption The Bronco came stock with a Ford 9-inch rearend, but this particular 9-inch was built by JSA Off-Road Center in El Cajon, California. Thirty-one-spline Superior axles replace the weak-ish 28-spline stockers and plug into the sure-footed grip of a Detroit Locker. The 35-inch Goodyear MT/Rs are spun by a set of 4.11 gears.	Onboard air is supplied by...        read full caption Onboard air is supplied by one of our perennial favorites, the Power Tank. This one is mounted within easy reach in the Bronc's rear seating area.
Weldtec's Jeremy Johnson created...        read full caption Weldtec's Jeremy Johnson created the burly bumper that announces the Key lime Bronco's presence. After dark, the trails are lit up by a Pro Comp and KC light combo.	Weldtec also brings up the...        read full caption Weldtec also brings up the rear of this Bronco.