Brothers With Broncos - 1971 - 1972 Ford Bronco

Brothers With Broncos 1971 And 1972 Ford Broncos 1971 And 1972 Ford Broncos Front Angles

The Herman brothers love to hit the dirt whenever they can. They grew up exploring the desert in their mom’s ’79 Scout. From there, a love of off-roading led them to other 4WDs and at one point they each had lifted fullsize trucks for trail and backcountry exploring. However, they soon realized that they needed vehicles other than their daily drivers if they wanted to pursue more aggressive play in the dirt.

Both agreed on getting early Broncos and they soon had two of the classics in hand. From there, they’ve built on the Broncos over the years to get them to what you see today. The brothers also like to mix up their wheeling from running on the Baja Peninsula to crawling some of the rock canyons near Phoenix, Arizona, or the slickrock of Moab, Utah. They’ve chosen their powerplants to produce copious amounts of ponies but maintain good low end torque as well. They’ve also combined it with the gearing to go slow or fast, getting results that speak more of versatility than of compromise.

Both rigs have morphed from steel-body-on-frame classics to more skins-on-tubular-chassis, although underneath these hybrids is still some considerable Bronco heritage. The front of the bodies have been narrowed for visibility and clearance, and the back ends have been dove-tailed as well. The two Broncos are quite similar in many proven aspects but do differ where each brother expressed some specific preference.

Much of the chassis and suspension fabrication was left to master fabricator Rob Bonney at 4Wheelers Supply in Phoenix. The Hermans wanted Rob to fashion suspensions that could soak up some serious terrain and handle at speed, but also be predictable and stable when boulder crawling in washes. Rob brought his rock racing background to bear when doing the designs, and the results are impressive. Both Broncos are linked front and rear. They are set up with coilovers, bypass shocks and air bumps to manage spring and damping chores over a wide range of conditions.

We’ve run the desert and wheeled with George and Paul, and seen the Broncos in action. They’ve now got rigs built to go fast, and to go slow.

Specs

Vehicle:	1971 Ford Bronco
Owner/Hometown:	George Herman/Chandler, Arizona
Engine:	Ford 392ci V-8
Induction:	Edelbrock Pro-Tuner fuel injection
Transmission/Transfer case:	NV4500/Atlas 5:1
Front axle:	Currie 9-inch, ARB air locker, 4.86 gears, alloy shafts
Rear axle:	Trussed Currie 9-inch, Detroit Locker, 4.86 gears, Strange third member & 35-spline shafts
Front suspension:	King 2.5 coilovers, bypass shocks, airbumps, three-link using modified James Duff arms
Rear Suspension:	King 2.5 coilovers, bypass shocks, airbumps, double-triangulated four-link, Currie Antirock sway bar
Steering:	Benchworks power steering box, hydro assist, custom pitman arm
Brakes:	11-inch rotor disc brakes on all corners, cutting brakes
Tires/Wheels:	39-inch BFG Krawlers on 17x9 Walker Evans beadlocks
Interior:	Mastercraft seats, custom dash, Flaming River steering column

Engine power passes through an NV4500 five-speed tranny and 5:1 Atlas transfer case. Bonney took a Currie 9-inch axle housing and trussed it for strength and then popped in a Strange Engineering third member.
Engine power passes through an NV4500 five-speed tranny and 5:1 Atlas transfer case. Bonne
Up front is a Currie 9-inch axle running 4.86:1 gearing spinning on an ARB air locker. James Duff suspension arms were modified and Bonney created a three-link setup utilizing King coilovers, triple-bypass shocks, and King airbumps to yield about 14 inches of front travel. Hydro assist was added to the pitman arm to help the frame mounted power steering box turn big tires.
Up front is a Currie 9-inch axle running 4.86:1 gearing spinning on an ARB air locker. Jam
Under the fiberglass hood of George’s Bronco you’ll find a lumpy Ford 392 cranking out a dyno tested 323 horses at the 39-inch BFG Krawlers on Walker Evans beadlocks. Charlie and Jason at Pro Dyno in Phoenix tuned the built motor to have a broad powerband.
Under the fiberglass hood of George’s Bronco you’ll find a lumpy Ford 392 cranking out a d

A full engine cage is tied into the chassis and runs to a Warn 9500-equipped custom front bumper. The narrowed and tubed front end provides an excellent approach angle and great visibility over the tires.
A full engine cage is tied into the chassis and runs to a Warn 9500-equipped custom front
Inside the third member was added a 35-spline Detroit Locker, heavy-duty ring-and-pinion set, and a pair of Strange Hy-Tuf alloy shafts. Disc brakes are used on all four corners.
Inside the third member was added a 35-spline Detroit Locker, heavy-duty ring-and-pinion s
King airbumps are mounted outboard of the tube chassis in back to limit the upward movement of the axle. Backing that up is a Currie Antirock sway bar as well.
King airbumps are mounted outboard of the tube chassis in back to limit the upward movemen

The rear suspension is completely custom using long trailing links in a triangulated four-link configuration. Here, King coilovers, bypasses and airbumps keep the 20 inches of travel in check. Wheelbase sits at 104.5 inches.
The rear suspension is completely custom using long trailing links in a triangulated four-
Step rails/rock sliders are built into the chassis and show some of the cool fabrication detail on these rigs. George fabricated aluminum skins to finish out the rear body on his Bronco.
Step rails/rock sliders are built into the chassis and show some of the cool fabrication d
Driver and passenger are cradled in Mastercraft suspension seats and held secure with five-point harnesses. A Rugged race radio and on-board intercom makes it easy to communicate over the wind and exhaust noise when flying through the desert.
Driver and passenger are cradled in Mastercraft suspension seats and held secure with five

George and friend Steve went to work narrowing the Bronco and reworked the entire floorboard so it could be boat-sided. Bonney can be credited with all the tube work to complete the revamped chassis. A 24-gallon Fuel Safe cell is mounted over the rear axle and under the tail mounted spare tire.
George and friend Steve went to work narrowing the Bronco and reworked the entire floorboa

Brothers With Broncos 1971 And 1972 Ford Broncos 1972 Ford Bronco Landing

Specs

Vehicle:	1972 Ford Bronco
Owner/Hometown:	Paul Herman/Cave Creek, Arizona
Engine:	Ford 392ci V-8
Induction:	FAST multiport fuel injection
Transmission/Transfer Case:	NV4500/Atlas 2 4:1
Front Axle:	Currie 9-inch, Dana 60 knuckles, ARB air locker, 4.86 gears, 35-spline alloy shafts
Rear Axle:	Currie 9-inch, ARB air locker, 4.86 gears, 35-spline alloy shafts
Front Suspension:	King 2.5 coilovers, bypass shocks, airbumps, three-link using modified James Duff arms
Rear Suspension:	King 2.5 coilovers, bypass shocks, airbumps, double-triangulated four-link, Currie Antirock sway bar
Steering:	Benchworks power steering box, hydro assist, custom pitman arm
Brakes:	Disc brakes on all corners, cutting brakes
Tires/Wheels:	39-inch BFG Krawlers on 17x9 Walker Evans beadlocks
Interior:	Mastercraft seats, custom dash, Dakota Digital gauges, Flaming River steering column

A four-link configuration makes up the rear suspension for the trussed Currie 9-inch. The 35-spline axle shafts ensure a strong assembly and Wilwood discs help haul the rig to a stop when needed. Travel in the rear is a healthy 21 inches. A 22-gallon fuel cell sits above.
A four-link configuration makes up the rear suspension for the trussed Currie 9-inch. The
Under the hood of Paul’s yellow pony sits a torquey Ford 392 that’s been built for power and reliability. Go-fast goodies include a Scat forged crankshaft, Mahle forged pistons, Comp Cams roller components, and Air research aluminum heads. Fuel is metered into the motor using FAST multiport fuel injection. A modified Ron Davis aluminum radiator helps keep the motor cool and a custom aluminum surge tank adds some extra capacity.
Under the hood of Paul’s yellow pony sits a torquey Ford 392 that’s been built for power a
After splitting a front Dana 44 axle in half at a tough truck event, Paul had a fortified Currie 9-inch with Dana 60 ends built to provide a much beefier front driveline. It’s hung with a three-link built by Bonney and setup much the same as on George’s Ford. Paul prefers to run ARB air lockers in both axles so he can selectively engage traction at each axle.
After splitting a front Dana 44 axle in half at a tough truck event, Paul had a fortified

This view of the front suspension shows the set of modified James Duff suspension arms that are fortified and enhanced to provide all the needed shock mounting points. Front end travel is about 14 inches with this configuration.
This view of the front suspension shows the set of modified James Duff suspension arms tha
Bonney again went to work with metal and a welder to fabricate all the front suspension mounts and shock towers. These accommodate the King trio of coilover, bypass and bumpstop. This design works well in the rocks, provides a comfortable trail ride, but also handles well for high-speed running over desert terrain.
Bonney again went to work with metal and a welder to fabricate all the front suspension mo
A 4:1 Atlas 2 resides in the belly of the beast up near the front/rear lower link mounts. Combined with an NV4500 five-speed, the pair provide a wide range of drive ratios. Heavy-duty CV jointed driveshafts help hook the power to the axles.
A 4:1 Atlas 2 resides in the belly of the beast up near the front/rear lower link mounts.

A Dakota Digital gauge cluster and a Flaming River tilt steering column with Grant street legal removable steering wheel project from the custom dash. Other interior appointments include a Tuffy console and dual Optima batteries mounted behind the front seats.
A Dakota Digital gauge cluster and a Flaming River tilt steering column with Grant street
Driver and passengers are treated to comfort and safety in Mastercraft seats and five-point Hooker harnesses. There are no longer any doors that open. A full DOM rollcage surrounds the occupants and is skinned with fiberglass body panels. The interior was coated with gray Line-X liner.
Driver and passengers are treated to comfort and safety in Mastercraft seats and five-poin
The detail in the fabrication work on both of these rigs is impressive. Rob Bonney spent countless hours bent over a TIG torch creating numerous suspension components, mounting structures, and the custom pitman arms.
The detail in the fabrication work on both of these rigs is impressive. Rob Bonney spent c

King coilovers and triple-bypass shocks are tucked under the rear fenders as on the front. This combination does an excellent job of keeping the 39-inch BFG Krawlers under control whether going fast or slow.
King coilovers and triple-bypass shocks are tucked under the rear fenders as on the front.