For the 1971 model year, the highest-output engine option for the Bronco was the venerable 302 small-block V8 with 205 horsepower on deck. The overlanding truck we’re covering today levels up to 5.0 liters, four valves per cylinder, and a DOHC setup thanks to a Coyote V8.
This motor isn’t your average lump for it features a modified sheet-metal intake manifold with Boss 302 badging, a conical air filter, custom-built headers, and a 3.0-inch crossover exhaust system. Another difference over the powerplants in the Mustang pony car and F-150 pickup truck comes in the guise of two fuel systems with twin fuel pumps and two separate tanks.
Cooled by a Ron Davis radiator that’s been flushed in April 2021, the 5.0-liter motor can run E85, 91-octane premium unleaded, and 100- to 110-octane race fuel. Such a potent engine needs a beefy transmission, which brings us to the NV3550 five-speed manual. Previously found in the TJ Wrangler and XJ Cherokee, the stick-shifting box is connected to a dual-range transfer case with a heavy-duty input shaft. 17-inch beadlock wheels are spruced up with 35-inch Toyo Open Country M/T rubber shoes, which is why the owner decided on chromoly axles up front and a Megalodon Extreme Duty rear end with a 9.0-inch diff, 4.11 final-drive gears, and a Yukon locker.
The beefy driveline and powertrain are complemented by approximately $200k in receipts according to Bring a Trailer, which lists this Bronco with a high bid of $54,500 and five days of bidding left. Considering how many Washingtons the seller has thrown at his beloved rig, the reserve may exceed $100k. Aftermarket mods don’t necessarily improve the value of a vehicle, but on this occasion, I'd say that $100k is more than fair for what you’re getting.
Eibach coil springs with Fox 2.5 Factory Series bypass shock absorbers, Deaver leaf springs with custom shackles and piggyback-reservoir shocks, Fox 2.0 air bump stomps, Fox steering stabilizer, and a power-assisted Borgeson steering rack also need to be mentioned, along with Wilwood power brakes, four-piston calipers, stainless brake lines, and braided hoses.
Wrapped in Matte Riviera Blue vinyl from 3M, this off-roading leviathan further boasts a roll bar, diamond-stitched suede inserts for the leather upholstery on the ProCar Elite seats, Dynamat insulation and replacement carpeting, Vintage Air Gen IV climate control, and an iPad Mini that channels your Spotify music to JL Audio amps, speakers, and subwoofers.
The finishing touches would be the Lowrance HDS 7 GPS mounted in the center console and the Lecarra steering wheel that frames Dakota Digital instrument dials. At the moment of writing, the odometer shows less than 1,000 miles (621 kilometers) after the completion of this one-of-one build.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News