After a decade of GM/IHC/Suzuki products, I decided to tinker with a Ford again. Bought an 86 full sized Bronco with the 5.0/AT. I need to replace some leaky headers. Was wondering what other stock manifolds would work. Also wondering what are some of the good/bad points about this year/model. Thanks.

Pretty quiet room here. If I was in the Samurai section I would have been flamed several times over! C'mon, any you Ford guys know anything about Broncos?:flipoff2:

Originally posted by ccj8008
what are some of the good/bad points about this year/model. Thanks.
Well, a lot of guys are probably going to tell you the TTB front suspension on it is junk, although I've been able to make those things work quite well (much better than what they'll have you believe is possible).

An '86 has a good chance of having a 9" rear axle, which has quite a bit of aftermarket upgrades available, more so than the 8.8" that followed.

The 86 should have the 8.8 axle, i believe they stopped using the 9 inch around 84.

If it is an XLT it should be EFI 302, with AOD. Most likly it will have 3.50 gears. This will be a great starting point if you like a fullsize. Front TTB44, rear should be 8.8.

It's an XLT. It has the EFI 302. Does this engine have a roller cam? Am I better off with say, Mustang exhaust manifolds or...?
I am thinking of putting some 63" Chevy rear springs on the back to get some flex. How do I get that TTB to behave offroad and still not eat my tires up during daily driving? Any good links to aftermarket products? Thanks for your comments.

If your lifting, the Skyjacker Class2 kit is about the only decent one out with good sturdy brackets. Its the failure/bending of the lift brackets that almost always causes alignment headaches on a TTB. You also could beef up a lesser bracket, if you got some welding skill. The Class2 kits are a bit pricey. Just don't use the short stock length radius arms.
I'm not familiar with the spring rate of the springs for the full-size kits, but Skyjacker's Ranger ones are about the flexiest of all the kit makers.
To get the most flex(20-25" is possible), you might want to go with custom National coils or something, along with taller shock towers. Make sure you have the dropped pitman arm.

I have heard reports of both the 8.8 and the 9 being used thru '83-'86. I think it matters what plant built it. You know how Ford is sometimes, using "leftovers". I've seen a 9 under a '85.

What tire size are you going to use?

Buy a set of long tri-y headers and make it a true dual

Originally posted by CrazyBastard
Buy a set of long tri-y headers and make it a true dual

If you don't have emissions testing to worry about, I'd go this route, as well. The phasing in of the 7.5 and 8.8 rear ends took a while. I've seen 9's as late as '87. Yes, they put the 7.5 in a few light trucks. My '92 Bronco has one.

I would have to see the 7.5 in a full size before i would believe it. i have never seen a 7.5 with the 5 on 5.5 before. ever

Originally posted by firegod33
Yes, they put the 7.5 in a few light trucks. My '92 Bronco has one.
Post a pic of that thing. I highly doubt it a 7.5".

My Bronco has a few weird items on it. It was originally a GSA vehicle. The government does things that really don't make sense.(like we didn't already know that) When I went through the ignition system, I found that it has components that belong in an F250-350 with a 460 and a Taurus with the 3.8. These items supposedly do not belong in a 5.0 Bronco. Believe me, the 7.5 surprised me, too!

Lets see pics of that full-width 7.5", with its 5X5.5 lug pattern!!

OK. I haven't spent much time under the Bronc, in a long time. That is when I id'd the rear axle. This discussion bugged me enough that I just went out with a flashlight, to look at the rear end. Don't ask me what I was thinking, years ago, when I decided there was a 7.5, under there. I digress. It's an 8.8.

There is nothing uncommon with Ford using parts from other vehicles in your truck. Why make a seperate part for every vehicle when they can make one -part for a whole vehicle line up. For example the EGR valve off a 300 inline 6 will fit on to the 351W and the 460 EFI. Ignition coils also interchange across the board as long as the vehicle isn't Japanese made. These are only two quick examples of the interchangeablity that Ford has. Of course if you talk to most Ford parts guys, they will not admit to this fact.

86 did not have a roller cam . Ford started using low friction pistons and rings in 87 on trucks . They did this allong with roller cam in 85 on mustang (ginne pigg) . I had a 92 roller truck motor in a 86 truck . The best thing i ever did . Better fuel millage and felt like 50 plus hp. 86 5.0 is prety weak compard to later models .