I am finally getting around to rebuilding the 77. Literally 2 years after joining the Frontrange, and making its original build thread. I was going over the original an noticed that its far off topic now and has mixed builds of the Ol B2 project we had to scrap and even some of the ranger. So I decided that it would be best for me to redo its whole build thread, and hope one of the mods can lock out or delete the old thread as a whole. The overall Build hasn't changed, and is more of a restro than a 4x4 monster. However it will be sometime before i am able to do a real restro, so it will be getting some mods to make it more trail friendly for the time being.
Basic Outlines
Engine-
100% Rebuild from the ground up
New KB Pistons which will raise my compression from 8.4 Up to around 9.4-9.7ish. With the exception of the cam, this is probably one of the largest single improvements i can make to gain more power.
RV Based Cam
Edelbrock Intake
And a set of headers(I have some off my donor rig but they are long tube headers, and kinda defy the concept of ground clearance.)
600-650CFM Carb sitting up top. Right now i have a holley 750 and an edel 750 but imo they are just too much for what i need.
I also plan on reinstalling the AC at some point. Not anytime soon, but i would like to as this truck came with factory AC and has all the goods for it.
Drive-train
I have already rebuild the D44 Front and its solid and good to go for now.
The 9in out back needs a new gasket around the 3d member but other than that its good to go.
My 205NP was rebuilt around 500 miles ago, however it seems like shes weeping out the output shaft seal.
I also plan on running a twin stick for the 205 just for fun.
And the big one
I am swapping out the C6 in favor for a NP435. For several reasons. First and foremost, for whatever reason C6s and I just don't mix. Second I like Manuals Better. The gearing in the NP435 has better suited gearing for offraod purposes, however there are some significant gaps between gears, the Motor is more than capable of making up for, and they don't seem all that noticeable from the ones i have driven.
The Gearing For Comparison is as Follows
Gear C6 NP435
1st 2.46:1 6.68:1
2nd 1.46:1 3.34:1
3rd 1:1 1.74:1
4th n/a 1:1
Rev 2.20:1 8.26:1
The only major drawback i can think of so far, is no hydraulic clutch
The good news is i have every component needed for the swap already as i am going to part with my 79 bronco, and use it as a donor. It came from Illinois, and has the rust to prove it.
Interior
I eventually plan on re-carpeting it, and restoring it to new. But for now if i can find a seat cover to fit the bench that should do fine. I am going to swap my steering column over from the bronco into the F150 so it will look as if it came with the 4spd and not the C6. I also need to replace the headliner, and find a spot for a cb at one point.
Exterior Mods
FLATBED!!!! Well itll just look nice and add some much need ground clearance for that half of the rig. I have in the Area of a 133" wheel base, so no bed sides would be a nice thing. Im also going to dove tail the flat bed Somewhere around the center of the axle line or just behind it.
Sliders are a must as to not kill my Rockers/Doors as i do wish to restore it.
And if i get around to a nice front winch bumper.
And i need to get the drivers door painted to match the rest of the truck.
The main goal is to have it back on the trails by Christmas, so some of this stuff will be waiting for a while.
Here are a few pics of it during its life. On a side note is has BFG MTRS on it now and not the **** tires shown in the pictures.