Midwest Twist on a Potentially Go Fast Bronco?

keeph8n

New member
Joined
Apr 8, 2026
Messages
7
Location
Indiana
Well I’ve lurked here for long enough, and was a lurker on Race Dezert and DezertRangers for years, figure it’s time to make a thread on this truck and my progress?

Being located in the Midwest, I’ve usually built lowered trucks, big lifted mud trucks, and the occasional rock crawler. My obsession with the OBS platform started as most of ours did, with our childhoods. My dad had 5-6 broncos and idk how many pickups when I was growing up, so I became very familiar with the platform.

Fast forward to about a month ago. I had a 21 4Runner that I had done up for overlanding and had gotten very bored of its lack of potential for any true off-roading. I decided to sell it and go back to my roots of OBS Fords.

I looked all over Marketplace down south and out west to find a good candidate that wasn’t too crazy priced and not too cheery to scoop. Found a 1995 XL located in Alabama. The couple who owned it, purchased it to fix up but found out they were pregnant with their 5th and dint have the time for it anymore.

So quick rundown. 1995 XL. 302, auto, manual t case. Factory quad shock setup, bench seat, manual windows, and no carpet. Was originally a Tennessee Game Warden truck. After its decommission it changed a couple of owners and then ended up in AL. Has one tiny spot of rust in the tailgate, a couple of small sections in the floor behind the rear wheel well, and a couple small spots in front of the rear bench seat.

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My current plans are Harris Built cage, OhhCho Fab 4.5 beams, radius arms, and dual swing steering, 37s on Battleborn beadlocks, Solo Big Brakes, Richer/Ohhcho Rear 64 Kit, and a 9” from either Currie or Camburg.

Haven’t fully decided on shocks, but might just do a 3.0 IBP up front and 3.5 or 4.0 rear bypass setup.


Going to be a bit of a long term project as most all the goodies are out in CA/AZ and I have to have stuff shipped here, along with getting the hang of fabrication again, as I haven’t built anything in almost 20 years.

Will keep this thing updated as best as I can, but it will be a slow and steady thing as I work things over.
 
So we got home with the truck this past Saturday and Monday I set it up to get some tires. Just a temporary thing while I get parts stacked for this for the build.

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Noticed while driving it, the truck has a decent growl that my friend and I believe is coming from a rear axle bearing. So I snagged some parts from the local parts store and gonna give the 8.8 a work over depending on what all it needs. The Yukon axle kits are a great buy, if you need the shafts.

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I don’t really want to put a bunch of money into the 8.8, BUT I do need the truck to get me A to B without issue while I get go fast parts acquired.
 
Fukers mint!

Where is Midwest?

Are you doing glass all the way round?

Thanks!

Indiana for me. Planning to move to the AZ/NV/CA area, but not sure how quickly that’ll happen. Means Silver Lake up in Michigan will be home to this truck for awhile.

Yes planning on doing glass front and rear. Was looking at McQueen, but saw a few people here have issues with the QC on their panels.
 
Was able to get the passenger rear axle out and inspected. As we thought, the shaft was shot and the bearing was toast too. Also looks like a bit of wear on the housing, so we put the repair bearing in it to make up for any slack along with the new Yukon axle. Fresh fluid and spicer gasket as well. Ring and pinion look to be in decent shape for 330,000 miles, but the spiders have definitely seen better days.

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When the cover got popped there was maybe a quart of fluid in it and it was black as night. Truck so far hasn’t made a lot of sense on maintenance. Brakes appear to be newer, same with wheel cylinders, but that fluid was old as shit and was crazy low.

Returned the stuff I don’t need to the parts store and picked up fresh oil for the engine, transmission, transfer case, and front differential as well as new filters, coolant, and a coolant reservoir as mine is broken. Also was able to scoop up some new shocks to replace the blown ones on all four corners.

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Most likely my next plan of action things will be weatherstripping on the doors, tailgate, and top along with a full rebuild on the tailgate. Then it’s pure go fast stuff.
 
Well looked at the steering this morning to make a bit of a plan.

I don’t know if the couple I purchased the Bronco off of took off a lift kit, or the previous owner before them did some goofy shit, BUT holy Jesus this steering is a bit fucking wild.

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Ignore the oil leaks, I’ll get this sorted sooner rather than later.

I can ONLY assume the steering feels the way it does due to the enormous drop pitman arm on a stock height truck. The boots are torn yes, but all the joints feel tight. Also noticed the rear beam moves quite a bit when turning, so that tells me the beam bushing is shot.


My question to you guys is this. Would you put the Ambulance package steering on or just go back to the Bronco stuff since I’ll be putting the swing steering from OhhCho when I change beams? This is a temporary thing with little to mild off roading for now.

Price wise is maybe $100 total difference if that between factory Bronco inner and outer tie rods vs 1995 F350 Ambulance inner and outer tie rods.
 
Great purchase and parts list! I have MOOG ambulance steering (minus sleeves) Ill sell you for $100 plus shipping brand new in the box, includes all 4 tierods. I was going to use it and ended up getting swing steer
 
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