We call it quasi-Bronco because even though it resembles a Bronco, there really isn't much original Bronco left. Some of the rig's features include a custom 2-inch body lift; a tubular "skeleton" for mounting the steel and aluminum "skins"; a lightweight carbon-fiber hood; Hanson bumpers; a Warn winch; a full rollcage; stretched wheelbase; and a narrowed body. The Bronco frame has new crossmembers added, and all of the body panels with the exception of the carbon-fiber hood have been powdercoated. Ditto for the frame and cage. The rig rolls on 42-inch Swamper TSLs that are mounted to custom dual bead-lock wheels with run-flat capability.
It's funny how things work out sometimes. Not funny ha-ha, but funny fascinating. Take, for instance, what happened to Jerry Ornellas of San Jose, California. He had no idea that the Bronco he helped his buddy Richard Ward build would eventually end up in his possession. But that's exactly what happened when Ornellas purchased it from Ward three years later.
Naturally, this was quite beneficial. After all, Ornellas was familiar with the rig's inner workings due to the hours he helped wrench on it. Once Ornellas got the rig in his possession it had to be dj vu as he went to work on it, fine-tuning various things and reworking the suspension to his liking. With the help of his friends Jack Covert, Paul Brannon, and Wayne Hanon, he personalized the rig and took it to the next level.
We had the opportunity to see the rig in action near Cupertino, California. Not only is it a very well-built capable tool, it's clear that Ornellas is very comfortable in his rig as it seems an extension of himself. The result is that he makes riding even the roughest terrain look easy.
General
Owner: Jerry Ornellas/San Jose, CA
Vehicle/Model: '71 Ford Bronco
Estimated Value: N/A
Engine
Type: 419ci V-8
Aspiration: Fuel injection
Output, hp/torque (estimated): 550 @ 5,000/unknown
Drivetrain
Transmission: 700-R4 four-speed automatic
Transfer Case: Atlas 4.3:1
Suspension
Front: Doetsch Tech coilovers, long-arm four-link, antisway bar
Rear: Doetsch Tech coilovers, long-arm four-link, antisway bar
Axles/Differentials
Front: Dana 60, 35-spline axleshafts/ARB Air Locker
Rear: Dana 70, 35-spline axleshafts, disc brakes/ARB Air Locker
Ring and pinion: 4.56:1
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: Hummer dual bead-lock
Tires: 42-inch Super Swamper TSL
 The rear suspension is comprised...  The rear suspension is comprised of a long-arm four-link setup with Doetsch Tech remote-reservoir coilover shocks and a chromoly antisway bar. The rear axle is a stout Dana 70 with 35-spline axles, an ARB Air Locker, 4.56 gears, an SVO diff cover, and disc brakes. |  Inside the rig, a custom aluminum...  Inside the rig, a custom aluminum instrument panel holds a slew of Auto Meter Pro Comp Ultra-Lite gauges. These gauges allow Ornellas to monitor everything from voltage and transmission temperature to air pressure. The instrument panel also puts the switches for the ARB Air Lockers, lights, wipers, and other accessories right at Ornellas fingertips. Other interior features include Beard seats and a removable steering wheel. |  Up front is a Dana 60 axle...  Up front is a Dana 60 axle with 35-spline axleshafts, 4.56 gears, an ARB Air Locker, Warn drive flanges, an SVO diff cover, and hydraulic dual-ram steering. Like the rear, the front suspension consists of a long-arm four-link setup with Doetsch Tech remote-reservoir coilover shocks and an antisway bar. |
 With the carbon-fiber hood...  With the carbon-fiber hood removed, you can see the fuel-injected Lightning V-8 engine that motivates the Bronco. It has had machine work by Salinas Motor and is said to produce 550 hp at 5,000 rpm. Other underhood goodies include a 220-amp alternator, an engine-driven air compressor, a Premier Power Welder, an aluminum radiator, and electric cooling fans. Notice how the rig's electrical components have been mounted as high as possible to keep them away from water. The engine funnels power to a modified 700-R4 four-speed automatic transmission that has its own cooler. From there, power is split to the axles via an Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case. |  This photo of the rear of...  This photo of the rear of the rig clearly shows the incredible amount of fabrication that went into the Bronco. From the custom narrowed body to the integration of the Hanson rear bumper to the little things like the exhaust that exits through the bumper, it's clear that a lot of thought went into the creation of this machine to guarantee it would excel off-highway without leaving parts scattered along the way. | |