Bugged Out: Ford Bronco Buggy

129 1009 Bugged Out Ford Bronco Buggy Front Driver View

For some reason, we all remember our parents' cars from our childhood. Burned into Duane McClanahan's memory is his dad's '68 Ford Bronco. "My dad was a drag racer and a Ford man. My first off-road experience was when my dad bought a brand-new 1968 Ford Bronco factory Roadster. I fell in love with that thing," McClanahan says. He recalls that his dad was in a four-wheel drive club called the "Golden Ground Grippers" and wheeling and racing was the norm.

The Bronco had such a profound affect on McClanahan that when he was 16 years old he purchased a '69 Bronco. It had been rolled and "was a mess." He repaired all the bodywork and rewired the rig. He installed a freshly rebuilt 289ci V-8 and enjoyed his own personal Bronco. "What a fun first car," he remembers.

Years passed. Marriage and a daughter came into McClanahan's life. In 1997, the Bronco bug bit again and McClanahan restored a ratted-out '73 Bronco to trail-ready condition. It had a 351W V-8, C4 trans, Dana 20 transfer case, Detroit Lockers, and 35s. The rig served him well, but eventually succumbed to heavy trail use. It was replaced by a Bruiser chassis from Avalanche Engineering. This rig was built-to-the-hilt, but it didn't have any Bronco DNA. "I loved that rig, but you guessed it, I wanted an early Bronco," McClanahan says.

Which brings us to the incredible rig you're looking at. It's a wonder of modern, innovative off-road tech combined with a splash of classic Bronco. McClanahan says he has to thank his wife Cheryl for her understanding when he said, "Hey babe, this won't cost that much to add." He says that happened a lot. He also says he was inspired by his daughter Shelby for how her eyes light up every time they go wheeling.

Specifications

General
Owner/Hometown:Duane McClanahan/Frederick, Colorado
Vehicle/Model: '73 Bronco buggy
Estimated value: Priceless

Engine
Type: GM 6.0L V-8
Aspiration: TBI, custom exhaust with Magnaflow muffler
Output, hp/torque (estimated): 380/400

Drivetrain
Transmission: TH400, Derale cooler
Transfer Case: Atlas 5.0, 32-spline

Suspension
Front: Four-link, King Performance Series 2.0 three-stage remote-reservoir coilover
Rear: Four-link, King Performance Series 2.0 three-stage remote-reservoir coilover

Axles/Differentials
Front: Dana 60, Superior chrome-moly inner and outer axleshafts/ARB Air Locker
Rear: GM 14-bolt, C&M Performance Machine 300M axleshafts, Wilwood disc brakes/Yukon spool Ring and pinion: 4.88:1

Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17x9 Walker Evans Racing aluminum beadlocks
Tires: 39x13.5-17 BFGoodrich Krawlers Red Label

The core of McClanahan's rig is an Xtreme Engineering Comp Wrath chassis. This chassis is constructed primarily from 11/2-inch-diameter, 0.120-wall tubing with thicker material at critical areas. It includes an integrated full rollcage, rocker protection, and brushguard. The front clip is an actual steel Bronco clip that was narrowed and fitted to the chassis. The hood is a customized Wild Horses unit. The sides and quarter panels are aluminum lowers and aftermarket upper quarter panels welded together to make one seamless piece that spans the entire length of the vehicle. Tucked up behind the grille is a Warn HS9500i winch with synthetic rope. The rig rolls on 39-inch BFG Krawler Red Label rubber that is mounted on 17x9 Walker Evans Racing beadlock aluminum eight-lug wheels that have a 41/4-inch offset. McClanahan's daughter chose the colors for the rig, and they consist of PPG silver and blue.
The core of McClanahan's rig is an Xtreme Engineering Comp Wrath chassis. This chassis is
There are several unique things lurking under the hood of McClanahan's rig, like the GM 6.0L V-8 out of an '02 Cadillac Escalade EXT. This engine makes approximately 380 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for the 3,500-pound rig. Jim's Performance made the wiring harness and reworked the computer. The unusual exhaust is comprised of '06 Pontiac GTO headers that have been reversed and flipped. This header arrangement was done so the engine could be mounted further back in the chassis to help balance out the weight. The exhaust travels forward to a custom Y-pipe and then down the middle of the vehicle into a Magnaflow muffler. The engine is bolted to a heavily modified TH400 transmission with manual valve body, 2,800rpm-stall torque converter, two-quart Jeg's aluminum pan, Derale cooler, and Lokar shifter.
There are several unique things lurking under the hood of McClanahan's rig, like the GM 6.
The GTO headers were simply mounted upside-down on the opposite side of the 6.0L engine than originally intended. Custom extensions were added to the headers and they tie into the custom Y-pipe located at the front of the engine.
The GTO headers were simply mounted upside-down on the opposite side of the 6.0L engine th

The belly of the rig is incredibly smooth and well protected by 1/2-inch plastic skidplating. Safely tucked out of harm's way is the rig's Atlas 5.0 32-spline transfer case. It splits the 6.0L's power to the axles via a pair of custom driveshafts. Both shafts have CVs at the transfer case. The rear 'shaft has a 1410 U-joint at the axle and the front 'shaft has a 1350 U-joint at the axle.
The belly of the rig is incredibly smooth and well protected by 1/2-inch plastic skidplati
McClanahan says he sketched his idea for the interior layout and design on a napkin and the team at Xtreme Engineering made it happen. The interior is all business and features Mastercraft seats, a Cartech steering wheel, and Auto Meter gauges.
McClanahan says he sketched his idea for the interior layout and design on a napkin and th
Up front is a trussed Dana 60 axle from a '79 1-ton GM pickup, and it has been modded with a number of quality products. This list includes Superior Axle & Gear chrome-moly inner and outer axleshafts, Longfield 300M U-joints, an ARB Air Locker, 4.88:1 gears, disc brakes with 143/4-inch-diameter rotors and single-piston calipers, and a Riddler Manufacturing diff cover. Pointing the big 39-inch BFGs is easy, thanks to a hydraulic steering system that consists of a PSC pump, remote reservoir, and cooler as well as a Performance Off Road Center 21/2-inch double-ended hydraulic ram. The four-link suspension has King remote-reservoir coilovers and Bilstein bumpstops. The upper four-link bars are made from 1.5-inch-diameter, 0.250-inch-wall tubing and the lower bars are made from 2-inch-diameter solid aluminum. All of the upper bars are fitted with 3/4-inch spherical rod ends and the lowers are fit with 1.250-inch spherical rod ends.
Up front is a trussed Dana 60 axle from a '79 1-ton GM pickup, and it has been modded with

Here's a closeup of the passenger-side rear King 2.0 three-stage remote-reservoir coilover. All of the coilovers under the rig are the same and are set up with identical spring rates.
Here's a closeup of the passenger-side rear King 2.0 three-stage remote-reservoir coilover
Keeping the operating temperature of the 6.0L where it needs to be is the job of an aft-mounted Jeg's two-core aluminum radiator with 16-inch electric fan. The fan is controlled by a thermostat, but McClanahan has override capability which allows him to activate the fan via a dash-mounted switch.
Keeping the operating temperature of the 6.0L where it needs to be is the job of an aft-mo
Out back is a 14-bolt axle, and like the front, it also has been trussed and beefed for extreme use. Its list of upgrades includes C&M Performance Machine 300M axleshafts, a Yukon spool, 4.88:1 gears, Riddler Manufacturing diff cover, and Wilwood disc brakes with 13-inch rotors and single-piston calipers. The rear suspension utilizes the exact same King coilovers and four-link bars as the front. There's also an Antirock sway bar system.
Out back is a 14-bolt axle, and like the front, it also has been trussed and beefed for ex