Each generation of the Ford Bronco has its own frame design. For example, Ford based the Bronco frame on the F-series, and they based the Bronco II frame on the Ranger. Despite all the differences between Bronco frames, the anatomy is still basically the same.
The Anatomy Of A Bronco Frame
Here’s what a Bronco frame looks like, with all the parts labeled:
Click image above for large view.
What is each part for? Read on to find out.
- Rear Frame Horns: Frame extensions that hold the rear bumper in place
- Front Frame Horns: Frame extensions that hold the front bumper in place
- Rear Shock Mounts: Mounts that hold the rear shocks in place
- Front Shock Mounts: Mounts that hold the front shocks in place
- Transmission Crossmember Mounting Holes: Mounting holes for the crossmember that supports the transmission
- Engine Perch: A fancy term for the where motor mounts are attached; supports the engine
- Coil Bucket: The upper ends of the front coil springs sit in the coil buckets.
- Track Bar Mount: One end of the track bar mounts at this location. The other end is attached to the front axle.
- Radius Arm Mount: A mount that retains the rear portion of the radius arm; allows the radius arm to rotate as needed
- Body Mounts: Mounts that attach the body to the frame
- Leaf Spring Mount: Mounts that support the front end of the leaf springs
- Bump Stop Mount: Bump stops are bolted to this mount; bump stops stop the axle’s upward travel before the shocks bottom out
- Spring Shackle Mount: A mount for the leaf spring shackle, which allows the end of the spring to move rearward as the leaf is compressed.
Why You Need A Well-Built Bronco Frame
The frame carries a lot of weight from the following parts:
- Transmission
- Motor
- Transfer case
- Fuel tank (and the fuel inside)
- Passengers
- The body
It also has to be strong enough to handle the twisting forces created by the axles. That’s why the frame is arguably the most important part of your Bronco. If the frame has weakened due to rust or metal fatigue, you’ll feel poor steering, and you’ll hear a lot of creaks and groans from the body.
When you replace the frame, it’s very important to get a frame that’s built right. That means a sturdy frame with:
- The right materials: The frame needs to be sturdy enough. TDK uses steel that is thicker than OEM, so our frames are more rigid than the OEM frames.
- Exact dimensions: TDK frames are cut and bent with CNC equipment, and every hole and mount is in exactly the right spot.
- Perfect alignment: If the frame is even slightly warped, your Bronco will run into a lot of expensive problems, including:
- Bad alignment, which speeds up wear and tear on the tires
- Uneven suspension wear
- Poor-fitting parts
Used Frames: Not A Good Idea
Some Bronco owners pick up used frames at junkyards. It’s a lot cheaper than having a brand new frame built, but it’s actually a bad idea. Why?
For starters, you don’t know where the frame has been. For example:
- Has the frame ever been involved in an accident? Is the frame true? It’s really hard to tell by eye.
- How long has the frame been sitting in the junkyard? There is undoubtedly some rust on the frame that you can see, and some that you can’t.
A used frame may look good on the outside, but it can have problems that are hard to notice. Installing a new frame is a big project (we talk about that here) with a lot of sweat equity involved. It’s safer to use a brand new frame from a reputable brand.
Throttle Down Kustoms Is A Trusted Brand For Bronco Frames
You can always count on Throttle Down Kustoms (TDK) to build a strong and perfectly aligned frame for your Bronco. At TDK, we use modern technology to build frames that are sturdier and more precise than the frames Ford made back in the day. All our frames are true to the OE specs. Get your very own TDK Bronco frame today!
Want More Articles Like This One? Check These Out: