6/16/2025 Update - Bronco Raptor Godzilla 7.3L V8 Conversion

[22broncoraptor]

curious if they reprogramed the Braptor ECU or used F150 ECU?

Braptor ECU was set aside, it's currently functioning as a dust collector in the shop.

It's an F150 ECU, yeah. I'll be able to share more specifics once it's all buttoned up as it'll likely take a few passes to know what software features need to be made available for the ECU to make everything play nicely together (speaking more to the creature comforts of the Braptor than so much the engine itself). Juicy Motorsports (the shop doing the work) will make a kit for future conversions.

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[22broncoraptor]

Also, what was the reason for running a ranger raptor transfer case? how is it different than the Braptor?

They've gone back and forth to date on the Regular Ranger tcase vs. Braptor tcase. Currently the Braptor tcase is planned to go in, but some of the discoveries have been:

• The initial reason: The Braptor tcase has clutches in it to support 4x4 modes, and specifically 4WD Auto ("4A" on the drive mode dial in the cab). The Ranger tcase does not have these clutches, so in theory less potential for failure -- the thinking was to test fit the Raptor tcase and eliminate clutches as a potential wear/failure point due to the additional power that the Godzilla will make over the 3.0L. If the Ranger tcase does end up being the go-to tcase, then that would sacrifice "4A" drive mode. I don't use this, so it doesn't really matter to me, but in the interest of preserving all OEM functionality, it's a consideration to make.
• But the main issue with the Ranger tcase is that it's actually shorter than the Braptor tcase, which presents clearance challenges for the rear driveshaft. There's a driveshaft loop in the rear of the Braptor that the driveshaft passes through immediately behind the transfer case. With the Ranger tcase being shorter, it's likely at full rear suspension droop the driveshaft will hit this loop. Obviously the loop can be cut/modified but trying to avoid that. I don't plan to keep the stock rear suspension in the Braptor, so we're trying to find a solution that's best whether you keep stock rear suspension or go with a longer travel version. There's no room to move the engine back any further in the engine bay to make up for the shorter tcase, either.
• I didn't capture it in the latest pictures, but they are working on an adapter to go from the 10R80 to the Braptor Tcase. It's currently 3D-printed for fitment to be able to set final placement on tcase mounts and to get measurements for driveshafts. If it all fits correctly, then they will get the adapter fabricated.

(Edited to correct for Regular Ranger tcase when I mistakenly typed Raptor Ranger)

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

They've gone back and forth to date on the Ranger Raptor tcase vs. Braptor tcase. Currently the Braptor tcase is planned to go in, but some of the discoveries have been:

• The initial reason: The Braptor tcase has clutches in it to support 4x4 modes, and specifically 4WD Auto ("4A" on the drive mode dial in the cab). The Ranger Raptor tcase does not have these clutches, so in theory less potential for failure -- the thinking was to test fit the Ranger Raptor tcase and eliminate clutches as a potential wear/failure point due to the additional power that the Godzilla will make over the 3.0L. If the Ranger Raptor tcase does end up being the go-to tcase, then that would sacrifice "4A" drive mode. I don't use this, so it doesn't really matter to me, but in the interest of preserving all OEM functionality, it's a consideration to make.
• But the main issue with the Ranger Raptor tcase is that it's actually shorter than the Braptor tcase, which presents clearance challenges for the rear driveshaft. There's a driveshaft loop in the rear of the Braptor that the driveshaft passes through immediately behind the transfer case. With the Ranger Raptor tcase being shorter, it's likely at full rear suspension droop the driveshaft will hit this loop. Obviously the loop can be cut/modified but trying to avoid that. I don't plan to keep the stock rear suspension in the Braptor, so we're trying to find a solution that's best whether you keep stock rear suspension or go with a longer travel version. There's no room to move the engine back any further in the engine bay to make up for the shorter tcase, either.
• I didn't capture it in the latest pictures, but they are working on an adapter to go from the 10R80 to the Braptor Tcase. It's currently 3D-printed for fitment to be able to set final placement on tcase mounts and to get measurements for driveshafts. If it all fits correctly, then they will get the adapter fabricated.

I'm assuming you're meaning a regular Ranger that had a 10r80 like they used to in the fifth gen? My 2024 Ranger Raptor definitely has all-wheel drive and it definitely has clutches in the transfer case !!! hence my curiosity.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

They've gone back and forth to date on the Ranger Raptor tcase vs. Braptor tcase. Currently the Braptor tcase is planned to go in, but some of the discoveries have been:

• The initial reason: The Braptor tcase has clutches in it to support 4x4 modes, and specifically 4WD Auto ("4A" on the drive mode dial in the cab). The Ranger Raptor tcase does not have these clutches, so in theory less potential for failure -- the thinking was to test fit the Ranger Raptor tcase and eliminate clutches as a potential wear/failure point due to the additional power that the Godzilla will make over the 3.0L. If the Ranger Raptor tcase does end up being the go-to tcase, then that would sacrifice "4A" drive mode. I don't use this, so it doesn't really matter to me, but in the interest of preserving all OEM functionality, it's a consideration to make.
• But the main issue with the Ranger Raptor tcase is that it's actually shorter than the Braptor tcase, which presents clearance challenges for the rear driveshaft. There's a driveshaft loop in the rear of the Braptor that the driveshaft passes through immediately behind the transfer case. With the Ranger Raptor tcase being shorter, it's likely at full rear suspension droop the driveshaft will hit this loop. Obviously the loop can be cut/modified but trying to avoid that. I don't plan to keep the stock rear suspension in the Braptor, so we're trying to find a solution that's best whether you keep stock rear suspension or go with a longer travel version. There's no room to move the engine back any further in the engine bay to make up for the shorter tcase, either.
• I didn't capture it in the latest pictures, but they are working on an adapter to go from the 10R80 to the Braptor Tcase. It's currently 3D-printed for fitment to be able to set final placement on tcase mounts and to get measurements for driveshafts. If it all fits correctly, then they will get the adapter fabricated.

Thanks for the information, I pulled the trigger on a 5.2, so any info is helpful. Especially curious on the ECU re-wirung.

 

[22broncoraptor]

Looks completely badass and I’m starting to picture how it’ll look once motor box and hood are back together. Really clean like straight from factory.

But not gonna lie, this is what I came to see :

Yeah, it will be very OEM looking, which is really impressive. The wiring work alone is a rat's nest, it's really impressive the attention to detail these guys have to put into these types of conversions. Lots of spreadsheets to accompany the mechanical work to keep track of what's what.

The next update I post should be progress on the powering up and software diagnostics (hoping that'll be in the first half of March). They've actually already powered on the electronics without starting the engine (the equivalent of pressing the "Start" button without foot on the brake).

Naturally, without everything hooked up, it spits out a lot of error codes, but this is the point -- find the errors for what's already hooked up to be able to troubleshoot more code without having to wait to start the engine.

 

[22broncoraptor]

I'm assuming you're meaning a regular Ranger that had a 10r80 like they used to in the fifth gen? My 2024 Ranger Raptor definitely has all-wheel drive and it definitely has clutches in the transfer case !!! hence my curiosity.

Sorry, yes it's a REGULAR Ranger tcase (not a Raptor Ranger).

 

[feeble]

Nice progress for the team working on this.

Coincidently, this popped up on my YouTube feed the other day.

Car Hacking & CAN Bus Reverse Engineering Seminar which lead me to this: GitHub - CAN Commander

I presume these are the types of tools used to reverse engineer?

 

[CarmeloS]

Soon we'll be having swap kits for sale along w/T56s for the swaps

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Nice progress for the team working on this.

Coincidently, this popped up on my YouTube feed the other day.

Car Hacking & CAN Bus Reverse Engineering Seminar which lead me to this: GitHub - CAN Commander

I presume these are the types of tools used to reverse engineer?

It's really not that difficult there are ways to make the computer work without going through any of this extra stuff.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Soon we'll be having swap kits for sale along w/T56s for the swaps

Who makes the transfer case conversion for the t56?

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Sorry, yes it's a REGULAR Ranger tcase (not a Raptor Ranger).

Gosh it's got to be getting really exciting for you right about now the things almost done? I'm wondering why you don't just use a F-150 transfer case?

 

[CarmeloS]

Who makes the transfer case conversion for the t56?

... Maybe not a T56, but saved few things:

https://protouringstore.com/product...ng-for-tkx-tko-transmissions-aluminum-5-speed
https://www.advanceadapters.com/tr-4050-tremec-5-speed

This isn't my forte, just saying that once the V8 swaps happen, so will matching manuals to handle the power

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

... Maybe not a T56, but saved few things:

https://protouringstore.com/product...ng-for-tkx-tko-transmissions-aluminum-5-speed
https://www.advanceadapters.com/tr-4050-tremec-5-speed

This isn't my forte, just saying that once the V8 swaps happen, so will matching manuals to handle the power

Your first post sounded like you were going to be offering swaps yourself...?

 

[Tricky Mike]

... Maybe not a T56, but saved few things:

https://protouringstore.com/product...ng-for-tkx-tko-transmissions-aluminum-5-speed
https://www.advanceadapters.com/tr-4050-tremec-5-speed

This isn't my forte, just saying that once the V8 swaps happen, so will matching manuals to handle the power

The Corvette TR6060 would be my starting point if I were designing 4x4 swap adapters. The cost would be nuts any way you go.

 

[CarmeloS]

Your first post sounded like you were going to be offering swaps yourself...?

I wish, that definitely would be awesome, but unfortunately not my forte

The Corvette TR6060 would be my starting point if I were designing 4x4 swap adapters. The cost would be nuts any way you go.

oh sick, definitely keeping that in mind

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