1974 Ford Bronco Restomod With a Gen 3 Coyote 5.0

Modern Muscle Wrapped in a Timeless Body – 1974 Ford Bronco Restomod

Back in the day, Don Backstrom’s 1974 Ford Bronco was just another well-kept rig tucked away with about 40k miles on the clock. But fast forward a few decades, and this thing’s a whole different beast.

Retired and wrench-happy out on Camano Island, Washington, Don had a vision, and with help from the crew at Rain City Garage, he brought that dream to life. The result? A slick Bronco that looks classic but drives like it rolled straight outta 2024.

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Under the Hood: The Coyote 5.0 Swap

Under the hood, Don swapped in a Gen 3 Coyote 5.0L from Ford Performance. That’s right—this old-school wagon is now running modern muscle, backed up by a Ford electronic transfer case and stuffed between Kincer hybrid axles.

Chassis & Suspension

It’s sitting on a legit Kincer Builder Series chassis powdercoated in Black Magic and rolling on KO2s wrapped around Black Rhino wheels. Everything underneath is tight, clean, and made to flex.

The chassis build reads like a parts catalog for gearheads. Long-travel Bilsteins, dual shocks, upgraded sway bars, 4-link in the rear, and extended radius arms up front are all bolted in and built for play.

Front and rear Wilwood disc brakes, complete with red-painted calipers, give this 1974 Ford Bronco way more bite than its stock setup ever dreamed of.

Interior and Exterior

Step inside, and it’s clear this Bronco respects its heritage.

The interior leans classic, with just enough modern to keep it comfortable. Its confines feature a hidden Bluetooth head unit, stealthily positioned subwoofers, a Vintage Air climate system, and just the right touch of modern comforts.

This 1974 Ford Bronco Restomod features the best of both worlds with true vintage style and a 21st-century soul.

The paint? That rich Ivy Glow Green hits different in the daylight. Now, pair that with Dapper LED headlights and clean chrome bumpers—this truck stays sharp without being flashy.

If you spotted this ride at Goodguys Pacific NW Nationals, you would already know it turned a lot of heads throughout the day.

Conclusion: A Statement Build

What really makes Don’s Bronco special is the blend—old bones, new heart, all done with care. Every bolt was tightened with purpose. Every upgrade was picked to work, not just to ‘wow.” There are no over-the-top graphics here, just clean craftsmanship and go-anywhere capability.

So, what’s next for this rig? Don is thinking of Dana 44s to dial it back closer to factory specs. But honestly, it’s already well dialed in.

This 1974 Ford Bronco Restomod isn’t just a looker; it’s a statement. Built to be driven and appreciated, it carries the spirit of a classic with the comfort and power of today’s technology.

In a world full of half-finished builds and garage queens, this one stands out because it’s complete, clean, and built right.

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Nicole Hamilton

I’m Nicole Hamilton, I work across several of our automotive brands, helping with everything from social media and branding to putting together magazines and marketing campaigns. Basically, I spend