Fireball's '76 build thread - "Piece by Piece" - PAINTED, ASSEMBLED & ON THE ROAD!

WheelHorse · Apr 2, 2014

Well, did you get the top put back on her yet?

Fireball05 · Apr 13, 2014

Fireball's '76 build thread - "Piece by Piece" - PAINTED, ASSEMBLED & ON THE ...

Comes to an end!!! So I was a bad classic car owner and let the Bronco sit unloved for 5+ months. Didn't put a battery charger on her, didn't start her up, just let it in the garage safely hidden away from all the salt that sits on the PA roads over the winter.

Fired right back up today! Nice to hear that sweet 302 come to life. Didn't want to idle at first, had to keep it revved for a minute or two, but then everything was just fine. Took her for a little spin just before dark. Fun to be behind the wheel again !

Incidentally, looks like the rear diff is leaking a bit. Maybe the seal dried up over the winter? There were a few drips underneath and one or two drops coming down after the 15' ride. Any idea if I'll get lucky, the seals will swell and everything will be good again?

Believe it or not, this was a leak free Bronco!

Fireball05 · Jul 17, 2014

A few final updates...

A few final updates to this build thread. After a winter of sitting dormant and not using her, the family and I were able to enjoy a great weekend at the MEB Round-Up.

I posted a few photos on the thread, and here are a few more. It was a great turn out, lots of nice folks, good food and good weather. The family and I had a great time camping and hanging out with everyone.

After going last year without a Bronco, it was really fun to be able to put mine on display this year and go on the street cruise. It also won first place in the stock category of the Show-N-Shine!

Fireball05 · Jul 17, 2014

Finishing up doors and hardtop

After getting the truck finished and back from the paint shop last summer, I never bothered to finish the door panels and hardtop. The Bronco sat in the garage, too scared of the salted PA roads to have any need for the hardtop.

I installed the door intervals, new felts, new vent window rubbers and the OEM-replacement interior door panels.

Fireball05 · Jul 17, 2014

And some glamour shots:

tasker · Jul 17, 2014

It came out awesome and you should be very proud!

Fireball05 · Jul 17, 2014

And, since all good things must come to end, the story ends just as it begins. With a picture of the Bronco sitting on a transport truck about to head off to its new owner.

It was bittersweet to see it go, especially after all the blood sweat and tears and dollars that went into building it up! I had an awesome time working on the truck and realized that I'm more of a builder than a driver. So now the hunt begins for a new project!

Many thanks to those that followed along and offered advice and encouragement. I learned a ton and met some great folks. I hope to not be Bronco-less for too long!

half cab · Jul 17, 2014

Gawd something told me when I clicked the thread you were selling! Who is the lucky owner?

Hope your back in or work n on one soon!

WheelHorse · Jul 17, 2014

Wow, hopefully the new owner joins the forums.

Blue Bastard · Jul 17, 2014

congrats on the sale ben! Hope you got what you wanted. talk to ya later!

JSmall · Jul 17, 2014

You're crazy Ben

The new owner is getting a sweet ride.

What will you do different on the new build?

Scoop · Jul 17, 2014

Wow Ben! Seems like you didn't have time to enjoy it much! Nice job and the new owner should be a happy guy or gal!

So time to build that rock crawler!! ;D

Tedster100 · Jul 18, 2014

Sad to see it go but glad it worked out for you. I know you're beefing up your daily driver but maybe it's time for a little more working class Bronco that you're not afraid of abusing a little bit.

xcntrk · Jul 18, 2014

Congrats on the first place show n shine award! I know a lot of hard work and money went into this beauty, the new owner is certainly lucky as they're truly getting a solid rig - not some cleaned up polished turd on an Ebay profit flip. Hopefully your next bronco is a trail rig you can get dirty

rbwamsley · Jul 18, 2014

Fireball05 said:
My favorite mod to date: cutting the front bumper to fit the body lines. This and the Alice mod has the front end looking sharp!

View attachment 288385

This looks great, do you mind explaining how you did this?

Fireball05 · Jul 20, 2014

Cutting the front bumper? I used a chop saw with a metal blade and cut a few inches out of the middle, and then welded it back together. I had originally planned to add bumperettes at the welded seam to hide this so, but the bumper I had wasn't in awesome shape, so I decided to paint it.

Added a few pictures below. The front bumper that came with the truck was chrome, the rear had already been painted. In the end I just painted both bumpers.

rbwamsley · Jul 21, 2014

Fireball05 said:
Cutting the front bumper? I used a chop saw with a metal blade and cut a few inches out of the middle, and then welded it back together. I had originally planned to add bumperettes at the welded seam to hide this so, but the bumper I had wasn't in awesome shape, so I decided to paint it.

Added a few pictures below. The front bumper that came with the truck was chrome, the rear had already been painted. In the end I just painted both bumpers.

Looks great. If I ever need to re-chrome my bumpers, I'm doing this.

fatboy · Jul 22, 2014

Wow Ben, a little surprised. But it sounds like your happy so I am happy for you. This is one of the nicer bronco builds out there a validated by a first place win, someone has a nice rig. NEXT! ;D

Will be watching for the next build.

Unknown · Jul 26, 2014

I'm shocked, I thought you were attached to that one. I guess the next one is going to be even better.

Ohio Bronco 21 · Jul 27, 2014

Looked great. good luck on the next find

Fireball's '76 build thread - "Piece by Piece" - PAINTED, ASSEMBLED & ON THE ROAD!

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