Barn Find Restomod Build

A little time here and there to put the bling on. The headlights are from Heuss33/HIDProjectors.com. His Pro-7s. I sanded down the front turn signal and tail light buckets, then shot with primer. The backs are done in cast iron color, the fronts are bright white. Filled with leds and installed. For those of you putting in after market tail light housings, they're not stamped correctly and the bucket back plate on the outside isn't bent in enough. Try to fix it before you paint. If after, you'll have to grind about 1/16 off the top 2 corners of the bucket to get it to fit. I carefully measured the warflares to cut the side marker light holes and fuel openings, but completely forgot the welting sticks out about 1/8. Fortunately I could just slightly enlarge the side marker hole to make it fit. The fuel opening have some welting creeping into the edge. Not much I can do about that now except maybe enlarge the holes in the flares and try to adjust. I used the zinc plated bolts from the Method double standard Wheels to replace the stainless bolts in my standards. Just a little touch with a nod to the old Mickey Thompson Classic Locks that I love but aren't made anymore. Gas props for the liftgate and hood, and all the little rubber pieces. Dash is in for a test fit and Holley Sniper installed. When I posted the first picture of the dash many moons ago, some people suggested I move an A/C vent next to the tach, and move the 3 gauges to the right. After trying both ways, I agree with their observation. Thanks guys! I did test the gauge lights. They were terrible. Autometer wanted $15/bulb for Led replacements for their poor incandescent bulbs, but I found small and BRIGHT red LEDs at SuperbrightLEDs.com for less than $5 each. They're bright enough that I might have to add in a dimmer. If you're looking for LEDs, check them out. Major projects still are to install the Noico sound mat and heat liner, then carpet. A/C, Wiring, and finish the fuel line from the frame to the carb. I think it might be on the road this year........%)

wow. I just joined this forum. I just bought a complete basket case 71 bronco. this one probably should go to the crusher it is so bad. but I have looked for a nice one for so long I finally bit the bullet. reading through this forum and seeing your bronco makes me a little more excited for the years of work I have ahead of me. thanks for all the documentation you did.

JefeAZ said:

Im flush mounting my windshield. Need to get it primered and then Ill take it in for measurements

Velocity did with their green SEMA build:

I have 25-30 labeled bags full of hardware and am still not done taking it apart

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any more information on the green one?

It took every square inch of 72 square feet of sound deadening. Used Noico instead of Dynamat. I figure I'll need another 36 square feet for the top. Next is the closed-cell polyethylene foam for insulation. Another 72 square feet for the floor and 36 for the top. And then, dare I say, carpet!

FYI it took me about 12 hours to do the work for those contemplating it, and that was on a bare shell. Add more time if you're stripping the interior.

Very, very nice!

Insulation foam installed and test fit the carpet and plastic firewall panel. Can anyone give me a suggestion about installing the sound and insulation in the doors? Should it go against the door skin or on the panel facing inside? Also tossed in the radiator. Next up the A/C - heater box and pedals. Stalling doing the wiring. Don't know why. It can't be that difficult can it? I think it's modifying the Painless to work with the custom dash that's got me worried.

I have never wired a classic bronco, but I did the american autowire classic update harness on both my 65 and my daughters 67 mustangs, and i modified the wiring on my 89 to work with my classic dash replacement instrument cluster. it is really not that difficult. its just like the old joke, how do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time. it is just a bit overwhelming at first, but as you run each section, and break it down into its components it gets easier. the one thing I would say is that in the american autowire system it comes with an instrument cluster disconnect which is nice, it allows you to unplug all your wires to your gauges at once. that of course is a lot easier to do with the dash out. so I would wire up that disconnect. put in the rest of the harness and mount the ac system. then put the dash in. it would make the job a lot easier in my opinion. I see in your picture you do have the dash out again. I guess you were just test fitting it earlier. btw I love this build. I am hoping to use a lot of your ideas in my build particularly I really like the way you did your dash.

Thanks Mustang! Just a lovely day to install the A/C condenser. Lot's of people stopping by to talk. Not a single person called it a Jeep!

Woh thats a lot of progress! Looks great

Tom Woods driveshafts showed up today and I installed them with all new hardware. Still have to torque the nuts, but gotta figure out what the torque is.

Them are some fine looking drive shafts. Are they stronger than stock? Ken

bronkenn said:

Them are some fine looking drive shafts. Are they stronger than stock? Ken

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I'm assuming it's as strong or stronger. Stock was 2.5 inches and these are 2 inches. The splines are definitely thicker and cut all the way up. The 2 inches are well above the rating for their length, and the 1310 series are rated to 1600 ft/lbs of torque. I'm at about 425 ft/lbs. I don't know what stock is, but these will be bulletproof for my set up. Plus they were cost competitive to a local quote, they were a pleasure to work with, and they asked all the right questions about my Bronco when I called for the order. Clearly they've done a ton of Broncos. I would highly recommend them for your driveshaft needs.

I am new here and considering doing the same thing you have done. I have even researched welding classes. You have done an incredible job as many have stated. I enjoyed the entire read.

bronkenn said:

Them are some fine looking drive shafts. Are they stronger than stock? Ken

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"I don't even know what a drive shaft looks like?"

watch for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL7RSA3olvA

rydog1130 said:

"I don't even know what a drive shaft looks like?"

watch for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL7RSA3olvA

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Hilarious. I though she was for real at first.

Been following your build almost since you started. Been a while and catching up. All I can say is WOW! Like to thank you for all the tips and knowledge your passing on to all of us with the documentation.

KDW66 said:

Been following your build almost since you started. Been a while and catching up. All I can say is WOW! Like to thank you for all the tips and knowledge your passing on to all of us with the documentation.

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Thanks for the thanks! I wanted to work on it all day today because a bunch of parts came in, but the daughter asked for a 100 year old barn beam mantle for her new ranch fireplace so I worked on that instead. I took over 800 pictures when I disassembled the Bronco so if you need a reference, chances are good I have a picture! I'm thinking of asking Jon if he can create a reference picture library on this site.

Finished the underhood A/C set-up with my custom hoses. Here's a lesson: Don't forget to NOT install the dryer until the system is finished and closed. I attached the dryer to the open system to mount it to the apron completely leaving it exposed to the humidity from the rain we just had. Another $30 down the tube. Painted the factory shroud satin black and will install the fan and shroud when it's dry.

Started the wiring. Now that I've unpacked it, it doesn't look at bad as I was imagining. The Painless has 8 extra pre-wired auxiliary fused wires coming out of the fuse block, perfect for running my fuel pumps, tank switches, and other accessories.

rydog1130 said:

"I don't even know what a drive shaft looks like?"

watch for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL7RSA3olvA

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I don't care who you are, but That's funny right there . ;D

AZ73 said:

Started the wiring. Now that I've unpacked it, it doesn't look at bad as I was imagining.

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No, it's bad. Damn custom dash. And already have a faulty LED light in a gauge.