Third times a charm v2.0 **Tube engine cage in progress** - Page 4

**JSmall** · 04/09/12, 08:02 PM

It was nice this weekend so I pulled it out of the barn so we could work in the sunshine

Once the dash was out it was much easier cleaning everything up. The gauge cluster is in the mail being sent to Kevin. After the wiring is cleaned up I'll start on the dash. We started in the engine bay and we're working our way inside. We removed all of the wiring coming through the middle of the firewall. Now everything runs out each side. That really cleaned everything up. We removed all of the wires out of the harness that were not needed anymore. Still have some work to do inside.

I will have all of the electronics in a waterproof box soon.

Airmapper · 04/09/12, 08:22 PM

I really like how you routed the wiring away from the center of the firewall, wishing I had done that now. Wiring looks neat as well.

**surfer-b** · 04/10/12, 07:23 AM

Quote:

It was nice this weekend so I pulled it out of the barn so we could work in the sunshine

I'm the same way I would much rather be working outside of the garage, I have good lighting but just like being in the natural light. Wiring looking much better, nice work.

**JSmall** · 04/10/12, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmapper

I really like how you routed the wiring away from the center of the firewall, wishing I had done that now. Wiring looks neat as well.

Thanks. It was fairly easy to move them over. We had to add some length to a few wires and that was it. Now we're moving into the cab. It's tough because I can only work on it a few days a week. It's difficult getting things done that way.

**JSmall** · 04/16/12, 02:53 PM

Completed the dash rewire for now. When I get my cluster back I will clean up a few more things. I removed everything that was not needed, repaired wires that were damaged and wrapped everything back up. I couldn't find the correct size loom so I still need to locate that.

I also rebuilt my heater box using the upgraded motor and cage from Napa. I'll have a few pics of that soon. It looks really good.

**JSmall** · 04/23/12, 12:53 PM

Making a little more progress.

My gauge cluster will be shipped back from Kevin soon. He did the refurbish, voltmeter conversion, new temp guage, replaced speedo spring because it was worn out, and added a blue lens for the headlight indicator.

I should be cutting up my dash and filling in holes soon so I can put it back in.

For those that didn't see the other pictures of the Bronco BBQ we had yesterday.

**.94 OR** · 04/23/12, 08:52 PM

With the dash opened up, make sure to splice in some pigtails for gauge lights while you are there. If you are going to put any additional "dome" lights that you want connected to the factory headlight switch, now is a great time to do that too.

**JSmall** · 04/23/12, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .94 OR

With the dash opened up, make sure to splice in some pigtails for gauge lights while you are there. If you are going to put any additional "dome" lights that you want connected to the factory headlight switch, now is a great time to do that too.

I have leads there for the stereo, dome light, and phone charger. I have BC's LED gauge cluster and dash lights ready to go in when I reinstall the dash. Until I'm ready to do a complete frame off and build my own harness, I will use an auxiliary panel to run a few other things.

**JSmall** · 04/29/12, 06:29 PM

Made a little progress the past few days, but I've also had a setback. After I thought my wiring was finished I realized my fuse box is bad. I have a painless 20 circuit fuse box on order so I'll get that done soon.

I had some down time so I had my window cranks and door strap brackets powder coated. I also painted the door panels for now and installed new arm rests.

Installed hood pins and hood shocks. The hood on my last Bronco slammed shut on my head, knocking me out and gashed open my face which required stitches. Cheap insurance.

Rebuilt my heater box with the upgraded motor and cage

Started cutting up my dash for the glove box mod and to fill in all the holes that won't be needed

I'm buying steel tomorrow to finish the dash.

**miikee73** · 04/29/12, 08:27 PM

Jaromy,I looked back at some of the first pics...what a difference! Door panels look good. Can't wait to see the dash,I think your glove box needed some help.

I had a good time up there,we'll have to do it again.

**JSmall** · 04/29/12, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miikee73

Jaromy,I looked back at some of the first pics...what a difference! Door panels look good. Can't wait to see the dash,I think your glove box needed some help.

I had a good time up there,we'll have to do it again.

Thanks Mike. It's been a labor of love. When I have some down time while I wait for parts, I try to get smaller projects done. My dash will be brand new when it's finished. I've ordered every new piece possible to use when I put it back together. I can't wait to put my new Tom's steering wheel on.

My inspiration came from your dash

**broncoitis** · 04/29/12, 11:19 PM

Nice job on the rewire and the dash is lookin good! Are you gonna remove the Ash tray?

Nice little Roundup you had there for the BBQ! Looked like a good time for sure and Oregon looks like it has some awesome scenery! Keep it up.

**JSmall** · 04/30/12, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broncoitis

Nice job on the rewire and the dash is lookin good! Are you gonna remove the Ash tray?

Nice little Roundup you had there for the BBQ! Looked like a good time for sure and Oregon looks like it has some awesome scenery! Keep it up.

Thank you! The wiring will be a little different now that I have the Painless fuse box coming. I'll be putting it in a box on the inner fender along with the MSD, circuit breaker and solenoid.

I'm not sure about the ash tray yet. I'll never use it, but for some reason I was thinking about keeping it. It will probably look better without it.

The BBQ was fun. We have another on coming up in a few weeks. Hopefully the weather is just as nice as it was last weekend.

**JSmall** · 04/30/12, 10:46 AM

I haven't driven it much, but when I do, it has a vibration coming from the drivetrain. I took a few measurements and it looks like my pinion is at 10* and my driveline is at 20*. I have 2" blocks in the rear now, but they will be replaced with 3.5" leafs soon.

I ordered a driveline rebuild kit and new spring pads coming from Rough Stuff. Hopefully that will solve the issue. The reading I've done said the pinion should be a few degrees lower than the DS. Is it best to take that measurement with the hardtop on, cage in and tank full? If so, what happens to the angle when I have the hard top off, low on fuel...?

**xcntrk** · 04/30/12, 12:11 PM

^ I think that's where the few degrees of difference comes in. Under heavy load your drive shaft and pinion angle will be a close match, but under light load you have just a few degrees of separation.