My Build, 1975 2-into-1

reynard101 · Feb 23, 2014

Bought a 1975 Bronco off of Ebay for only $1000 (circa 2003)! It was in Arkansas - near Bentonville, home of Walmart. So we took a little trip across the mighty Mississippi to pick her up. Bronco wasn't as good as I has hoped - it has typical rusty floors with street signs and roofing tar fixes under outdoor carpeting. No brakes with rusty bleed screws and the engine didn't run very well. But it was cheap so I felt "good" because I got a "deal". It wasn't cut all the way but it wasn't uncut either. On the way home I had an accidental downshift in my Dodge Cummins 12 valve right around the spot where the Arizona Stampede takes place now days - almost ripped the toque converter from the flex plate - was making some nasty noises. Ooops. Made it within 3 miles of the house before it fully let loose.

My plan was to get it running and drive it around with minimal money. Then fix it up as I saved money to buy parts. I had only been out of school and working for maybe 2 years and we had just bought a house.

Well I drove it around the block a few times without brakes in low range. Then one day I started working on it, trying to get it to run a little better and figured I wasn't going to get the Bronco I wanted by just doing a few things. I built a set of saw horses that fit in the frame ends and just started taking the whole thing apart. No turning back now. Had the frame blasted and welded on a few things before painting the frame. Body had a little more rust than just the floors.

Every year I said, "I'll make it to the AZ Stampede THIS year."

El Macho...

To-Do List:

Lots and Lots of small stuff.

reynard101 · Feb 23, 2014

I had accumulated a large pile of parts, gas tanks, suspension lift, radiator, Cage arms, BC quarter guards, transmission, transfer cases, axles, a second AZ Bronco body (not that great of shape, but less rust), a 78 Big Bronco, some 1 ton axles (just in case). I bought and sold stuff to make money and collect parts. I worked in the scrap metal/recycling industry for a while - so some parts were freebies - but not many. I also enjoy U-Pull it yards so I was able to get some parts that way.

Life also happened to me. Bought a house. Got a new job. Got married. Broke my leg pretty good. Had a kid two weeks after I broke my leg and had surgery. Had a second kid.

Back to the Bronco...

With the 78 Big Bronco I took the HP 44 and narrowed it 6". Moved the track bar mount towards the passenger side making it just about the same size as the steering linkage (Gary Yorston was one of the first to do this). Pushed the axle forward 1".

Put a back brace on the 9". Put the axles under the Bronco with 5.5" lift springs.

reynard101 · Feb 23, 2014

Wanted a little more power than the 302 could put out. So I got with the machine shop and got started on a roller 351 stroked to 408. Forged pistons, AFR 185 heads, EFI compatible cam.

For the transmission I had collected an NP435, and NP205 from the Big Bronco, and an NP203 reduction unit. Got with Jed's Machining and had the NP435 shaft shortened and a doubler set up from him.

Built the engine and the Transmission/Transfer cases on one foot after I broke my leg.

reynard101 · Feb 23, 2014

Bought a bunch of Hummer wheels and tires from the government auction site. Sold some and kept 5 for myself. They were all the newer 24 bolt style. Re-centered and rock rings.

Around this time I sold a bunch of parts to make room and get some cash flow.

reynard101 · Feb 23, 2014

I've been doing body work. Lots of panel replacement on the AZ body (it's a 69). This Bronco looks like it was driven between two trees that were about 3 inches narrower than the Bronco. Lots of panel replacement, Front floors.

So much for saving money by buying a cheap Bronco.

sprdv1 · Feb 24, 2014

reynard101 said:
So much for saving money by buying a cheap Bronco.

that plan never seems to work does it..

SSDDBRONCO · Feb 24, 2014

Looking good so far. Have fun replacing all that metal

reynard101 · Feb 24, 2014

Couple more pics. Exhaust is almost done, 2.5 into single 3", Stainless, mandrel bends. Dynomax VT - still need to finish the exit out the rear. I have v-band clamps on it. No hangers yet. Bunch of sheet metal boxes above muffler.

You can see the anti-wrap bar in the picture and a few of the crossmembers. The exhaust has a weird bend in it to get around NP205 and the anti-wrap bar. Exhaust is a tight fit. And drive-train is tucked up, floor needs a few pockets.

Few pics of the body before. Driver side is currently out. Passenger side is almost complete, just need a few more welds. Working on re-skinning passenger door.

reynard101 · Feb 27, 2014

One door down. Fixed hole on inner. KBS rust sealer - tried the galvanized color (that stuff has some serious solids in it). Little Peel N Stick. Put on outter. Need to get the body on the frame to align it and get gaps and make the window frames removable. Next up is to do other side - rear quarter upper/lower, corner and door too.

reynard101 · Mar 1, 2014

Registered for AZ Stampede. Another year without the Bronco. Hopefully I get some inspiration to finish it up.

Kyle.malone · Mar 1, 2014

Lets finish it in the parking lot!!

motoman · Mar 1, 2014

I think alot of people can relate to your story Reynard. Thanks for posting up the story and pictures. You've come along way and that Bronco will be a force to be reckoned with !!!! Can't wait to meet you at the Stampede...

reynard101 · Mar 1, 2014

Thanks guys. I've thought about dragging the Bronco on a trailer to the Stampede. I've done the all night wrench-a-thons in parking lots before. Fun fun.

Thanks Greg. Still need to meet up with you guys and do lunch at Rosita's sometime.

sprdv1 · Mar 1, 2014

reynard101 said:
Thanks guys. I've thought about dragging the Bronco on a trailer to the Stampede. I've done the all night wrench-a-thons in parking lots before. Fun fun.

Thanks Greg. Still need to meet up with you guys and do lunch at Rosita's sometime.

you can only do so much man... Look forward to seeing ya out there...

reynard101 · Mar 3, 2014

Getting ready for new rear quarters. Grinding welded areas off. Went pretty quickly.

reynard101 · Mar 3, 2014

Also got this done...

reynard101 · Mar 10, 2014

A little rust repair and rust paint. Weld thru primer in areas. And panels. Upper is welded in now. Looks like lower is square and fits well.

70_Steve · Mar 10, 2014

reynard101 said:
A little rust repair and rust paint. Weld thru primer in areas. And panels. Upper is welded in now. Looks like lower is square and fits well.

Looking good! You look like you're on track to make next year's Stampede!

WheelHorse · Mar 10, 2014

Stage 4 survivor...man you are doing a ton of sheet metal work.

englewoodcowboy · Mar 10, 2014

Looks good. I think your bronco is the exact opposite if mine. The metal you have that's good, mine is bad and vice versa. Good work!

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