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**Will Build Thread**

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
Been a member for a long time, but haven't done much with my Bronco. It is time. So I bought my Bronco back in 2002 and have driven it off an on since. Sometimes it was my DD, sometimes seansonal ride (depending on where I lived, I was a Marine for 20 years and moved a lot). Based on my not so expert eye, it was “freshened” up in the 80’s. Since I have had it, most repairs were a reaction to a problem and done at a cheap and novice level (mine).
I replaced the engine soon after I got it with a reman’d one and it has less than 20,000 on it. Everthing mechanical is OK, but not great. Most things with seals leak. I upgraded the brakes to disc (D30) but master is leaking. The body work done years ago is bubbling and rusting up. No major cancer that I know of but it needs to be cleaned up.

So my plan is to take the body off, clean and repair the drive train. I want to keep it as stock as possible. I do not want to do any major upgrades. I like it the way it is. I want to clean, replace seals and paint the whole drive train to include the frame. It has a 302, 3 speed on tree, D30 front, SB 9 inch in rear, stock suspension and uncut.

I intend on putting the tub on a “body cart” that I found on CB (See below ) and clean the body up on that. Fortunately I have a 3 bay gargage and can take two of them to get this done. I have no body work skills, so I might have to resort to having some else do it.

Any help, input, advice that you could offer would be great.

This thread is an attempt to keep me honest and committed to restoring the Bronco, so if I am not posting updates, beat me up about it. I want to get this done and get it done right.

Thanks,
Will
 

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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
Got some work done today. Got everything pulled out of interior. All body to frame bolts removed. Radiator, steering column, and brake lines disconnected. Battery cables, grounds, throttle linkage and alternator wires all disconnected. Fuel fill tube disconnected. I think all I have left is the the emergency brake disconnect then the body can come off. I will build the body cart this week and hopefully the body is off next weekend.
 

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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
Well, front fenders and grill are off. As expected I found a few surprises. The door post are rusted out at the bottom. The inner fender aprons had some weird "screen rubber, fiberglass" mix patch on both sides, you can see the square cut outs on each side. Core support is in great shape and front wheel wells, fenders, and grill are decent. Pics below.
 

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frenchy

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
1,043
Great start, looks like it has been painted a few times. I love the green on the inside of the tub. You'll have a great Bronco when your done and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Thats a nice cart to set the body on also.

frenchy
 
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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
The tub was paint by brush. Not sure of the actual color. The exterior is a 1981 Lincoln yellow (cream). The orginal color was a new lime green, i think.

Will
 

tasker

Contributor
all knowing of nothing
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
20,729
Loc.
NH
just doesn't look the same with out a ton of parts stuffed in it! i want that back at BYOB someday! and thank you for your service!
 

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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
Randy,

I got to tell you, that was an interesting 2 hour ride. I looked like the beverly hillbillys wilth all that crap hanging out of the Bronco. The kick in the ass was that I had to carry almost all of it home, without a top, and it rained on the way back. I am glad most of the stuff found a good home with you.

Will
 

tasker

Contributor
all knowing of nothing
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
20,729
Loc.
NH
me too! it was a good time and has grown over the years.....much bigger audience now. Will be watching and let me know if you need the "boot" every so often! %)
 
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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
It is less about the "boot" than it is about 'whats next". Eitherway any input you want to offer, I will accept.

Will
 

sprdv1

Contributor
REBEL
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
81,734
Nice truck man.. Definitely just a little bit every day, a little "more" time put towards it on the weekends, it'll come together quicker than you think...
 

sellitall

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 30, 2002
Messages
1,444
Loc.
Malvern, Pennsylva
Nice project you got there!! It looks like your upper floor is in decent shape going by the pics. I'm in the process of doing them now and they are a real PITA!!
 

Devin

Bronco Kineticist
Joined
Apr 29, 2004
Messages
3,956
Sweet. Looks like you are getting into the nitty-gritty.
 
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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
Sellitall, the upper floors are really solid. The pans are a mess, especially the driver side. Fortunately I have replacemenents already in the garage.

Will
 
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Smedley

Smedley

Sr. Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Messages
918
Loc.
Snohomish
A local Bronco owner has a cart already made for the body, so I need to pick that up soon and I need to make some room in the garage to accomodate both the chassis and body.

Will
 

dave67fd

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
2,863
Diggin the PATS parking sign. Funny for a WA guy. I assume your orig. from the NewEngland area?
 
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