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1969 complete frame-off rebuild - started 5-12-2017

Uncut1970

Full Member
Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
163
When I was 15, I purchased my first 69 Bronco with my own $2,500. It was my dream car and over the year that followed, my dad and I did the best we could making repairs and getting it ready to hit the road when I turned 16... unfortunately neither my dad nor I anticipated the level of anxiety my mom would experience with me driving the bronco daily. I was forced to sell it shortly after turning 16 (sold for $5,500) and was told to find something with airbags.

Well my love for early broncos never left and 15 years later, I have purchased another 1969. This time, I'm am going to do it right and with an open checkbook. I am so excited. The guy I bought it from is a master mechanic and owns a hobby shop where he and his buddies tinker on their own trucks and cars. We made a deal for the Bronco as it sits, all the brand new parts he had already purchased still in boxes from WH and TBPs, and the labor to disassemble completely and reassemble using the parts he already had plus the stuff I'm ordering.

What was purchased: an uncut 1969 in reasonably good condition, 3sd, and a 351w.

What the end result will be: an uncut 1969, in excellent condition, C4, A/C, PS, PB, and a badass upgraded 351w. Going back with original paint scheme and original hubcaps... but everything else will be upgraded.

Turns out, I will be the second owner to actually insure and drive it. I'm the forth owner overall, but the guy I bought it from, and the guy he bought it from, never titled it nor drove it. The truck was purchased in 1969 in Rome, GA and spent its life with one man until about 10 years ago. It has since been stored awaiting "restoration".

I am going to update this thread as we proceed through the renovation. I am open to suggestions, questions, and comments. Thanks for looking.

Pics below are going to be in oldest (that I have) to most recent:
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The LUBR from Wild Horses homepage is my inspiration for this build.
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We have already replaced the inner fenders, floor pans, inner/outer rockers, and added a 3.5" WH lift
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rydog1130

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
4,019
Nice, I see it has the locking front windshield, must be an early 69...whats the vin on it? Does it have vac wipers on it?
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

Full Member
Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
163
Nice, I see it has the locking front windshield, must be an early 69...whats the vin on it? Does it have vac wipers on it?



Please educate me on this locking windshield?? And the previous owner added electric wipers

Here's the VIN - I'd love to know exactly what I have from those of you who know much more about Broncos than I do

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69broncofun

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 22, 2016
Messages
1,380
Sweet. I will follow this build. Want my 69 to look like the wild horses one! Good Luck
 

rydog1130

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
4,019
The latch in the middle of the windshield allows you to fold down your windscreen and lock it to the hood. 66-68 had them and were phased out, so ford used up the extras they had on the 69's. From Your Vin it was made in Lansing Nov 1969 302 engine, 4.11 rear, 3 spd, shipped to Cincinnati, color Med Green...
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
163
The latch in the middle of the windshield allows you to fold down your windscreen and lock it to the hood. 66-68 had them and were phased out, so ford used up the extras they had on the 69's. From Your Vin it was made in Lansing Nov 1969 302 engine, 4.11 rear, 3 spd, shipped to Cincinnati, color Med Green...



Is the color scheme it has now the original? I was told it was; and if so, is that color medium green? I was thinking maybe it is Lunar Green based on this paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedispl...ar=1969&con=yk&cols=simple&gncl=green&rows=50

Wonder what color the one from Wild Horses is painted?

I am having my painter paint it the same colors it is now, just fresh and polished.
 

rydog1130

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
4,019
It looks like an orignal color scheme... i was just going off what the vin decoder stated based on your box tag there
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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May 8, 2017
Messages
163
Made it to the shop today - ready to roll! Will start pulling it apart down to the frame and rebuilding the 351
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
163
The mechanic who is stripping it down and rebuilding it with me sent the below message last night, what are your opinions on how I should respond?? Pretend I know nothing


Getting to a couple areas I need your input. #1: interior floor including the rear cargo floor ... what would you think of undercoating, like a Rhino-liner? It rolls on and looks incredible, and it's paintable. I was thinking it would look good, and would seal the floor permanently. More rugged and last longer. Your dad thought it was a cool idea too when he was down last week. #2: How firm are you on the 351? The headers aren't going to work on the 351, no room between block and sides. The new intake and carb are possibly going to come in contact with the hood, unless we add a hood scoop. I could still build the 351, but there will be little to no room under the hood when done, in addition to the hood clearance with the new carb. I could build you a 302, same horsepower, same parts, but considerably more room under the hood. No rush, but if you're going to be in the area, I could show you the options and walk you through. You could decide then. Shouldn't have to return anything, just want to run it by you.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Dlish

Sr. Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
552
Lots of people use a bed type liner for the insides. If prepped well if can hold up really well and take a ton of abuse without coming off.

Yes, 351 can be tight to the hood without a body lift. There are plenty of aftermarket headers that fit. For example the BC Bronco shorty headers are works pf art, and have a great chart of what trans they fit with. Bigger issue os the hieght, as he said may need a hood scoop or body lift to make room for 351
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
163
Lots of people use a bed type liner for the insides. If prepped well if can hold up really well and take a ton of abuse without coming off.

Yes, 351 can be tight to the hood without a body lift. There are plenty of aftermarket headers that fit. For example the BC Bronco shorty headers are works pf art, and have a great chart of what trans they fit with. Bigger issue os the hieght, as he said may need a hood scoop or body lift to make room for 351


Would a 1-2" BL justify the 351w or do we go with a built 302? I ordered my ss headers from Toms - these: https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/pro...66-77-early-ford-bronco-new-fits-289-302-351w

Should I be surprised they dont fit? Should we modify or return?

I want to drive this truck on a regular basis, I do not want the "floating" feeling I have gotten in the past with other trucks following a body lift.
 

1strodeo

Squirrel Watcher
Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
3,596
Loc.
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Congrats and welcome (back)!

Big question, and forgive me if it's been stated, but what are your plans for it? Daily Driver? Off road?

A built 302 will give you more than enough power, but as mentioned there are headers that will fit. Don't go too crazy with the check book, maybe wait until the body is off and blasted to decide on engine as that extra money may be needed elsewhere.
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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May 8, 2017
Messages
163
Congrats and welcome (back)!



Big question, and forgive me if it's been stated, but what are your plans for it? Daily Driver? Off road?



A built 302 will give you more than enough power, but as mentioned there are headers that will fit. Don't go too crazy with the check book, maybe wait until the body is off and blasted to decide on engine as that extra money may be needed elsewhere.





Given the amount I have already spent, extreme off-roading is not its my future. Trail rides at Bronco events, yes... Moab, no.



I had no idea what a quality frame-off rotisserie paint job cost until I bought this truck. That expense alone will keep me on asphalt more than gravel.



I own two convenience stores in the Western NC mountains - about an hour and a half from my house in Greenville, SC... I want to be able to drive the Bronco safely up (and down) the curvy mountain roads. I envision top-off cruising around town and up the mountain from time to time.



I want it to handle tight, shift smooth, go, and stop.
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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May 8, 2017
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Stock 69 hub caps on the 15" cragar wheels, which are color matched to trucks trim (Wimbledon White w/orange pinstripes along lip)... the thought being, if I did go off-road, I could pop the caps off and still have decent looking wheels


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Uncut1970

Uncut1970

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Spent the day at the shop. Dropped the t-case and tranny, pulled the engine, removed old wiring, pressure washed 40 years of crud off underbody, and got tub and panels ready for paint... and in the process discovered what the original color really looked like

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