Buffalo Bronco - A 4 seasons daily driver: May, 2011

The Goal: A daily driver Bronco for all 4 seasons!

This will be a slow thread - I plan on driving it while I upgrade things along the way.

I found the truck on The Bronco Ranch's website. Tom was very familiar with the truck and had a hand guiding its build so I have a lot of confidence that it was done right. The previous owner put a lot of time and money into this one and I promised him I'd give it a good home!

Here's how she sits today:

- Frame off build
- Vermillion Red Paint - Ford color code E4
- Fiberglass tub, Terra Hood, fiberglass grill, fenders, inserts, windshield frame and tailgate
- Frame coated in POR 15
- 302 bored .30 over with 1,000 miles on rebuild
- Centech wiring harness
- Rebuilt C4/D20
- Axles gone through, new bearings, brakes, fuel lines, etc - D44 with discs from a 79 Bronco and big bearing 9" rear
- 23 gallon tank
- 3.5" Suspension Lift, 1" BL - shocks on all four corners
- Power steering 4x4x2 steering box from BC Broncos
- Power brakes with vacuum booster
- 35" BFG KM2s with 15x10" slots
- Bestop soft top and full soft doors
- Headers with dual exhaust
- 6 pt family cage


Here's a list of some of the things I have planned for this "project". Mostly cosmetic stuff. I'll update this thread to show my progress and update my ideas. My end goal is a damn fine lookin Bronco that can be daily driven and be nice enough to hold its own at a local car show. Upgrades will be done as time and money allow...

Exterior
- Undercoating - Fluid Film (purchased)
- Rocker Rappers (purchased)
- Cibie style H4 Headlights with upgraded Headlight Harness (purchased)
- Bronco emblems (purchased)
- Taillight bezels (purchased)
- Tan soft top (purchased)
- Full Top and full doors (purchased)

Interior
- Stereo - Will be four Pioneer 6.5" 2 way speakers, one 8" powered sub located under the passenger seat and a Kenwood KDC-X994 eXcelon radio (purchased)
- Center Console (purchased)
- Tuffy glove box (purchased)
- Hood shocks (purchased)

- Lizard Skin (purchased)
- Dynamat everywhere (I want this thing to be somewhat quiet inside) (purchased)
- Full Carpet (purchased)
- New seats (purchased)
- Seatbelts (purchased)
- Rear interior panels (purchased)
- Steering Wheel (purchased)
- Tachometer (purchased)

Drivetrain
- Ford Racing 9mm wires (purchased)
- Quieter exhaust - two Summit Turbos and an H pipe installed with the 2.5" exhaust (purchased)
- 3G 130A Alternator (purchased)
- Optima Yellow Top Battery (purchased)
- Ballistic Fabrication battery box (purchased)

Update: 4.14.11 I think I'm finally done purchasing parts (wow that was more than I expected). Now its time to start putting some time into this and getting it back on the road! Check the last page for the latest.

Step one: Drive-ability

The Bronco's first stop on its way to me is a stop at The Bronco Ranch. Tom is installing some 4.11 gears for me (in place of the 5.89s that were in there now). This ratio should be perfect for my setup and driving needs.

Next is a pair of doors and a hard top. Tom is going to paint the doors to match too ;D

He is also going to install a tach for me and do a basic "check up" to make sure everything is ready to roll.

Once he completes these items I'll have the Bronco shipped to me and the upgrades will begin!

I've already begun purchasing parts! ;D

Very nice!. Looking forward to seeing it when it is done. Tom is a great guy and has an awsome collection of broncos. Best of luck on the build.

Henry

Hues - Looks great

Keep us posted with lots of pics. When your ready to drive down to Chautauqua County and play in our gorge, drop me a line. Always looking for 4x4 company!

5.89 gears looks great Tom

Thanks for the comments guys - very anxious to get this thing home!

Skiddy said:

5.89 gears looks great Tom

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I think thats what he said were in there. I know whatever's in there is too tall currently and will be swapped out very soon!

Very nice, looks like you have a great start.

What is ETA to you?

tasker said:

What is ETA to you?

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Not sure - it should get over to the Bronco Ranch today. But its going to depend on Tom's schedule and shipping. As soon as I know I'll update the thread.

shipping it or going to get it?

Hey, that gets me thinking...

It will pass on the thruway right by my house.... Hmm.... Hijack???

Sounds like/looks like a very nice driver. Good choice. Are you keeping the blue one?

tasker said:

shipping it or going to get it?

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Shipping it - unless I can hitch a ride to the bronco ranch. it would be cheaper to ship it versus flying out there or driving out there.

gearida said:

Sounds like/looks like a very nice driver. Good choice. Are you keeping the blue one?

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Sold the blue one to fund this one.

Yeah baby!! Hes back!!!!

WooHoo, looks like you found a real winner!

Where did you get the TAN softop? I am looking all over the place for one.

Nice bronco. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

70EB said:

Where did you get the TAN softop? I am looking all over the place for one.

Nice bronco. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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I got it from a member here. Its one of the "forbidden" soft tops. :-X

I've got your rig as one of my major inspirations for this build. I just purchased the same set of seats as you (but spice colored). I'm slowly catching up!!

Definitely a winner.. Like that a Lot Tom, Congrats man!

Very nice, someone did a nice job on that one.

Nice rig!
I'd stay away from conventional tar and rubber based undercoating. If you do need to do work on anything the undercoating is a PITA to get rid of.
Take a look at Fluid Flim. A friend of mine uses it on his 2000 Tahoe that he's has plowed with from day one. It still has all the factory paint on the frame.