My '71 LUBR Build - it’s FINALLY DONE

KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID! (K.I.S.S.)...

That's what I gotta keep reminding myself as I dive into the '71 I picked up about a month ago (the '66 was getting lonely). It's a rust free (except some surface), Blue Plate Cali car for 4K;D. I'm the 3rd owner and the top was off only once. The original owner was a FORD mechanic at Baker(?) Ford out in the desert. The 2nd owner, is a Marine mechanic. To say this thing has been immaculately maintained is an understatement. The P.O. put on power steering;D, power door locks, Duff 3.5" lift about 10-15 years ago and cut it. I took it to a friends body shop and he put on some fresh cut-outs for me. She's now a LUBR (I pick it up 2moro)!!!! I also scored 5 stock steelies with barely used 33x10.5 BFG's to replace the Turbones that were on it.

It runs perfectly, so the plan is to keep the 302 in it for now (I have a complete EFI 5.0 that may make it's way in), replace the 3-speed with a C4 (picked it up last week), tilt/auto column (pick-a-part 2moro AM), Hydroboost set-up (been in garage for over a year!!!), disk d44 and BB 9"(also in garage for over a year, needs rebuild), tall and skinny 18's, family cage(?), new harness, stereo and a full red ranger interior with custom matching backseat (oh, and full sport trim). Think Zillacon's red one (SWEET ASS RIDE, imitation is the finest form of flattery!!!), except mine is staying factory Wimbledon White. It'll probably get a 4.5" lift and maybe a BL.

I have a tendency to go overboard with EVERYTHING I do, and since I'm not sure how hard or how often I'll have time to wheel this thing, I figured I'd build it to enjoy on the road as much as off. That's where K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid [got's to remind myself]) comes into play. I also want to drive it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. So, I'm keeping it simple, but clean and well done. If at a later time I want to do overdrive, a bigger motor, crazy suspension or whatever, I can. At least I'll be able to enjoy it sooner than later and keep costs somewhat down.

Obviously, there's TONS of other small parts that'll go along with the above mods. I'll probably end up replacing nearly everything.

The plan is to have the cut-outs installed (DONE), some minor body work (DONE) and then drive it while I make the other mods. The body shop also sprayed it with a white sealer so I won't have to stare at the surface rust. Once I get it performing where I want it and the bugs worked out, I'll blow it apart for a full frame off (hopefully by next spring/summer). This way all the fabrication and mods are done and all parts have been pre-bought. Re-assembly should be a snap (jinx). I have used this method before and to me, this is the only way to build a car. I hope it works for the Bronco. Wish me luck!!!!

Look forward to it. Good luck man

I was thinking I would see a version of the local radio station car when I opened the thread. LOL

Zillacon said:

I was thinking I would see a version of the local radio station car when I opened the thread. LOL

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That's what I was afraid of!!! LOL. But I have to keep reminding myself... Otherwise it'll be apart for the next 3 years while I figure out how to shoehorn a Coyote 5.0 and 6speed auto into it. Don't think I haven't thought about it!

Finally got to pick-a-part yesterday. Scored some '77 Mark V rear disks and an auto column from a mid/late 70's (couldn't find any ID tags) XLT 350. It's not the column everyone recommended, but I think I can make it fit. There also was a mid 70's Continental that I think had a telescoping column, might go back and take a look, ran outta time. There were sooooo many FORDS there, I couldn't believe it. There were at least 10 Mark VIII's (grabbed a electric fan and shroud, can I use the radiator from this???), a few late 70's Mark V and VI's and a couple 70's continentals, not to mention ALL the late models. Might go back tomorrow if I find the time.

I also got the Bronco (she needs a name!) back from the body shop. Not thrilled, but not bummed. They put on a great coat of white sealer (has a nicer sheen than primer) so it looks much nicer, almost would consider painting it like this if I were going more custom. But, they did an OK job on the cut outs. They grafted the cut outs on and it look fine from the outside, but in the fender wells, the lip from the original quarter is still there. So, somehow the cut-outs sit on the original quarters, not seamless on the underside. Haven't really been under it yet, so not sure what they did, plus I was out of town. Normally I'd be stopping by daily.

It's good enuf for now, it's now LUBR and it does the job for mock up. But once the body comes off, they'll need to be redone properly. Don't think I'll be letting them do the frame off body/paint work. I'll post pics later, since that's all we really care about anyways

It's Lubr time!!!

Her she is with cut outs on... looks pretty good

Dang man it's looking good. Enjoy it

SSDDBRONCO said:

Dang man it's looking good. Enjoy it

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Thanks, Kevin. I'ma try to beat the $h*t out of her before she becomes super purty. Looks a little different since last time you saw it.

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've updated this... a lot has happened.

I spent 6 months working in Vancouver (Oct. '11 - Apr. '12) and all I did was order parts... Some new, some used from members. Cage arms (thanks Gravy), Aluminum Radiator (thanks 73Stallion), gears and Posi (thanks Nik and u10072[Vintage Fab Works]), '68 doors (thanks BureeOne), Flaming River Auto tilt column (thanks Skyhook), Bilsteins, sway bars, inboard shock mount, cage/sexton 3.5" lift, f250 shock towers, another C4 (thanks again Skyhook), twin sticks (thanks Skyhook... again), etc, etc, etc... My whole guest bedroom was filled with boxes/parts whan I got home;D

Two weeks ago I stripped the entire shell down (or so I thought) in anticipation of separating it from the frame. That Monday morning I loaded it onto a trailer and drove down to Mark Atherton's shop (Beach City Bronco's) just outside of San Diego. I decided to go with Mark for a couple reasons. A friend has a '66 that Mark is just about finished with and it's beautiful!!! The biggest benefit is he's only a couple hours away, so I can go visit whenever plus I was able to drop the body off and take the frame with me. On the way I stopped by Shine On Me http://www.shineonmetrim.com/ Trim restoration and dropped off all the sport trim/rocker/window moulding I've collected to be restored. I scored a set of NOS trim about a year ago, but from sitting on a shelf for 30 years, it wasn't perfect. I have not received any of the trim back yet (6-8 weeks) but I've seen some of his other work and it looked great.

Once I got down to Mark's shop (the deal was the body was supposed to be ready to remove and I'd bring the frame back home while he kept the body), he quickly pointed out all the things I hadn't loosened/removed yet. He told me before i got there it would take a couple hours to get the body off IF I had everything loose/ready... It took us over 4 hours (sorry Mark, my bad) and I was two hours late getting there.

Since Mark realized how much work we had ahead of us, he made a call and Jason (sicaz66) came to help out. What a HUGE help and overall cool dude he is! A true bronco/car guy, jumped right in, got dirty and even brought cold BEER! Thanks for ALL your help and wealth of info! Eventually we got the body off (forklift was a huge help) and loaded it on to the sandblasters flatbed right then and there. Loaded the chassis back on the trailer and headed back to LA. Mark is a great guy and does really good work, as you'll see in this thread (he's on here, I'm sure he'll chime in)

The next morning I took the rolling chassis (which still had the motor and 3spd in) to my buddies shop in San Fernando (Valley Tire on San Fernando Rd., for all your mechanical, tire, brake, and maintenance needs... yes, a shameless plug for my boy) where he stripped it, is grinding all the old shock/radius arm brackets off and is welding on the new ones. He also ordered me a mild crate motor and is rebuilding my transmission and t-case (j-shift with t-shift internals). I wanted to do all the chassis work myself, but I'm back outta town for work till beginning of june and I'm trying to have this done and driving by end of August. So, I had to farm it out.

The plan is to send the frame to powder coat, rebuild it with all the new suspension, bushings, lines, etc... then bring it down to Mark for it's reunion with the completed shell (hopefully in the next 4-6 weeks) The only part that won't be new/rebuilt yet when it goes to Mark's are the axles/brakes. Ill get those done once I get it the completed tub/rolling chassis back to LA. Mark will do the Centech wiring and some of the finish work. I'll do the rest.

I only have a few pics with me, (I forgot my camera with lots of pics at home) so I'phone/Ipad teaser pics will have to do until I get back to LA.

Love the look of the stock hub caps! Always ran them in the winter on my 76 when I put the skinny tires on.

broncokak said:

Love the look of the stock hub caps! Always ran them in the winter on my 76 when I put the skinny tires on.

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As of now, I have four possible sets of wheels:

Stock 15"s/full caps
Stock factory option 16"s with Vintage Dog dish caps
17" steels (either body color or black) with beauty rings and dog dish caps
20" (I know some of you will hate these%)) steel (black) with dog dish or no caps

I have another set of wheels I really want, but wheels alone are $1700.

Oh, and this is the new color choice...

EDIT: decided on a slightly lighter bluer color

MyOriginal66 said:

As of now, I have four possible sets of wheels:

Stock 15"s/full caps
Stock factory option 16"s with Vintage Dog dish caps
17" steels (either body color or black) with beauty rings and dog dish caps
20" (I know some of you will hate these%)) steel (black) with dog dish or no caps

I have another set of wheels I really want, but wheels alone are $1700.

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I'd love to have a set of 16" steels...

broncokak said:

I'd love to have a set of 16" steels...

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Had to piece a set together from all over the country... If I don't put them on the '71 (most likely won't), they'll go on the '66;D

LOL, A freind of mine had a set but they were taken from behind his Dad's garage.

Will post more pics tomorrow, but for now...

Stripped the shell by myself in about 5 hours. Loaded her up and drove down to San Diego...

Then mark took over. After blasting he replaced the lower rear quarters with uncuts. There had to be 60-80 little holes all over that needed to be filled. Minimal rust, just replaced drivers floor board. Overall, it was in really nice shape after blasting.

Ok, so since I'm back in town from working, I decided to swing down and visit the tub on Tuesday and the frame today. I also brought my '71 doors down to mark since the '68 doors were a little rougher than I wanted. They're not awful, but not up to the level of perfection I'm looking for. My '71 doors are almost perfect without any body work... I also brought my custom rear seat frame so Mark could weld in some mounting bungs. More on the rear seat/speaker enclosure later. The underside of the tub has been Rhino'd and by the time you read this, the interior floors should be done as well. The color isn't 100% accurate, in some shots it look light, in others darker than it is.

My frame and arms have been powder coated and look sweet!!! The 23gal BCB tank is in and the motor is mocked in place. I opted for a mild roller crate motor with 36month/36k warranty. After that I'll add aluminum heads/cam unless I feel the need for speed sooner. Then again if I wanted to go fast, I'd buy the one owner '69 Mach 1 around the corner from me thats been sitting for over 15 years (it might be next). I also dropped the C4 off for a freshening.

and the frame/motor...

Here's the frame/motor/trans and arms coming together after powder coating... Also 23 gallon BC Bronco's tank.


I also included a shot of my buddies frame off GN... Talk about FAST!!!

Cool progress! Gotta love those GNs.. I have a good friend selling one right now. I tried to talk him into keeping it but his wife wants it gone...