Project "this is going to take a while". TN

Didn't see an introduction area so feel free to move this in case I missed it. I kinda trolled the site a couple years ago but I've got the itch to get mine going again.

Growing up my grandfather used his '66 to read meters with in Kansas. He got to a point where he used his truck to work in and I guess I pestered him enough about the old bronco for him to give it to me when i was 17. So we loaded up and drove to KS to bring it home. The guy he got it from had taken 3 and made 1 so he had a few extra parts to go with it. We made it about to the middle of Missouri and one axle seal and one wheel cylinder went out at the same time getting off of an exit. So I sat with it on the exit while my parents drove to a u-haul to get a tow dolly so we could haul it back with my s-10 blazer (talk about a fun trip).
Well we got it home and I didn't have any real plans for it right away. I went out one day about 2 weeks later to crank it and it all of the sudden it didn't start. So instead of troubleshooting it, I got the bright idea to tear it down COMPLETELY. Dad sandblasted the body and frame and we shot the body with primer and the frame with POR-15. I replaced the body mounts, rebuilt the old 170ci and pushed the truck in the garage.

It has now been there in the same spot, untouched for about 6 years. Most of that time I had a restaurant and had no time and no money to work on it. Now I have sold the restaurant and have a steady job at a dealership so I really want to get the old rig out and do something with it. I have a bunch of new parts. Me and dad are going to spend next weekend dragging everything I have for it out and see what all I have and hopefully try to remember where everything goes.(wish me luck) I'm a Chevy guy at heart and usually go fast in a straight line so we'll see how this goes. Also, I've read enough to know not to ask anything about doing a LS swap in it.(although I am curious)

These are the only 2 pictures I have on my photobucket right now:

This was after getting it home from sandblasting.

This was the first attempt at getting the motor and trans in. Couldn't get trans to line up with engine so we pulled the motor back out to put it all in as 1. (Progress stopped there and this is where it has sat for years. There it a roof over it now.)

Also, I'll be doing some searching but if someone could post what all this truck SHOULD be equipped with as far as diffs and other things( I know that it is not guaranteed since a couple trucks were used) I would really appreciate it.

I'll post some more pictures when I get back to my parents house and get them off of her computer.

WOW! yet another 66 on CB.

Welcome Ss Great Job! so far on your 66. Similar story bugged an older guy enough he let me have his 69. Ended up scrapping parts off it for a 68. Hurt in a accident in 08 and no able to do much. Recently purchased a 71 + xtra's, so along with help from a friend and family was able to finally get on the road. Not sure if you know of the Marti report? Seems to be best way to get a list of what you vehicle was equipped with from factory. I am sure guys here will chime in on a 66 now that you formally introduced yourself. Only suggestion I have what about Mom, ask her to rebuild or paint something. LOL Once again welcome and continued Good Luck with your restoration.

Thanks slim. I found some pictures on my laptop, just need to load them to photobucket. I might get mom to do a couple things. It was her dad's. I'm wanting to get it done soon so he can still be able to come down and enjoy it before he isn't able to make the drive from KS anymore.

Welcome aboard Ss!!! Check your title, see if it was registered as a '66, Marti Reports don't cover the '66 models Also check the Vin #, on a '66 it will be on the lower driver side kick panel. Later models (like '68 on up, I think??) have it on the glove box door. The Ohiobronco site, (http://broncohio.com/tech/ebvins.html) has info based on the year and vin#.
Good luck with it!!!;D;D

NGABronco said:

Welcome aboard Ss!!! Check your title, see if it was registered as a '66, Marti Reports don't cover the '66 models Also check the Vin #, on a '66 it will be on the lower driver side kick panel. Later models (like '68 on up, I think??) have it on the glove box door. The Ohiobronco site, (http://broncohio.com/tech/ebvins.html) has info based on the year and vin#.
Good luck with it!!!;D;D

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Thanks, I'll look into all that.

What I started with so many years ago.

More of how it sits now.

Howdy ss, those are some great pictures and memories for you I'm sure. At least the pushmower was out of the weather haha. Good luck.

Welcome to CB! What's up the the chevy hub cap on that bronco!!!! JK, again, welcome, looking forward to seeing your progress

Welcome aboard man..!! The LS thing has been done, Not many will do that, but it's possible.

I see that your Bronco is an early production with a "Budd" body. Just curious what your vin # is. There has been a few very early Broncos pop up lately. One of them is being talked about in another forum and claims to be the 6th one built. Post up your vin so we can disect it and tell you what you really have.

Oh and Welcome to the site. There are some good Bronco brothers down there in Chatt.

Where are you located in chatt. I am in east ridge doing a 73 mnmboxers@comcast.net

sprdv1 said:

Welcome aboard man..!! The LS thing has been done, Not many will do that, but it's possible.

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Are there any build threads out there? Couldn't find any.

clarrance said:

I see that your Bronco is an early production with a "Budd" body. Just curious what your vin # is. There has been a few very early Broncos pop up lately. One of them is being talked about in another forum and claims to be the 6th one built. Post up your vin so we can disect it and tell you what you really have.

Oh and Welcome to the site. There are some good Bronco brothers down there in Chatt.

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I should be going over there tonight so I'll grab the VIN. Care to explain what the Budd body is? And other clues that it's an early one?

kruzer said:

Where are you located in chatt. I am in east ridge doing a 73 mnmboxers@comcast.net

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I'm in middle valley but the rig is in Red Bank. Might have to get with you soon so I can figure out where everything goes. Haha

The early production Bronco bodies were produced by the Budd Co. They have a few different characteristics about them.

Shorter inner fender kick panels. They do not attach to the lower front fenders.

No indent on drivers side inner rocker panel for the FORD emblem.

Some had a rain gutter on the upper drivers side floor board.

I think the Budd bodied Broncos had the metal drivers side fresh air vent with the extra thick rubber seal.

Most had the eyebrow grill, but I see yours does not. Possibly your grill has been replaced at some point.

clarrance said:

The early production Bronco bodies were produced by the Budd Co. They have a few different characteristics about them.

Shorter inner fender kick panels. They do not attach to the lower front fenders.

No indent on drivers side inner rocker panel for the FORD emblem.

Some had a rain gutter on the upper drivers side floor board.

I think the Budd bodied Broncos had the metal drivers side fresh air vent with the extra thick rubber seal.

Most had the eyebrow grill, but I see yours does not. Possibly your grill has been replaced at some point.

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Cool. Thanks for the info.

Took a look at the title and looks like the VIN is 013FL746923. That look right?

Well I hate to break the good news to you, but what you have is a U13 Roadster. The first letter in your vin is a U not a O. Check out the U13 Roadster web site everything you could ever want to know about your rare Bronco is there. I suspected it might be a U13. These things are coming out of the woodwork lately. Congratulations. Looks like it was built in Sept 1965

The lottery has been won!!!!!!

be glad to get together. my wife's business is on Dayton blvd. It's called play dog excellent.

Ha small world. The restaurant a block down the road was mine. Little ice cream shop called Dub's Place.

clarrance said:

Well I hate to break the good news to you, but what you have is a U13 Roadster. The first letter in your vin is a U not a O. Check out the U13 Roadster web site everything you could ever want to know about your rare Bronco is there. I suspected it might be a U13. These things are coming out of the woodwork lately. Congratulations. Looks like it was built in Sept 1965

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Thanks for decoding that for me. I'll swing by that site and see what I can find.