My Blue 1967 Bronco build thread

OK time to start a build thread for my Blue Bronco.

What I am starting with as best as I can tell:

Body:
1967 frame and title.
1974 tub and grill with a drivers rear quarter replaced with a 1966-1968 style panel (no marker light) and the marker on the right filled in with a welded patch.
1966-1968 style front fenders with no marker lights.
1966 Tail lights lenses (no back up lights)
Roadster door inserts
Cut rear fenders for tire clearance.
Chrome factory bumpers

Interior
Non-stock bucket seats
Home made family style roll cage
Rear bench seat made from a cut down 1979 Bronco full size, back tilts forward and whole seat can be tumbled forward, small storage compartment underneath.

Drivetrain/engine
Dana 44 disc brake front axle
Slow ratio power steering
Manual brakes
C-4 trans supposedly rebuilt according to PO (works fine)
3.50 open gears front and rear
1986 351W HO 4 barrel truck motor with an Edelbrock carb.
Unknown suspension lit kit approximately 3", front C bushings have been changed.
No apparent body lift
33/12.50/15 BFG All Terrains on factory Ford 1994-96 15 x 7.5" 10 hole polished aluminum wheels (added by me)

Other
Centech wiring harness
Aftermarket electric wipers
Stock fuel tanks, front one leaks

Pics posted soon.

So to do a proper build I need a proper goal. So what do I want to use the Bronco for?

1. Mild off road trail riding. I don't want to go mudding, too much work to clean it. I don't want to go rock crawling, break too much stuff, I have other old Ford's to spend time and money on!

2. Trips into town and stuff, a little more fun than some other vehicles! Eventually take it on longer day trips, Arkansas mountains for example.

3. Around my place to move trailers and stuff, a lot more nimble than my Excursion! The 4 wheel drive will help a lot with the slick mud we have around here, the Excursion gets stuck on wet grass LOL.

So updates I want to do in order of importance.

Drivetrain/Engine/Brakes
1. Power brakes using Astro Hydroboost and Saginaw power steering pump. Considering doing a 4x4x2 steering box at the same time since I have 2 1978-79 Bronco boxes sitting around here.

2. 3G alternator upgrade.

3. Traction lok for the rear axle. I have a 3.50 31 spline chunk sitting here, debating getting 31 spline upgrade axles for stock rear, using a slightly wider 1969 F100 31 spline axle I have or getting a 73-79 axle assembly and having it narrowed to use two "long side" early bronco 31 spline axles. The 1969 F100 axle would be cheapest but replacement axles would be difficult to find.

4. Build a fresh engine. Parts I already have are a 351W roller cam short block, GT40P heads, Edelbrock Performer 4 barrel intake and a few other odds and ends. I would use the stock cam. I would need a Duraspark distributer that could be used with the roller cam.

Body
1. Get a top and doors, it sits outside under a tarp at present to keep the rain somewhat off the seats LOL.

2. Repair the rocker panels, maybe use rectangular tubing like I have seen on here. Repair the floor pans.

3. Replace the broken rear flares.

Long away dreams.
Fuel injection, 4R70W swap, better paint!

The main thing to remember on any build thread is to take many, many pictures. Before, durring, and after.

Good luck on the build! Lots o pics!

Hope I see you around town!! I live in Bossier City, my grandmother lives near cypress lake... Quite a few of us with Broncos here in South Bossier. If you need any help or advice feel free to ask.. I'll try my best to help!!

Well I have picked a name for my Bronco, "Scrappie" LOL. Did I mention I rescued it from being hauled to the scrap yard and paid $200 for it?

Scrappie got some new parts and TLC.

Picked up a new top local for a good price with new window and other seals, gas strut liftgate conversion and a fairly new paint job that is close enough to the blue on Scrappie. Ordered new top to body and windshield seals from Dennis Carpenter.

Now I have a top to get rid of LOL!

Had starting issues, had the borrowed battery checked, it was bad. Got a new O'Reillys AGM Platinum battery for $145 total with military discount. Starts but still not right, I suspect the ethanol gas has gotten to the old Edelbrock carburetor. The battery tray was home-made and will get attention in the future.

Removed the rear seat which was a cut down 1979 Bronco fold and tumble and cleaned out the bed area. An original 1974 rubber floor mat was still under the carpet and will be re-used. I think I will run it without the rear seat.

Looking at all the rust maybe I should just save up for a fiberglass body LOL.

Starting out pics

Since I know you guys love pictures here's what I am starting with. Other than the wheels and tires I added and removal of the remnants of the soft top this as I picked it up on the way to the scrap yard.

Parts

Picked up some more parts over in Huntington Texas. Decent doors with windows and latches (drivers needs a new window frame), power brake set up, 3 speed with T-shift Dana 20 AND a new in box James Duff new twin stick for $500. Need some Duff lift off hinges but the piggy bank is dry for a bit LOL.

A guy I work with has a few Broncos in pieces let me know if you need any parts

More parts

The piggy bank has been smashed into little bits. Picked up nice hood with only one teeny little crack, 1967 Mustang seats, instrument cluster, boxes of parts including much needed windshield knobs and new outer door handles.

The hood can't go on until I put a body lift kit on it to clear the 351W without cutting a hole in hood. I will have this one set up to fold the windshield. Hoping the guy finds the latch and hood loop.

Awaiting shipment from Rock Auto on new Champion plugs and wires and Motorcraft rebuild kit for the Autolite 4100 carb I picked up.

Sometimes old vehicles will drive you nuts trying to figure out why they are running bad. My Bronco had started running bad all of a sudden, would not idle or stay running and backfiring through carb. Changed the plugs (look "rich" but none oil fouled) and wires, no real change. Rebuilt the Edelbrock carb, it did have gunk in it but no change in how it ran. Could not find any vacuum leaks on engine either.

So now what? Any suggestions? This is still the first tank of gas (I put about 5 gallons in when I bought it) and I think it may have crappy old gas (2 to 3 years old) in it still and plan on draining it, may even remove the tank. Thoughts or comments?

On a good note I bought a new Edelbrock 351W EFI lower intake manifold and a polished plenum cover for $303 total shipped for both off of Ebay for my eventual new engine/EFI conversion. I already have a Performer car style upper that came with a bunch of Mustang parts I traded for.

Finally some progress! Trying to get it to run better and idle. It was also popping and cutting out. Testing in neighbors field.

Put in new Champion plugs and Champion wires, both USA made.
No change in running.

Rebuilt Edelbrock carb with a kit that had been hanging on the wall for years.
Maybe a light change in running better but still no idling.

Dropped fuel tank, (which required dropping the receiver hitch which required removing the bumper for bolt access ) drained out remnants of crappy old gas, did a quick clean. New hoses for everything. The tank sender/pickup was totally bad, the filter screen was busted open and the float had dissolved to nothing. Ordered new sending unit from Ebay, installed it along with putting hitch back on. Put in about 2 gallons of fresh gas 87 octane with 10% ethanol.
Running much better but still wouldn't idle.
The gas gauge flickered a bit yea looks like it works!

Got 4 gallons of 93 octane "pure" gas at $4.20 a gallon and put it in.
Remembered I had not pulled the idle mixture screws when rebuilding the carb so removed the, shot carb cleaner down the holes.
Stole idle mixture screw spring from another Edelbrock carb since I lost one LOL.
Fired it up it finally idles!
A little tweaking of the mixture screws helped and then the "no ethanol gas" apparently kicked in and it ran even a bit better!
And the gas gauge went to half a tank!
Now need to find my timing light and vacuum gauge!

On a bad note the Excursion has worn tie rods and one of the tires went bad so I am getting two new front tires. There goes $600 in Bronco money!

Wow it's been 3 years since I have updated this! I had some title issues and Scrappie has been mostly sitting used occasionally for moving trailers around my yard.

Then a previous owner I had kept in contact with turned up the correct title. It took some work but as of yesterday the Bronco is officially in my name! I only did the title transfer for now but as soon as I get it legal to drive on the road I will get insurance and license plates.

So me and a buddy started working on it today checking all the required safety inspection items.

Headlights- don't work. While troubleshooting the dimmer switch it literally fell apart. Got a new one from NAPA but it is not correct for my Centech wiring harness. Back to Napa in the morning.
Turn signals-don't work.
Horn-hmm it would help to have some!
Front Running lights and rear taillights - replaced both left side 1157 bulbs and now all 4 work.
Brake lights-work after the above mentioned bulb change
License light-bulb missing, new replacement didn't fix it, more troubleshooting.
Wipers - aftermarket wipers not even hooked up.
Emergency flashers- worked after the above mentioned bulb changes.
Interior rear view mirror-not installed and the button was not there, large chunk of windshield glass missing where it was though! Picked up a glue kit at Napa for tomorrow.

Other things.
Rear bumper is off and the passenger bottom of the horn is broken off and the driver side horn is bent.
Auxillary gas tank leaks and the skid plate is hanging down.

Plenty more to do but at least I am finally making progress!

dang, long time.. Glad you can start making progress again

Good luck. Just tackle one thing at a time..

The correct dimmer switch and I have lights ! One bulb was burned out on low beam but I happened to have a matching good Sylvania Halogen in my spare parts. The high beam indicator on the dash even works! One thing to cross off my list!

Next turn signals and license plate light.

Someone posted this info and it was helpful to me.

I would like to take credit for this list, but it is from a friend and normally applies to Ford trucks.

Pre-Teardown Phase
Determine the purpose of your rig... street/strip, trail riding, daily driver, etc.
Determine time line and budget...one can drive the other.
Now add another 20 percent to your budget.
Determine sources for tech support and parts.
Build a Reference Library
Order lots of catalogs!!
Invest in a factory shop manual. Chilton's is better than Haynes.
Get your work area and tools in order
Needs....Money, time, and patience.
Make contact with all "farmed out" jobs contacts and ck their work ability schedule.

Phase 1 - Teardown
Bodywork / Interior Disassembly.
Digital camera pics everything. Catalog, label, and bag your parts!
Engine & transmission removal
Bed & cab (front clip and tub) removal
Chassis disassembly (including rear axle) and hardlines

Phase 2a - Bodywork
Clean & strip body finish
Bodywork, body mods, and seal with epoxy primer
Door fitment & gaps (rebuild your door hinges now)
Paint job!

Phase 2b - Chassis
Strip & refinish frame
Build axles and install new brakes
Build new suspension & steering
Install fuel tank, fuel line, brake lines.

Phase 3 - Powertrain Build-up
Build engine
Build transmission
Build transfer case

Phase 4 - Cab Assembly
Install cab/tub on frame
Install & adjust door & window mechanicals
Install door window glass, rear glass, and windshield
Install firewall pad
Run all electrical wiring, vacuum hoses, & control cables.
Install under dash components like wiper motor, etc.
Install instruments, steering wheel and column
Install climate control systems
Run any sound-system wiring
Lay sound deadener (like Dynamat) and carpet underlayments

Phase 5 - Powertrain Installation
Install engine/transmission/transfer case
Install brake hydraulics (MC/booster/proportioning valve)
Build exhaust system
Install core support & radiator

Phase 6 - First Run
Perform preliminary engine system checks and FIRE IT UP!
At this point you should have a truck that is driveable, but not road legal.

Phase 7 - Front Clip Assembly & Bed/Tub Assembly
Install inner fenders, fenders, and hood
Install bed and route wiring to rear

Phase 8 - Interior
Upholstery & headliner
Install interior accessories
Watershields & door panels
Carpeting
Install seat(s)

Phase 9 - You're Almost There!
Dial-in engine tuning
Install exterior electrical components (head, tail, side marker, running lights, etc.)
Perform a thorough vehicle system checks
Detail work (emblems, grill, bumpers, etc.)
Exterior accessories (winch, light bars, auxiliary lights, etc.)

My sister bought this Bronco and I wanted to keep this thread going. We have been doing some work to it!





As you can see she is very excited because an EB is what we both learned to drive on and she has been wanting one for years. We have done the following:

Pulled the seats out
Removed the interior lining
Cleaned the interior
Removed the top to work on the interior
Replaced fuel pump
Ran new fuel line
New fuel filter
New belts
Changed oil
Installed Bailie Bilt winch bumper and winch
New 33x12.50x15 on 15x10 wheels
Installed new front shocks
Replaced rear brake lens
New Optima yellow top battery
Removed old steering stabilizer
Installed Bronco seats
Removed rusted out rockers (Rock skis to come)

I got it up to 70 MPH after we got it running again and death was whispering in my ear to cross over lol. I backed off and kept it at about 60 MPH. We are going to OCBR this Friday.

Looks good!