Please Help Me Set My Re-Build Priorities

After 20 years without a Bronco I finally got one back in the stable. I wanted a project car with little rust, I got that but the truck has been sitting around and has been unloved for a long time. A few glaring issues are the frame, front driver side frame was hit, the first 1.5 inches of the notched frame end is crushed in with a small wrinkle close to the K member. The truck looks like it was rear ended because there is body damage to the rear drivers side. The rear looks ok with a little body issue. Both fenders are damaged with the passenger side looking bowed out a bit. I will post each repair please comment on how you would fix it and what the priority should be. I will list them as I see them but I am not really worthy of it. There was a transmission swap from manual to C4 looks a little rough. The engine sounds strong so I am hoping for just a few tweaks. The dual exhoust with glass packs is way to loud thinking about a MagnaFlow Dual?

I have 10K for the repairs not including interior and paint. I think with a little community help I can do most of the repairs.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419354&stc=1&d=1493504490

Engine
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419364&stc=1&d=1493507172
Replace exhaust system-like dual magnaflow but..
replace radiator Aluminum or cooper core?

Before I can drive it:
#1 need new seats - I kinda like the new style seats Toms Bronco has
#2 needs proper seat belts
#2 needs roll cage

Stability and stance
#3 remove 3" body lift, replace with standard urathane bushing
#4 replace 2" crapy lift with quality 2.5 lift (suggestions) currently have two shocks per corner


Frame
#5 drivers side missing 1.5 of the notched front of frame where bumper connects.
#6 Frame is bent in front of K member, I am not sure about this one. There is a small wrinkle in the metal, can't tell if it mat be bent up a fraction of an inch? Could impact the body being square on the frame, have a few pictures
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419361&stc=1&d=1493504870
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419362&stc=1&d=1493504870
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419360&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1493503805

6A Drivers door and passenger door alignment, drivers is really bad
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419355&stc=1&d=1493504870

#7 rear drivers side frame is bent due to heat exposure, torch? Need help maybe it is fine and just needs to be cleaned up?
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419358&stc=1&d=1493504870

#8 Driver side fender has metal damage, the support maybe bent there is a small crease in the metal inside the engine compartment
#9 Passenger side fender has damage plus it looks like it is bowed out a bit.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419352&stc=1&d=1493504870
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=419356&stc=1&d=1493504870
9A hood alignment issues, front impact may have sent the whole front off in anoter direction?

#10 put in new floor shifter, previous owner put in some peice of poop, didnt take picture of it yet.

First thing I would do is take it to a frame shop. Everything,depends on a straight frame and I don't think yours is.
Once that frame is good, ditch the 3" body lift and install a 1" with new bushings or the one from WH with it built in.
After the frame is straight and the bushings are good then you can look at panel alignment and see where you are form there.

What D72 said /\/\/\

Then brakes.

Having a mechanically sound Bronco comes 1st, that includes the Frame and then brakes.

I usually start a list of all the things that I see that need attention, then break that list down into the now and later.

Having a solid foundation is a now, having a good seat would be a now, verses doing body work/paint.

Once you have a safe driver, enjoy it between each transition, and see what gremlins pop-up.

A lot of us, wait to get a bronco and then the first thing we do is take it all apart.

Agree on safety, I didn't even think about the brakes. I looking for a good frame shop in Orange County, that will be my 2nd stop after having the brakes looked at.

I would worry about frame before brakes as if it is toast you will either have to buy an aftermarket frame or another oem frame and put your body on it.

I am working of trying to find a frame shop in Southern California that has experience working on Broncos. Thanks for the advice so far.

Brakes are good dropped the truck off at the frame shop today. First time I have driven a Bronco over 10 miles in 20 years, wow the supension is stiff. I forgot the smell of gas and exhaust.. this is going to be a fun jouney.

They are a experiance aren't they. Good luck at the frame shop. Keep us posted on the findings. I hope it's all good!

Yep, gas and exhaust. When you're away for a while you forget about the little things!

... Yes I'll say you must be much younger than I am.. But then I see your from SoCal. SOOO .. HELL I drove mine on a 5gallon bucket... Not recommended...
.. So Yes a good solid frame is a must. .. & that proper lift sure makes for a better ride.
... & It's been so long I can't remember whether Disk Brakes or Power steering was my favorite. But both of those have been very popular swaps..
.. Any Seat will do until you decide what you really want.
... But I'll say get some drive time on it. DON'T DISABLE IT. UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT SOME. .

Help..
Frame is shot! What next? now that the frame needs to come off the car my priorities change. I don't have experieince tearing down an entire Bronco and rebuilding it, though I have the patients and desire to do it.

I need help, frame shop says they will do the frame swap for $2500.00 but I think I should do the work and fix and paint before the boby goes back on.

New Frame or used frame?
I will replace all the suspension, plastic parts etc, any recomendations?
2.5 suspension lift
1.0 inch body lift

While the boby is off the care what are the absolutes I need to do while the body is off?

before you tear it up get another opinion they should have given options for repair verses replace. the issues you show are repairable if the frame is diamonded or twisted that is more involved but nothing that a shop used to dealing with body on frame couldn't handle its a matter of cost if a 300-500 frame was available that would be a no brainer . Of course you will feel better with a new frame but if the old one hits all the points on the jig what more can you ask

If you have the desire and the patience DO IT! It's not that hard, pictures and patience is all it takes.
If you look in the parts for sale or post in the parts wanted I'll bet you can find a frame pretty easy. Check with your local DMV some states frown on frame swaps because the VIN number is on the frame.
If it was me I would blow it apart take my time and do it right,me are all here to help and if any of us are close I'm sure we'd be glad to come help if needed.
Keep us posted and good luck.

The frame has a few buckle point, one at the K member, one on the back shock mount and an bend mid frame. I am picking the truck up tomorrow I will ask the tech for more information. I would prefer to the frame. Many thanks

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post!! I Picked up truck today, the frame is still not fixed. Basic issue the front frame is bent down and the body mount is bent up.. looking at the frame in the air I see two issues: front is bent down after the cross member a few degress, but the body mount is up more than a few degress up. The rear frame where the shock mount is, is crushed in by what I would say is an over heated torch and the frame caved in. So I think the frame is actually toast. In my other post Frame Help I posted the pictures. But my gut says a good frame guy could cut this section out and fix it.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420407&stc=1&d=1494474177
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420408&stc=1&d=1494474177
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=420410&stc=1&d=1494474742

I am moving forward, I am assuming I need to replace the frame so I need advice on the suspension build. I will source a new frame or new to me, I want to put on all new suspensions and all new plastic gramets, body lift and anything else that needs to be replaced on the frame. The truck took me 20 years to get so I want to do this build right, if that means 2K at a time I am good with that. I love the passion on this site and I take the advice I get honestly and I appreciate the help. Jamie

Well as far as frames and such go you have a few options depending on what your looking to spend, also since your in cali year of the frame might matter due to emissions. You can either by an after market frame, a used frame or a beat down body destroyed bronco aka rolling chasis that you basically pull the body off and rebuild suspension and axles to your liking and put your body on. As for SL and BL that is about what you plan to do with the Bronco also what size tires you plan to put on it. If you decide to go the rolling chasis route you could rebuild everything suspension and body lift wise before you ever pull yours apart. Know what your states DMV requires for either a reframe or titleing a new bronco in your name and then put the glove box door from the one you buy on your body when you transfer your body to the new rolling chasis. Oh as for pulling a the body off you can do a few serches on here or if I can find all my saved links I will post some of some different members how they braced the body and lifted it. Body bracing would be the search.

GL

I have lived on this site for 3 years trying to find a Bronco and the last year researching how to rebuild a Bronco. I know I want an all season Bronco with the capacity to drive down the highway and also drive up a rocky road to a great fishing spot. I like an agressive stance but a gentlemans motor and exhaust... I take advice well and someday repay the advice to Newbies like me. Right now I am a bit overwheled. I have time and some money to do this project right. I have no intentions of selling this truck, this will be a family truck I will pass down.

I know most of the folks on this site live Bronco, I just want to build a Bronco with no regrets, the wheel has been invented by this forum, I just want to make it roll better. I can't express the gratitude I have for the members on this site. Sincerely Jamie