1966 Rangoon Red Wagon help

[studiodrive]

Hi all,

I usually restore vintage motorcycles and karts, but recently I started considering taking on a car restoration. An early Bronco came up for sale locally, and since it’s a vehicle I’ve always wanted to own at some point, I decided to go and have a look.

I’m completely new to early Broncos, so before getting too far into the project I’d like to learn as much as possible about what is original, what may have been changed over the years, and what would be correct if I decide to restore it.

The truck is a February 1966 wagon and, overall, the body is very solid and rust-free. Unfortunately, it was involved in a front-end collision at some point. Someone apparently started repairing it, but the front bodywork was cut away and the project was never finished. From what I can see, the frame rails appear to be OK.


Budd Body

I’ve been reading through the forum and have seen quite a few discussions about the term "Budd body," which seems to be somewhat controversial. I’d like to understand which features can actually be used to distinguish one of these early bodies from a later production body.

The truck no longer has its original grille, so I have no way of knowing whether it was originally an eyebrow grille truck. Is a February 1966 Bronco early enough that it could have been one? Is there any other way to determine this from the body or VIN?

A few of the features I’ve noticed are:

• The tailgate has the ridge running from one end to the other.
• The door sills do not have the recessed area for the Ford logo

I’ve also read that the inner fenders may be different on the earliest trucks, although I haven’t been able to find any photos clearly showing the differences. If anyone has photos or information showing the body differences, I’d really appreciate it.


Modifications and possibly incorrect parts

The truck has had a few modifications over the years. From what I’ve read here, the hard top appears to be from a later Bronco, as the rear handle and lock are a single unit.

It also has an external spare tire carrier. It looks a little crude and possibly homemade, but after searching around I wonder if it could be a Kayline unit. If so, would that have been a period-correct aftermarket accessory for a 1966 Bronco?

The wheel covers are also the later style rather than the early 1966 type. Were these fitted to later 1966 Broncos, or are they definitely from a later model?

There is also an aftermarket A/C unit mounted on the cowl. It looks like something specifically designed for the Bronco, as it fits the shape of the cowl very well. Apart from that, the truck is mostly stock, aside from a more modern radio and a pair of universal reverse lights added at the rear.


VIN, seating and bulkhead

The VIN plate shows a body code of 198, which, from what I’ve been able to find, indicates a bench-seat truck. However, there is no bulkhead fitted. Was it possible to order a Bronco with a front bench seat and without a bulkhead?

The truck is also registered as a two-seater, and there is a second spare wheel mounted inside against the tailgate. This makes me wonder if it may have originally been configured without a bulkhead, but I’m not sure if that was a factory option or something changed later in its life.


DSO 91

Finally, I’m also curious about the DSO number. From what I’ve found, DSO codes above 90 are often associated with export vehicles, but I haven’t been able to find a complete explanation of what each number represents. This Bronco has DSO 91. Does anyone know what destination or district that would correspond to, or where I could find a complete list of the early DSO codes?



I know that’s quite a few questions for a first post, but I’ve really enjoyed reading through the forum so far and I’m trying to understand exactly what I have before deciding how far to take the restoration.

Any information, corrections or observations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!



Joan

 

[studiodrive]

Hi all,

Regarding the DSO 91, I haven’t been able to find out much more so far. However, I came across this post in an old 2001 thread on the Vintage Mustang Forum:

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/what-countries-are-export-dso-90-99.302924/

Interestingly, even Kevin Marti wasn't able to determine the exact logic behind the different export DSO numbers.

Unless any new information or discoveries have come to light since then, it seems that the exact meaning of codes like DSO 91 may still remain a mystery.

Has anyone here come across any more recent information that might help shed some light on this?

 

[okie4570]

Hi all,

I usually restore vintage motorcycles and karts, but recently I started considering taking on a car restoration. An early Bronco came up for sale locally, and since it’s a vehicle I’ve always wanted to own at some point, I decided to go and have a look.

I’m completely new to early Broncos, so before getting too far into the project I’d like to learn as much as possible about what is original, what may have been changed over the years, and what would be correct if I decide to restore it.

The truck is a February 1966 wagon and, overall, the body is very solid and rust-free. Unfortunately, it was involved in a front-end collision at some point. Someone apparently started repairing it, but the front bodywork was cut away and the project was never finished. From what I can see, the frame rails appear to be OK.


Budd Body

I’ve been reading through the forum and have seen quite a few discussions about the term "Budd body," which seems to be somewhat controversial. I’d like to understand which features can actually be used to distinguish one of these early bodies from a later production body.

The truck no longer has its original grille, so I have no way of knowing whether it was originally an eyebrow grille truck. Is a February 1966 Bronco early enough that it could have been one? Is there any other way to determine this from the body or VIN? The eyebrow grills stopped sometime during Novemberish of 1965, so yours would not have come with one.

A few of the features I’ve noticed are:

• The tailgate has the ridge running from one end to the other. That is the correct tailgate, it was used into the 67' models
• The door sills do not have the recessed area for the Ford logo That is correct also, it should not have the recessed area for the logo

I’ve also read that the inner fenders may be different on the earliest trucks, although I haven’t been able to find any photos clearly showing the differences. If anyone has photos or information showing the body differences, I’d really appreciate it. Also correct, that was a August 1965 thing


Modifications and possibly incorrect parts

The truck has had a few modifications over the years. From what I’ve read here, the hard top appears to be from a later Bronco, as the rear handle and lock are a single unit.

It also has an external spare tire carrier. It looks a little crude and possibly homemade, but after searching around I wonder if it could be a Kayline unit. If so, would that have been a period-correct aftermarket accessory for a 1966 Bronco? In the 66' the spare was either attached to the inside of the tailgate, or on the bulk head if equiped.

The wheel covers are also the later style rather than the early 1966 type. Were these fitted to later 1966 Broncos, or are they definitely from a later model? The later caps weren't offered on the 66'

There is also an aftermarket A/C unit mounted on the cowl. It looks like something specifically designed for the Bronco, as it fits the shape of the cowl very well. Apart from that, the truck is mostly stock, aside from a more modern radio and a pair of universal reverse lights added at the rear.


VIN, seating and bulkhead

The VIN plate shows a body code of 198, which, from what I’ve been able to find, indicates a bench-seat truck. However, there is no bulkhead fitted. Was it possible to order a Bronco with a front bench seat and without a bulkhead? 1 is bench seat, 98 is wagon. If there was a bench seat, it may or may not have had a bulkhead. If you can see holes on the inside of your tailgate where there was spare tire carrier, then it may not have had a bulkhead. If there are no holes, then it came with a bulkhead as that's where the spare had to be, and it has been removed at some point. Also, if no bulkhead was include, large pan head bolts were used to fill the bulk head holes if not in use. Those don't usually get replaced with the correct bolt if the bulkhead is removed and the holes filled.

The truck is also registered as a two-seater, and there is a second spare wheel mounted inside against the tailgate. This makes me wonder if it may have originally been configured without a bulkhead, but I’m not sure if that was a factory option or something changed later in its life.


DSO 91

Finally, I’m also curious about the DSO number. From what I’ve found, DSO codes above 90 are often associated with export vehicles, but I haven’t been able to find a complete explanation of what each number represents. This Bronco has DSO 91. Does anyone know what destination or district that would correspond to, or where I could find a complete list of the early DSO codes?
91 is an export code as you found. If your vin is U156L rather than U15FL it most likely went to South or Central America which required low compression engines. If it's the usual U15FL then it really could have gone anywhere else. Lots of 66' went to Iceland. Most Canadian broncos had one of the various Canada Export DSO's.

I know that’s quite a few questions for a first post, but I’ve really enjoyed reading through the forum so far and I’m trying to understand exactly what I have before deciding how far to take the restoration.

Any information, corrections or observations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!



Joan

I answered in yellow above, it was much easier to answer that way lol.

 

[Yeller]

I have nothing to add other than Welcome!

 

[studiodrive]

I answered in yellow above, it was much easier to answer that way lol.

Hi okie4570!

Thank you very much for your answer, it helps me visualize how I should restore this car.

As it's not an eyebrow bronco, I supose I can use a standard Grill from any vendor. Any tip to identify the type of inner fenders I'm going to need to restore this car? Currently it doesn't have any bodywork from the firewall forward. Thanks!

Thank you also for the input regarding the bulkhead. I'll look for holes on the tailgate and the pan head bolts. Also if the later hub cabs were not availiable at any point during '66, I'll have to find a set of those now hahaha.

Regarding the VIN it's a standard U15, and apart from the export DSO, a very standard one:

UF15FL
092 J U150 198 C 03
91

Regards,

Joan

 

[studiodrive]

I have nothing to add other than Welcome!

Thank you Yeller!

 

[markatherton]

The core support for a 6 cylinder bronco is not reproduced so you will need to find a donor vehicle.

 

[okie4570]

Hi okie4570!

Thank you very much for your answer, it helps me visualize how I should restore this car.

As it's not an eyebrow bronco, I supose I can use a standard Grill from any vendor. Any tip to identify the type of inner fenders I'm going to need to restore this car? Currently it doesn't have any bodywork from the firewall forward. Thanks!

Thank you also for the input regarding the bulkhead. I'll look for holes on the tailgate and the pan head bolts. Also if the later hub cabs were not availiable at any point during '66, I'll have to find a set of those now hahaha.

Regarding the VIN it's a standard U15, and apart from the export DSO, a very standard one:

UF15FL
092 J U150 198 C 03
91

Regards,

Joan

Depending on how much original is left on it, you can most likely determine if it even came with hubcaps. If it had chrome bumpers, chrome horn button ring, cigar lighter then it most likely came with hubcaps as well. If it's just got white painted bumpers, standard horn button then it most likely it didn't. As far as the grill, just make sure it's a 66-68 grill when buying from a vendor or buying a used one.

 

[studiodrive]

Depending on how much original is left on it, you can most likely determine if it even came with hubcaps. If it had chrome bumpers, chrome horn button ring, cigar lighter then it most likely came with hubcaps as well. If it's just got white painted bumpers, standard horn button then it most likely it didn't. As far as the grill, just make sure it's a 66-68 grill when buying from a vendor or buying a used one.

Thanks Okie4570! This would make the restoration easier, and if I ever find a set of 1966 of hubcaps I can always add them later on.

The car seems very basic with not many extras. The rear bumper is painted white. It doesn’t have taillight Bezels. No armrests or holes for them. No Sun visors also, but it seems to have the mounts for them? But maybe that’s standard. It does have the Cigar lighter. It also has a center rear view mirror, and one in the drivers door, but it’s round, and I’ve always seen them square looking, so maybe it’s from another car.

What should I look for on a ’66-’68 Bronco Grill to differentiate them from the later ones?

I’ll try to see if I can post some pictures of the car later on today.

Thanks again!

Joan

 

[studiodrive]

The core support for a 6 cylinder bronco is not reproduced so you will need to find a donor vehicle.

Hi Mark!

Thanks for your input, how does the core support differ from the v8?

Are they functionally compatible or there is some thing that's not going to fit?

If the difference is just visual, different holes or shapes maybe I can modify it myself to make it look like a 6 cylinder core support.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to this model

Thanks again

 

[studiodrive]

Hi!

I figured out how to post pictures here. A general view of the car showing its front damage:

No arm rest, and round rear view mirror:

Interior shots:

And exterior:

In this lasts pictures you can see the outside mounted spare wheel carrier, not OEM, but look a lot like this one, from kayline:

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threads/kayline-spare-tire-carrier-with-jerry-can-mount.314237/

 

[okie4570]

The round door mirror is a 66' mirror, the square ones are 67'-77'. Looks like 67' dash knobs rather than 66'. Transfer case shifter is from 67' -72'. Wheels are 66'. The tires are old old, like possibly from the 60's or 70's old lol.

 

[studiodrive]

Hi Okie4570,

Thanks again for your input!

Yes, those are some old tires hahaha, General Tire Jumbo 780 "belted" white walls. Are those the factory fitted tires, or what brand did Ford use?

About the door mirror, that's some good news! one less part to find, buy and replace!

I've been able to identify the radio as a '64 Mustang radio.

About the dash knobs I was looking now at the differences, from what I can see the '66 had a more conical black knobs. The car has those for the lights, so probably it came without the heater, and it was fitted later on sourcing it from a later car. So I have to either remove those or swap them for '66 units. Thanks for the info!

How can you see the wheels are '66 how do they differ from other years?

I was looking at a very insigthful video:

and it compares the catalogs of August 1966 and January 1966. On of the differences he explains is the Transfer case shifter, so I think it might be correct for the second half of that production year.

thanks!

Joan

 

[okie4570]

Hi Okie4570,

Thanks again for your input!

Yes, those are some old tires hahaha, General Tire Jumbo 780 "belted" white walls. Are those the factory fitted tires, or what brand did Ford use?

About the door mirror, that's some good news! one less part to find, buy and replace!

I've been able to identify the radio as a '64 Mustang radio.

About the dash knobs I was looking now at the differences, from what I can see the '66 had a more conical black knobs. The car has those for the lights, so probably it came without the heater, and it was fitted later on sourcing it from a later car. So I have to either remove those or swap them for '66 units. Thanks for the info!

How can you see the wheels are '66 how do they differ from other years?

I was looking at a very insigthful video:

and it compares the catalogs of August 1966 and January 1966. On of the differences he explains is the Transfer case shifter, so I think it might be correct for the second half of that production year.

thanks!

Joan

The shifters from about March 66' had the T handle with no plastic indicator box, just the rubber boot still. Later years don't have those items that are circled.

I put this 66' thread together years ago, lots of 66 discussion and quirks in there.

The Great Original 1966 Bronco Thread........

If it's a thread that deals with a 1966 Bronco, as far as details, quirks, oil baths, oddities, deletes, threads with original pics, 66' restorations that we can use for references, etc............ I've tried to find some major ones and list them here. If you see a thread I've missed, post it up...

classicbroncos.com