1973 - Father and Son Project

[PatioDaddio78]

Hello Classic Broncos!

My son Levi and I have found a project for his senior year in high school. We are both novices at this and will be frequent visitors to this forum for help and guidance. We are starting our deep dive into YouTube university to get the creative juices flowing and grow our limited knowledge base. I owned a 66 mustang a few years back, but it was rust free and driving, the bronco is another story...rust on every corner and an engine that isn't working.

First things first, we've got breaks and suspension coming from Toms Offroad so we can at lease roll it out of the garage and stop it!!!

Thanks for all the info and forgive me for all the newbie questions.

Mark and Levi

https://flic.kr/p/2qcQYT1 https://flic.kr/p/2qcJ5jH https://flic.kr/p/2qcNDU9 https://flic.kr/p/2qcQYEA

 

[Scoop]

Looks like a great project! What year? Looks 73 or later. Engine?

 

[hyghlndr]

Congrats, my kids have been helping for years and love the Bronco events.

Not sure if you saw this build but he does a great jon cover covering some good stuff.

 

[1969]

Awesome! My dad and I did an engine rebuild, 5 speed conversion and other stuff on an old Bronco 2 he had way back when I was in high school. Great memories! Please post updates and questions as you guys go!

 

[PatioDaddio78]

It a 302 with an automatic transmission. Lots of questions coming!

 

[ared77]

Welcome to you both! Great project for you two, and you've definitely come to the right place for questions answered.

Norm

 

[BroncoLew]

That looks like a great project vehicle! Please post pics and videos as you go.

 

[Yeller]

Welcome and congratulations!

Remember, no dumb questions, just the occasional dumb answer

 

[ep67bro]

Congrats and good luck!
I did a 73 project with my father, but unfortunately we never finished it this was right before the economy crash in 2009. So we were forced to sell it.

 

[76YETI]

This is also a great resource and they recently did a cost of builds, etc. https://thebroncast.podbean.com/

 

[Torkman66]

Never be afraid to ask any question. When possible, include a picture with your questions. Use google to search by including “classic bronco forum” and it will provide better results for this forum. Parts come down to 3 or 4 companies with most having comparible quality…it will come down to the shipping cost in most cases. Take tons of pictures before and during disassembly. You might think you will remember how thing go together, but you probably won’t. Finally, be real about cost and time. It will cost twice what you think and twice as long to do. But it’s worth it!!! Have fun. What a great father/son opportunity!

 

[Mikes79Bronco]

Looking forward to following along!

 

[BroncoLew]

Never be afraid to ask any question. When possible, include a picture with your questions. Use google to search by including “classic bronco forum” and it will provide better results for this forum. Parts come down to 3 or 4 companies with most having comparible quality…it will come down to the shipping cost in most cases. Take tons of pictures before and during disassembly. You might think you will remember how thing go together, but you probably won’t. Finally, be real about cost and time. It will cost twice what you think and twice as long to do. But it’s worth it!!! Have fun. What a great father/son opportunity!

If you phrase your search like this on google you will get much better results: "site:classicbroncos.com tire size uncut." If will only pull results from this domain.

I've been able to find a lot of stuff using that method instead of using the search bar on the website.

 

[Beau Nugget]

Looks like a great project for you and your son. You are definitely in the right place for all questions bronco

 

[Hopstr]

Welcome to the madness! Looks like a great father son project. Can't wait to see the progress. Just keep moving forward.

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Well we started! We pulled out the interior to see what we are in for and wow. We are going to need a crash course in rust repair!! I'm sure there are ones that are worse off. One thing at a time.

https://flic.kr/p/2qe99Z4 https://flic.kr/p/2qe9a11 https://flic.kr/p/2qebqWe

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Levi and I stated to tear down the rear suspension last night...wow what a struggle. Any tips on how to get the rear axel to center back on the retaining nut? My initial try has me off on one side by an inch. Despite my struggles we cannot get the axel to move with one end locked in. Any advice is appreciated. Despite being short 2 nuts for our U-Bolts we are chalking this one up to a partial win....so much dirt lodged up in the fenders!

https://flic.kr/p/2qeXtwB https://flic.kr/p/2qf32vN

 

[Torkman66]

You can use a strap to pull the leafs tighter together if they are too wide. Do not tighten one side up. Instead get both sides in proper place then put on hardware.

 

[PatioDaddio78]

You can use a strap to pull the leafs tighter together if they are too wide. Do not tighten one side up. Instead get both sides in proper place then put on hardware.

Thanks. Unfortunaly I am leaving town for 4 days and will have to think about this until I return! Another question: Does the leaf spring have a direction? I looked to me like they were the same on both ends...not sure if this would throw off the alignment of the retaining nut.

 

[Shimmy]

yes the leafs are directional. any luck getting the engine running or is the plan to junk it and get a new crate?