1970 Bronco Wheeler

[pocketlock]

I love the look of the flares tight to the body line, go for it.

What did you use for reference points on the frame? I think I can trust the oval holes on top of the frame behind the crossmember.

Reference point for which part? Sorry, there’s alot going on here haha.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Reference point for which part? Sorry, there’s alot going on here haha.

For setting the new coil buckets

 

[pocketlock]

For setting the new coil buckets

I was stretching 1.5-2” forward so when I cut the factory buckets out, I left a small lip on the bottom to line the buckets up with the bottom of the frame and then measured forward 1.5-2” from the back edge of the remaining bit of coil bucket. Helped keep me within a fraction of an inch for each side.

 

[pocketlock]

Got the tire carrier put back together today. Apparently the cut and torch was a bit much. Gotta get the top to pull up a little now to get the fraction of clearance I’m hoping for. Started working on my cooler mount. The bracket is only tacked on for now until I finalize the location. Trying to stay clear of the handle but stay out of the tail light is a fine line.

 

[pocketlock]

Been a busy couple of weeks, I’ve been trailering the bronco to my welding class and am very close on finishing the rear bumper. I’ve been working on getting the sliders in and while there’s still plenty of welding left to do, it’s close and they’re at least in place. Got the exhaust sorted, something simple, just a 2:1 setup with the leftover muffler from my long tubes. I’ve been working on getting the bump stops sorted and was trying to figure out a rear shock mount to take advantage of the travel on these leaf springs. After looking a lot and taking measurements I realized my best bet would be to cut the shock hoops out of the front and modify them for the rear, then replace them with f350 towers in the front, worked on that some today, still have 1 left to do and then the rear axle side brackets. This will allow the shocks to lean inboard an hair for stability and plenty of clearance for the tires. Also ordered a power steering kit from wild horses to get on in the next couple of weeks. Cutting it close but I should make it just barely. My final project if I have time will be to weld a stinger on the front bumper.

 

[OK75Bronco]

Big update and lots of photos. Got some 37" Sx-2 tires for this upcoming trip. Got them mounted and something didn't seem right with the axle. Kept tinkering and it seemed to be about 1-1/2" off on the passenger side. Cut the bracket off and rewelded it and kept going. Fought with reassembly a bit and a few other issues. Finally went to add oil and it just poured out the passenger side and was weeping from the plug welds. Upon closer inspection. The axle was bent forward and down on the passenger side. Bent through the center section so no fixing it unfortunately. Located another axle and have been working on getting it swapped in. Also got my hands on a set of stripped down 11 pack leaf springs to help with the flex a little bit. Have been working on getting the new axle back in and realized my original measurements were spot on and the axle would have been in the right spot had it not been for the bent axle tube. Been working on my tire carrier and have it mostly completed. Need to put my new flares on so I can weld in the side guards and then start working on the skid for the spare and cooler mount. Also picked up the steel to do some 2x6 rock sliders. Looking forward to getting those installed. The plan is to make the rock sliders as the method to lift the body off the frame this winter. So reinforcements up the A and B pillar should help with that. Sorry if the pictures got mixed up.

Just out of curiosity what’s the actual size of those tires and wheels? Are they 12.50 and is that a 17in wheel? Thanks!

 

[pocketlock]

Just out of curiosity what’s the actual size of those tires and wheels? Are they 12.50 and is that a 17in wheel? Thanks!

37x12r17 but they list it as a 9” tread width, and yes 17” bead grip method wheels

 

[OK75Bronco]

37x12r17 but they list it as a 9” tread width, and yes 17” bead grip method wheels

What’s the backspace on those? Is that the 6.2in backspacing?

 

[pocketlock]

What’s the backspace on those? Is that the 6.2in backspacing?

Let me see if I can find it, they don’t offer the wheels in this configuration anymore I know but I’ll see if I can find my purchase link.

 

[pocketlock]

What’s the backspace on those? Is that the 6.2in backspacing?

From what I can find it’s an 8.5” wheel with 0 offset so 4.25” ?

 

[OK75Bronco]

Cool that’s what I needed to know. Thank you!