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Building Buddy

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
My Grandpa (Papa Buddy) bought this Half Cab Bronco brand new in 1967. It came with the 170 6 cyl motor and three speed transmission. While he had it he upgraded the engine to a 302 v8 and moved the shifter to the floor. He gave it a two tone paint job which is hard to tell now.

In 2002 began tearing the Bronco down to do a major restore. He go sick not to long after and was unable to finish. He passed in 2005. Uncle Mike, Papa's son-in-law, took ownership. Mike had the intentions of bring the the Bronco (now called Buddy) back to life. None of the family ever saw it again. We knew he had it stored in a garage some where.

I recently asked if Mike still had the Buddy. He did and it was still in the same garage. I asked him if I could buy if from him and he told me I did not have enough money. A few days later he told me to make him an offer. Following the advice I received from this site, I offered him $1500. He wanted $4500. We settled in the "middle" at $2000.

I drove up to Gypsum Colorado last weekend, Aug 10 2019, to get the Bronco. As you can see by the pictures it was used as a storage shelf. It took us about 4 hours to get the Buddy out of the garage and loaded. Almost everything was there. The only rust is on the rocker panels, the rest was surface rust. The only dents are in the bed. The 302 is dry as a whistle and the 3 speed is still in it.

I have 5.0L HO from an early 1990's Mustang. I am currently trying to decide on a transmission and acquiring a dana 20 J style transfer case. I decide that since it has be disassembled this far I might as well pull the body of at start from frame.

I hope you guys enjoy this build.
 

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broozedss

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
The other Bronco also belongs to my Uncle. Its a '71 with 302 and NP435.
 

1strodeo

Squirrel Watcher
Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
3,596
Loc.
Wisconsin
Man I hate seeing that kind of Bronco abuse, Free Buddy! Free Buddy! Free Buddy! lol

seriously though I'd really consider keeping the body ON if at all possible, that's a whole 'nother rabbit hole my friend :eek::eek:
 
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broozedss

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
I have built a cart to put the body on and I am going to brace the door openings. What other issues will I run into. Thanks for the advice.
 

1strodeo

Squirrel Watcher
Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
3,596
Loc.
Wisconsin
I have built a cart to put the body on and I am going to brace the door openings. What other issues will I run into. Thanks for the advice.

I'll leave that question to the experts, or at least those that have done it.

Would be great to see pics of underside when you get a chance.
 

langester

Contributor
MASTER OF MADNESS
Joined
Mar 2, 2013
Messages
2,660
Right on! Glad to see you are going to get it back on the road. Great back story on it as well, you can't beat something like that. I am not too far away from you I am in Cortez. I have a few odds and ends part wise not a lot but, if you need something let me know, I might have it. As others have said a frame off is a whole different animal. I am getting close to the end of mine (7 years worth), totally worth it in the end. Keep the pics coming as well, love to see progress on others rebuilds.
Have a good one!
 
OP
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broozedss

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
Right on! Glad to see you are going to get it back on the road. Great back story on it as well, you can't beat something like that. I am not too far away from you I am in Cortez. I have a few odds and ends part wise not a lot but, if you need something let me know, I might have it. As others have said a frame off is a whole different animal. I am getting close to the end of mine (7 years worth), totally worth it in the end. Keep the pics coming as well, love to see progress on others rebuilds.
Have a good one!

Thanks langester! I will definitely let you know.
 

Justafordguy

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
6,253
Congrats, looks like a nice project, can't wait to see how it turns out.
 

Apogee

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
6,035
That's one of the cleaner $2k EB's I've seen in a while...nice save. Other than getting it back up and running, what's the end goal/target for the build?
 

svastano

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Apr 8, 2017
Messages
1,319
Loc.
Pulaski, PA
I can't say either way for Frame off or not. I did it 2 times now on the same Bronco and I feel it was worth it. Last year an a half was dedicated to the Rebuild. 2nd time ( Boss Man Sam's Thread) I was so excited to drive it after so many years of it just sitting! It has not been driven since 2005. Good luck on the build. Nice bones to start with!
 
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broozedss

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
Finally here are some pics. These are of the dash and engine compartment. This thing was completely stripped when I got it. I have to rebuild everything which is why I thought since its this far I might as well pull the body off. Let me know your thoughts. I will post pics of the underneath right after.
 

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broozedss

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
More pics of dash and floor boards.
 

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broozedss

broozedss

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
89
These are from underneath the body. Seems to be pretty good condition. But like I said its stripped done to nothing but frame and body. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for all the advice.
 

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