1974 fiberglass tub dd build

BroncoDesignTN · Jan 17, 2020

I bought axles out of a 1978 F-150 from a salvage yard in TN. They will be shipped next week. I have to decide what to do about the coil buckets or modify the base?
hmmm[/QUOTE]

Duff's sells a coil bucket for the full width axle swap. Check these out. I have them for a project we are working on here at Bronco Design as well. https://www.dufftuff.com/Full_Width_Offset_Coil_Bucket_1966_77_Bronco_p/5112.htm

tasker · Jan 17, 2020

looking good!! kicking some tail!

MrT · Jan 17, 2020

tasker said:
looking good!! kicking some tail!

Thanks! I just put orders in at Duff's and Tom's ouch$ just the first of many. I boughts springs, coil buckets, brakee lines, headers, clutch etc.
I would love to get a completed rolling chasis soon. I need to decide on a steering box. Thanks Cory I ordered a pair.

tasker · Jan 17, 2020

IT'S a long road and expensive, but if it were easy everyone would be doing it! ;D
I told my wife a year and 10k....been 8 and I stopped counting! ;D;D

svastano · Jan 17, 2020

Looks great so far!

MrT · Jan 17, 2020

Just got the call for shipping cost...ouch!

MrT · Jan 17, 2020

tasker said:
IT'S a long road and expensive, but if it were easy everyone would be doing it! ;D
I told my wife a year and 10k....been 8 and I stopped counting! ;D;D

Sometime along the way I am going to sell my JK. I will have to get it done! ;D

svastano said:
Looks great so far!

Thanks!

MrT · Jan 17, 2020

I think I got a pretty good deal on a hardtop today. It was bad timing for me because I won't need it for awhile. I almost passed on it but the guy gave it to me for a price I couldn't refuse. One of the cross supports has come loose, minor rust where the top sits on the body and one area that will need attention in the lower corner by the door. the sheet metal is very straight.

hyghlndr · Jan 18, 2020

Might want to just cut the rib out on the hardtop and put two of the new ones in. Adding the additional one really makes the top stronger.

MrT · Jan 18, 2020

hyghlndr said:
Might want to just cut the rib out on the hardtop and put two of the new ones in. Adding the additional one really makes the top stronger.

Thats probably the way go. I will look them up. Looking at the top closer this morning it looks like the seals around all the glas gas been replaced already. It will need hatch seals where it meets thd top.

MrT · Jan 23, 2020

I had a big long post then lost it...ugh. Bottom line I spent most of my time ordering parts but did manage to get the coil buckets cut off. Tons of parts coming.
Today I got the axles(going to be a lot of work) LUK clutch with flywheel and engine plate, Duff 3.5" springs, TBP 3.5" 9 leaf packs for the rear, Duff offset coil buckets, Bilstein shocks, WH urethane bushings for the front, ss brake lines, Ceramic shorty headers from TBP and some small parts.
Today I ordered fuel pump, filters and hose, a serpentine set off here. A tailgate, fenders, windshield frame and small stuff from Dennis Carpenter.
I ordered a Toyota power steering box and steel to plate the frame where it mounts. Also coming is a FJ80 pitman arm and GM 1 ton Y link steering kit from Ruffstuff.
I do have a budget and I am having a hard time pulling the trigger on rear disc. I know all the small stuff coming later is going to get me. I am looking into doing hydraulic setup on the clutch.
I am shooting for a pretty complete rolling chassis by March but working outside is going to make that tough.

Pics:

MrT · Jan 23, 2020

Any opinions on using a Explorer radiator?

indio22 · Jan 24, 2020

Dang you seem to really be getting things done. Makes me feel like a slow poke. How did you clean out/treat the inside of the frame rails? For me that has been the biggest challenge with my old boxed frame vehicles.

tasker · Jan 24, 2020

i used a trimmed down chimney sweep brush....worked the nuts!

MrT · Jan 24, 2020

indio22 said:
Dang you seem to really be getting things done. Makes me feel like a slow poke. How did you clean out/treat the inside of the frame rails? For me that has been the biggest challenge with my old boxed frame vehicles.

It's not bad looking in there. I have just used Ospho sprayed inside where I can. I am sure that's what is in Eastwoods frame treatment spray that comes with a tube for getting it in there. I think the outside of my frame was stripped and never painted so it had a good bit of surface rust. It's nice and solid.
For my plan to work I need to get it done pretty quick. At least driveable. I will be selling my Rubicon JK.

MrT · Jan 24, 2020

Today I welded on the offset coil buckets and cleaned up the axles. I ordered rear disc and new front brakes, wheel bearings etc.
I will get the front axle under the frame next, new bushings and coils before I tear down the hubs and brakes. I still need to modify or make a new tab for the hoop to bucket piece.

Axles cleaned up pretty nice for round one:

Bucket:

As it sits now:

MrT · Jan 27, 2020

Today I cut off the old tabs from the hoop to coil mount. I will weld a new one in the right place.

I quit being lazy and cut off the dual shock mounts in the rear. I ont be using them.

Then I made my frame re enforcing plates for the power steering box. I will do a little more shaping before welding them on.

I also pulled the front end swapped the tires to the new front end and switched them out this weekend.

hyghlndr · Jan 27, 2020

Making some great progress, I'm jealous.

MrT · Feb 18, 2020

Well I kept hitting silly road blocks so there isn't too much to show until now. It's still not a lot but progress.

I got the front axle in, cleaned all the parts and painted them. The issue was the outer bearing races in each hub were snug but you could turn them so I ended up using Loctite 680. The next issue was the passenger outer axle was all chewed up where it rides inside the spindle. I have never seen damage like that and I am waiting on a new one so I can assemble everything.

I got the rear sitting with tacked perches waiting...You can see the fuel tank tabs also.

I took everything off the engine and painted it Ford blue. I put on a new motor plate, flywheel and clutch.

The fuel tank is installed.

Then I put the engine in woohoo! Today I got the serpentine setup put on. This went pretty smooth.

I am using grade 8 where I can because I like the way they look. ;D

I have to figure out why the motor plate is rubbing then I can put the exhaust in.
I bought Ruffstuff 1 ton Y link steering but I am having second thoguhts. I may switch to crossover with heims.

MrT · Feb 18, 2020

hyghlndr said:
Making some great progress, I'm jealous.

Thanks! plugging away.

1974 fiberglass tub dd build

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