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'68 Coyote Luber Build Thread - Build is Finished!!!

PCDan

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2017
Messages
70
Loc.
Park City
A few updates on the build. Paint finished. Ford Ruby Red Metallic (RR) without the tintcoat steps. Just color, then clear. Painted by Braun Mollenhauer in Alpine, CA (outside San Diego). Engine installed - tight fit. Amp steps from BC Broncos.

It’s looking awesome. I see you’re covering the interior with Dynamat. What are you doing for carpet?
 
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Dpearce

Full Member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
212
Some updates on the build. Seems like the little stuff takes forever - and we decided to have it custom wired versus using an off the shelf wiring harness. Wiring is in late stages - then moving on to final assembly. Ordered bumpers from Cal Creations - modifying both the front and rear to taper and look more streamlined (they are a little bulky) and adding tire carrier to their rear bumper. Roll cage bar across top of dash will be wrapped in same leather that is on the modified dash pad and steering wheel. By the way, Budnik makes awesome steering wheels for those of you looking for a custom touch.

Interior will also be carpeted. Front seats from 2009 BMW 650i convertible and rear seat from JK 2 door Wrangler will also be covered in same brown leather as steering wheel and dash pad.

2 sets of switches on dash are from SwitchPro.
 

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blue78

Jr. Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
112
Loc.
Annapolis Area
First off this thing is gorgeous, I am truly jealous.

I saw that you used the Dakota HDX, I am considering one for mine and just wanted your thoughts on it. It is so expensive but it looks amazing, is it worth almost 2X the price of the VHX?
 

Elite Broncos

Full Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2014
Messages
311
Loc.
San Diego area
We’ve used countless Dakota Digital’s at our Bronco shop. They are worth their weight in gold. If you run a full set of Autometer gauges you’ll spend even more and won’t have any dash room. There is not a lot of dash real estate on a EB. The HDX is a great step up. Easier to read, more options. Moving the gauge pack to the center adds a classier look and improves visibility away from the steering wheel.
This build has been a fun one and a lengthy one due to changes and upgrades. That’s a good thing. What started as a nice Bronco build has changed into a Epic build. Custom wiring is almost done and can’t wait to hear this engine purr. More updates to come.
 

sprdv1

Contributor
REBEL
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
81,734
Looking good....

Some updates on the build. Seems like the little stuff takes forever - and we decided to have it custom wired versus using an off the shelf wiring harness. Wiring is in late stages - then moving on to final assembly. Ordered bumpers from Cal Creations - modifying both the front and rear to taper and look more streamlined (they are a little bulky) and adding tire carrier to their rear bumper. Roll cage bar across top of dash will be wrapped in same leather that is on the modified dash pad and steering wheel. By the way, Budnik makes awesome steering wheels for those of you looking for a custom touch.

Interior will also be carpeted. Front seats from 2009 BMW 650i convertible and rear seat from JK 2 door Wrangler will also be covered in same brown leather as steering wheel and dash pad.

2 sets of switches on dash are from SwitchPro.
 

ngsd

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 2, 2019
Messages
2,531
Reviving this old thread to how it turned out and what your thought are now about design or changes you would make. Great build and very curious ,
 
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Dpearce

Full Member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
212
Well, we are still working towards completing. Hopefully done completely within the next month. We've continued to make changes along the way to make sure we get it right. The most recent was narrowing the rear axle about an inch on each side. Also lots of changes/upgrades to the interior. I will do a full write up/photo update once it's completely done.
 

rydog1130

Sponsor/Vendor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
4,020
Well, we are still working towards completing. Hopefully done completely within the next month. We've continued to make changes along the way to make sure we get it right. The most recent was narrowing the rear axle about an inch on each side. Also lots of changes/upgrades to the interior. I will do a full write up/photo update once it's completely done.

where did you get your steering wheel?
 

Tkmoseley

New Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
1
Loc.
Dallas, Tx
Quad-link

This thread has been incredibly helpful in my planning, so thank you very much for posting. I am curious to know what your thoughts are on the Krawlers Edge Quad-Link that you installed. I’ve been considering it, but haven’t seen many people post about it.
 
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Dpearce

Full Member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
212
This thread has been incredibly helpful in my planning, so thank you very much for posting. I am curious to know what your thoughts are on the Krawlers Edge Quad-Link that you installed. I’ve been considering it, but haven’t seen many people post about it.

Sorry for the late response. Still trying to get this completely done - a few minor gremlins popping up. So far, so good on the Krawler's Edge. Definitely a smoother ride - and that was our main goal with the Coyote - better traction on the rear end. If I were starting over, I'd probably simply opt for the Krawler's Edge entire frame. I think it's a few thousand more than the 4 link, but looks like it can be customized for fit - especially if you are shooting for a Luber.
 
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Dpearce

Full Member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
212
Finished after 4 years....

Build is completely done. Big thanks to all of the top notch builders/fabricatrors - great folks all around. Here's a comprehensive write up. I'm sure I'm leaving some items out. Happy to answer any questions anyone may have.
I'm at a different place in life than when this build started (2 new drivers in the family) - so I will likely put this up for sale soon. PM me if anyone has interest.

Here's a write up I did a few months back and some new pics:

Coyote Bronco Summary – ’68 Coyote “Luber”


I purchased the donor 1968 Bronco from a local Bronco collector in early 2016 for $7,500. Since a restomod was planned, the initial task required stripping the donor down the frame and body. I quickly enlisted the services of John Cole at Elite Broncos in El Cajon, CA. John is a highly experienced classic Bronco builder and Baja truck-racing enthusiast. John has built numerous high end Broncos, from street cruisers to rock crawlers. https://www.eliteautoservicesandiego.com/bronco-customizations
While we initially planned a nice restomod in the $60-70k range, the plan evolved as we ultimately decided to attempt to build one of the nicest classic Broncos in the world.

All of the frame, body and paint work was completed by Braun Mollenhauer – highly respected fabricator in Alpine, CA. The frame and body were stripped completely. The body received new floors throughout, new firewall and “uncut” rear quarter panels were grafted into the existing “cut” quarter panels to restore the Bronco to its uncut originality.

The frame was powder coated and reinforced throughout. Since we decided on a Coyote power plant, we upgraded the rear suspension from the traditional leaf springs to a quad link system sourced from Krawler’s Edge to provide better traction and stability for the increased Coyote power:

The frame was also reinforced for the front suspension – Bilstein Racing shocks with nitrogen reservoirs were installed.
Total lift is approximately 4 and ½ inches – 2 “ body lift and 2 and ½” suspension lift.

New front and rear axles were sourced from Bronco Connection – Dana 44 front axle and Ford 9” rear. Both were equipped with new Wilwood disc brakes (front and rear). The rear axle was narrowed 1” to ensure proper clearance for the rear uncut fenders. The front axle is equipped with premium Warn locking hubs.

Following body fabrication, a Viewfinder windshield was sourced from a vendor in Canada (it was actually the last one in existence). Braun completed the fabrication of integrating the Viewfinder windshield into the body – this windshield allows for relocation of the windshield wipers and motor from the top of the windshield to the more traditional modern placement below the windshield, allowing for much improved visual clearance. It’s an extremely rare upgrade that isn’t seen on $300k Broncos. Braun also crafted a custom fuel door on the driver’s side rear quarter panel. A new fuel tank was also installed in the rear of the vehicle.

We chose a modern Ford Ruby Red paint color (same color on Ford Raptor) for this build. It is a staged paint – base, followed by clear coat. Braun coated the floors with a paint matched Rhino Lining bed liner product to effectively seal the floors. The body, hood and engine bay were completed in Ruby Red. The interior floors and firewall then received Lizard Skin insulation throughout before final covering with custom carpeting. Braun also fabricated a custom mesh insert that sits behind the original grille – creating a mild modern feel upon inspection.

Front and rear bumpers were sourced from Cal Auto Creations, a custom fabrication shop in Nebraska
Both bumpers were further modified locally to create a streamlined and leveled appearance.

AMP Power Steps were installed – they run the entire length of both rocker panels – automatically open and close when the doors open/close and have under mount LED lighting for safety.

A custom six-point family roll cage was fabricated and powder coated in a silver vein finish. This roll cage ties into the frame as well as multiple anchor points on the body.

A custom dash was fabricated – with relocation of the instrument cluster from the traditional left side of steering wheel to a more centered position on the dash. The instrument cluster is the most upgraded Dakota digital HDX option.
Custom dash pad and roll cage cross bar are wrapped in same leather as the rest of the interior.

A generation IV Vintage Air air condition system was installed as well as 2 Switch Pro control units to accommodate all electronics and lighting.

Extra USB ports were also added to the dash for accessory control.

A custom steering wheel was ordered from Budnik in a complementary gray powder coat and wrapped with matching BMW leather.


Howard McKee – a local well-known custom interior fabricator, completed all of the interior seating and aesthetic upgrades.
I sourced front bucket seats from a salvaged BMW 650i convertible. Both seats have functional 18-way power control, 2 stage heating and the driver’s seat has 2 memory functions. The seats also have integrated 3 point seat belts. The donor seats were recovered in Dakota brown leather. The rear fold and tumble bench seat was sourced from a modern Jeep Wrangler 2 door. This was also recovered in the matching BMW leather. 3-point seat belts for the rear bench seat are secured into the roll cage for added safety.
Custom door panels that span the entire interior door add a high-end custom feel to the interior. These panels are covered in the same BMW Dakota Brown leather and a gray leather accent stripe.
The rear interior quarter panels are also covered in the BMW Dakota Brown leather.

A center console from Icon 4x4 completes the aesthetics of the cockpit.
https://shop.icon4x4.com/node/78
This console houses a Pioneer Apple Carplay (satellite capable) head unit, power window controls for the front windows and seat heater switches.
A backup camera was integrated into the rear bumper and connected to the Pioneer head unit.
Front and rear speakers were installed and recessed into the front and rear quarter panels for a more stealth finish.

For further customization control, we opted for an electronic transmission controller as it allowed us a way to delete the usual column shift for the Ford automatic 4R70W transmission and provides more specific control for shifting into specific gears (i.e. steptronic shifting capability) This shifter is integrated into the front of the center console for easy access.
Shifter is from Powertrain Control Solutions.


The powertrain consists of a new Ford Coyote 5.0 liter V8 crate engine (400+ HP), new Ford 4R70W automatic overdrive transmission and a new Atlas 2 transfer case.
Custom drive shafts were fabricated after final drivetrain installation.
A brake booster was also installed in the engine bay. An engine dress up kit painted Ruby Red completes the customization of the engine bay.

Foregoing an off the shelf wiring harness, we opted to have the entire truck custom wired by a high end off road racing truck builder, Mark Guthaus:
With all of the added electronics on this build throughout, we felt custom wiring would ensure the proper reliability and safety needed for operation.

A BC Broncos soft top wraps the exterior. This is a very high end soft top that has a removable sub frame. The top is black marine fabric with removable tinted windows.
The exterior also includes matte black mirrors, door handles, key locks and Bronco emblems.

Wheels are Method Race Wheels “701”: 17” x 8.5” in matte black.
https://www.methodracewheels.com/collections/trail-series-1/products/701-matte-black
The wheels are wrapped with BFGoodrich All Terrain KO2 34” x 10.5” x 17”.
 

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Dpearce

Full Member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
212
More pics....

A few more pics. If anyone needs to see anything, let me know and I will post. Thanks.
 

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Dpearce

Full Member
Joined
May 12, 2012
Messages
212
Left out of write-up: We deleted the e-brake pedal by installing an E-stop electronic e-brake. Button is mounted under left Switch Pro panel below dash. Nice to have more legroom without that e-brake pedal.
https://www.estopp.com/
 
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