1969 4BD1T Diesel & NV4500 conversion on 33's

[BradtheWelder]

Been throwing around the idea of uncut fenders. I like how they look but I was thinking I dont have the room with the tires I am going to run. Been searching around and I found this pic. I think I can do the same and it will have a pretty unique but a stock look which is what I want to do with this project. Hopefully I got the skill to pull it off.

 

[Colorado75Bronc]

Ill be following this for sure, looks like it'll be a sweet project!

 

[BradtheWelder]

Worked on the bumper a little more. The notch for the tube meeting the bearing tube was offset in a effort to keep it as close as I can to the tailgate. Took a while to get it to fit up good but I got it eventually. The circular part where the rim sits against has two studs the keep the tire from rotating and the outer plate has one also. Held together by a 1/2 bolt which uses the same size socket for the lug nuts. All I got to do now is mount the pull pin that's going to keep the spare carrier locked into the bumper and some gussets need to be added underneath for the hitch.

 

[Colorado75Bronc]

1969 Diesel conversion

Looks nice! Are you going to run another tube across the top of the bumper on the bottom of the carrier, 1 tube just seems a bit light for your setup. By the way I love how you built a recess in the bumper for the tire!

 

[BradtheWelder]

Looks nice! Are you going to run another tube across the top of the bumper on the bottom of the carrier, 1 tube just seems a bit light for your setup. By the way I love how you built a recess in the bumper for the tire!

It seems strong enough as long as nobody hangs on the tire while it is swung out. The tube is 2" .120 wall DOM.

 

[BradtheWelder]

1 step forward, 2 steps back. This part of the frame wasn't worth salvaging. All that stuff on the ground is from inside the frame. I blew it all out.

 

[BradtheWelder]

Well the new frame is coming together. Cut two 13" pieces of the 2"x3" tube to go inside the existing frame. There was a rivet for a body mount in the way so I drilled a hole so they could sit flat against the inside of the bronco frame. The new tube going into the frame is about 4" deep. Also drilled two half inch holes so the new frame can be plug welded, should be plenty strong. Cut two more pieces of the tube to finish off the rails and got one done tonight. Pics will show how it all came together.

 

[BradtheWelder]

Got the rear frame rails done tonight. Next up on the list is determine where the rear axle will be and 4 link. The 4" lift coil springs are way too stiff for my application. They only compressed 1.5" and 14" overall when compressed. A buddy has some stock tj coils that I'm gonna try out. Hopefully they will work.

 

[broncobsession]

You work fast. and I could use some of your skills!

 

[BradtheWelder]

You work fast. and I could use some of your skills!

Trying to have this ready for paint by spring. If I keep going at this rate I should make it. I'd like to take it on a roadtrip next summer. Time will tell though. I got a lot of rust to fix.

 

[BradtheWelder]

I have always had trouble shutting the tailgate, today I learned why. The whole area around the wheel wells and around the bottom of the tailgate is all gone basically. The drivers side is probably sagging about one inch. More I get into this the more I wish I would have found a better bronco to start with. But Im stuck with what I got. I swear the guy who did the repairs before me used tar or something like it. I've been pulling up a ton of black stuff that is hard on the outside and sticky underneath. Tomorrow I guess I will get some steel and start repairing. Here some pics of the rust carnage.

 

[broncobsession]

After this you will be bradthebodyman

 

[Colorado75Bronc]

1969 Diesel conversion

Holy crap that is one freaking rusty bronco!
And the frame rails look awesome!

 

[BradtheWelder]

After this you will be bradthebodyman

I ain't fixed anything yet! Right now you can call me Brad the destroyer! Haha

Holy crap that is one freaking rusty bronco!
And the frame rails look awesome!

The rust is way worse than what it looked. Pretty happy with the frame rails.

So more and more is got cut out. But I'm basically ready for a new rear channel brace. The cost of some of those braces is silly so I will be making my own. The first pic shows all I cut out tonight. The second is the aftermath for tonight.

 

[dnewman9]

I wish you would stop uncovering rust, I really want to see the 4bd1t process!

BTW, nice touch on the tailgate, I have been wanting to do the same, possibly with a canadian Mercury tailgate.
Dennis

 

[BradtheWelder]

Been doing a lot of other stuff lately. I scrapped the last of the street sweeper besides the tires and got another $210 back. Started on the rear channel brace pretty much ready to weld in. Pretty happy with it. I may have to make the mounting holes a little bigger though because it isnt perfect, but close. Made out of 16 gauge 60" long steel and to bend it I cut most of the way through it then bent it by hand. Tomorrow I will be probably welding it in.

 

[BradtheWelder]

Got my rear brace welded and in ready to weld in. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Its really strong and tomorrow I will weld it in for good. Then I will be moving on to the other rust you can see in the pics but that should be much easier to fix, or at least I hope anyway.

 

[BradtheWelder]

Got my tailgate(not cheap) on so I could tack in the rear brace in and make sure it will work. Pretty happy with my gaps. The drivers side is sagging a little bit so to hold it up while im finishing the rear wheel wells I tacked in a 1/4" bar to hold it up straight. This maybe a dumb question but what is the stuff on the tailgate in the last pic?

 

[BronCowie]

That's where your license plate would be on a stock Bronco, but you'll have to put it somewhere else now. What'd you do with the other tailgate? Great stuff by the way!!!

 

[Sniper]

holes and mounting area for the stock liscense plate holder and light