1971 Stroppe Baja Restoration

[AZ73]

Looks fantastic! But it's reminding me of how much work I have left - uggg.

 

[Baja71]

Sometimes I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel, then I realize that it's coming over my shoulders from the mouth of the tunnel. So much left to do. Trying to beat the Texas heat.

 

[Blue71]

Great job TW,

I hated rebuilding the wing windows. Never a fun job. Lookin good.

Andy G
Blue71

 

[Baja71]

Tiny brained wipers

The wiper motor and armature system was in great working order and visually pretty dang good. Since it is mostly going to be covered up anyway, I decided to let well enough alone, leaving it the only system untouched during the project.

My wipers weren't situated on the glass very well before I started the resto, so I wanted to make them less obvious in 'rest' mode. My first attempt dragged them over the top of the windshield frame and I'm lucky I didn't scratch anything. It took a bit of doing, but I think they are in their Happy Place.

 

[Baja71]

Brave or stupid

Having all the 'legal' stuff on it made me go get my registration sticker I had on my desk and put it on the windshield. This was a good feeling. I guess it made me feel a little brave. I had no rear shocks on it, but I wanted to see if it would roll on it's own. I backed it down the driveway, creaky as it was, and since that went ok, I putted it down the alley and down my street. Since this was the first time it rolled, I stopped out front and shut it off to look for flames or anything gushing out. I snapped a couple of pics and while I was looking at them on my cellphone, someone walking down the street yelled, "Hey! I really like your Bronco!". This was a good day.

 

[74BroncoCO]

Looks amazing outside!

 

[RajinCajun]

Todd pole and I will have to make the trek to DFW for a Bronco get together so we can see it before the Round Up next year . Maybe we can get a peek at it when we come through DFW headed to OCBR at Hot Springs?

Mike

 

[RajinCajun]

Since this was the first time it rolled, I stopped out front and shut it off to look for flames or anything gushing out.

Speaking of that, please put a fire extinguisher in it somewhere.

 

[Baja71]

Yes, you guys definitely stop by. I do have a fire extinguisher in the cab, but it's the chemical type. I was looking for a halon but haven't found one yet.

 

[AZ73]

Having all the 'legal' stuff on it made me go get my registration sticker I had on my desk and put it on the windshield. This was a good feeling. I guess it made me feel a little brave. I had no rear shocks on it, but I wanted to see if it would roll on it's own. I backed it down the driveway, creaky as it was, and since that went ok, I putted it down the alley and down my street. Since this was the first time it rolled, I stopped out front and shut it off to look for flames or anything gushing out. I snapped a couple of pics and while I was looking at them on my cellphone, someone walking down the street yelled, "Hey! I really like your Bronco!". This was a good day.

See, now the rewards start!

 

[House]

I was looking for a halon but haven't found one yet.

Halotron might be easier to find. Not quite as efficient as Halon but still vehicle safe...

 

[Baja71]

Right, actually I meant Halotron since it kind of took over the market from Halon.

 

[Baja71]

Inspect this!

Since I had the wipers working and all of my lighting was working, I decided to try and get it safety inspected the other day. With a few squeaks and rattles, I ran it over to the nearest inspection place. Since they couldn't drive a 3 on the tree, I pulled it in and operated the lights as he directed. My rearview mirror was with me, but on the floor next to me, so as he was doing the back I'm surprised he didn't notice it wasn't on the windshield since I had to look over my shoulder to see what he wanted me to do. Somehow it passed. When I got home, I checked the horn only to find out it didn't work. Glad he missed that too! New horn on the way...

You should have seen his face when he asked "mileage?", and I said "8".

Now that I was legal, I drove it over to my brother's to 'celebrate'.

 

[Baja71]

Into the Real World

Now that I was 'totally legal', I took it on it's first real errand. Friday at the bank. Then on to a local Chinese spot to grab lunch, carefully parking far away. Then on back to the garage for a few more tweaks.

 

[Baja71]

I have some pretty nice original door panels. But as nice as they are, I wasn't sure it they were quite up to everything else so far. So I ordered a set of the new parchment panels. I can always swap them out later if I want, right?

I got the splash panels too, but wasn't entirely impressed with those. Fit was questionable, tearing holes. I ended up using tape to seal them down. I'm not sure how much good they will do. I guess if they keep the carwash splash off the back of the door panels, I'm good. Otherwise, nstallation was pretty straightforward. I'd forgotten to order the door cups, so those are coming as I type.

 

[Baja71]

Yesterday was a good day.

My spare was located in a storage unit about 60 miles away. I needed to put some break-in miles on the engine anyway, so I went for a sunny cruise choosing a route that would work the engine's RPMs. I had a few miles on the clock, but this trip would blow those off the odometer.

I made it safely and the spare installed with tire cover, I detoured to a close by marina for a couple of pics.

 

[Baja71]

Long way 'round

I took another detour on the way back that took me down some of my favorite motorcycle roads, and even a section of dirt to put a nice coat of dust on it.
With the day's break-in drive, I arrived home with 200 miles on the clock. I proceeded with my first oil change...and yes, I hit the car wash last night.

 

[gator-n-buck]

...........

 

[BajaBronco]

Awesome! So glad to see this thing out motoring around! Good work and way to stick with the project!
by the way - LOOKS FANTASTIC.

 

[clarrance]

WOW a dirt road, I've had mine done for almost 3 yrs and I still can't bring myself to driving down a dirt road. I cringe when I have to dust it off from collecting dust in the garage.