1971 U14 Build

[Prizefighter]

I bought a 71 half cab with a 302 and plan to build it up for the local trails with the reliability of street driving. It was for sale a year earlier at an outrageous price and I gave it a good inspection then and took pictures and walked away. It was for sale again at a much more considerable price so I grabbed the cash and made it mine. I think the paint turned everyone away! I have no idea why the PO painted it this color but I dubbed it "Purple Drank". It runs real nice despite the looks and has headers and true duals with glass packs. I had the carb rebuilt immediately since it had been sitting, replaced the rear brake line that rotted, and new trac bar bushings so I wouldn't die driving it home from my friend's house that worked on it. The manual steering is extremely loose even with the adjustment tightened all the way. No worries PS coming soon along with HB, and gears and traction. First box came already today: 31 spline axles. I removed the hideous brush guard and all the extra do dads the PO decorated this Bronco with like bullet hole stickers, other stickers, and busted flares.

 

[KyddsPly]

Looking forward to see the process looks like a solid start.

 

[sprdv1]

Looks good to me man. Congrats on getting it for a good price. "finally" some folks do come around right

 

[PaveBronco]

Nice find...and surprised the PO didn't molest the dash.

 

[NGABronco]

Looks like a good start!!! Hey I had a purple EB, ain't nothing wrong there!!! I also bought one with the carb in the back seat, that ain't good!!!%)%)
Good Luck!!

 

[BluebroncoNC]

Must... Find... A... Wider... Garage...

Good luck with the build, my garage is rather tight as well... Heh.

 

[Prizefighter]

Thanks guys, and hope to have a shop one day!
When the carburetor was rebuilt I had it switched from a manual choke to electric. Picked up 4:56 gears, heavy duty front axle shafts, and Yukon Dura Grip front and rear LS from a local seller. Then I changed my mind and went with a Eaton (Detroit) Truetrac for the rear and got the necessary parts for a 1 ton tie rod over swap. Bought front and rear overhaul kits for the swap and a Borgeson power steering box from PSC Motorsports along with all the parts needed. This Bronco didn't have a rear main tank so I thought it was a good time to upgrade to the 23 gallon tank BC Broncos sells. I needed some streetable tires so I temporary put my Cooper Discoverer STTs from my 78 Bronco on it and trimmed the fenders accordingly.

 

[broncoitis]

Good start! your definitely not wasting any time. Go get em! cant wait to see it come together!

 

[Prizefighter]

Had a friend rebuild the rear axle with the 31 spline shafts, Detroit TrueTrac, and 4:56 ring and pinion. It has taken me a long time for an update because JBG sent me two driver's side shafts, then forgot to send me the correct shaft, then sent me a 28 spline shaft, then told me they didn't have the correct shaft in stock with no available date. This process honestly took about 2.5 months and completely set me back on my time line because BIGROCKBRONCO was not able to complete the front axle rebuild. He got his wife's Bronco back from paint and needs to complete it. I finally got the right shaft from WH and I am very pleased. I still have to match the front gear ratio and add discs, so no 4WD until they match. I moved so now the Bronco sits under a spacious carport

Complete power steering upgrade was completed so I drove it around for a little bit before starting on the 3.5" suspension lift. It is so much more fun to drive with the power steering and my boys love riding around with the top off. James Duff rear leaves with BCB coils in front for the lift, still undecided on shocks. Ordered Bailie Bilt's front bumper, half cab cage, and spare gate this week and will pick up at OCBR prerun on June 26-27th.

 

[TTTGOWYO]

Mine is purple.. It may not be in a year, but I liked it for a good 14 years. I painted it in 2001, mainly because I saw a Plymouth prowler drive into the shop as I was picking colors and liked it. Anyway, great start. I look forward to updates.

 

[Prizefighter]

Got the front end rebuilt with a Detroit Locker, 4:56, heavy duty shafts, new ball joints, 78-79 Ford discs, Mile Marker hubs, BCB 3.5" coils with winch, Tom's extended front drive shaft, and 1 ton tie rod over steering. I put the previous wheels and tires (Dick Cepek Gunmetal 7s/35" Cooper Discoverer Stts) back on my 78 Bronco where they belong and put Q78 Swampers on that I grooved for trail use.

I still need to finish the brake lines and will have to fix the trac bar angle soon.

 

[Prizefighter]

Took the Bronco to OCBR and had a blast. It did great and I had no problems on the 2-3 trails. The Detroit Locker made it turn a little wide and I had to back up a few times but it pulled the truck up the rocks with no slippage so I'm happy. My rear suspension was hard as a rock and it could be part shock adjustment and part having the shackle bolts too tight. I had the Ranchos set at 2 with 1 being the softest and 5 being the most rigid. IDK. Need to see about dialing that in.

Now that I painted it and it's gone through some transformations I started calling it Black Mack!

 

[garberz]

Took the Bronco to OCBR and had a blast. It did great and I had no problems on the 2-3 trails. The Detroit Locker made it turn a little wide and I had to back up a few times but it pulled the truck up the rocks with no slippage so I'm happy.

Running a Detroit up front works great. But yes, tight turns it will fight you. Twin stick the transfer case and it will make turning so much easier with the front end disengaged.

Mark

 

[74fiberglass]

Do u still have that rear ls layin around that u wanna part with ?

 

[Prizefighter]

I think so, it's open if I remember right not LS. I'll PM you when I find it.

 

[Prizefighter]

The Bronco is undergoing deconstruction at Jak's Restoration and a rebuild now with a frame off. I was going to transform it into a trail truck but decided to build a nice daily driver out of it then build a trail truck later (See 77 "Green Machine" build). I have a few of the parts purchased already and still need to purchase a few items like:

New fenders - DONE
New hood - DONE
Centech harnessBody mounts - DONE
Seats, front and rear - DONE
Shocks
Driveshafts
Radiator - Done
Seatbelts - Done
Steering wheel - Done
Bronco Design fender flares - DONE
Optima battery - DONE
WH battery tray holder - DONE
Duff 2.5" coil springs
Chrome bumpers

 

[Teal68]

Looking tough in black. Gonna b sweet(er) after that list of work is done.

 

[doghows72]

Did you end up getting the half cab cage from Ballie? I see you listed the family cage? I only ask because I'm leaning to the half cab cage for my build and was wondering how you like it.

 

[Prizefighter]

Did you end up getting the half cab cage from Ballie? I see you listed the family cage? I only ask because I'm leaning to the half cab cage for my build and was wondering how you like it.

Yes, I bought a half cab cage from him. I didn't install it before OCBR in September and while I was at the event I decided a half cab wouldn't work for me. I have a big family and would like for them to ride along so I sold my half cab top and getting a full soft top. I worked out a deal with Gordon at Bailie to trade in my half cab cage for a family cage since it was never installed and still new. I think it was a good cage, it's made from smaller diameter tubing to increase the room inside the cab and still plenty strong. Not sure if I really needed before but I will now since I will be going topless mostly with the family.

 

[doghows72]

Cool I was going to say I'd buy it from you but since it went back I guess I need to call Gordon. Thanks and keep up the great work on the rig!! Nice build.