1975 Bronco Ranger Build.

[mini73]

updates

Motor is running good now. Put some flush agent in the radiator and ran the engine till the t stat opened and started to circulate the stuff. Ran it for about 30 minutes. Drained it the next day and it needed which I knew it would. Put some more in it and running ever so often. Going to let the flush stuff stay in until I get the bronco under its own power and out of the garage and in the driveway. Then I will change all the fluids again. Working on the brakes now. Been having trouble finding the rear wheel cylinders for it. Going to try and get auto zone to order the other ones that I didn't get to see if they are the ones that I need. I am hoping so as this is keeping me from getting all the brake drum stuff and drums on. Afterwards got to run new brake lines from the front to back. Going to buy the SS brake lines and bend them myself. Dosent look to hard and the lines that I am buying from napa are already flared and come in different lengths. Got a new MC in and installed already. Going to stay with all drums for now then eventually do the disc conversion. Think I will end up buying a new main tank also. Thought I fixed the 2 small pin holes in the bottom of the tank but a few days later after putting gas in it and letting it sit for a few days it is sealing out. Not bad but just want to go ahead and get a new one and be done with it. Got all the gauges working but need to figure out the turn signals and figure why they are not working.

 

[mini73]

updates

Been busy on on the bronco just about everyday since getting it. Replaced the power steering pump and got the power steering belt driving it now. Still working on getting the air out of the system. Filled it up to much the first time I guess due to it "Puking" power steering fluid out once I turned the bronco off. Removed some fluid out and now does not "Puke" when turning off. Ended up replacing one of the rear wheel axle seals since it started to leak after getting the rear drums finished. I got lucking the first time with getting the right seal as I know there are 2 for the rear end. Seemed like no one locally had the smaller seal. Unscrewed the fill plug and fluid came out but not much. I let it out until it stopped. put my pinky finger up to the first knuckle and felt fluid. Left it for now since it seemed like it had enough gear oil in it. Finished getting all the brake drums and associated springs, pads, etc replaced and installed. Started to bleed the brakes yesterday. Bench bled the new MC and then started bleeding each wheel starting from the right rear and working my way forward. The back bled easy enough but the front was another story. When I went to open the bleeding nipple on them nothing came out. I replaced everything but the front brake hoses. Should of figured they were blocked as old as they are. Undone them and unclogged them and now they are good to go. Going to get new once this coming week. Just trying to use the existing stuff for now to get it out of the garage under its own power for the first time since I have had it and in probably a long time! While it is on the jack stands last night, I turned it on and put it in gear while holding the brake and it went right into gear. So far everything sounded correct but will know once its driving.
Going to put the wheels on it and try the brakes one more time to make sure I have them and going to try and back it out of the garage under its own power. Other than making sure the brakes are functioning and the motor running good, what else should I check before trying to back it out of the garage for the first time? Once it is out of the garage, I plan on replacing the oil, anti freeze and all the fluids again. After I do this should I try to get it out of the driveway and maybe drive it down the street a little ways? I just don't want to get it out and not be able to get it back in the garage since my driveway has a slight incline. Don't think I would be able to push it back in garage with just me and the wife not to mention I do not think she would like that. Today is another good day for the Bronco if I get it out of the garage and back in. Thanks for looking

 

[mini73]

First quick drive

Got the bronco out of the garage under its own power. Made sure the brakes stopped it before doing it though. I think I still need to bleed the brakes though as I have to go almost to the floor before stopping and I have to push hard. Got brave and took it down the street and see how the transmission was and it shifted great. No jerking or weird noise when it did. Got to a dead end street, backed up and turned around to go back. Kind of hard to drive it while there is no seats in it but I managed and did not do anything crazy. The power steering works good but still it kind of hums when sitting still and turning the wheels. Going to work on getting the brakes better now. So nice to pull it out of the garage and finally seeing it drive! More to come!!!

 

[AndyT]

I as well just bought a bronco. My first order of business was brakes as well. I found that tapping the studs back a little popped the drums right off. I learned it the hard way though... After breaking a 2# sledge and caving the drum in I tapped the studs back and "ping" there she went haha. I blew all my old lines out with an air tank and replaced the collapsed ones. She stops on a dime now! I'm sure u know but if not... bleed the cylinders from farthest to closest from the master and u will be cooking with grease. Long pedal and spongeyness is because of air in your lines.

 

[mini73]

Thanks. Yeah I know about the bleeding if the brakes. Got them now but before I do start driving it going to go through the bleeding process again to make sure I got all the air out. It stops good already though.

 

[mini73]

Progress

Flushed out the radiator again yesterday. I want to do it a few more time till the fluid coming out is pretty clear. Found out once the temp got up while sitting in the driveway that I have a pin hole size hole in the front side of the radiator. Going to try and get some of the stop leak today and put it in once I put the coolant in and finish flushing. I think eventually I will get a new 3 core radiator but right now I think it will seal and let me start driving it. Still have not solved the blinker or reverse light issue. I am thinking I will just buy a new turn signal switch. I tried adjusting the NSS and get the reverse lights to work as mentioned in another thread of mine but still no lights. I guess I will be putting that on the order as well. Got one of the seats in that I looked at last week. Only paid $41.00 for it. Only bought the drivers as I was unsure that it would be able to get it installed. It was quite easy also. I removed some of the hardware that was on the seat, put the seat where I think it is best to be at, drilled new holes for the front and back and but some bolts in with some big washers on it. The front 2 holes and the left rear I got drilled through the support underneath the floor so I was happy about that. Going to do the other back hole today and hopefully it get the hole in something solid. Going to pick up the other seat later this week. I hope it is as easy as the drivers seat. I got to get the support off the stock passenger seat and try to figure out how it is going to be bolted in place. The drivers seat was easy where the passenger seat seems like it will be harder due to the front support going to the seat. I guess I will find out.

 

[mini73]

updates

I forgot all about updated this thread. Not much that has been done. Found a guy on here that was selling some fiberglass inserts and I took them off his hands for a good price. Got a tuffy console so I could have somewhere to lock up some small stuff while driving back and forth from work which is about the only place I drive for now. I do go around town running errands if the weather is right. I have zero cooling problems now and the bronco is pretty much running good. I have a small tick that I am trying to find out what is causing it and I have a thread on this. I am also now having a fuel or ignition problem while driving and also have a thread on this. Got some decent 235/75/15 tires from work for free and got them on. Good to have a little bit bigger and better tires on it. Plan on getting the front and rear roll bar add ons from wild horses soon. Want to get them in before doing the lift. Got some 31's that I can get for free so I might be getting them soon even though I am planning on using 33's. But I do not want to pass them up.

 

[Bferrari]

Looks like you've made alot of progress! It's awesome that you're able drive it and enjoy it now, keep up the good work!

 

[mini73]

Looks like you've made alot of progress! It's awesome that you're able drive it and enjoy it now, keep up the good work!

Thanks for the compliment. It wasn't really that bad when I bought it. All the panels are straight and just has the typical rust (floor pans and window frame) I got real lucky that it is still uncut. I want to keep it that way if possible. I'm pretty much going to let the tire and rim combo that I eventually get decide that. Going to get the tires locally. Going to try my hand at plastic dip next weekend to see if I will like the light blue that is the original color of the bronco.

 

[mini73]

Still trying to figure out the situation on why my Bronco is running like it is. Seen on here where someone had used plastic dip to paint their bronco. Thought about it and decided to do my bronco also. (It will give a new look other than primer black) Never painted a car before other than rattle cans. Bought 3 gallons of light blue from DYC and then bought the sprayer also. Considering that I just wanted to do something different and get ideas on paint colors I dont think it came out to bad. Darker than I thought it would come out. To me it is almost the same as the Grabber blue color without the gloss. Pretty easy to put on. I bought some black plastic dip and sprayed the rims, bumpers, and the headlight rings.

 

[thesnake]

That actually looks pretty good. I'm amazed at the progress you've been making. Good Luck and keep at it.

John

 

[mini73]

Update pics

Forgot I had a build thread on here. About 2 months ago put a 3" SL on and 1" BL on. Put the cactus smasher back on and looks better little higher now. Plan on changing the Plastic dip color to something different. I've already ordered the Plastic dip and should be here next weekend. Also found some 31x10.50 tires on craigslist that I might pick up and put on. I want to go 33"s but not sure right now if they would fit so I'm pretty sure the 31"s will and will give a better look. Hopefully get those on here sometime next week also. Anyways, here are some pics of it right now with the 3" SL and 1" BL

 

[bronconut73]

That 3" sl and 1" bl was just what it needed.
You "have" made great progress.

 

[mini73]

Thanks. I drive it all the time around here and back and forth to work. Will be picking up the 31" sometime today or this weekend. I really want to go with 32s" or 33"s but did not want to spend the money on them and they don't fit. Once I get the 31"s on there I will see where it sits. I also replaced my windshield frame last week and got the new (Used) one back on before thanksgiving. Family cage is the next big thing I want to get done. Need to start working on replacing the front floor pans soon also but I can drive it like this for awhile. I only drive it when its nice and it stays in the garage when not driving.

 

[BRONCROB]

Looking good.You could probably run a little larger tire is you raised the rear a little more.It may just be the pic but it looks a little lower than the front

 

[mini73]

Yeah the pic that I posted does make it look like it is lower in the rear but on level ground it is level. I have a slight incline in my driveway. I was thinking of going with a 2" BL instead of the 1" BL before installing it but I wanted to keep it simple. I will see how the tires look once I get them and put them on my rims. I have access to a very good tire machine at work so it will not cost me anything to mount and balance them.

 

[mini73]

Got bored with the blue color. Changed it to a burnt copper. I think before the next color change I will do some of the body work.

 

[krisx125]

Wow, that copper is KILLER!!!

 

[mini73]

Wow, that copper is KILLER!!!

Thanks. It sure is a different color from the blue that I painted it the first time. I like it better also!

 

[Bart]

Great to see another early Bronco coming back to life. I just bought a Brown/yellow '75 Ranger myself. Between my '66 EB and my '81 FSB I'm busy. Retirement is wonderful for the free time. I guess I should post pictures of my newest also. By the way you do know that you were infected with a illness that there is no known cure for. It's called Broncoholics! And it looks like you got it BAD. I got it worse