Tucknkitty
Newbie
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2013
- Messages
- 54
1977 Ford Bronco
I purchased this truck from Donsbolt in December of 2013. Up until that point I had only owned motorcycles for my primary mode of transportation. I liked the idea and challenge of running a classic as a daily driver. Don sold me a solid truck and I turned that truck into a daily driver – my only vehicle for 3 years. My intention going in was bomb proof reliability in every situation I would drive the vehicle. That meant summer in traffic, long highway drives, commuting, and off-road – it had to be safe and fully functioning for my passenger and for those around me on the road. I also wanted to exceed the inspection standard for my state – so I could run regular tags, which I do. Driving a bronco should not stress you out – it should be fun and make your day more enjoyable. I did a lot of work to ensure that was how my ride functioned.
There are some beautiful trucks on this site and for sale – my truck is not a show truck. It’s the truck that you drive from Virginia Beach to the super celebration in Tennessee – drive the dragon twice a day to get to the hotel. Drive across the country over the holidays to Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis and Vermont. It’s the truck you hitch your M416 trailer to – point the front end west and end up in California.
Everything I added or took from the truck was done with purpose. I linexed and insulated the interior to make it comfortable for my passengers and on long trips (lesson learned from the drive back from Bristol after the Super Cel – floor boards got hot for my lady). I installed ARBs because I wanted the streetability of open differentials but the right capabilities off road. The BCB Top – is the industry standard for soft tops for good reason, its quiet at speeds and is water proof. I couldn’t afford to have a leaky cab or wet seats. Windshield wipers and washer fluid, defrost, heater, lights, charging system, brakes, and motor all had to work – each and every time.
I left the body, with the exception of the interior and the engine bay ‘as is’ from the previous owners. Its in excellent shape – any rust I found was cut out (floor board on driver side, cowl near passenger side) and sealed. I did this because I prefer the look of the truck this way.
Issues– the first and foremost is a minor leak from the drain plug and a leaking passenger side seal on the 9”. I HATE leaks. I actually pulled the engine to fix a small leak from the rear main (sleeved it). I get oil blow by out of the ARB compressor and its missing its paper filter. The raptor liner coating has chipped on a few places in the engine bay. The bumper and cage are not powder-coated – both were painted and have chips. The rear tail gate is completely functioning but because of its condition I have not linexed or upgraded any hardware. The seal around the windshield – it’s a custom job from previous owner – pretty slick too, is starting to leak very lightly.
So why am I selling? I just had a beautiful baby boy – I’m a 37 y/o single father and I don’t see a use for the truck in next several years. I purchased a Subaru outback. Seeing the truck in my garage, complete with no purpose or modification that I’d like to make – is in my opinion wasteful. When I index time against priorities the truck doesn’t fit in or is not additive. So it’s time for someone else to enjoy her and to move on to other hobbies/projects.
Engine:
408w with 10K miles purchased and installed in Oct ’15 (2 years or 20K miles remain on warranty)
• BCB Ceramic Headers
• New exhaust to single Magna Flow muffler
• New plugs, Spark plug wires, distributor
• New motor mounts and hardware
• New Edelbrock performer RPM intake
Notes: Zero imbalance motor
Engine specs here: http://www.high-performance-engines.com/ford-408-stroker-mid-dress-engine-430hp-p/hp21m.htm
Engine Add-ons / cooling system:
• Explorer Serpentine with new alternator – brackets have been cleaned and painted ceramic.
• Lincoln MKVIII electric fan (new fan motor) with PWM Autocool controller – flawless performance
• New Odyssey Red Top battery and cables
• New Ron Davis radiator from Wild Horses
• New 195 deg thermostat
• Engine bay rust free, completely redone and covered with raptor liner coating.
• All new heater hoses and valves
• F150 dual Coolant reservoir and Windshield wiper fluid reservoir
Fuel System:
• EZ EFI v1.0 – no issues at all with this setup / approx. 12 MPG
• BC 23 gal Tank
• External Holley Terminator Fuel Pump (new – Mar ’16) // https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...2&cm_mmc=pla-msn-_-shopping-_-srese2-_-holley
• New inline pre/post fuel filters and fittings to aluminum lines and braided hoses
• Functioning and accurate fuel gauge sender
Notes: No cooling issues what so ever with this set up – in traffic or on the highway or crawling.
Drivetrain:
• NV3550 with new centerforce clutch / throwout bearing
• D20 twin stick
• New ujoints / CV and rebalance drive shaft
• 4.56 Gears ARB lockers front and rear – installed SEP ‘15
• 31 Spline axles
• Dana 44 ** Front inncer C’s rotated for 5.6 deg positive caster
o 2015 – all new bushings (radius arms / c-bushings)
o 2016 new Track bar bolt welded in place / replaced existing bolt after the tack weld broke.
• All new ball joints and wheel bearings
• New lugs
Suspension:
• 3.5 Suspension Lift with 1” BL
• SL Lift 3.5” Black coils new from WH – OCT 2016
• Bilstein 7100 Shocks with adapters up front / Bilstien 5100 rear – Jul 16
• Cage Shock Hoops
Steering:
• Borgenson Box from Toms – new Apr ‘16
• Over the Knuckle 3 Way adjustable steering linkage – new JUL ‘16
• WH adjustable track bar - new SEP ‘16
• New steering column adapter with functioning horn
Brakes:
• Hydroboost Conversion purchased reman parts from Orielly’s
• New calipers, pads, disks up front – Dec ‘15
• New drums and hardware – OCT ‘15
Notes: Stops on a dime!
Wheels / Tires:
• New BFG KO2 and Mickey Thompson Classic III Rims – Aug ‘16
o 35 x 17 x 12.5
Interior:
• Scion TC Seats and 3 way adjustable seatbelts
• Linex floor, with dynamat exteme and dynamat dynaliner
o I did this to keep interior sound and heat comfortable in all conditions
o Key points on the exhaust have heat shields and sleeves to limit heat into the cab
• Bailie Built custom family cage: http://broncobumpersandcages.com/st...lassic+Bronco&SubCategory=Cages&Search=&Page=
• Dash and Autometer gauges installed new in ‘13 by previous owner – all completely functional (yes even the washer fluid works perfectly!)
• Heater box upgrade and new and painted heater box – Oct ’15.
• Sony head unit – with optional two amps, bazooka tubes, and wake board speakers
o Its excessive I know – but I sounds like Axle Rose is actually singing in the back when you’re driving.
Exterior:
• BCB Soft Top – Mar 16
• Protofab custom bumper with tire, fuel can, and cooler rack // http://www.protofab4x4.com/products.php?ID=00&ID2=64
• New aftermarket stock mirrors that don’t move when you close the door
• Removed and patched the stock spare tire swing away arm holes
PICS coming soon - need to upload
I purchased this truck from Donsbolt in December of 2013. Up until that point I had only owned motorcycles for my primary mode of transportation. I liked the idea and challenge of running a classic as a daily driver. Don sold me a solid truck and I turned that truck into a daily driver – my only vehicle for 3 years. My intention going in was bomb proof reliability in every situation I would drive the vehicle. That meant summer in traffic, long highway drives, commuting, and off-road – it had to be safe and fully functioning for my passenger and for those around me on the road. I also wanted to exceed the inspection standard for my state – so I could run regular tags, which I do. Driving a bronco should not stress you out – it should be fun and make your day more enjoyable. I did a lot of work to ensure that was how my ride functioned.
There are some beautiful trucks on this site and for sale – my truck is not a show truck. It’s the truck that you drive from Virginia Beach to the super celebration in Tennessee – drive the dragon twice a day to get to the hotel. Drive across the country over the holidays to Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis and Vermont. It’s the truck you hitch your M416 trailer to – point the front end west and end up in California.
Everything I added or took from the truck was done with purpose. I linexed and insulated the interior to make it comfortable for my passengers and on long trips (lesson learned from the drive back from Bristol after the Super Cel – floor boards got hot for my lady). I installed ARBs because I wanted the streetability of open differentials but the right capabilities off road. The BCB Top – is the industry standard for soft tops for good reason, its quiet at speeds and is water proof. I couldn’t afford to have a leaky cab or wet seats. Windshield wipers and washer fluid, defrost, heater, lights, charging system, brakes, and motor all had to work – each and every time.
I left the body, with the exception of the interior and the engine bay ‘as is’ from the previous owners. Its in excellent shape – any rust I found was cut out (floor board on driver side, cowl near passenger side) and sealed. I did this because I prefer the look of the truck this way.
Issues– the first and foremost is a minor leak from the drain plug and a leaking passenger side seal on the 9”. I HATE leaks. I actually pulled the engine to fix a small leak from the rear main (sleeved it). I get oil blow by out of the ARB compressor and its missing its paper filter. The raptor liner coating has chipped on a few places in the engine bay. The bumper and cage are not powder-coated – both were painted and have chips. The rear tail gate is completely functioning but because of its condition I have not linexed or upgraded any hardware. The seal around the windshield – it’s a custom job from previous owner – pretty slick too, is starting to leak very lightly.
So why am I selling? I just had a beautiful baby boy – I’m a 37 y/o single father and I don’t see a use for the truck in next several years. I purchased a Subaru outback. Seeing the truck in my garage, complete with no purpose or modification that I’d like to make – is in my opinion wasteful. When I index time against priorities the truck doesn’t fit in or is not additive. So it’s time for someone else to enjoy her and to move on to other hobbies/projects.
Engine:
408w with 10K miles purchased and installed in Oct ’15 (2 years or 20K miles remain on warranty)
• BCB Ceramic Headers
• New exhaust to single Magna Flow muffler
• New plugs, Spark plug wires, distributor
• New motor mounts and hardware
• New Edelbrock performer RPM intake
Notes: Zero imbalance motor
Engine specs here: http://www.high-performance-engines.com/ford-408-stroker-mid-dress-engine-430hp-p/hp21m.htm
Engine Add-ons / cooling system:
• Explorer Serpentine with new alternator – brackets have been cleaned and painted ceramic.
• Lincoln MKVIII electric fan (new fan motor) with PWM Autocool controller – flawless performance
• New Odyssey Red Top battery and cables
• New Ron Davis radiator from Wild Horses
• New 195 deg thermostat
• Engine bay rust free, completely redone and covered with raptor liner coating.
• All new heater hoses and valves
• F150 dual Coolant reservoir and Windshield wiper fluid reservoir
Fuel System:
• EZ EFI v1.0 – no issues at all with this setup / approx. 12 MPG
• BC 23 gal Tank
• External Holley Terminator Fuel Pump (new – Mar ’16) // https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...2&cm_mmc=pla-msn-_-shopping-_-srese2-_-holley
• New inline pre/post fuel filters and fittings to aluminum lines and braided hoses
• Functioning and accurate fuel gauge sender
Notes: No cooling issues what so ever with this set up – in traffic or on the highway or crawling.
Drivetrain:
• NV3550 with new centerforce clutch / throwout bearing
• D20 twin stick
• New ujoints / CV and rebalance drive shaft
• 4.56 Gears ARB lockers front and rear – installed SEP ‘15
• 31 Spline axles
• Dana 44 ** Front inncer C’s rotated for 5.6 deg positive caster
o 2015 – all new bushings (radius arms / c-bushings)
o 2016 new Track bar bolt welded in place / replaced existing bolt after the tack weld broke.
• All new ball joints and wheel bearings
• New lugs
Suspension:
• 3.5 Suspension Lift with 1” BL
• SL Lift 3.5” Black coils new from WH – OCT 2016
• Bilstein 7100 Shocks with adapters up front / Bilstien 5100 rear – Jul 16
• Cage Shock Hoops
Steering:
• Borgenson Box from Toms – new Apr ‘16
• Over the Knuckle 3 Way adjustable steering linkage – new JUL ‘16
• WH adjustable track bar - new SEP ‘16
• New steering column adapter with functioning horn
Brakes:
• Hydroboost Conversion purchased reman parts from Orielly’s
• New calipers, pads, disks up front – Dec ‘15
• New drums and hardware – OCT ‘15
Notes: Stops on a dime!
Wheels / Tires:
• New BFG KO2 and Mickey Thompson Classic III Rims – Aug ‘16
o 35 x 17 x 12.5
Interior:
• Scion TC Seats and 3 way adjustable seatbelts
• Linex floor, with dynamat exteme and dynamat dynaliner
o I did this to keep interior sound and heat comfortable in all conditions
o Key points on the exhaust have heat shields and sleeves to limit heat into the cab
• Bailie Built custom family cage: http://broncobumpersandcages.com/st...lassic+Bronco&SubCategory=Cages&Search=&Page=
• Dash and Autometer gauges installed new in ‘13 by previous owner – all completely functional (yes even the washer fluid works perfectly!)
• Heater box upgrade and new and painted heater box – Oct ’15.
• Sony head unit – with optional two amps, bazooka tubes, and wake board speakers
o Its excessive I know – but I sounds like Axle Rose is actually singing in the back when you’re driving.
Exterior:
• BCB Soft Top – Mar 16
• Protofab custom bumper with tire, fuel can, and cooler rack // http://www.protofab4x4.com/products.php?ID=00&ID2=64
• New aftermarket stock mirrors that don’t move when you close the door
• Removed and patched the stock spare tire swing away arm holes
PICS coming soon - need to upload
