1977 Restomod build. Can it be done for 20K?

[Hillbuilt]

Hi Guys, I wanted to start off by saying thank you for all the info on here as it had already helped me build 2 Eb's. I wanted to finally document the next one and here it is.

I am starting with a goal of making the best daily driver Eb I can afford with also keeping it on a reasonable budget as I am 29 and doing this on the weekends. Some parts I have left over from previous builds or bought a few years ago and are using them now.

Basic overview of what I have currently and an estimate of what I have spent.

1977 Frame with title - $1900
1976 Bronco Body with alot of new metal included. $2800
Replacement quarters, inner bed, tailgate, and front fenders- $2000
I already had a SB 9 inch and a 1977 Disc Brake front axle.
Fox 2.0 shocks - $200
Used wilwood hydroboost $150
Used 23 gallon Aero tank $100
Deaver 3.5 lift springs $150
Used 3.5 10 pack leafs $100
Rear 9 inch center with 3.50 gears $ 500
Total currently - $7900.


This is a broad overview for what I have currently and where the project starts. It will be a LUBR with 33's and a fuel injected v8 with a 4 speed auto or AX15, i'm just unsure of what combo for now. Colors will be a light green/ tiffany blue with white interior.

My first two broncos.

When I purchased the Body.

Where I am at Currently, only original metal left is the cowl, windshield frame, Door inner shells and hood for now.

Happy to finally have this started and will update as regularlly as possible. I will be doing everything myself besides installing the glass.

 

[serial car restorer]

Are you talking $20k more than the current invested? Or $20k total? Based on costs I've incurred so far on mine, $20k + the current $8k will be a huge stretch. $20k total would appear to be virtually impossible. The stuff you have now is a good start, but the amount of stuff you will still need and that you don't even know you need will be shocking.

But I'll be happy to follow your progress, and hope you can prove me wrong!

 

[Hillbuilt]

Are you talking $20k more than the current invested? Or $20k total? Based on costs I've incurred so far on mine, $20k + the current $8k will be a huge stretch. $20k total would appear to be virtually impossible. The stuff you have now is a good start, but the amount of stuff you will still need and that you don't even know you need will be shocking.

But I'll be happy to follow your progress, and hope you can prove me wrong!

Thank you, I agree with you, It's more of a goal to keep me accountable and on budget. the engine decision will determine most of the budget. I have alot extra stuff from the past two builds but I agree, the little things add up very fast. Trying to decide if i should go the explorer 5.0 route or look at something different.

 

[Hillbuilt]

Thank you, I agree with you, It's more of a goal to keep me accountable and on budget. the engine decision will determine most of the budget. I have alot extra stuff from the past two builds but I agree, the little things add up very fast. Trying to decide if i should go the explorer 5.0 route or look at something different.

Current parts needs as i'm going through them in my head. I am trying to do as much planning as possible to avoid doing things twice.


Engine: junkyard 5.0 explorer. ~~ $500
carb and intake- have or holley terminator $1500
SBF bronco long tubes- have, not sure if they'd fit P heads.
$2000

Trans AX15- Have two, paid $175 for the last one with LS belhousing. ( I was shocked at the price too)
AX15 to 302 adapter- $300, I have 302 bellhousing
Dana 20 to Ax15- $600
Stock drive shafts
Crossmember- $200
$1275

Other option that I do not want to do, that I know I will get a hard time for is

2006 LM7 5.3 that I got for free out of my grandpas wrecked Yukon
4l60E out of Yukon
NP 241C or NP 231C- Free/have
Or use AX15 and D20, I already have the bellhousing for LS.
Need:
Stand alone harness and computer tune- $250
EFI drop in pump for tank $200
SYE for chevy T Case- $350
Custom Drive shafts $ 600
$1400

Brakes:
replacement Calipers, rotors and pads from rock auto- $150
Lines- $200
Prop valve? $150
Rear Discs Have- $150
$650

Fuel lines- $100

Paint: this is where I plan on saving most of the money, As I have a lot of supplies left over from side jobs and previous jobs. I am also using a cheaper paint line.
Jade paint basecoat $300
1 Gallon of clear- $120
1 Kit of Raptor liner for underneath $ 250?
1 gallon of wimbolton White- $250
Seam sealer- $200
I have a gallon of epoxy and a gallon of slick sand so I hope that will cover it.
$1120

Interior:
Toms White new seats $ 1500
China Steering column with wheel $200
Bracket $50
Vintage Air $1500-2K, this one i'm not sure about.
Boat parchment flooring $500
door and rear panels, Will make. $250
$4500

Exterior/ Body
Stock White steel bumpers- have
Stock 15 inch steel wheels- have
Stock take off BFG TA 235/15 Have, will upgrade later to 33 $1000
Hood $ 400, have a used hood as well
New driver wheel well $100
Hard top- Scratch and shoot with paint, leaving windows in.
$1500

Exhaust- $500 muffler shop grade 2.5. or ill make my own.

Cooling system:
I have a aluminum radiator for Ls from old circle track car $50
Ebay 5.0 rad -$250

Powersteering- Cherokee/xterra box $125. I've already built this, Trying to use stock bronco arm
Lines $ 200

Im sure there is a lot more but this is my main list as of now. I appreciate all the info on this Forum. We will see how this turns out. If I went with the 5.0 my total would be $12,400. Which would be right around 20,300. Now i'm sure it will be more but its it start. This won't be a show car but hopefully a nice driver.

 

[Speedrdr]

I’m working on a ‘77 also. Bought all sheet metal from the windshield forward (except for the hood and grill) new steering gear, both floorboards, both rockers, engine build along with various other parts and I’m at $18K right now. I figure there’s gonna be at least another $2K in incidentals.
Maybe you’ll be able to hold it down to the $20K but you’ll have to do the labor yourself to do that.
Certainly wish you the best of success.

 

[1969]

Buy a whole 5.0 explorer and take everything you need, and part out the rest. I have seen many people do this over the years and a lot of folks end up breaking even or even making a profit.

 

[Hillbuilt]

@Speedrdr I appreciate it. I'm sure i will go over, but id rather shoot for 20 and be at 25 then shoot for 30 and go over. Yes i will be doing everything myself. I've been watching your build and jealous of the 347. good luck with your build as well.

 

[Hillbuilt]

Buy a whole 5.0 explorer and take everything you need, and part out the rest. I have seen many people do this over the years and a lot of folks end up breaking even or even making a profit.

I agree, the crazy thing is i had one saved for that, It was my first truck in high school and it got stolen while i was at college. Back to marketplace i go to find another haha.

 

[Speedrdr]

@Speedrdr I appreciate it. I'm sure i will go over, but id rather shoot for 20 and be at 25 then shoot for 30 and go over. Yes i will be doing everything myself. I've been watching your build and jealous of the 347. good luck with your build as well.

No argument here with that approach. I’m in the process of starting a 2nd set of “costs” sheets for the wife to see that don’t include things like the MIG welder, a 40’ shipping container…you know, necessities.

 

[Madgyver]

it can be done. I'm doing it and I'm not at 20K yet..

 

[trailerjack]

If you don’t count the cost of your labor and depending on skill you can get close I would think.

 

[AZ73]

Don't forget taxes and shipping costs. Those were a noticeable chunk of my build. Along with hundreds of $1-$5 pieces. Bolts, Nuts, washers, Screws, hose clamps, hoses, filters, fluids, light bulbs, gaskets, RTV, etc. Shipping/taxes/extras can easily add 5-10% to the build.

 

[.94 OR]

Fasteners really shocked me when I was building mine 30 years ago. That and all the stupid little stuff you don't think much about, and then they require a bit more specialized tool to made it "right" or faster.
Stick with $20K, but again don't be surprised when it slops over.
I think you might want to build a "Later" list as well, like you mentioned going to 33's. This might help you minimize spending/wasting dollars now on things that might just be replaced in a couple years anyway. I know, snowball the budget, but hoping to minimize the overall cost.

 

[bigmuddy]

My wife is fond of saying you can budget for the big stuff, but it's the 100th trip to the parts/hardware store for the nuts and bolts that really add up!

 

[Hillbuilt]

If you don’t count the cost of your labor and depending on skill you can get close I would think.

I had about that in the Blue Lubr, I built, I did everything but install the glass, However I was working at NAPA at the time and the employee discount sure helped with parts cost.

 

[Hillbuilt]

My wife is fond of saying you can budget for the big stuff, but it's the 100th trip to the parts/hardware store for the nuts and bolts that really add up!

I agree, Its crazy how much fittings, hardware and new tools add up!

 

[Hillbuilt]

Fasteners really shocked me when I was building mine 30 years ago. That and all the stupid little stuff you don't think much about, and then they require a bit more specialized tool to made it "right" or faster.
Stick with $20K, but again don't be surprised when it slops over.
I think you might want to build a "Later" list as well, like you mentioned going to 33's. This might help you minimize spending/wasting dollars now on things that might just be replaced in a couple years anyway. I know, snowball the budget, but hoping to minimize the overall cost.

Thats my plan, I am hoping to having it painted this winter, drivable this summer with what I need to get by, then Installing nicer interior, wheels and AC the following winter.

 

[Hillbuilt]

Making some progress on the build this past weekend. I ordered these US wheels on sale at Jegs for 142$ a wheel. I think these will look really good with the galaxie center caps I have and being LUBR. They also should clear the disc brakes and 77 steering knuckles.

I also got both door skins off, Surprisingly not alot of rust on the bottom. I epoxy primed the insides and am planning on panel bonding most of the seams with maybe a few spot welds.

At last, The two final colors I am leaning towards. Seems like a great deal for 2 gallons of sprayable base for around $200.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

 

[Hillbuilt]

Making some progress on the build this past weekend. I ordered these US wheels on sale at Jegs for 142$ a wheel. I think these will look really good with the galaxie center caps I have and being LUBR. They also should clear the disc brakes and 77 steering knuckles.

I also got both door skins off, Surprisingly not alot of rust on the bottom. I epoxy primed the insides and am planning on panel bonding most of the seams with maybe a few spot welds.

At last, The two final colors I am leaning towards. Seems like a great deal for 2 gallons of sprayable base for around $200.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Here are the wheels, I received them today and are stoked how they look, planning on running a 34x10.5x17 or a 255/75/17 as there are a ton of cheap tires that come off of jeeps as spares. pretty excited to have these on the LUBR especially for 142$ a wheel. planning on 3.5 SL and 1-2 inch body lift.

 

[.94 OR]

255/75/17 is a 32.05" tire
255/80-17 is a 33.06" tire
Who makes a 34x10.5x17?