1st time bronco owner, how to start?

[Red61]

Ny neighbor has had a 77 Bronco sitting around for the past several years. This past weekend I asked him if he wanted to sell and ended up buying it. Full top, v8, auto, sport model. I would like advice on what people are doing to their Broncos. This will need a lot of work, but I know it will be worth it. The good - entire front clip is good, some rust on inner fenders, rear fenders are ok up to body line but have rust under trim, doors are very good in and out. The bad - rear floor pan, tailgate, drivers side door jam and rear post, rocker panels, rear wheel wells and probably a lot more. I see mostly rear fender with high cutouts for rear wheels and one gas filler. I would like to get rid of two tanks. No wild lift. Would love to here ideas! Thanks Kelly

 

[sykanr0ng]

Decide what you want to use it for, then build it for that.

Building for heavy off-roading will need to be different than building for street only, for examples

 

[Prizefighter]

Welcome to the site, you're in the right place and the guys here are extremely knowledgeable.

Two questions I would encourage you to ask yourself is:
1. What is my budget for this?
2. What do I want to do with this Bronco?

Everything should kind of center around those two questions... Feel free to post up some pictures, we would love to see your new endeavor!

 

[xfalcon]

#1 Become a Contributor and post pictures

 

[SteveL]

Also add your location. Then you might meet some local bronco guys and it makes it easier to recommend shops or vendors when you need a hand.

 

[fatboy]

Decide what you want to use it for, then build it for that.

Building for heavy off-roading will need to be different than building for street only, for examples

Welcome to the site, you're in the right place and the guys here are extremely knowledgeable.

Two questions I would encourage you to ask yourself is:
1. What is my budget for this?
2. What do I want to do with this Bronco?

Everything should kind of center around those two questions... Feel free to post up some pictures, we would love to see your new endeavor!

This will drive you plans for sure.

#1 Become a Contributor and post pictures

Pictures really do help us help you. Contributor status (at $12 a year I think) makes posting photos easy but you can also use a photo sharing site (like photo bucket) and link the photos here.

Also add your location. Then you might meet some local bronco guys and it makes it easier to recommend shops or vendors when you need a hand.

Location will help if you have some other Bronco people close to you who can come over and give you information first hand and possibly even a helping hand.

Anything can be done to these trucks with a little work, I would suggest you look at the list of build threads and go through a few of them to get direction. Everything from replacing sheet metal to who has the best 23 gallon fuel tank, to favorite suspension parts has been discussed at infinitum here so there is lots of stuff you can read up on. Welcome and good luck.

 

[Justafordguy]

Welcome, can't wait to see the new project.

 

[Digger556]

It is always good to have a plan to start with.

Most guys add a mild lift and slightly larger tires. There are probably far more lifted and modified Broncos than near stock units. Most like to be able to drive down the road in relative safety and comfort and still hit a mild trail or fire road on the weekends.

First on the list is always the safety related items. Make sure the brakes, steering, suspension components, lights, etc work as originally intended.

From there you can upgrade. Again I like to work backwards and start with the safety and reliability upgrades first. For example, I install disc brakes before buying larger tires. Your '77 should have disc brakes up front already, which is a nice upgrade. Power steering is a also nice if you don't have. A lot of guys switch to fuel injection and add an overdrive transmission. Depending on your region, a locking differential will get you a lot of places. 33" all-terrain tires provide a good balance of street and trail performance without being considered extreme. Some of us who want an added measure of reliability replace the factory wiring with a new harness.

It really depends on what you want to do and what your budget it. I like to daily drive my rig, so reliability is a must, this meant hydroboot brakes, new wiring, EFI, overdrive, etc.

 

[Tiko433]

You are on the right track , your are in this site ! Hands down the best forum for EBs.
Congrats !

 

[Rustytruck]

1st time bronco owner, how to start?
1. Get your head examined.
2. Get a tetanus shot.
3. Stock up your medicine cabinet
4. Get work gloves, safety glasses and fire proof shoes.
5. Get a new credit card your wife doesn't know about or sell your first born.
6. Stock your fridge with liquids of your choice.
7. Get faster internet and park the computer next to your truck.
8. Be a contributer on classicbronco.com
9. Check that the trucks registration / title, glove box tag and frame stamp match.
10. You will be trading your old friends for your new Bronco friends. The old friends will no longer understand you anymore anyway.

That should get you started.

 

[Toddpole]

1st time bronco owner, how to start?
1. Get your head examined.
2. Get a tetanus shot.
3. Stock up your medicine cabinet
4. Get work gloves, safety glasses and fire proof shoes.
5. Get a new credit card your wife doesn't know about or sell your first born.
6. Stock your fridge with liquids of your choice.
7. Get faster internet and park the computer next to your truck.
8. Be a contributer on classicbronco.com
9. Check that the trucks registration / title, glove box tag and frame stamp match.
10. You will be trading your old friends for your new Bronco friends. The old friends will no longer understand you anymore anyway.

That should get you started.

And the congregation shouted "AMEN"!

 

[Jc.av8r]

Come up with a reasonable budget to justify to your wife, then figure out how you'll hide the many thousands of dollars you're going to spend [over budget] and try not to judge yourself.

Enjoy!

 

[brian72]

and so it begins...

 

[5001craig]

Come up with a reasonable budget to justify to your wife, then figure out how you'll hide the many thousands of dollars you're going to spend [over budget] and try not to judge yourself.

Enjoy!

I have to agree with this.

So my motor is built and broke-in. I'm talking to the engine builder on the phone, in my truck, on hands free waiting to walk-in to a cross country meet for my daughter when my wife parks beside me and walks up to my passenger window. I can't let her just stand there so I roll the window down right as he is telling me the final amount of the engine and some other stuff he took care of like ceramic coating the headers and stuff like that. We got done and hung-up and my wife gets in my truck and says "You are spending $X (without all the X's) on the ENGINE for your Bronco and NOT PAINTING IT???"

Moral to the story is don't roll the window down when finalizing pricing...

I had a specific way I wanted to build mine. It's kind of like my Harley. Damn the money. I'm not building this thing to sell it.

My wife is WAY understanding with my obsession.

And my PSC rebuilt 4x4x2 box and ram assist arrived today. Woo-Hoo!

 

[Red61]

Thanks for the replys. Truck is in Nebraska and will be a daily driver, no rock climbing or serious off roading planned. I would like a small lift.

 

[gnsteam]

Thanks for the replys. Truck is in Nebraska and will be a daily driver, no rock climbing or serious off roading planned. I would like a small lift.

Where in Nebraska, I'm in Lincoln. Welcome to CB.com, your best resource for help and advice, from the best group of Bronco nuts on the web. Looking forward to seeing a few pictures of your new project.

 

[Jc.av8r]

I have to agree with this.

So my motor is built and broke-in. I'm talking to the engine builder on the phone, in my truck, on hands free waiting to walk-in to a cross country meet for my daughter when my wife parks beside me and walks up to my passenger window. I can't let her just stand there so I roll the window down right as he is telling me the final amount of the engine and some other stuff he took care of like ceramic coating the headers and stuff like that. We got done and hung-up and my wife gets in my truck and says "You are spending $X (without all the X's) on the ENGINE for your Bronco and NOT PAINTING IT???"

Moral to the story is don't roll the window down when finalizing pricing...

I had a specific way I wanted to build mine. It's kind of like my Harley. Damn the money. I'm not building this thing to sell it.

My wife is WAY understanding with my obsession.

And my PSC rebuilt 4x4x2 box and ram assist arrived today. Woo-Hoo!

Yeah, same. I am spending a small fortune over 3 years but I don't care. My kids will drive this thing someday. Lucky for me, the EB was my wife's dream car so I get away with a lot. ;D

 

[Prizefighter]

I had a specific way I wanted to build mine. It's kind of like my Harley. Damn the money. I'm not building this thing to sell it.

My wife is WAY understanding with my obsession.

I feel better about myself now. My wife and I just had this discussion yesterday. I spent more in the last three months than a lot of people spend in a year, maybe two I bet.

 

[sykanr0ng]

1st time bronco owner, how to start?
1. Get your head examined.
2. Get a tetanus shot.
3. Stock up your medicine cabinet
4. Get work gloves, safety glasses and fire proof shoes.
5. Get a new credit card your wife doesn't know about or sell your first born.
6. Stock your fridge with liquids of your choice.
7. Get faster internet and park the computer next to your truck.
8. Be a contributer on classicbronco.com
9. Check that the trucks registration / title, glove box tag and frame stamp match.
10. You will be trading your old friends for your new Bronco friends. The old friends will no longer understand you anymore anyway.

That should get you started.

11. Learn that the phrase "While I'm at it...." is not your friend.

 

[Jc.av8r]