71 U15 Isuzu Diesel Build

[amax]

With being shut down at school for corona virus I was able to get my oil cooler cover replaced and get some paint on the engine. Made the front clip removable which makes life so much easier to work in the engine compartment.

 

[amax]

Got the rest of the parts painted up and got the the injector pump and all the fuel lines reassembled today. Will be ready to fire it up and put the front clip back on tomorrow and take it for a drive.

 

[JeffG]

Good looking build amax! Can you share some pics of how you made your front clip removable? I want to do that to mine and was curious what other people have come up with.

 

[amax]

I went with a pretty simple setup. I will take some pics the next time I’m at the shop. I welded some angle iron brackets that run all the way down the the firewall out against where the inner fender overlap the kick panels. I welded in an extension to replace the where the inner fender and kick panels overlapped from the factory. This is usually a spot where most broncos will have rust that develops between the two pieces. I had a small amount of rust that I needed to cut out anyway so while I was there I decided it would be beneficial to have the ability to take the front clip off. Also I’ve never removed the Diesel engine or installed it with the body in place and having the removal front clip ensures that the motor and trans can be removed easily.

 

[bronkenn]

Good looking build amax! Can you share some pics of how you made your front clip removable? I want to do that to mine and was curious what other people have come up with.

I did the removable front clip on mine and I highly recommend it. I just drilled 1/4 inch holes where the wheel tub and inner fender to kick panel meet up and used bolts and stainless steel rivets to attach them rather than welding . Also used bolts on the firewall to wheel tub brackets. Works very well and sure makes working in the engine compartment nice.

 

[roundhouse]

Nice build

 

[Qumanchew]

Got the rest of the parts painted up and got the the injector pump and all the fuel lines reassembled today. Will be ready to fire it up and put the front clip back on tomorrow and take it for a drive.

Looking good man! I told all me buddies about the gauge display you made, very cool. Keep up the good work!

 

[amax]

Thanks quemanchew. We can set one up for you whenever you are ready. I didn’t get a chance to work on the bronco today because I got a call from a local guy that needed a little sheet metal work done at his shop. It’s a 69 C10 that they were redoing for a client and before they sent it to paint the guys in the shop failed to remove the heater box on the firewall. They got it back from paint and then took the box off to find a giant rust hole eaten through. Spent my morning building a piece to match the factory firewall.

 

[JeffG]

I did the removable front clip on mine and I highly recommend it. I just drilled 1/4 inch holes where the wheel tub and inner fender to kick panel meet up and used bolts and stainless steel rivets to attach them rather than welding . Also used bolts on the firewall to wheel tub brackets. Works very well and sure makes working in the engine compartment nice.

Thanks bronkenn. I saved your pics and will be doing this!

 

[amax]

Got a little more done this afternoon. Built two aluminum tubes to run next to the valve cover for the heater. I hate the look of of rubber heater hoses running everywhere. I changed the heater core location when I built my homemade A/C box so I got spend about 30 mins digging through the Great Wall of Hoses at the part store trying to find all the ones I needed. The guy at the counter asked me what I was working so he could enter the info into his computer when I walked in with a handful of bent SS tig wire in the shapes of hoses I needed. I told him it would just be easier for all of us if I just went back and got the hoses myself. He agreed and went back to his stool to get on his iPhone. I have to go back and swap one out the one I got was too short.

 

[bronkenn]

Nice job on the aluminum tubes. That will be a clean look.

 

[amax]

Thank you. They definitely clean up the engine bay. I made a set that were on my small block before I changed it out for the diesel. Building a new alternator bracket now. I hate building brackets. I’d rather build almost anything else.

 

[amax]

Did a voltmeter swap today. Big thanks to MarsChariot for sending me the gauge face file to print out. Turned out pretty slick. I checked the calibration and it is spot on.

 

[Digger556]

Any updates on this project?