TTownEP
Full Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2017
- Messages
- 215
So I’ve got myself a Bronco. That means it’s time for a build thread.
First, a little history. When I was 14 back in 1998, my dad and I began a search for a project truck to be my first vehicle. Initially, we wanted to find a late 60s or early 70s K5 Blazer. Alas, there were none to be found anywhere near us. So my dad suggested we look for a first-gen Bronco like he had just before I was born. So we found one out in the woods a guy was advertising on AM radio AutoTrader. It was a 1974 with the I6 and 3 on the tree. We threw a few parts at it; gaskets and fluids and such, and I drove it around in the field, practicing my manual trans skills for about a year. We eventually decided it was too much of a project and sold it. A few months later while I was away at a summer trip, he found another 74 that was in much better shape and bought it. This one was an uncut 302/C4 Explorer with bright trim, dealer installed air, houndstooth seats; the works. I was super excited and drove the truck for two years. In the meantime, my dad found another 74 for himself. It wasn’t as nice, but had more potential to be modded. We lifted it 3.5” with 33” tires, and put a soft top on it. Then I saw the Fast and Furious movies and just had to get an import... We sold my Bronco on eBay and I got a Honda. Then my dad sold his Bronco and got a 69 Camaro for my mom and him to cruise around in.
Fast forward about 13 years. My dad passed away from cancer, my mom had the Camaro, and I was married with a son on the way. My mom decided the car was too much for her to maintain and drive, so she gave me the car. I was really excited about the prospect of having it, but after my son was born I realized I didn’t want this car at all. It was a convertible and I just couldn’t feel safe taking my family anywhere in it. After consulting with my mom and sister about it, I decided to sell the car and try to find a Bronco. I split the Camaro funds down the middle with my sister, and the hunt was on. I wanted a Bronco as a project that my son and I could enjoy like my dad and I did. Plus it’s slower and doesn’t look as goofy with a rollbar. So here we are. I found this truck through the Craigslist section here on this forum. My buddy and I drove up to Kentucky and trailered it home. Since this truck is wearing Stormtrooper colors, I’ve dubbed it FN-2187 or Finn the Traitor.
-Ryan
Just picked it up
I drove the truck to work first thing Monday, and the Mallory Unilite distributor died on me. I pushed it over to the corner of the parking lot and got a new ignition system on the way. I used a Summit unit, with MSD coil and Ford Racing plug wires with Autolite plugs. I had also ordered a Hella H4 headlight conversion with the Hella relayed wiring harness.
Unilite junk:
All fixed up and backed out of the garage at work
Next up were the TBP hydraulic hood and lift gate rods
After another week of driving it, I realized the temps were way too high after a few minutes around town. The previous owner said he replaced the radiator, but I don’t think that was true...
But a new one with a coolant flush has fixed me right back up.
There’s no music in this truck, and I can’t stand that. TBP center console with radio slot is on the way, along with the kick panel speaker pods. I’ve purchased all Alpine components to go in here, so I’m working on wiring for all that this weekend. Starting from scratch... I’ve got 6.5” for the fronts, 6x9” for the rear, and a 4-ch 300 watt amp to power it all. I’ve got a buddy with metal fab tools, so we are going to build some panels for the rear to hold the speakers and mount the amp on the passenger side wall. We’ll use aluminum, roll some structural beads into it, and paint it black before bolting it in with some nutserts and bracketry.
I’ve also got a set of 3-point belts on the way, so we’ll get those bolted in as well.
I’ll keep you guys and gals updated.
First, a little history. When I was 14 back in 1998, my dad and I began a search for a project truck to be my first vehicle. Initially, we wanted to find a late 60s or early 70s K5 Blazer. Alas, there were none to be found anywhere near us. So my dad suggested we look for a first-gen Bronco like he had just before I was born. So we found one out in the woods a guy was advertising on AM radio AutoTrader. It was a 1974 with the I6 and 3 on the tree. We threw a few parts at it; gaskets and fluids and such, and I drove it around in the field, practicing my manual trans skills for about a year. We eventually decided it was too much of a project and sold it. A few months later while I was away at a summer trip, he found another 74 that was in much better shape and bought it. This one was an uncut 302/C4 Explorer with bright trim, dealer installed air, houndstooth seats; the works. I was super excited and drove the truck for two years. In the meantime, my dad found another 74 for himself. It wasn’t as nice, but had more potential to be modded. We lifted it 3.5” with 33” tires, and put a soft top on it. Then I saw the Fast and Furious movies and just had to get an import... We sold my Bronco on eBay and I got a Honda. Then my dad sold his Bronco and got a 69 Camaro for my mom and him to cruise around in.
Fast forward about 13 years. My dad passed away from cancer, my mom had the Camaro, and I was married with a son on the way. My mom decided the car was too much for her to maintain and drive, so she gave me the car. I was really excited about the prospect of having it, but after my son was born I realized I didn’t want this car at all. It was a convertible and I just couldn’t feel safe taking my family anywhere in it. After consulting with my mom and sister about it, I decided to sell the car and try to find a Bronco. I split the Camaro funds down the middle with my sister, and the hunt was on. I wanted a Bronco as a project that my son and I could enjoy like my dad and I did. Plus it’s slower and doesn’t look as goofy with a rollbar. So here we are. I found this truck through the Craigslist section here on this forum. My buddy and I drove up to Kentucky and trailered it home. Since this truck is wearing Stormtrooper colors, I’ve dubbed it FN-2187 or Finn the Traitor.
-Ryan
Just picked it up
I drove the truck to work first thing Monday, and the Mallory Unilite distributor died on me. I pushed it over to the corner of the parking lot and got a new ignition system on the way. I used a Summit unit, with MSD coil and Ford Racing plug wires with Autolite plugs. I had also ordered a Hella H4 headlight conversion with the Hella relayed wiring harness.
Unilite junk:
All fixed up and backed out of the garage at work
Next up were the TBP hydraulic hood and lift gate rods
After another week of driving it, I realized the temps were way too high after a few minutes around town. The previous owner said he replaced the radiator, but I don’t think that was true...
But a new one with a coolant flush has fixed me right back up.
There’s no music in this truck, and I can’t stand that. TBP center console with radio slot is on the way, along with the kick panel speaker pods. I’ve purchased all Alpine components to go in here, so I’m working on wiring for all that this weekend. Starting from scratch... I’ve got 6.5” for the fronts, 6x9” for the rear, and a 4-ch 300 watt amp to power it all. I’ve got a buddy with metal fab tools, so we are going to build some panels for the rear to hold the speakers and mount the amp on the passenger side wall. We’ll use aluminum, roll some structural beads into it, and paint it black before bolting it in with some nutserts and bracketry.
I’ve also got a set of 3-point belts on the way, so we’ll get those bolted in as well.
I’ll keep you guys and gals updated.
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