Broncodesign Tub #21 Build - Bare Frame Work

[orangecrush4u]

Like Kurt said, my tubs come uncut, another feature we chose to do to make us a little different. If you break a molded in flare, you've broken the body. A removable flare can be "removed" if damaged, repaired or replaced and put back on. Also, if you want a contrasting color, the flares define where to make the paint meet without having to do any fancy tape work. The edge of the flare also provides detail to the sides. Most fiberglass has a naked bare look because the detail is removed for easy molding. This puts some back.

My favorite tools are a cheap angle grinder w/ cut off wheel (check out my thumb in my avatar) ;D , a die grinder w/tapered carbide burr (giant sized dremel w/ more power! AR AR AR, a one inch drum sander for the die grinder, and a hole saw on my battery drill. Other than the cut off wheel, RUN ALL TOOLS AS S L O W L Y as possible. Less heat equals longer tool life. The fiberglass always wins. Drill at low RPM w/ plent of lubrication or the bit will be done in just a few holes.

BKN is right, get all the fab work out of the way before you get serious about body prep otherwise you'll be fixing what you prepped as you get in there fitting parts.

The uncut is the exact reason Im going to get one from you. When i do a stock restore that is all glass or almost all. You will hear from me in a couple years;D and maybe sooner for a hood on my 72%);D

 

[Heus33]

Finally a BD build on here! Can't believe there have been 20 others sold and no one has posted a build thread.

Mike is THE MAN! I can't wait to watch this evolve.

 

[BroncoDesign]

Finally a BD build on here! Can't believe there have been 20 others sold and no one has posted a build thread.

I figured I was going to do my own thread then Kurt stepped up. It's crazy when I think about it since I started out to make them in '99, got sidelined for a while "working for the man", got going again in '08, and now I'm so busy I can't get a slot on my own tub list. Oh well. ODie, our steel bodied 76 has maybe one more season in him then I'm taking cuts in the waiting list!

I have alot of respect for the guys who came before me and how much effort it took them. Kentol has done a great job over the years making something that was never intended to be molded from glass. Terra comp bodies are beautiful. You can't really go wrong no matter who's body you choose. My own vision was to address the shortcomings of glass making it an easier choice over steel and it's negative aspects. Our advantage is we're a days drive from 80% of the Bronco population that resides in the rust belt.

 

[stupidboy]

Pat- yes, we snooker another guy into buying a Mufasa hood. Your work spreads... ;D;D

I sent you an email. Your parts will be done Friday to start the inner hood plug.

That sounds good, I'll give you a call and my wife and I will take a ride down and get it. It's supposed to be beautiful on Saturday and she hasn't seen me much lately so that will get here stuck in the truck with me for a while anyway. Maybe I can even talk her into pulling off on a side road somewhere so that we can "Park"!!;D;D

 

[stupidboy]

Boy, can I kill a thread or what?

 

[Kurt]

Boy, can I kill a thread or what?

Pics usually adds thread interest...;D

I added pics of the tub in post #2

The first order of business was to revise the body bushing mold used to make the optional bushings for the Broncodesign tubs. The bushings are a flexible polyurethane, and the inserts are UHMW-PE, a durable anti-abrasive, self lubricating Polyethylene that eliminates the bolt rusting to the sleeve.

 

[BroncoDesign]

Pics usually adds thread interest...;D QUOTE]

Don't give him ideas. He might make home movies for the thread when they "park". After all, he does claim to be "his wifes porn star" ......

 

[JohnJohn]

Mike is awesome and so are his products!
Nice buy. Can't wait to see it come together.

 

[broncoitis]

Mke, I have to admit that your tub looks GREAT! Would definitely be the direction that I went if I ever went with a fiberglass tub! Keep it up man!

 

[stupidboy]

Pics usually adds thread interest...;D QUOTE]

Don't give him ideas. He might make home movies for the thread when they "park". After all, he does claim to be "his wifes porn star" ......

Hey, your on to something there!!!;D;D;D;D;D

 

[BroncoDesign]

Kurt you should come to MEB to see Johns "Matchbox" Bronco. If your build looks anything like his, you've done well. John, you've got to hook me up with your paint shop so I can go your route on ODie when the time comes!

You know what they say, Once you go glass.....

Pat- call me. I want to go ahead and bond the inner and outer on your hood pending a discussion about the raised area inside before you come get it.

NO HOME MOVIES PLEASE!!! This is a G rated thread right Kurt? Kurt??

 

[stupidboy]

Kurt you should come to MEB to see Johns "Matchbox" Bronco. If your build looks anything like his, you've done well. John, you've got to hook me up with your paint shop so I can go your route on ODie when the time comes!

You know what they say, Once you go glass.....

Pat- call me. I want to go ahead and bond the inner and outer on your hood pending a discussion about the raised area inside before you come get it.

NO HOME MOVIES PLEASE!!! This is a G rated thread right Kurt? Kurt??

I called you on each phone # and no answer on either.%)

 

[BroncoDesign]

I called you on each phone # and no answer on either.%)

My cell is in the shop charging and Mel is hogging the home phone with her sister.......... call me in the morning.

 

[stupidboy]

My cell is in the shop charging and Mel is hogging the home phone with her sister.......... call me in the morning.

Ok, I'm planning on coming down on saturday.

Kurt, sorry about messing your thread up!! Get more pics up so we can see that nice hood.

 

[Revelation]

Man i am gonna have to spring for a tub for my next build. I miss the smell of styrene!

 

[Kurt]

We worked on a good frame I have today.
- Frame VIN was cross-referenced to title and glove box.
- Front and rear shock mounts ground off.
- A few factory booger welds were re-welded and cleaned up.
- The frame was mounted to an adjustable (height) frame dolly. We can raise the height to more easily access the frame bottom. I will be bolting on pneumatic casters to make it easier to roll around outside.
- The frame was sandblasted and POR 15 was applied.

- Initially, the frame was painted silver. I changed my mind, so it will be painted Rustoleum hammered black. Here, we are scuffing the silver paint

 

[tasker]

THAT is some lift kit!

 

[Hank_]

THAT is some lift kit!

;D;D Funny Randy. Just looking at that picture makes my arms tired. I prefer to work on things where I can have my fat ass on my garage stool.


Henry

 

[Kurt]

;D;D Funny Randy. Just looking at that picture makes my arms tired. I prefer to work on things where I can have my fat ass on my garage stool.

Henry

We prepped the frame top and sides when the frame was at a lower, more manageable height. I'm glad I had help for the frame bottom....;D

The present height is nice for painting the entire frame at once without flipping it over.

 

[BroncoDesign]

Wish I had teenage slaves......On second thought, don't think I could afford to feed, clothe, or house them ;D;D;D

Bry!-
You have a Stainless Steel Bronco. Isn't a glass one kind of a step backwards??