Clifford... Big Red Bronco

[904Bronco]

So my request for a few answers, has changed more into a Bronco build thread. My first build thread here...
My Camping wife (nickname my Wife gave one of the Mom's who did the Boy Scout camping trips with me) named him Clifford.
I will be returning this 68 to it original Rangoon red.
I will continue to post as the build continues....
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I picked up a 1968 Bronco, missing the engine, and it appears by the amount of dust/dirt, it has been sitting a while.

So everything looks really Good, minimal rust... Because just about everything on the underside has undercoating on it.

I had to clean and scrape the D-20 before I took it to the Rebuilder. I am scraping the frame clean and removing any of the undercoating that is ready to fall off on the body.
For the Smalls, like the gas tank filler tubes, or the Trans crossmember, as examples, Is there something I can spray on the undercoating to make it easier to remove?
Brake clean does a good job on a final wipe down, once I chip the major pieces off... But I could be looking at cases of that, plus hours spent chipping away.

If anyone has a suggestion or a proven cleaner, I would appreciate hearing about it... Thanks for you thoughts and suggestions in advance. Doug.

 

[1969]

Take them to a powder coating shop and they can sand blast and bake the coating and stuff off. Plus they could powder them for you!

 

[bronco italiano]

904 your one of the King's here on CB!!!
Your being too humble.
I start with a steam pressure washer, but it makes a MESS in the driveway so do it at JGO's house!!
After that I use aircraft paint remover or oven cleaner

 

[scoutingranch]

904 (my favorite Porsche on the planet) When we get in another P car, we do the same thing. Power wash, scrape and beg the Gods for virgin mild steel.
Good luck. Pictures? It's my porn..................
Down in Encinitas

 

[tasker]

Have a really good luck with easy off oven cleaner

 

[904Bronco]

I did a search last night after posting, it seems the common answer is heat gun and putty knife and or oven cleaner...
I guess I will try the first two and the last one once the frame is separated from the body. When using Oven cleaner the comments went as follows: "Be sure to have good ventilation and don't get any on you as it burns". The issue I am concerned about is how big of a mess am I going to create? This isn't just factory spray on seem sealer, which typically just falls off with a putty knife after 50 years, this aftermarket stuff is on there. I don't want it to drip off the rig on to the concrete floor, or eat through the 1ml thick painters plastic drop cloth I have spread out. I already pressure washed the Bronco body/frame. Anybody else have neighbors who will call the City when they see any kind of sheen in the gutter water?

I guess I knew the answer before I posted, a labor intensive process that will make a mess...

I have already spoken with the Powder coat shops, they wanted to emphasize that I needed to get all the coating off so their Media would not be contaminated. And yes I plan to P-coat the frame, once all the mods are done. I am guessing after a good scrape,, some wire wheeling, then a blast in the driveway with over cleaner, followed by a pressure wash, and a wipe down with a solvent. I am considering leaving some of the body undercoating...

As far as the loose pieces, looks like I will try the oven cleaner and see what it does...

Doug

Teaser picture below of when I first got it home... It is Rangoon red under the poorly applied white paint.

 

[tasker]

i put a huge tarp down first under it....sprayed let sit a good while then putty knife/power washer. Also used a chimney brush for the indie of the frame, can buy rectangular heads for the wands

 

[phred]

I’ve had really good luck using a needle scaler to remove undercoating. If you have access to an air compressor you can pick one up from harbor freight for less than 30 bucks. Make sure us wear hearing an eye protection. It’s loud!!!

 

[scoutingranch]

We use large flattened cardboard. Once enough crapola' is on it just fold it and place in recycle bins. Like crusin' for hookers we scourer "sp?" the back sides of places with big throw away bins for cardboard, like funiture stores. Free, recyclable and stays flat while we are flat on our backs.
Ohhhh' uncut.........I think I just peed my Depends

 

[904Bronco]

And so it has begun... Heat gun and gasket scraper, with a grinding wheel as needed.

 

[DirtDonk]

Looks like you should plan to move the rear axle back an inch or so as well. Even at stock height it's one of the Broncos with the rear axle very close to the front of the opening.

Paul

 

[904Bronco]

Looks like you should plan to move the rear axle back an inch or so as well. Even at stock height it's one of the Broncos with the rear axle very close to the front of the opening.

Paul

Paul, what is the simplest way to do that... I have seen a lot of ways over the years on this site from swapping a larger spring pad on the rear axle housing to adding an off set spacer...

Doug.

 

[DirtDonk]

The simplest two are either the offset spacer or drilling a new hole in the existing spring perch.
The new longer spring perch with multiple hole choices though is typically your best bet.
Just a lot more work.

Check out the condition of your existing ones when you get to that point and see what you feel like doing.
Easy enough to experiment, but I’m not sure how much perch support is left on a stock one when you re-drill it. However, plenty have been done that way over the years.

 

[904Bronco]

The new longer spring perch with multiple hole choices though is typically your best bet.
Just a lot more work.

Okay, to save a search, does anyone have a suggested Vendor/part#

 

[Yeller]

Here ya go Doug
Spring perch

I usually do Barnes but since you’re a westy a RuffStuff makes perfect sence.

 

[EPB72]

Okay, to save a search, does anyone have a suggested Vendor/part#

Hers a pic of the ones from ruff stuff ,, since not using would consider getting rid of ,,

 

[DirtDonk]

We also have our WH #8674 anti-wrap perch.
Does not have the extra holes, but easy enough to make your own.

 

[904Bronco]

So as I contemplate buying some spring perches from a member who has graciously offered them to me, I am having a problem visualizing how the U-bolts will work correctly when I move the axle back an inch... The alignment pin on the springs will not be centered on the axle tube, as it will be moved forward, right?
Can someone explain that to me or show a picture? It could be that I am just over thinking it.... Doug.

 

[Scoop]

Easiest way to move the axle back 1" or 1 1/2" is to use Zero Rates. I've been running them for years without issue. They do add 1" lift to the axle. (Pretty sure this is the offset spacer DirtDonk mentioned.)

 

[gnsteam]

Hi Doug, I used the same Ruff Stuff perches. The U bolt plate has matching offset spring pin holes. Here are a few pictures off my set up. And I think the plates are from James Duff.