Do you do your own work?

[broncoman805]

Everything but welding and ring/pinion set up. My welds look horrible.

 

[Local Boy]

Bought my baby back in 1981, she was 5 years old when I got her. It is my first vehicle, that I bought for my graduation present... I learned very quickly that I simply could not afford to pay someone to fix it soooo... I learned how to do it all with this 'ol girl...She has been my classroom and teacher for the past 38 years... Taught myself how to re-wire (front to back), weld, fabricate, design, build, tube bending skills, math!, hydraulics, and mechanical stuff ...

I figured the money I would have to pay some one else to fix it...would be better spent on buying the tools to fix, build, and fabricate my own stuff... It is amazing how much you can learn by just reading books and applying that knowledge to make it happen... Besides I really like having one-off pieces that I made, that no one else has...

To each his own though... I respect everyone who is a car/truck enthusiast... regardless of if they built it or not...

Aloha

 

[1strodeo]

Yea.....Blu came off bad there.
I don't think he meant it that way.

This is one of the reasons Blu's retorts often remind me of my Dad, lol.
Dad was always having to say, "Well I didn't mean it that way"...lol

Yes probably lol that’s one of the reasons I stopped texting my mom, even if it said ‘I love you’ she would find a way to misinterpret the message %)

 

[tennessee toy]

I have done all of my own work. I know I have asked some dumb questions on this forum but the expertise here is second to none. I enjoy what I have done - full suspension redo, lift kit, etc. however, I know my limits. Definitely seems there are many more "bought" and not "built" now. It is definitely a lost art and it seems my son in laws could care less to work or know how to work on anything. We have turned into a disposable society and that's not a good thing.

 

[okie4570]

Do my own mechanical and electrical, body work/paint is not my bag though. Grew up in a Ford home with a 70' fastback mustang and 71' 4x4 pickup and spent a lot of time holding the flashlight for dad(in the wrong spot of course lol). I'm curious to see how the younger generation and the generations to come will take care of things mechanically. It seems in general younger people are less mechanical, and own vehicles that are harder for the common man to work on. If I was ever stumped on a fix, I could always call dad. I suppose Youtube and forums like this have the answers most of the time.

 

[JSmall]

I have done 99% of the work on mine. I enjoy it and a like to learn new things in the process. I have been on here long enough to know the right guys to ask questions of ;D

I could pay someone to do it and I have thought about that a few times when I'm so busy with my family/work life that my Bronco projects start stacking up. My Bronco will not be ready for Moab this year because I didn't get the Explorer EFI and a few other things finished up in time. That stings a little.

In the end I want it to be done my way and I don't want to be stuck with someone else's creative vision.

That being said...I don't care what someone else decides to do with their time and money.

 

[cs_88]

I figured the money I would have to pay some one else to fix it...would be better spent on buying the tools to fix, build, and fabricate my own stuff...

Agreed.
You could build a shop and fill it full of tools with the amount of money some people are willing spend to have someone else build their rig.

 

[Seventee]

I've done pretty much everything, except:

1) C-6 transmission on my '79. Based on a great quote w/warranty, it didn't make sense to do my self, and the guy had a really good reputation. I did the R&R though.
2) Exhaust replacement. I bought a kit for my '79 and it was one of the most hateful projects ever. Never again, unless I have a lift to work under. Then I might consider...maybe.
3) Paint & body. I'm certainly capable but I detest painting of any kind and I just don't have the patience for it. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and I would drive myself crazy.

I was one of those kids that constantly took things apart and tried to put back together so I could figure out how things worked. Drove my Dad nuts, especially when I figured out how to pop the hood on his Bronco. %)

Back in the early days of vehicle ownership, I could never afford to pay someone to do stuff, nor did I really want to. So I learned everything along the way, mostly by trial and error and using books/manuals.

Now from time to time, I get lazy and will take our newer car to the dealer for maintenance, but I wouldn't consider doing that with my old trucks. I just don't trust that stuff will get done correctly unless I do it myself, and I hate paying shop rates for something I might end up doing over anyway.

Honestly when the day comes when I can't (or won't) work on them, I will probably sell (as I recently did with the '79 Bronco) and go fishing or golfing instead.

 

[BulldogBronco]

I'm definitely one of the guys who pays people to do things and I could not care less how that makes me look. This is the second Bronco I've owned and I care more about it driving when I want it to than taking something apart and having it sit for 6 months at a time while I try and fix it. I have 2 young kids and a wife that I need to spend as much time with as possible. I bought the Bronco just before my son was born because I knew if I didn't do it then, I wouldn't be able to afford it by the time I had different responsibilities. I did my own interior (installed the carpet, door panels, ran speakers, etc), installed all the new beltline trim where there were no body holes, did random things like installing the radiator overflow tank with windshield spray nozzles. Drove my Bronco almost 400 miles round trip to super celebration where I bought LED headlights, new hood shocks and stainless removable door hinges and I plan on doing all that stuff myself. I just don't have the time or knowledge to do some other stuff like installing an EFI system and would rather pay someone to make sure it's right. But I pay my $12 per year to be a member and I've learned a ton from the site so I don't plan on going anywhere.

 

[RustyButtons]

Farmed Out:
Replace Engine
Replace Transmission
Install 2.5" Suspension Lift
Body Work
Rebuild Steering Gearbox

Done Myself:
Headers
Dual Exhaust
Replace Power Steering Pump
Install rebuilt steering gear
Replaced e-brake cables
"Rebuilt" the rear drum brakes
Going to do the wiring harness next

 

[triracer67]

I just spent the best part of the day working on the Bronco, that’s my way of relaxing. I believe that with the shop manual and a good set of tools, anyone can fix a Bronco. I’ve learned to rebuild any part, do electrical, weld, and paint/body work. It’s a shame the next generation of bronco owners is not continuing the “diy” mentality. My work is by no means perfect, and I’ve screwed up my fair share of stuff, but, I learn a lot and have a great sense of satisfaction when I’m driving in my Bronco.

 

[FRANKO289]

I used to could ... could probably again ! but as I got older I cherish my free time ! I also care a lil less when others built them . Hence I enjoy the vehicles more !

plus in the end of a built adding up the time and money spent It always adds up to more then I could have bought one finished / close to my taste that only needs a few bolt on bits swapped out !!!

So no .... I think I am done building / restoring one my self again !!

Franko

 

[LSUpete]

I'm on my seventh one, and the only thing I won't do is Paint/body work because THAT is a skilled profession. Having said that, I also had someone else rebuild the 4R70w and the 351w....but I removed them and installed them when the rebuild was completed. Everything else I've done myself. I LOVE pulling them apart and starting from the frame up.

 

[Skiddy]

I am slowly learning stuff as required. As of now I can repair the hell out of one or two things.

well one of these days grasshopper;D
have always done everything on my old vehicles. haven't tried auto trannys yet. i pretty much suck at body work, but I can paint%)

 

[WheelHorse]

I thought about putting this question on a forum poll, but the results on those poles don't always appear honest.
I've noticed something, as these vehicles have increased in value. There seem to be more owners farming out the work. Maybe it's just me, but there just seem to be a lot of owners on threads referring to the guy doing the work.
Now, I don't feel critical by saying that you need some basic mechanical knowledge and skill to drive one of these vehicles.
I understand that some owners have physical handicaps, but if you haven't the time, space or aptitude, what are you doing here?

Always the rebel rouser.

I appreciate your age, because you have been there done that as a LONG time owner of a Bronco. I've tapped into the Y vs T steering and how it depends on automatic vs manual, carb sizes, your wanting to run iron heads...having put some 300K on your Bronco if I remember correctly. yada yada.

As to your original question, what are you doing here? I'm an underpaid average Joe who does all of his own work; exception being I did not rebuild my C4, but did do heads, cam, lift kit, all new bearings, brakes all around, adjust vac and mechanical advance in the dizzy, tune with a wideband and so on.

Thankfully I bought mine when they were still affordable for a good starting platform. I'm back yard alley baseball when it comes to what some of these guys can drop on their Broncos. I can't fathom spending 25-30 on a decent rig to then drop another 25-30 in a full drivetrain/suspension makeover.

 

[sanndmann3]

I'd like to say I do all my own work but truth be told I have a couple of very good friends that are like MacGyver, can fix damn near anything. So I lean on them pretty heavily for my projects and upgrades. Awesome to have good friends to help!

 

[fordfan]

Certainly!!! That's a huge part of the fun!!

 

[bax]

I do most of my own work. It's fun for me and no way i could afford to pay someone else. Plus I like to collect tools.

 

[Jebus]

My Dad was a heavy equipment mechanic, so.
Rebuilt my first 289 at 15 in 1976 for a 64 falcon I bought with haying money.
Many mustangs, falcons, P/U's and big broncos later I are a mechanic for a living and a hobby. That excludes me from paint right there. Can't have grease in the paint. I have done all the work I could afford so far, on this bronco.
It just fun to drive...

 

[miikee73]

I've never had a true project vehicle, so never had ongoing work required. As a union electrician, I have and could do most anything that needed repair, but why? ;D After a few years as a Journeyman, making good money, I would say, when you reach a certain age and income, I will never cut my own firewood or reroof my house again! I could add major mechanical repairs to that. There too many other fun things to be doing as long as I can afford to pay the mechanic, and hopefully that helps keep the world spinning the right direction.

"Why are you here?" seems like a strange question. I've been a fan of these since my first one of four in 1977. It's fun to check in here and see the folks progress and excitement with their Broncos whether they build or buy them.

Kudos to all who are building them and keeping the sport moving forward! Keep after the projects, so you can enjoy them!

I want to personally thank Kevin for everything that was done to Ginger before I got her
I went looking for one almost 10 years ago and got exactly what I wanted.
I did disc conversion, hydro boost and top loader 4 speed to name a few but it was a dependable driver since day one.
Thanks Kevin for everything you did or had done.