Earliest Broncos known to exist (1-30)!!

[Gas Pig]

More progress

Made some more progress.

I’m a bit torn do I use the original steering wheel or buy a new one? I have so many original parts on this truck I almost hate the idea of replacing it but a new wheel looks great in a fresh restoration! Any thoughts?

 

[Gas Pig]

Chassis pics

Some chassis pics but there is some cleaning and touching up I still need to do!

 

[T-Bird]

Made some more progress.

I’m a bit torn do I use the original steering wheel or buy a new one? I have so many original parts on this truck I almost hate the idea of replacing it but a new wheel looks great in a fresh restoration! Any thoughts?

Top notch restoration! I can only dream mine will look as good as this one day.
I am debating the same Jeff. Would you use the repop wheel that TBP sells? Who would you use to restore the original?

 

[DirtDonk]

I say original all the way.
What's wrong with the current wheel? Just old and faded, vs new and shiny?

I know a lot of passenger cars had shiny wheels no matter what color they were, but I honestly don't remember Bronco wheels, at least later ones, being anything but matte finish.

Or is it cracked and I just did not look close in the pic? Lots of people are restoring the plastic parts of their old wheels these days. They come out really nice.

Paul

 

[73azbronco]

Don't take this wrong, it looks great, but I think you may need a driveshaft.

 

[DirtDonk]

And partially obscure those shiny new yokes? Nah, this Bronco is never going to get driven...

Paul

 

[HuffDaddy]

Damn guys. You are making my Dec of 65' #797499 seem like a modern machine. I am just sure my reg grill is original so I bet Oct or so is the last possible "eyebrow grill". This is a very informative and interesting thread for sure.

 

[okie4570]

Damn guys. You are making my Dec of 65' #797499 seem like a modern machine. I am just sure my reg grill is original so I bet Oct or so is the last possible "eyebrow grill". This is a very informative and interesting thread for sure.

I've come across two November eyebrows, not many for sure.

 

[sprdv1]

Damn guys. You are making my Dec of 65' #797499 seem like a modern machine. I am just sure my reg grill is original so I bet Oct or so is the last possible "eyebrow grill". This is a very informative and interesting thread for sure.

lol, lot of knowledge here

 

[sprdv1]

I've come across two November eyebrows, not many for sure.

Mudd's still abusing his

 

[U13FL735]

Made some more progress.

I’m a bit torn do I use the original steering wheel or buy a new one? I have so many original parts on this truck I almost hate the idea of replacing it but a new wheel looks great in a fresh restoration! Any thoughts?

Why not repair and refinish the original wheel? You've done so much already the wheel should be a snap! Looking really good.

 

[Gas Pig]

Thanks on my truck!!!

Yeah the driveshafts are kind a of important! My driveline guy had a hard time finding all the parts to rebuild the original Borg Warner shafts. But I think he has everything he needs now.

As for the steering wheel I always wad wanting to use the original wheel but I didn’t know if patina wheel would fit the bill on this build. I always could restore it which I have bone before.

 

[Gas Pig]

Made a little more progress. Got the wiper motors and sun visors installed. Also I found a better original steering wheel in my stuff. I know it’s hard to really tell from the poor quality pics but wheel has quite a bit of original metallic and shine to it. I found the winning ticket on wheel decision!

Oh I forgot... I put in the original rear view mirror. Oddly enough the mirror head and arm were unpainted and just raw steel and the mirror mounting base was red oxide primer that was faded to a pink color. I couldn’t get myself to put it back that way so I did argent paint for the mirror head. Which I have seen many ‘66s before. Then I did low gloss black on the mirror mounting base. Personally with how this truck built I’m not surprised the rear view mirror might been after thought. The mirror was only mounted with one screw that kind of fit below the sun visors brackets.

 

[okie4570]

Made a little more progress. Got the wiper motors and sun visors installed. Also I found a better original steering wheel in my stuff. I know it’s hard to really tell from the poor quality pics but wheel has quite a bit of original metallic and shine to it. I found the winning ticket on wheel decision!

Oh I forgot... I put in the original rear view mirror. Oddly enough the mirror head and arm were unpainted and just raw steel and the mirror mounting base was red oxide primer that was faded to a pink color. I couldn’t get myself to put it back that way so I did argent paint for the mirror head. Which I have seen many ‘66s before. Then I did low gloss black on the mirror mounting base. Personally with how this truck built I’m not surprised the rear view mirror might been after thought. The mirror was only mounted with one screw that kind of fit below the sun visors brackets.

Looking great!!!

 

[Gas Pig]

Looking great!!!

Thanks!!!

In my findings #51’s radio speaker was different then my November truck. As you can see #51 speaker’s (C6TZ-18808-A) magnet was much smaller the later style (C6TZ-18808-B1). I tested both speaks and they did sound differently. The bigger magnet sounded a little deeper also the used wing nuts instead of threading directly into the speaker like on #51.

I originally was surprised that Ford went to using wing nuts... figuring it would be more cumbersome. But After mounting up both speakers the wing nuts actually was easier. I’m curious how soon Ford made the change from version A to B?

 

[okie4570]

Thanks!!!

In my findings #51’s radio speaker was different then my November truck. As you can see #51 speaker’s (C6TZ-18808-A) magnet was much smaller the later style (C6TZ-18808-B1). I tested both speaks and they did sound differently. The bigger magnet sounded a little deeper also the used wing nuts instead of threading directly into the speaker like on #51.

I originally was surprised that Ford went to using wing nuts... figuring it would be more cumbersome. But After mounting up both speakers the wing nuts actually was easier. I’m curious how soon Ford made the change from version A to B?

I've never reached up under the dash on either of mine to see what's there, and didn't realize there were two different speakers.

 

[DirtDonk]

Not to dilute the discussion from the earliest, but I had to post this up as I have not seen one of those registration holders in a VERY LONG time!
They were vinyl with a clear window, and two springs that were meant to hold your registration (or whatever paperwork you wanted) on to the steering column for easy viewing.


And it's just a fun reason to show one of the old Green Acres Broncos again anyway.
This from an episode in Oct. '67.

Got it in video form with Mr Kimball driving it into the scene from a couple of episodes now.

Paul

 

[okie4570]

Somebody needs to obtain possession of that 67' u13

 

[sprdv1]

Somebody needs to obtain possession of that 67' u13

be a nice addition for someone definitely

 

[sprdv1]

I've never reached up under the dash on either of mine to see what's there, and didn't realize there were two different speakers.

lol, we all learn new things daily brother