Finally Complete

[Bituman]

Still needs a radio and I just remembered I forgot to mount rear view mirror and fab up a cover for gas condensate bottle. This was a 5-year build. Original scope was to build a moderately capable trail runner but decided half way thru to make something more for cruising around town. Sometimes this project reminded me of that drawing with the old Bronco up on blocks with the saying "I Believe." Highlights (and lowlights) are below along with a build summary.

Best upgrade: hydroboost F/R disc brakes, power steering
Worst upgrade: BCB air conditioning (my fault not BCB's)
Dumbest decision #1: rebuild 302 engine instead of crate 351
Potentially dumbest decision #2: electric fan cooling; I'll find out soon!
Came out better than planned: custom dash, clean engine compartment
Wish I would have considered more carefully: EFI instead of carb
Most helpful EB vendors: Wild Horses and Toms

Bob

BUILD SUMMARY

1974 Bronco Sport – purchased at Ft. Hood, Texas in October 1995
302 cu in, 3 spd manual transmission
Rebuild started May 2005, Phoenix, AZ, proceeded to completely bare frame

Drivetrain stuff:
BFG A/T 33x12.50 R15LT
WH Extreme Duty F/R Driveshafts
WH extreme D20 output system
Duff twin stick conversion for J-shifter
Toms 9” rear diff w/ Detroit Tru Trac, 4:11 gear ratio
Toms 31 spline rear axles
Toms chromemoly D44 axles
Toms C4 conversion kit (swapped in C4 for stock 3 speed)
Hughes torque converter
Earls 16 row transmission cooler
Warn premium locking hubs

Engine:
Original 302, rebuilt, bored 0.030, balanced
Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold
Edelbrock aluminum heads
Edelbrock 600 cfm carburetor
Ron Davis aluminum radiator
Cooling components 2700 cfm electric fan
Edelbrock reverse water pump
WH gear reduction starter
WH shorty headers-ceramic
WH extreme motor mounts
Painless wiring harness
BC DUI Distributor
March serpentine kit w/ HO alternator and P/S pump
Custom 2 into 1 exhaust, Magnaflow muffler
Optima red top battery

Suspension/Frame/Steering:
Powder coated frame
WH 3.5” susp lift + 1” body lift
Rancho RS9000 shocks, 2 per corner
Duff trac bars
WH extreme duty U-bolts
WH quick ratio power steering
WH front disc brakes
Toms rear disc brakes
WH hydroboost brake system

Exterior:
WH IPF headlamp kit
Duff F/R tube bumpers, powdercoated
Duff UFO fender flares
Bestop Supertop + bikini top

Interior:
WH Baja roll cage
Custom dash with Autometer gauges
Flaming River tilt column and steering wheel
Tuffy console
MasterCraft Seats
BC air conditioner

 

[vinson]

That is very nice.......

 

[cb21]

I love when they come back to life, great job.

 

[Heus33]

That engine bay is FANTASTIC! Great job but I call "BS"on the "complete" part. ;D

 

[66ALRIDE]

They are never COMPLETE....... Good looking rig, nice details.

 

[4lofun]

is the glove box removed for the a/c? nice clean dash,interior, that will be a pleasure for to cruise in !!!!! one awesome looking eb !!!!
yeah complete???? lol. never... have fun with it and enjoy your summer, looks awesome

 

[sprdv1]

Sweet looking rig, congrats..

 

[Bator]

Great job! Looks great.

 

[sufa114]

very nice

 

[stingus]

Why don't you like the BCB A/C? Does it do a good job cooling the cab?

 

[Chicago Pete]

Wow, beautiful!
Tastefully done.

 

[broncobandit]

VERY NICE, great job.

 

[ManTruck]

very nice and you should rightfully be proud.

 

[66broncofan]

very nicely done!

 

[duder]

I love it! Fantastic job.

 

[Tito]

Beautiful job on it but my favorite part is the chrome radiator tube that goes up and over, that is saweet!!! I want one of those!

 

[mavereq]

great job on the build. i hope mine turns out half as nice as this.

 

[gnsteam]

Impressive!! You guys just keep teasing me with these beautiful builds. Still looking for one to call my own.

Great ride!!!!!

 

[Bituman]

is the glove box removed for the a/c? nice clean dash,interior, that will be a pleasure for to cruise in !!!!! one awesome looking eb !!!!
yeah complete???? lol. never... have fun with it and enjoy your summer, looks awesome

I'm pretty sure the glove box will clear the under dash BC evaporator unit, although it's a lot easier install if you don't have to worry about glove box. I just wanted the cleaner look that would result from ditching the glove box.

Thanks for all the nice comments. Don't know what I was thinking, these things are NEVER complete, are they!

Bob

 

[56f100bbw]

ford never built them this nice great job