Finally starting my ‘66 U14 restoration

[Bajabrewer]

Looks Great! I think this truck will be spectacular when you're done based on the pics you've shown us.

 

[bronkenn]

Chassis is looking good. Good luck with that pile of body parts.

 

[KFS35]

Making great progress!!!
Not a bad looking parts donor truck coming from the UP!!

Looks better in the pics than in person. Glad I’ve got it though, used a couple of pieces off it already.

 

[KFS35]

Looks Great! I think this truck will be spectacular when you're done based on the pics you've shown us.

Thanks, I hope it will, too!

 

[KFS35]

Chassis is looking good. Good luck with that pile of body parts.

Thanks, yeah, it’s like a gigantic puzzle. Lots of work ahead.

 

[KFS35]

Looks good, just found your thread. Making good time on this. I have several '66's in the wings, speaking of which I see an aeronautical chart. I flew up to Beaver Island and Mackinac last week!

Thanks.

What do you fly? I love northern MI, grew up in the UP.

 

[KFS35]

I needed to use the lift today to change oil in my pickup, so the Bronco got rolled outside for a while.

Then after I got my pickup done, I worked on the Bronco for a while. I hauled the old tub back in, then I mainly unboxed all of the sheet metal. It’s going to be a lot of work!

Today’s pics:

 

[KFS35]

Spent a little time on it again this afternoon. Came to the realization that I need a lot more clamps and clecos. Just getting a general idea of how it fits so far.

 

[broncobsession]

Man I get so excited just seeing all the pieces laid out like that. Keep it up, slow and steady wins the race.

 

[KFS35]

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to work on it here and there.

Still fitting the body pieces together. Overall, I’m happy with how it’s going.

 

[77Bronco636]

Nice work!!!!! Looking really good!!
I see a BFH and a BPR to help make it all fit just right!!

 

[sprdv1]

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to work on it here and there.

Still fitting the body pieces together. Overall, I’m happy with how it’s going.

You should be... coming along well

 

[KFS35]

Finally have some actual visible progress today. I got the spot welder dialed in and working ok a few days ago. I haven’t made a whole lot of noticible progress lately, most just cleaning up prior to welding, fitting pieces together and trying to get proficient with welding again.

I got my new mig welder earlier this week. I had planned on using my tig and the spot welder, but some early tests with the tig proved it to be really slow and cumbersome. So I ordered a mig. After setting it up and practicing with it a bit, I’m so glad I got it. It makes life much easier.

Over the last couple of days I spot welded the channel to the bottom of the cargo floor, and the upper cowl and windshield support together. Lots of spot welds, and it went together pretty well. The heat did distort things a bit, but I was able to get everything fairly straight again.

Today, I used the mig, and welded the cargo floor to the forward floor and rear body crossmember. It’s been 20 plus years since I’ve had access to a mig welder, so I was a little out of practice. I’m getting a little better. It sure is quick to use it on the plug welds and then to fill the holes I drilled for all of the clecos.

Tomorrow I plan on welding the cowl, firewall, and floor assemblies, unless I have to go to work. I can also start on the tailgate posts and bed sides if I have time.

 

[KFS35]

I’ve spent a fair amount of time on the Bronco over the last few days.

The floorboards, firewall, and cowls are all welded together.

I got both of the bed sides welded together, test fit, and basically ready to weld on. Test fit the tailgate tonight, and shockingly, everything fit!

I was really happy it did. I do need to take them both back off and drill some holes for the plug welds. I have the door hinge posts test fit, and everything is lining up pretty well. Need to tack them on and test fit the doors. Also need to re-bush the door hinges. I was able to drive the old pins out today after a bit of heat, so the hard part is done. Also need to drag in the old fenders and grille, so I can get everything aligned.

 

[77Bronco636]

Looking GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hunter1]

Looking good. Feels good to have everything fitting nicely.

 

[JeffG]

Very cool build thread. I had to replace a couple door hinge posts and I was nervous about fitment. I can't imagine what you must be going through. Awesome work.

 

[KFS35]

Looking GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! I’m happy with how it’s progressing.

 

[KFS35]

Looking good. Feels good to have everything fitting nicely.

It sure does! I’ve had to do some small tweaks, but overall it’s gong pretty well.

 

[KFS35]

Very cool build thread. I had to replace a couple door hinge posts and I was nervous about fitment. I can't imagine what you must be going through. Awesome work.

Haha, yep, it’s always a big question mark when fitting everything together after it’s welded. So far, it’s going ok. Pound to fit, paint to match. Or something like that.;D