I’m nuts!! ‘73 Build thread

[guidoverduci]

Well, it’s about time I start an actual build thread! Mostly for documenting, but I’d venture a guess and say I’m about to open up Pandora’s Box! I’m taking a perfectly good, strong running bronco, with barely any mechanical issues.. and diving in! Hence.. I’m nuts!

My plans, which will probably change 37 times, include new transmission, rebuild D20, new carb or EFI, new interior, spray in bed liner floor and eng bay, new brakes, new fuel system, and who knows what else I decide to change or replace! I’ve got time, money, and an itch for shiny and new. It’ll probably be at least a couple weeks before it’s officially not running so I can enjoy driving it in it’s final moments before it’s grounded INOP.

Up first, removing rear seat and passenger seat. They are electric seats in the front, not sure out of what. They sit a little high for me, and the roll bar that goes across is not as close to the windshield as I‘d like it, I can lean forward and hit my head on it while driving! I also need to remove/scrape the current bed liner out… it’s pretty thick stuff. I’m hoping that doesn’t turn out to be extremely difficulty, but the PO really caked it on there.

Here’s some beginning photos!

 

[Apogee]

LOL...your starting point is probably cleaner than any finishing point I can imagine for mine! Nice EB and good luck with the updates. I totally agree that the roll cage cross bar at the top of your windshield frame is waaaaaaay too far back...it needs some bends and pushed forward several inches or something.

Tobin

 

[guidoverduci]

LOL...your starting point is probably cleaner than any finishing point I can imagine for mine! Nice EB and good luck with the updates. I totally agree that the roll cage cross bar at the top of your windshield frame is waaaaaaay too far back...it needs some bends and pushed forward several inches or something.

Tobin

ha.. Thanks! Have’t decided if I’m going to modify the current cage, or get a new family cage.

Progress so far… removed aux tank. Anybody need one? Removed rear seat and started remove the thick liner the PO had installed. He must have done a few heavy coats, covered all the bolts, screws, nuts, etc. Kind of silly. Tailgate looks decent, there is a section that’s pitted from rust.

 

[gnpenning]

I was getting some parts from someone this week that had a square body that had been covered in liner. He was using this and was really pleased with it. The finished sections looked really good. I don't know what type of liner it was and wether that makes a difference or not???
Took a picture for future reference, the box stores sell it. I have used it for paint on concrete before with decent success.

 

[guidoverduci]

I was getting some parts from someone this week that had a square body that had been covered in liner. He was using this and was really pleased with it. The finished sections looked really good. I don't know what type of liner it was and wether that makes a difference or not???
Took a picture for future reference, the box stores sell it. I have used it for paint on concrete before with decent success.
View attachment 887617

Thanks for the tip! So far, it’s coming off pretty easy in big rubber sections.

 

[Speedrdr]

I was getting some parts from someone this week that had a square body that had been covered in liner. He was using this and was really pleased with it. The finished sections looked really good. I don't know what type of liner it was and wether that makes a difference or not???
Took a picture for future reference, the box stores sell it. I have used it for paint on concrete before with decent success.
View attachment 887617

This ^^^ is a very timely post for me in my ‘deconstruction’ of the interior of my ‘77. A previous owner decided that rather than repair the 2” gap in the floor in both floorboards, they painted in about an inch of bedliner to fill the gaping chasm. Lol. I can see a much easier cleaning in my future. Thanks for the info!

Randy

 

[guidoverduci]

Got most of the tub liner out. Seems pretty solid, although I’m not a rust or sheet metal guy.. I know I’ve seen worse lol. I’m hoping a grinder to some rough spots and all the surface areas should be sufficient. Anybody with experience, would love some thoughts!

Also found that evap canister (I think)… Didn’t know that was behind the heavily lined panel. I think I’m going to remove it… I don’t believe it’s doing anything. Any thoughts?

 

[guidoverduci]

Got most of the tub liner out. Seems pretty solid, although I’m not a rust or sheet metal guy.. I know I’ve seen worse lol. I’m hoping a grinder to some rough spots and all the surface areas should be sufficient. Anybody with experience, would love some thoughts!

Also found that evap canister (I think)… Didn’t know that was behind the heavily lined panel. I think I’m going to remove it… I don’t believe it’s doing anything. Any thoughts?

Drivers side floor no bueno. Probably got to replace the whole section since the PO had a panel system going on over the trans, and my plan was to replace the transmission anyway. Probably makes for an easier swap!

 

[Gsxr7000]

Are you in NC that has the top and cage for sale ? Nice EB either way !

 

[LUBr LuvR]

I was getting some parts from someone this week that had a square body that had been covered in liner. He was using this and was really pleased with it. The finished sections looked really good. I don't know what type of liner it was and wether that makes a difference or not???
Took a picture for future reference, the box stores sell it. I have used it for paint on concrete before with decent success.
View attachment 887617

Quick question, since you saw the truck this product was being used on - what did it do to the paint beneath the liner? Thanks, end of hijack!

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Also found that evap canister (I think)… Didn’t know that was behind the heavily lined panel. I think I’m going to remove it… I don’t believe it’s doing anything. Any thoughts?

Might want to trace the lines and see if the system is still hooked up/intact? If it’s working right, you won’t really notice the job it’s doing. Some folks take them out and regret comes in the form of gas fumes.

 

[guidoverduci]

Are you in NC that has the top and cage for sale ? Nice EB either way !

Thanks! Not me, I’m one the west coast, Northern California.

 

[guidoverduci]

Might want to trace the lines and see if the system is still hooked up/intact? If it’s working right, you won’t really notice the job it’s doing. Some folks take them out and regret comes in the form of gas fumes.

I’ll take a look! Not much underneath in the way of stock... but then again, I’m not sure how those work or if they can be integrated with aftermarket fuel setup and 23 gal tank.

 

[gnpenning]

It had only been done maybe the day before so no long term affects. Of course it was rinsed off after. I didn't spend any deep inspection time.

I didn't notice anything negative with the paint. In this instance they were cutting and repairing panels as well so some grinding and welding was being done as well, so both sides of the truck were being done. Husband and wife team doing the work with the wife being the driver since the truck was for her. According to them it was coming off fast.

The PO even did the chromed bumpers. The rear bumper they had put some on as a test. It removed the liner and left the chrome. The bumper had some spatter type of dots left, they planned on doing a second time since it worked so well the first time.

I hope anyone trying it reports back.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Thanks, really appreciate the info. Have a top with a light coat of PO bedliner in and out - but didn’t want to try anything too aggressive. This sounds very promising. Just got back from a trip to town, but will pick it up the next time and do a test patch.

 

[Speedrdr]

Drivers side floor no bueno. Probably got to replace the whole section since the PO had a panel system going on over the trans, and my plan was to replace the transmission anyway. Probably makes for an easier swap!

Don’t have a pic of my floorboard, but I’m thinking yours looks pretty solid. I would LOVE it if my floorboard looked that good.

Randy

 

[guidoverduci]

Any suggestions on rust repair? For the front floor pan, would it be best to replace with the one piece driver, center, and pass floor pan section? Or just patches? I’ll be looking for a shop to do it, I’ve got no welding skills.

The rest of the body, I was just planning on wirebrush/sand/fill and spray an epoxy coat.

 

[guidoverduci]

She’s now non op’d! Removed exhaust, driveshaft, and D20. Started tearing apart the D20 to get it cleaned, painted and rebuilt.

Next, transmission removal and start scraping crud off the underneath!

 

[Dne007]

Wow, you don't mess around!

 

[guidoverduci]

Wow, you don't mess around!

Ha.. it’s only a matter of time before I screw something up big time.

I will call first transmission removal… a success. Still not sure my plan though lol