Lyle's '76 Sport "Build"

[jlylec]

Had a great couple days at Carova Beach on the Outer Banks of NC this week. Even saw some wild horses on the beach. Came right past the Bronco!

 

[jlylec]

Another decent pic

 

[jlylec]

Wow it has been a long time since I posted and updated this thread! She looks pretty much the same since these pics were taken, but I have done a few things.

1. I finally installed an Affordable Fuel Injection Throttle Body Injector kit a couple years back. Huge improvement over the carb, but after a couple years of this I think I'm ready for something even better like the Holley Sniper. More to come on that.

2. I posted a few posts back about my fan getting pushed into the radiator. This guy who helped me with the ARB lockers told me my drive shaft was too short so I had installed a longer one (per his spec and advice) and it was too long and the problem. As soon as I was flexing on trails it was pushing the entire drivetrain forward INCHES! Christ. So that was a whole mess I had to undo and cost me hundreds. This is why I always like to do my own research and work even when it takes me so much longer than the "pros".

3. I installed an Atlas this past winter. That ended up being a bigger job than I expected, but a bigger improvement than I expected too. The Atlas is just great. I ended up having to pull the entire trans and aux fuel tank and swap the bolts on my control arms and install/remove/reinstall what seems like 20 times before I got it perfect. Was my first one of these. I'm sure the second would take 1/20th of the time. Like everything I've done on this truck!

Life has been crazy the past few years but I'm about to get back into some Bronco projects. On my list are the Holley Sniper swap, an electric fan, and I'm considering lowering the truck actually. I think my hard core rock crawling days are somewhat over. I'm now wanting to build the truck into more of a trail speed animal similar to a Stroppe Baja. I'm thinking of swapping the 3.5" suspension lift with a 1.5" and running 33" tires. I'd still have the 2" body lift (I wish this were 1" but it's not worth messing with that). I think Stroppe ran 31" tires. Can anyone confirm that? Does anybody know what the suspension was on those trucks? I really like the stance and capability like that.

What is the lowest ride/most capable tire and suspension combo you guys have had or seen?

 

[jlylec]

I want to lower my truck. Currently I have a James Duff monster suspension 3.5" lift and a 2" body lift. I may be able to drop the body lift to a 1" lift, but maybe not so I'd rather avoid it (unfortunately). It appears I have plenty of room to lose the 3.5" suspension lift. I was looking at everything today and wondering if this would really be as easy as I hope. I'd have to swap the drop pitman back to stock and lose the drop bracket for the track bar. Can I keep all the other Duff stuff you think? Long arms, shock hoops, etc. Also...can I just remove a few leafs in the back or do I need all new leaf packs? I'm also guessing I'd have to swap out the C-bushings I have to address camber, etc. Was kind of hoping I could just get new springs and shocks and drop her down!

 

[jlylec]

Oh yeah and I'd have to swap my drive shafts too. The ones I have are Woody's and awesome and brand new, so the cost of this change is adding up on me. I have a vision for this truck though and it's lower and faster...more trail runner stance than rock crawler.

Oh I also want to install a wrap trap and need to move my exhaust (again). Would love to see some pics of what people have done with their exhaust to accommodate wrap traps.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

The wild horses pics are real keepers, so is your wild Bronco! Dibs on the long arms if you shed them.

 

[jlylec]

The wild horses pics are real keepers, so is your wild Bronco! Dibs on the long arms if you shed them.

Thanks man! I'm hoping to hold on to the long arms but i'll hit you up if that changes!

 

[67mustang390]

To my wife's dismay I made an impulse purchase last week. It just so happened to be the night of some of the worst storms Virginia has seen in many years. My timing couldn't have been better! Now we had no power, screaming kids, 103 degree days, and I had to figure out how to get this home.

I live outside of Charlottesville, VA in Crozet. This beauty was in Pearisburg, VA about 2.5hrs away. Without a top, title, or decent steering box I couldn't drive it home, so I had to borrow my buddies truck and rent a trailer from U-Haul.

After a stressful day I finally got her home.

I hesitated in even calling this a build thread. The truck is in great shape for the most part so I cheated a little (a LOT). My last Bronco was a '69 and not nearly as pretty. I decided this time around I would start with a Bronco that WASN'T bought for $1500 at an auction with no brakes or steering!

Fortunately I have brakes now, but the steering leaves a LOT to be desired. The previous owner told me it needs an alignment or a steering box and it will be perfect. I'm worried it needs an alignment AND a steering box and something even more, but we'll see. That's just how these things tend to go for me.

The guy I bought this from told me about this site and I decided to register and start this thread because I think forums like these are one of the best things about the internet. I'm hoping to get tons of advice from people a lot smarter than me as I set out to make this the most perfect Bronco I can.

Here's my plan (in some order, but who knows how it'll work out):

1. get the title...truck came from GA with a bill-of-sale but registration or title so now DMV in Richmond needs to sign off on all paperwork before I can even get plates...could take weeks. Great start!

2. I bought a 6-point roll cage, in pieces, with the truck. No spec sheet on the cage or plans of any kind. Need to figure out how it's supposed to go together (not clear at all), and then have it welded and painted...probably white.

3. Get some sort of soft top so I don't have to worry about getting around only on nice days.

4. Get a hard top fixed up near-perfect and painted...probably white. I'm in the market for this and am willing to spend on the right top.

5. Get the steering issues addressed and fixed. I plan on going with the best steering box option I can find to make the steering rock solid and smooth.

6. Boost power. The engine has less than 500 miles on a rebuild of the original 302. It starts and run well and quiet. I'd like to supe this up significantly without any short or long term detriment to the engine. Any suggestions on ways to do this are welcome!

7. Install some sort of stereo.

8. Fix the little naggy things like sticky/hard to use knobs, hard to open doors, rattles in vent windows, misaligned windshield wipers, paint overspray, etc.

9. Install rock rails.

10. Install one of those AC kits...honestly I'll probably have to redo the whole HVAC system...it seems to work, but barely.

11. And then of course whatever else comes up along the way.

I'd like to get this truck to a condition of being worthy of a daily driver. I want it nice and solid. I'd love to take it off road, but not destroy it like I did my '69! I'm a bit older and smarter now. Just a bit.

I look forward to getting to know you guys and hope to learn a lot!

great pics, great buy, great story/description. Love the kiddo pic!! that's a keeper.

 

[jlylec]

Hey everybody...long time since I checked in! My '76 is still running strong. I decided not to lower her at all since it was going to be too many changes to make it happen. I'm still considering swapping in a new throttle body system, but haven't pulled the trigger on anything there yet. My biggest current issue is struggling with my door handles sticking on the driver's side. I've taken them apart so many times and they're just such a pain to get working well. I'm wondering if any of you have any tips or tricks on upgrading these? I wouldn't even mind going crazy and replacing them completely with some sort of new door mechanisms. I know this would take some fabrication and door body work, but I'm at my wits end!

I was very fortunate (and persistent) and was able to lock in a First Edition reservation for a 2021! Unfortunately I've still haven't been able to convert my reservation to an order because the dealer I chose is proving to be extremely inept and doesn't appear to care. Sucks. So now I'm trying to change my reservation to a new dealer and get this order in.

I've considered selling my '76 to help finance the '21. I've always thought I would never sell this truck because I have so much love for it (along with SO much $$$, blood, sweat, and tears in it). I may end up putting her on the market though soon and will list her here first if anyone is interested.

I hope everyone out there is doing well and continuing to love these awesome trucks!

 

[g8rb8t]

Saw your pics at Carova! Might head there next year in the new Bronco as I'm 11 hours away. Any tips on good places to stay etc?

Keep both Broncos by the way

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[jlylec]

Saw your pics at Carova! Might head there next year in the new Bronco as I'm 11 hours away. Any tips on good places to stay etc?

Keep both Broncos by the way

Hey man! Glad to see you still on here!

We like to stay in Southern Shores and then drive up to Carova (about 30min) a few times during the week. Southern Shores is just closer to Kitty Hawk and other stuff and very quiet on the beach. If you want to spend more time on Carova you may want to stay in Corolla as that's right there and would shorten your drive to 10min or less. Tons of house rental places online, but I'm happy to give you more ideas on that too if you want. Air BnB and VRBO have become really good options for house rentals these days too.

I almost certainly will keep both Broncos. I'm real bad at selling stuff!

 

[sprdv1]

Same to you and congrats on that first edition..

Hey everybody...long time since I checked in! My '76 is still running strong. I decided not to lower her at all since it was going to be too many changes to make it happen. I'm still considering swapping in a new throttle body system, but haven't pulled the trigger on anything there yet. My biggest current issue is struggling with my door handles sticking on the driver's side. I've taken them apart so many times and they're just such a pain to get working well. I'm wondering if any of you have any tips or tricks on upgrading these? I wouldn't even mind going crazy and replacing them completely with some sort of new door mechanisms. I know this would take some fabrication and door body work, but I'm at my wits end!

I was very fortunate (and persistent) and was able to lock in a First Edition reservation for a 2021! Unfortunately I've still haven't been able to convert my reservation to an order because the dealer I chose is proving to be extremely inept and doesn't appear to care. Sucks. So now I'm trying to change my reservation to a new dealer and get this order in.

I've considered selling my '76 to help finance the '21. I've always thought I would never sell this truck because I have so much love for it (along with SO much $$$, blood, sweat, and tears in it). I may end up putting her on the market though soon and will list her here first if anyone is interested.

I hope everyone out there is doing well and continuing to love these awesome trucks!