New Build - Still trying to decide direction Uncut 69 Build Thread Beginning

[Tito]

Well I have technically had the Bronco for about 18 months but finally brought it home...home all the way to CA. Story behind the purchase was one of those Craigslist finds that is a good deal that you need to pounce on...well wife was home asleep (worked night shift) and I had to do it. So I loaded up Shawn, his kids and my kids and we drove to St. Helens with a wad of cash. I wasnt going to bring it to the house yet as I had just picked up an explorer to use for my Bronco (strip and part out) so I was full up in the wife's list. So I called my buddy Stan and he said sure so thats where its been for the past year and a half. I did end up telling the wife about it...it was almost Christmas and we were going to have a party with the local Bronco guys and there would be alcohol so loose lips were bound to happen. Besides the other wives had found out so I was screwed! I caught some good flack for it but hey, we make choices in life and this was one I thought we could get through :-* (love ya babe). She kinda digs it now, she hates the color, the fact its uncut, etc but put it all together and she kinda digs it and doesnt want me to sell it. Here are the pics...

Plans are...
Gut the drivetrain, tanks, hoses, brakes, brake lines, etc. Its been sitting for about 15+ years. It basically got a minor restoration then something happened and was sent off the the junkyard. The yardsman kept it for himself, sat on it for a number of years then sold it to a buddy who was going to restore it and only got around to ripping stuff open and there it sat for several more years.
Its in decent shape, some rust that I need to deal with from sitting in the God-Forsaken PNW rain for the last 40 years (Seattle DSO). Corners of the doors will need some work, kick panels some cleanup, possible patchwork, floors a little spot blasting in the corners, seams are pretty good, fairly solid body, inner fenders are good, inside of the tailgate bottom some crust, really just some spots here and there, dont think any panels are needed.
Underbody has some rust but I think it is all surface stuff really. The frame really needs a good blasting and I am sure that EVERY bolt that I try to undo WILL break. I'd like to take the body off the frame but we will see. It does make it so much nicer to install the drivetrain, fuel lines and brake lines without the body in the way. I really just want to get the new drivetrain in and drive it.

Parts list that I have waiting to install...
97 Explorer motor from Eds74
RJM Harness and all sensors/pumps from (gotta find the username)
New stainless brake line kit from BajaBronco
Astro Van Hydroboost (pick n pull)
Dana 30 from Dan Wheeler with 4.10 gears
4.10 pumkin from Regshawn
Chevy Disc Brake setup from (need to find username)
Ranger front 60/40 bench, blue ranger rear seat (blubuckaroo)
Gas tanks from the beast
possibly 4r70w from my explorer swap on the beast (not sure yet)
set of stock wheels from Mike B
old ford hub caps from bigjhoov
Under dash AC setup from Nevada Bronco
Original Crab Cage (old school) from Crab

Parts to get...
Likely doing a 1"BL and 2.5"SL
want to run 31x10.50s or 33x10.50's not sure how big I want to go yet as this is mainly a cruiser and I dont want to overdo it and lose drivability. The 4.10 gears will be helpful for going larger. Have a set of 16" wheels and 245/75's I will run till I get my steelies pc'd and find tires.

Not sure about...
What trans I am going to use...really want a manual and dont mind the 3 on the column (actually enjoy it) but I really want a 5 speed. Dont want to do the expensive 3550 although I would love it. ZF possibly, maybe the Mazda trans. Need to research it more. I do have the 4r70w that would be nice, I just dont like autos, especially on older vehicles.
It looks a lot better in pics but really is a solid start. Just glad to see another one saved.

 

[borg]

I know it's ultimately a personal choice but I think there are enough cut up broncos out there that the handful of survivors ought to stay uncircumcised. Especially if they are as clean looking as this one...nice score!

Steve

 

[Tito]

Oh yeah its not getting cut, this is my first uncut out of 10 Broncos, just trying to decide on what trans to go with. Likely it will keep the stock 3 speed for now but seems like a waste behind the well powered 5.0.

 

[GraficO]

what are the plans for the inside?

 

[socalrick]

rug truck trans out of an 81 bronco Josh. Gives you the 3 lw gears of the bronco plus the 4th gear is a 30% overdrive so it makes it a decent daily driver too. Speaking from experience.

 

[Heus33]

You crazy son of a... I think you should get the bronco grill tattooed on your forehead.

 

[sprdv1]

Oh yeah its not getting cut, this is my first uncut out of 10 Broncos, just trying to decide on what trans to go with. Likely it will keep the stock 3 speed for now but seems like a waste behind the well powered 5.0.

Good Man.... Glad the wife was okay with it, this will be another good build up brother..

Too bad you don't like the autos.. ;D Maybe you should send that 4R70W my way... lol

 

[sprdv1]

You crazy son of a... I think you should get the bronco grill tattooed on your forehead.

LOL, at least on his chest.

 

[Tito]

I am going to try and keep it fairly stock except the drivetrain. I am not the best suited for a concourse resto, I like to mix stuff up a bit as I am sure you guys have seen.
Interior - pretty bare bones, I'll clean up the dash and paint it, replace/re-lube the pulls as needed. Dealer style AC under the dash. I will throw some modern gauges likely onto the crossbar of the cage or on the Driver A pillar. I have a 66 dash pad I will likely use, this one has a couple cracks in it but isnt bad but likely wont last long in the SoCal sun. Probably a couple speaker pods hung off the cage.

No Bronco tattoos for me, they are cool and all but I am holding out for the flying monkey on my ass.

 

[Tito]

rug truck trans out of an 81 bronco Josh. Gives you the 3 lw gears of the bronco plus the 4th gear is a 30% overdrive so it makes it a decent daily driver too. Speaking from experience.

So you are saying you have driven your Bronco in the past year? :-X :-X :-*

I'll check it out, should be cheap, I dont want to have to buy the whole Bronco to get it though.

 

[GraficO]

I know where you might get a really slick console setup for a driver

 

[Heus33]

I know where you might get a really slick console setup for a driver

Are you selling these now?????????

 

[Tito]

Oh dont tease me Adam!

We'll see, I will likely need to run a bench up front to go along with an eventual custom bench for the rear to seat my continually expanding family. Man, too bad Ford didnt make a classic Excursion ;D

 

[garberz]

...Man, too bad Ford didnt make a classic Excursion ;D

Well Josh, Maybe this build will turn into that four door uncut you've been thinking about. I know you have more doors stashed somewhere.;D

 

[Tito]

Well Josh, Maybe this build will turn into that four door uncut you've been thinking about. I know you have more doors stashed somewhere.;D

Haha, yeah I do, as well as hardtops, and even spare tubs I can get my hands on. I am going to try and cram us all in this one for now :-X

 

[GraficO]

Are you selling these now?????????

not yet... but as soon as I have a running truck I'm going to jump into it