New Owner Saying Hello!

[KeithBPatrick]

Hey all,

I've been on the site a few months and have benefited greatly from your knowledge and experience. I bought DFWBroncoNewbie's rig on Memorial Day of this year and have been LOVING it. My wife and friends had a great time in the 4th of July Parade!

I've done a fair amount of work over the last few months including some things today I'm excited about. I found a mechanic I can trust and they took care of every oil leak, someone used silicone seals in previous work for some reason, but now my garage floor is dry as a bone. I've replaced the power steering pump and water pump, both warrantied from the previous owner's work, and the alternator and regulator as well. I'll also be replacing the Vintage Air condenser, the hood latch put a hole in it, so I'll need to either attach a longer backstop or stop the latch hook from pushing so far forward.

Otherwise, I've had a great time making small upgrades. I lowered the wiper motor and replaced the cover, replaced a worn out armrest, and rear view mirror. I added colored letters to the grill lettering and also installed new hydraulic hood and liftgate props and nutserts in all of the bedrail bolt holes. I also installed the driver's side air vent tool box, great place for some fluids and basic tools. I'll be replacing the old discontinued Warn winch later this week as well. DFWBroncoNewbie did some fantastic things to this rig and I'm having a great time carrying on with that. I got some custom vinyl stickers made for my tire cover as well.

Recently, I took the Bronco on a road trip to Northern New Mexico (about 6 hours) to go fly fishing with a friend. Unfortunately, the alternator took a dump and we ended up with a weekend not going quite as planned. I don't mind a breakdown, things happen, but I was really upset with myself at not being prepared at all. So I've been gathering up the tools I want to have on hand, but I have a 10" sub in the back so finding a box to fit was proving challenging. So I made one myself today. I've attached pictures and below is a list of what I'll keep on hand.

• Wire Dykes
• Pliers
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Needle Nose and Standard Vise Grips
• Test Light
• SAE & Metric Wrench Set
• SAE & Metric Socket Set
• Three sizes of Crescent Wrenches
• Screwdrivers
• Two Part JB Weld
• Utility Knife
• SAE & Metric Allen Wrenches
• Gorilla & Duck Tape
• PB Blaster
• Spare Headlight
• 2 Gauge Jumper Cables
• Bungee Set
• Small Air Compressor w/ Battery Clamps
• Bailing Wire
• Hammer
• Lug Wrench
• Leather Gloves
• Tow Strap
• Ratchet Straps
• Zip Ties
• Multitool

I also mounted my hi-lift jack off the bumper using this post. http://classicbroncos.com/hi-liftmount.shtml

I'm always up for suggestions, especially for other things I need to keep with me. Keep in mind, I'm not only thinking about fixing my rig, but being available to help others as well.

I'm glad to be here, and looking forward to getting to know you folks.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[sprdv1]

Welcome aboard Keith and Congrats!!!

 

[JAFO]

Welcome. List almost looks like overkill, but I guess you can never have too much, especially if off the beaten path. As long as that stuff isn't taking up too much space. I'd add flashlight (LED kind) and spare batteries. I have a small bag I transfer to whatever vehicle I am driving with combination wrenches, vise grips, multi-meter, electrical tape and screwdrivers. Just enough to get me out of a not too major break down. I have the Haverty gold plan (whatever they call it) and it covers getting my rig towed home. Little piece of mind because my Bronco is not spending the night on the side of the road.

 

[KeithBPatrick]

Thanks for the responses, I relinked the photos, didn't realize they weren't working out. I think that will answer JAFO's question about the space I'm using. The previous owner also had a flashlight mount and fire extinguisher mount installed so those are there too.

 

[JAFO]

Nice rig. I've been thinking of welding me up a lockable steel box to bolt behind the rear seat. Design it so that the padlock is covered by steel plate and you can only get to its key slot.

 

[broncoeddie1970]

Nice Rig Keith

 

[Justafordguy]

That's a great looking rig and welcome to the site.

Also, you can never have to many tools and spare parts.

 

[rydog1130]

Nice, ride!

 

[Toddpole]

Nice EB Keith! I'm just down the road in Abilene. My daughter started at LCU this fall. Maybe we can meet next time we're in Lubbock.

 

[Rustytruck]

Its looking good and am glad your having a great time with the Bronco. One word of caution if you want your high lift jack to work when you need it you need to find a better place to mount it. Everything coming off your tires are going right into the jack mechanism. The jack is finicky enough when clean. when dirty they don't work at all.

 

[KeithBPatrick]

I was thinking the same about the jack, unfortunately I don't have any other options. There's an 8 point roll cage so I lack vertical mounting points and I don't want to create a large projectile in the cab. I've seen a lot of folks talk about keeping good penetrating oil/lubricant with them, which I am also doing. The only other thing I could do is turn it over and/or cover the mechanism.

 

[1owner66]

You could mount the jack on the front bumper somehow I'm sure.

Don't know that you need any metric tools either.

Nice rig though. Love the red and white color scheme.

 

[Justafordguy]

I think if you are going to leave the jack down below the bumper you should make some sort of cover for it.

 

[No Hay]

Congrats on the good looking ride! I almost had to check my garage to see if mine was still in there.

 

[sanndmann3]

Welcome aboard! Very nice looking truck. someday mine might look as nice... someday.

 

[Pa PITT]

Sweet & I love that Spare tire cover... My Brother graduated from Tech.
..

 

[nvrstuk]

Welcome aboard! Glad you're enjoying your new rig!

Tool list...a loyal EB owner on this list used to say "every tool you need to work on your Bronco should be in your tool box". If you wheel far enough away from home, you'd better have any/every tool you need to fix it!

Enjoy your Bronco!

 

[TTTGOWYO]

Welcome. Great looking Bronco. I like your list of things to have on hand. Reminds me of when I grew up in Wyoming and we always had a large amount of supplies just in case. Always included survival gear which is necessary out there. Welcome aboard, this is the best site for any EB owner!