Newb here! Where to start?? Got pics!.

[Nickm1024cobra]

Hello everyone! New to the forum and the world of classic broncos. I'm a diehard ford guy and knew at some point a bronco would be on the short list. I'm probably a year a way from pulling the trigger and hope to spend that time researching and learning. Hopefully I can offer some advice as well on items I'm familiar with. One if which is ford efi.everyone likes pics so here are a couple projects. I built my factory five cobra about 5 years ago. Last summer put a new 408w in it. Also is my neighborhood beer cooler that does about 35-40mph. Scary! As you see I like to tinker.

Mechanically I'm dangerous enough...,body work, don't know a lick.

I'm trying to figure out what condition bronco to start with to end up with something I feel comfortable working on. Not looking for a show truck. I'm going to want to do my own brakes, suspension, drivetrain, interior, etc.
my concern is buying something in pieces that I can't get back together. Other side of the coin is I don't want to buy something too nice that I wasted money since I'm pulling it apart anyway. Thanks for listening. I look forward to researching and learning. I could not have built such a high quality kit car without the help of another forum. I hope this will be a similar journey. You seem like a decent group of guys.
Cheers!

 

[americanhorses]

Cool stuff! welcome to the site!!

 

[ILikeBond]

Lets see a video of the cooler doing 40. Cool Cobra. Welcome!

 

[Hank_]

Welcome to the sight and great looking cobra. Do yourself a favor and find as rust free a bronco as you can find. Engine, trans and suspension are all easy enough to just bolt on but you will save a lot of money and time finding a good body to start with. Hope to see your project up here in the future and good luck with the build.

Hank

 

[Crawdad]

I'd like to see the build thread on the Cobra! Oh, and welcome! I've always wanted a Cobra!

 

[Justafordguy]

Welcome to the site, Nice Cobra. I think you have enough skill to build a nice Bronc, looking forward to watching your build tread.

 

[rguest3]

Welcome to Classic!

Mass Flo EFI on a 408W, VERY sweet!!! This set up will fit in an Early Bronco nicely as well.

A Factory Five Cobra is a great project to have under your belt before sinking into an Early Bronco. I have taken a similar route as you. I built a Factory Five (4.6 DOHC) Mark III about 7 years ago and had a great time doing it.

8-9 Broncos later, I am still at it.

Welcome again.

 

[70_Steve]

Not looking for a show truck. I'm going to want to do my own brakes, suspension, drivetrain, interior, etc.
my concern is buying something in pieces that I can't get back together. Other side of the coin is I don't want to buy something too nice that I wasted money since I'm pulling it apart anyway.

Hi Nick and welcome to the site. I'll echo the sentiments on the Cobra!

One of the more difficult things to do is to nail down exactly how you plan on using your Bronco. That will determine how it gets built and what components to use. There are tons of stories about guys who've lost a great deal of time and money by starting to build their Bronco for one purpose, only to change their minds in the middle of the build.

Whether the Bronco is in pieces or it's already, in someone's mind, been restored, I think the key is buying something that already has most of what you're looking for in the Bronco, both mechanically and in the body. You wouldn't be the first guy to buy a really nice looking Bronco, then pull the whole thing apart, just to make sure it's "right".

And I wouldn't worry about buying one in pieces. These Bronco's were not a technological wonder. It would be more like putting together a jig-saw puzzle rated for ages 4-10. Plus, you'll have the collective knowledge of this entire site for help!

Good luck with your search!

 

[WheelHorse]

Welcome to the madness.

Rust is the biggest enemy and take a year to find the most solid tub you can afford.

Like you said, you can wrench everything else.

 

[Nickm1024cobra]

Hi Nick and welcome to the site. I'll echo the sentiments on the Cobra!

One of the more difficult things to do is to nail down exactly how you plan on using your Bronco. That will determine how it gets built and what components to use. There are tons of stories about guys who've lost a great deal of time and money by starting to build their Bronco for one purpose, only to change their minds in the middle of the build.

Whether the Bronco is in pieces or it's already, in someone's mind, been restored, I think the key is buying something that already has most of what you're looking for in the Bronco, both mechanically and in the body. You wouldn't be the first guy to buy a really nice looking Bronco, then pull the whole thing apart, just to make sure it's "right".

And I wouldn't worry about buying one in pieces. These Bronco's were not a technological wonder. It would be more like putting together a jig-saw puzzle rated for ages 4-10. Plus, you'll have the collective knowledge of this entire site for help!

Good luck with your search!

Thanks for the advice. I've been thinking a lot about how it will be used.
95% street use. More of a family weekend cruiser than anything. Reliable is important. Being able to beat it on the trail not so much.
I'm researching a fiberglass tub. I'm not real concerned with resale value. I don't do bodywork and I have no desire to learn. I don't think it's "fun". Building for me needs to be enjoyable and I enjoy that part almost more
than driving. I'll keep researching but I'm leaning towards fiberglass based on what I enjoy doing and what I don't. Feel free to give me some feedback.

 

[rguest3]

For the wekend cruiser with as much comfort as possible from the start I would recommend a 76-77. Included power steering, Front Disc Brakes with Power option and optional Automatic as well.

Update to Wild Horses 2 1/2" suspension lift with Bilstein shocks and you are off to a great start. 33s with Cut fenders and flares and 31s with stock, uncut fenders.

 

[70_Steve]

I'm researching a fiberglass tub. I'm not real concerned with resale value. I don't do bodywork and I have no desire to learn. I don't think it's "fun". Building for me needs to be enjoyable and I enjoy that part almost more
than driving. I'll keep researching but I'm leaning towards fiberglass based on what I enjoy doing and what I don't. Feel free to give me some feedback.

Do your research on the fiberglass Bronco tub. And might also start a thread asking questions about them. There are several very qualified auto body technicians on this site, and most of them agree that there is as much work to doing the finish and fit on a fiberglass Bronco body as there is on a metal tub. Just different skills. I suspect the finish on a Bronco tub will be a little different than on your Cobra.

If you're set on a fiberglass tub, don't overlook Bronco Design ( http://www.broncodesign.com ). Mike Standly designed one of the best tubs around. (just ask on this board). He has since (in the last year) sold the business, but sold to qualified fiberglass fabricators. And they have kept all of his designs. Don't know where you are located, but they are located in TN now...

 

[DuctTape]

I'm drooling over that cobra. That's my next project, if I can ever get to it.

 

[zonian]

Welcome aboard, looking forward to your build! I'd agree with above. 76-77 is a good target truck due to the power steering, disk brakes, etc. Examine the body well, as previously stated, rust is your main challenge. Most will have some......good luck!

 

[Nickm1024cobra]

Do your research on the fiberglass Bronco tub. And might also start a thread asking questions about them. There are several very qualified auto body technicians on this site, and most of them agree that there is as much work to doing the finish and fit on a fiberglass Bronco body as there is on a metal tub. Just different skills. I suspect the finish on a Bronco tub will be a little different than on your Cobra.

If you're set on a fiberglass tub, don't overlook Bronco Design ( http://www.broncodesign.com ). Mike Standly designed one of the best tubs around. (just ask on this board). He has since (in the last year) sold the business, but sold to qualified fiberglass fabricators. And they have kept all of his designs. Don't know where you are located, but they are located in TN now...

I was researching the bronco designs tub the other night and it
Looked like a quality piece. The Cobra fiberglass was relatively poor (they've since come a long way). Any bronco I buy I'm sure I'll have resprayed. I guess when I start looking I'll have to consider how bad it is to warrant buying a new tub. I realize getting the right fit and finish on fiberglass can costire
than metal.

 

[70_Steve]

With 95% street family cruiser duty, safety is important! Certainly plan on front disk brakes, and a "family" cage, assuming you'll be carrying passengers in the back seat. Power steering almost qualifies as a safety upgrade because of the ease of steering and the steering geometry setup.

The 76-77 had those things stock. But any Bronco can be "upgraded". I started with a bone stock 1970 Bronco, with manual steering, 4 wheel manual drum brakes, Dana 30 front differential, etc. I now have hydroboost front disk brakes (soon to be 4 wheel disk), power steering, Dana 44 front differential (just a little beefier), etc.

BTW, to me, a hydroboost brake booster is almost a safety upgrade in it's self. I had a vacuum booster when I installed my 35" tires. It was just about all I could do to get a chirp out of the tires when braking hard, and I'm not a small guy (6'5", 260 lbs). By simply changing to a hydroboost booster (and different master cylinder) I can lock up all 4 35's by just thinking I want to stop.

 

[dave67fd]

Welcome to Classics Nick. Nice cobra. I'm sure you'll fit right in.

Nice cooler too but the only problem is...not much room left for beer.;D

 

[broncoitis]

Welcome aboard!