Ol Reliable

[Nathan43]

We have gotten her mostly torn down. Also fabricated an overkill hardtop storage lift.

Several body problems say that she was in a fender bender at one point. Rust is not all that bad. Rust has taken the rockers, tailgate and 2-3 small spots on the firewall. As far as the floor goes, I believe someone just put sheet metal so they could cover up the hole, as rust is not to bad. I believe I can salvage them.

I need to decide whether or not to replace the rear quarters and front fenders and go back uncut.
Or just replace the drivers side quarter.

The ol ginger is still showing her pride in a couple of places.

 

[Nathan43]

More pics.

 

[Nathan43]

Have been trying to fix little things here and there. Its mainly waiting for sandblasting and paint. Which I can't afford right now. Trying to gain the courage to cut the whole bottom off of my old tailgate and weld in a patch panel.

Before pics.

 

[Nathan43]

After some rust and crack fixes.

 

[Nathan43]

A little update. I will have to fix some rust and sandblast it before the rear fenders can be welded back in, they are just clamped on now. I have to cut out the holes for the lights and emblems too.
A 2.5" lift is on the list, need new springs anyway. Those 32x11.5" tires don't quite fit. I think I'm going with 30x9.5"s eventually.
I can't wait. ;D

 

[Nathan43]

Well I haven't done a whole lot to the bronco lately but shop for parts. I have been fixing rust here and there, and only have a little left that I will hopefully finish this week.

The body is fairly straight now. I just have to prime and weld in the rear fenders. These 100 degree days with a 110+ heat index and high humidity have not been kind to shop work here in Louisiana.

Meanwhile parts are being piled up for the bronco. The call to Spi for the primer/clearcoat was the best phone call I've ever had to order anything. Will continue using them for many more projects. I decided to try out Tcp's Restoration shop line paint. I may have bit the bullet, but $600 for a gallon of Seqouia brown in PPG is a little steep for me. The Restoration line was $250 for the seqouia brown and $150 for the Wimbledon white. That's more my speed. Under Spi's universal clear it should be just fine. Wish me luck with that.;D

Trying to decide on some stripes/two tone on the side, kind of like a ranger package model.

 

[Nathan43]

I haven't posted much progress on here lately, only on the obsessive compulsive bronco facebook page.
Figured I would update this. Just finished trade school so I have a little more time to spend on it now.

Bought some new 30x9.5 BFGs and mounted them on my Ford rims that I sandblasted and clearcoated.
They turned out great,but I think I will eventually get some factory steelies or mags. Just doing with what I have for now.

I have removed the old quarters, sandblasted/epoxied the inside, and welded the new quarters back in. I then test fitted all the sheet metal.




It's now on my homemade rotisseri. I have to cut the new holes for side markers and the fuel tanks. Only one last rust spot on the windshield frame to fix and I'll be ready to start stripping the paint.


Please don't mind the dirty shop. Its in a mess right now. The front axle sure didn't help when it set overnight and pissed all over the shop floor from setting with the pinion up.%)

 

[kens bronco]

looking good.
Kenny

 

[Nathan43]

An overdue update here. My first paint job turned out a lot better than I thought it would. Shouldn't have to worry about rust for a good long while.

2 good coats of SPI epoxy is covering the body, really good company and product. Their universal clear is slick too. Should be all downhill from here after I paint the fenders,doors, etc.


;D Super motivated now!
One hell of a learning experience, worth it for that alone!

 

[DirtDonk]

Good job for sure. Great color for an EB too!

Paul

 

[Juiceman]

Nice work

 

[Vin218]

Looks great, like that brown

 

[Nathan43]

Sorry for the inactivity bronco brethren. After loosing my grandpaw last May I had no will to keep up with a few things. I did keep up work on the Bronco until January when i got a new job, but have had no time at all since. I was going to take a video of it running, but the iphone does not do the wonderful sound justice. Sorry for the rather mediocre pictures.

The paint job came out ok for not knowing what the hell I was doing. A great feat at 20. I learned i absolutely hate painting though. Learning what not to do is just as good a knowing what to do.

I have started two other large projects since. The most recent being my new tow rig and soon to be daily driver. Paid $500 and already have $2000 more in parts. What a tough, easy to work on, trusty, heaping pile of crap. I love it. 1991 f350 7.3 zf5 I have yet to buy a vehicle that would run the day i buy it. She came with a sweet old toolbox.

I haven't figured out what is more of a pain in the ass, working on this crap or working to pay for all of it, just to have some one fight over it when you pass.%)

 

[Skiddy]

looks good to me, I use restoration shop as well. my first paint job

 

[DirtDonk]

Thanks for even taking the time to check back in Nathan. Totally understand getting a little of the wind taken out of the sails for a bit. And it sounds like you've been busy on top of it!
And yes, that is a bad-ass tool box. Almost as big as the Bronco is!

Good luck with all of it.

Paul

 

[Nathan43]

Looks good skiddy. Thanks to you and dirtdonk, good to see some familiar faces again.

 

[bronkenn]

Bronco looks good. It's nice to see the results of all that work. Now you can paint that 350 the same color and will make an awesome towing rig. Them early 7.3's really like the Banks upgrade. Just saying. Ken

 

[No Hay]

Nice work on your paint job, and it looks great under the hood!

Yep, funny to see peoples true character come to the surface when loved ones pass.

 

[sprdv1]

Very nice Nathan.. turned out pretty good

Sorry for the inactivity bronco brethren. After loosing my grandpaw last May I had no will to keep up with a few things. I did keep up work on the Bronco until January when i got a new job, but have had no time at all since. I was going to take a video of it running, but the iphone does not do the wonderful sound justice. Sorry for the rather mediocre pictures.

The paint job came out ok for not knowing what the hell I was doing. A great feat at 20. I learned i absolutely hate painting though. Learning what not to do is just as good a knowing what to do.

I have started two other large projects since. The most recent being my new tow rig and soon to be daily driver. Paid $500 and already have $2000 more in parts. What a tough, easy to work on, trusty, heaping pile of crap. I love it. 1991 f350 7.3 zf5 I have yet to buy a vehicle that would run the day i buy it. She came with a sweet old toolbox.

I haven't figured out what is more of a pain in the ass, working on this crap or working to pay for all of it, just to have some one fight over it when you pass.%)

 

[sprdv1]

looks good to me, I use restoration shop as well. my first paint job

And then there was SMORR.. Time for a redo