Operation Bronc-n-Build

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Ended up ordering a new Detroit Locker from Jegs. Arrived in box - who knew that Detroit Locker is now a product line of Eaton...Also got some Timken side carrier bearings 3.06. Getting it back together tomorrow. Discovered the right axle tube is slightly bent - sits about 1/2 inch higher at right wheel. Outside edge of tire not touching the cement. Going to try and bend it with a tool that fits in tube and a frame straightening machine. Dang - this is eating into the $s I was going to use for a roll cage.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

She's running again! Finally got everything back together.

 

[stupidboy]

I like build threads, especially with lots of progress pics.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Running Again

Did a test run. 4 low and high. Everything seems to be working. Fairly bouncy going down the road. Need to upgrade the shocks. The back ones are the ones from the 3 1/2 lift springs -definitely need to upgrade because it looks like they will limit travel. Front shocks (BC radius arms mounts only has location for one shock per side) are right length for 5 1/2 lift but I think they are worn out. Front end very bouncy - probably going to also add a 2nd shock on each side of the front.

 

[Tito]

Did you or previous owner remove the radius arm drop brackets? Did the coil buckets get moved back up? It was funny cause when I first got the bronco, driving it home busted a front coil so I ordered a New set of ranchos for it (early 90s). Figured it had a 3.5" lift from my measurements. Put the new coils on and it was so high in the front! Almost couldn't get the springs in. Took a little bit to figure out that all the front suspension had just been lowered 3-4" and stock coils used. So I got a new set of stock coils for the front and it leveled it all out.

The mods I did to it while I had it was new front coils, carpet kit, duff front shock hoops, rancho 5000s in front, redid the heads, new bushings up front, rebuilt column shift, duff turbo exhaust from headers to tailpipes, 33" futura tires, new clutch, and a few misc things.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Hey Tito,

When I bought it, it had the Duff Hoops (one shock in front of coil and one behind on each side) with Duff shocks all around. Coils and Leafs were Wild Horses 3 1/2. One of the POs must have taken off the radius arm drop brackets. Strangely enough, there were stock radius arm brackets on, but they had been moved forward a couple of inches. I cut them off with the grinder and put new ones back to stock location as I installed the BC Bronco's extended radius arms which actually pushed the front axle foward an inch or 2. I still have the Duff Hoops on, but since I now have knuckle over steering, can't run a shock in front of the radius arms C mount. I was looking at the Duff Shock Hoops that have 2 shock mount points behind the coil and will probably go with them. The ride is way to bouncy (soft) with only 1 shock in the front now. The carpet was long gone but the time I got the bronco. The column shift had been changed to Duff floor shifter and it had glasspacks with the exhaust ending right under the front seats. I went with flowmasters and the pipes exiting on the sides behind the rear axle. I think the same tires were still on it - 33s Futura - LOL. Somebody had also installed a new dash with aftermarket guages and the glove box moved left - but speedometer, gas guage and oil pressure were not hooked up.

Mike

 

[Tito]

Very cool to get the update. Yeah its interesting to watch these evolve over time. Too bad the dash disappeared, it had the rare 67 chrome trim on it. Top had all the rain gutter trim as well. Keep the updates coming on it. When I had it it also had a giant 3" chrome "show" bar in it...not likely to protect at all.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Hydroboost still back ordered - arghh! Looking at roll cages. Seriously considering the Moab Mike cage. Anyone have one? If so, what do you think of it? Gearing up for the OCBR run in September? Tito, you planning on going?

 

[Tito]

Oh man, I'd love to make it and still hope to but things are real up in the air right now for me and possibly working next year part time (teacher). It looks like a blast and one definitely I need to make.

 

[Tito]

Would be even cooler to get a chance to ride in my old bronco.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Definitely would be cool if it works out.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Hydroboost in!

Hydroboost is in. Dang, what a difference in stopping -almost puts you through the windshield. Power Steering Pump is slowly leaking, will need to change it out.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

It don't come easy

Well, 3 trips to O'Reilly's - she's running again...

Had ordered the high volume Saginaw Pump for Wild Horses. Decided it would be worth the extra $20 to have the pulley already mounted on it. It of course, was off by about 1/2 inch - see picks above - gold pump is the old one, silver new one. Bent the pulley trying to back it off. Then looked online and realized there is a pulley extractor tool. Got the tool, finished extracting the pulley. Extracted the pulley off the old pump and put it on the new pump. Bolted everything back together and discovered the metal pipe out of the pump for the return line faced the opposite direction - the return hose coming of the cooler was now too short by about 4 inches. Got more P/S return hose, plumbed it up and on bleeding the pump. Some great articles out there - some gurgling and minor spray later, no more bubbles! Fired her up and took a test run. Turns awesome and no leaks!

 

[stupidboy]

It never fails, what should be a simple task turns into so much more and a bunch of trips to the auto parts store.

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Every time!

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Pic of New PS Pump

New pump in - no leaks!

 

[stupidboy]

Brake work good?

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

It will put u thru the windshield...especially with only lap belts. Planning on upgrading to 37s next year so will be a good set up.

 

[stupidboy]

Did you have vacuum brakes before or manual?

 

[Bronc-n-Bird]

Had manual - plus 4 wheel drums