"Peanut" '75 Hunting/Trail Rig Build Thread

[JGbronc]

Front axle is built, minus the lockouts and paint. New seals, bearings, and ball joints.

The PCM and harness should ship out this week. I’m going to start gathering up all the parts needed for the EFI while I wait on it all to return, and try to have it ready to wire up and run when it returns. I took off 3 days the week of Labor Day to hopefully get it running. Also so I can take a couple other Broncos to Heflin for the Ford Jamboree! ;D

 

[JGbronc]

No major changes on the appearance yet, other than the Carolina Rake it currently has going on. ;D

 

[fordfan]

Peanut is beginning to look like he might have a little bit of an attitude! It's looking great Jimmy! Creamy or Crunchy, the Peanut build is coming along as smooth as butter it seems!

 

[JGbronc]

Peanut is beginning to look like he might have a little bit of an attitude! It's looking great Jimmy! Creamy or Crunchy, the Peanut build is coming along as smooth as butter it seems!

It's going pretty good so far. I'm glad to finally be getting somewhere on this one. Thank you for the compliments!

 

[JGbronc]

Made a trip to the local Pick-n-Pull today to look for an early ‘00s Escape PCM housing. These are easily removed from the Escape and are a perfect fit for the Explorer/Mountaineer PCM. I got the one I needed for this, and lucked up and got an extra for a future project.

Also happened to find a ‘00 V8 Explorer in the yard with the PCM still in it, so I grabbed it for a spare.

 

[JGbronc]

Front axle is out, along with the huge raggedy lift and awful looking radius arms.

Going back with stock radius arms and 4* bushings.

 

[JGbronc]

The 4:09 disk brake axle is now under it, with new bushings and coils. Luckily it looks like the 3.5” coils we had are a match!

Have a few little things to finish with the drivetrain, then I will be focusing on getting the inner fenders and firewall painted.

 

[capt. bronco]

It's looking so much better! I would love something like this to hunt out of. Nothing like riding to and from the woods in a early bronco.

 

[sprdv1]

The 4:09 disk brake axle is now under it, with new bushings and coils. Luckily it looks like the 3.5” coils we had are a match!

Have a few little things to finish with the drivetrain, then I will be focusing on getting the inner fenders and firewall painted.

Great way to stay distracted from all this other BS happening now a days...

 

[JGbronc]

It's looking so much better! I would love something like this to hunt out of. Nothing like riding to and from the woods in a early bronco.

Thank you! I love the new lower stance, and it'll make getting in and out easier with all our hunting gear.

Riding to and from the woods in an Early Bronco was a big part of my life growing up. I'll be glad to be doing it again on a regular basis once this is wrapped up.

 

[capt. bronco]

Thank you! I love the new lower stance, and it'll make getting in and out easier with all our hunting gear.

Riding to and from the woods in an Early Bronco was a big part of my life growing up. I'll be glad to be doing it again on a regular basis once this is wrapped up.

Some of my greatest memories too. I had a green 77. I made so many memories in that thing in high school and later. I really appreciate the work all you guys that build the show stopper trucks. But my heart belongs to the hunting rigs and trail rigs. I mean that is what these things are built for! It's just kind of sad to me some of these Broncos never see off road use. I guess unfortunately it seems to have become more of a status symbol!

 

[JGbronc]

Been off the forum a while but we’ve been working on it. Ordered 4 new shocks for the front to match the new lift and mounted them. (It’s dual shocked front and rear)

Added a drop trac bar bracket and trac bar with new bushings.

Removed both tanks to begin getting ready for new fuel setup.


Also a couple changes in plans. Went ahead and pulled the transmission and t-case out to clean, reseal the case, and add twin sticks. Additionally I wasn’t happy with the patch job on the front floors, so Saturday we cut them out to replace. Should have those done this weekend or next.

 

[sprdv1]

Been off the forum a while but we’ve been working on it. Ordered 4 new shocks for the front to match the new lift and mounted them. (It’s dual shocked front and rear)

Added a drop trac bar bracket and trac bar with new bushings.

.

Figured you was making good use of the down time brother..

 

[JGbronc]

Got the floor pans welded in today. Still need to grind, seam seal, and coat. Should be able to do that through the week and focus on something else this weekend.

I’m planning to use Memorial Day weekend to get the front inner clip and hood painted, then We will start putting the engine/trans back in.

 

[904Bronco]

Looks Good!

 

[stout22]

Looks like its quickly moving away from the hunting/trail rig. Great progress!

 

[JGbronc]

Looks like its quickly moving away from the hunting/trail rig. Great progress!

I’m still keeping my promise! It’s still a hunting/trail rig!

 

[JGbronc]

Haven’t updated in a while, but we’ve made some progress. I cut the hole in the firewall for the PCM housing, and was able to tap the housing with a 3/8” tap so I could run a bolt through the inside of the Bronco and secure it. The PCM and plastic cover will be secured by a nut and washer on the engine compartment side.

Also got the top side of the floors seam sealed and coated. Have most of the lower half done as well, and will finish after I do all the blasting and sealing on the front inner clip.

 

[JGbronc]

Worked hard this weekend getting the front inner clip blasted and primed. Went over it with an epoxy primer, then urethane after seam sealing all the blasted areas that needed it. Far from show quality but a big improvement after the fire damage and rust removal.

Taking a break for a short while, but I’ll get back on it soon.