Project "BOB - Big Orange Bronco" Wheeling pics addded

[Yeller]

Now Robert, I can kinda envision that, but some pics sure would help!!!!%)%)%)

Sho nuff;D;D

 

[SC74]

Here are a few pics!

The WH brackets are made to prep lace the driver side explorer bracket. One bracket is for the top pulley and the other is for a Saginaw or p-pump. The two plates came with an assortment of washers and spacers. I ended up tacking the spacers to the brackets where the directions said to install them to make it much cleaner and save me the headache of losing one when I have to remove them and/or not remember where the heck they were. In my opinion, the kit could be much improved and cleaner by coming pre-tacked to save everyone the hassle.

On the pulley bracket, it says to use the factory spacers and washers and then stack another washer and a 7/8" spacer and a longer 10mm bolt through the pulley and a nut on the the backside of the plate bracket. First, My stock bolt was a shoulder bolt (see pic). The explorers must have come two different ways - this type shoulder bolt or a standard bolt with a plastic type insert to center the bolt on the ID of the pulley bearing. The second bolt in the pic is from a different idler on the explorer brackets but same exact set up in a smaller size. Ford replaces that top idler with a cheaper pulley (no shoulders to keep the belt on and this plastic insert style inner) and costs $44 (You can buy the pulley from any parts house but it doesn't come with that spacer or a bolt)!! I wasn't excited about leveraging a plastic spacer and then bolting it to a plate. My solution was to keep my original shouldered bolt. I went to Ace Hardware and bout a 5/16 ID 1" spacer (perfect for tapping to 10mm). I welded the spacer to the plate and then welded a washer to increase the surface area where it rides on the bearing (used a washer the same OD as the explorer bracket surface was).

It's the little things like this that take so long!!!

 

[SC74]

And here is proof that she stands up on her own two front tires now!

I didn't say it could brake itself yet!!

 

[NGABronco]

Looking good Robert, thanks for the pics!!!! I can see it more clearly now!!!!;D;D;D

 

[Mountain Ram]

And here is proof that she stands up on her own two front tires now!

I didn't say it could brake itself yet!!

Looks good Robert!! Someday mine will be painted too!;D

 

[SC74]

Between fighting for hood clearance and making sure I have good flow, I found the fitting to make both happen. Now that I know where it will be I can build the frame to mount the reservoir to (welded to the PS pump bracket so it's all one unit). 2 more hoses are ready for me to pickup tomorrow and I should be able to plumb this mess

 

[Yeller]

That will work nice.

 

[NGABronco]

Looking good Robert!!! Project "BOB" is coming right along!!!;D;D;D

 

[Mountain Ram]

Hello?? Anybody in here? %)

Where's the off road videos showing us how badass this thing is now?

 

[SC74]

HA you are funny! I did take it on a trial tip down through my gulley/rock garden on the farm. It performed great and a major improvement over what I had.

Now I've got my knuckles off and plating them to help handle the extra stress. In the process, I'm replacing my driver side spindle since it's got some battle scars.

 

[SC74]

It's a good thing I took Yeller's advise to inspect and plate my knuckles... This is what I found after cleaning the driver side. The crack goes all the way through.... But I V ground it out and welded it up. I was on borrowed time!

 

[SC74]

And the inside...

 

[NGABronco]

Dad gum Robert, I guess I better go take a close look at mine!!!%)%)%)

 

[Mountain Ram]

Those knuckles are cast right? Ho well will the welds hold?

 

[Yeller]

They are cast steel the welds hold fine just takes a lot of juice they are thick

 

[GRN_MEANIE]

I copied the TMR setup when I plated mine. I would keep those as spares and find another set tho.

 

[Yeller]

I've fixed a bunch of them and have yet to have a failure, most were much worse than that. I usually work for guys that can break a steel ball in a sand box with a rubber hammer, myself included.....

 

[SC74]

I bought the kit from rydelfab.com. His reviews on Pirate were good and they are pre-bent. I might try to finish burning it on today, but it's a good fit.

 

[SC74]

Those knuckles are cast right? Ho well will the welds hold?

I think pre-heat is the key. I've got it tacked together on now with mig but plan on using a 7018 rod to burn them on for good.

 

[Mountain Ram]

I think pre-heat is the key. I've got it tacked together on now with mig but plan on using a 7018 rod to burn them on for good.

I only have a mig and even though I have access to a stick welder at work, I have never welded with one. Is it possible to weld this with a 220V Mig?