Rear and front axle housing color?

[BroncoBub]

I did a search on the forum to see what color the third member was from the factory. Didn't find a whole lot. I'm pretty sure the housing was a satin??? black or? (see pictures) and then I started cleaning the third member off with a wire brush and it was a dark to mid blueish color (see pic). Could this be correct? or was it painted black, orange or cast iron color? Would like to put it back how it left the factory if possible. I'm kind of anal about things like this. see pic of my suspension from my 75 Trans Am I did...

Thanks, Bub

 

[DirtDonk]

Color? Heck, the factory color was rust!
Actually I think you're right with the basic satin black theory. The 9" sometimes had a red-oxide primer on the chunk/3rd member section, but that was for certain limited numbers I believe. Not sure any came on Broncos from the factory, but I believe some Stroppe Baja's had them.

Now, a blue? Very strange but I would not put it past someone giving it a quick spritz at the factory. More likely though one of the PO's in the long gone past did it for the cool factor. Looks pretty "Ford Blue" from here, but hard to say. Definitely been on there a long time.

Can't wait to hear if any others have seen the blue color before.

Paul

 

[BroncoBub]

I also thought the blue was po painted. Interested to see if anyone else has the right color combo.

Bub

 

[66BlueGoose]

All the ones I have seen have always been black.

 

[rguest3]

Paul is correct. Factory color was most likely Black and the earlier one's were Red Oxide. Any other color was a PO option.

I paint the rear 3rd member Red Oxide. the rest of the Axles front and Rear is painted Black.

 

[BroncoBub]

Paul is correct. Factory color was most likely Black and the earlier one's were Red Oxide. Any other color was a PO option.

I paint the rear 3rd member Red Oxide. the rest of the Axles front and Rear is painted Black.

Would you have any pictures of the painted axles. What color would be close in rattle can in red oxide.?
Thanks

 

[rguest3]

Broncobub - Look in my Garage under the Green 77 Bronco. Rear Axle pics there.

 

[DirtDonk]

What color would be close in rattle can in red oxide?

That would be "red oxide" in fact.
It's the name of the color, and is a very common (except maybe in smaller auto parts stores) on the shelf color.
So you're literally just looking for "red oxide primer" as it's usually a primer. But I suppose it does not have to be primer and could still be called that and be a top coat.

Similar colors are in the reddish-brown category. I believe it literally means "rust" so if you find a paint named Rust Brown, or Rust Red, it would be pretty close.
But if you want the correct stuff, it's just Red Oxide.

But don't forget that Broncos were usually black, so don't over do the hunt for the right red when your original would have been black.

Paul

 

[House]

This is the nicest restored one I have seen, courtesy of Andrew Norton.

 

[BroncoBub]

Ok thanks to all for responding.,

Thanks for the pictures.

That rear end look great!

Now I see what color "red oxide" is..

Thanks
Bub