Congrats! Well deserved.
Btw
@gunnibronco may be you mentioned this somewhere what is the tire size (diameter and width) I like the stance. And whats your lift.
Very well deserved. Your work on this Bronco is superb. Congratulations.
Thanks! I'll give a lot of the credit to the rig itself. It is such an unmolested, original, solid platform to start with, making it "right" has been pretty straight forward. 30 years of messing with Broncos, and 9 years to build a plan and collect parts made the process pretty smooth. There have been a few surprises (I'm not surprised), but nothing bad. The advice I've received here, and also at the Super Cel have been great as well.
@Chiclassics they are 3.5" WH springs (springs were used so they have settled) and 33x10.5 tires, rear axle is in the factory location, NOT pushed back 1". The wheels are 15x7 with just under 4" back spacing, it might be 3.75" (I'm not sure where to measure from). The tires do rub on the radius arms before full lock, but it's manageable. I wasn't expecting to go with 33s when I started, but a few here and on FB suggested they will fit. I'm super happy with the look, and I haven't experienced any sheet metal rubbing. I did take it on a dirt road with some "whoops". I didn't bomb the road, but it didn't rub either.
Phase I is coming to an end, it's a great driver now, better than I expected. Small projects include:
- Vac advance, tune carb & timing
- Add brake prop valve to rear line
- Water temp gauge- I have a spare I'll try before buying new
- EVAP/Air cleaner fitting- fitting arrived yesterday
- Jack tools- I need the jack crank tool, jack bag arrived yesterday. I got some pics of very original trucks yesterday and I need to reorient the fender jack bracket and get the lug wrench to fit the hold down's right
- Reinstall repaired factory clutch rod & new bushings- I have an adjustable one installed now
- Turn signal cam & straighten steering wheel
- Fix horn
- Passenger door latch/exterior door handle is temperamental (getting worse). Latch just needs a cleaning probably. Driver door is like butter after the latch had a good flush & relube.
- Finish flushing cooling system with distilled water and add coolant- I've been running water only. I've run and drained the radiator a couple times, but water is still VERY rusty. I'm not sure how many more times it will take, but cold temps will force the issue soon.
- I'll probably swap track bar bushings. I expected to swap c-bushings and radius arm end bushings, but they look really pretty good.
- Leaf spring shims. The new WH springs made the pinion angle steeper, it's ok, but I know shims will only help
Opinions please. I got so much great input (and saw some great rigs) at Super Cel.
Phase II and beyond were going to include:
- Wire harness- I have a Centech on the shelf- wiring is in better shape than expected with minimal shenanigans by PO
- Rust repair
- Floor pans are split at bend to firewall- have a set on the shelf
- Rockers- they are very thin, especially at the very bottom. They would need to match paint to existing- have a set on the shelf
- Bottom front of a-pillars- I want to be careful not to disturb paint inspection stamp on driver's a-pillar- I have a set of a-pillar front panels
- Inner aprons (typically bad) and kick panels (minimal rust but it's there)- probably the most difficult/invasive job
- Power steering- I have almost everything except some parts to build a collapsible lower steering shaft
- The steering isn't as difficult as I expected.
- Roll bar & 3 point shoulder belts- I really don't like lap belts from a safety aspect. I did 10 years in autobody & paint and realized how uncrashworthy these trucks are. I have an old Smittybuilt roll bar that would keep the 80s build look and allow a 3 point belt
- Interior
- I have the upholstery material and someone lined up to make/install the seat covers
- New dash pad- I have one on the shelf
- Headliner- picked up a new one from WH at Super Cel
- Wiper cover & visors- have "patina" ones on the shelf
- Carpet (tan)
After the Super Cel I'm reconsidering a lot of this list. I got so many positive reactions to the condition and look of the truck I'm reevaluating most the list. The rust and interior (especially the carpet) were received with great enthusiasm and many said leave it the way it is.
- Rust repair- The truck really won't see much moisture (certainly no snow) and won't get too many miles so the rust shouldn't really progress. The truck is super square, doors open and close great and body gaps are excellent, except the hood due to some damage. The carpet may be ruined if I do the front pans (it's really glued down). I'm not worried about doing the rust repair and paint, it's actually what I did for a living for 10 years. I know a guy who can custom mix/match the paint (I'm colorblind so I'll excuse myself from the process).
- Power steering- Not as big a deal as I expected but steering and shifting the 3 speed at low speeds takes a bit of coordination & strength.
- Interior- see possible carpet damage above, seats aren't terrible but I'm sure the deterioration will accelerate with use, dash pad is badly blown up, but not a real problem. All of the interior "issues" fit the patina/survivor look perfectly and it's all growing on me.
Market value would probably lean towards fixing all the above. I'm pretty happy (and dyed in the wool EB enthusiasts), with the truck without any of the above. I'm not planning to sell it, but if someone wants to pay off my mortgage I'd consider it. LOL. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks.
