Scoop's 72 Patina Build

[Scoop]

Duff 3-spd floor shifter and JB Fab twin sticks are in and working well!

I know lots of you like the standard column 3-spd shifter, and I can respect that. As for me, I think it sucks! Much more fun to shift gears with a floor shifter. The twin sticks work awesome. I have not removed the pills and I may not ever. I will never need to do a front dig with this Bronco!

Obviously I still need to button it up and install the boots.

 

[Scoop]

Here's the buttoned up pic.

I also got some outdoor pics with the new body mounts/body lift. It raised the body about 1 1/2 inches because the original mounts were pretty collapsed.

Bumpers are off to get "foose'd" (narrowed).

 

[bronkenn]

Those mounts sure gave it a nice stance. Coming along very well.

 

[ep67bro]

looking Good!!

 

[Scoop]

Foosing around!

Another thread talked about shortening bumpers. I did it to the half cab I had and I like the look. So I decided to do it to this Broncos well.

I removed 3 1/2" from each side.

Tacked together and hanging on the frame horns to check out the width.

Welded up.

Ground the welds and rehung.

Next step is mount a Cactus Smasher! This Cactus Smasher is not from a Bronco - it's one that was made by the company that initially bought out Stroppe and manufactured them for other makes. This one probably was made to fit a Blazer or Ramcharger. So I'm having to modify it to fit an early Bronco. Right now it's just tacked up on the main mounts. I still need to modify the down legs.

But I'm taking a break and going wheeling this weekend at Katemcy Rocks. The Cactus smasher will have to wait until next week!

 

[sprdv1]

A man of many talents.. Good to see getting more stuff done

 

[Scoop]

Thanks Dave!

Today I got the Cactus Smasher modified to fit the early Bronco bumper and welded up. I moved the down legs down about 4 inches. It still needs the welds dressed and a thin coat of filler in spots. I may need to strip off the powder coating too. I just touched up the modified areas with some Wimbledon White for now. The bumper will be sanded and painted too.

Next will be modifying the rear bumper. 1 1/2" off each side and shave the top bolts.

 

[surfer-b]

Looking good, your making good progress, keep pics coming

 

[Scoop]

I wqorked on the rear bumper today. Got it narrowed 1 1/2" per side, shaved, smoothed the upper bolts and filled the center holes.

Here it is on with the welds ground down.

No bolt heads!!

I know 1 1/2 inches per side does not seem like much, but even this small amount improves the looks in my opinion. A thin coat of filler and paint will finish it off!

I had some 4 inch LED driving lights I was going to use on another project so I mounted them up on the Cactus Smasher to see what they would look like.

Not period correct that's for sure! I don't think I like them. It really needs some round Cibies to look right. Your thoughts??

 

[JeffG]

I would agree with you Gary, round lights would look better and more period correct. Hard to tell from the angle of the pic, but round Cibies block most of the turn signal and part of the headlight?

 

[surfer-b]

if you are going for looks I agree the Cibies would look better but for function I'm sure the LED's would be better

 

[tirewater]

Not period correct that's for sure! I don't think I like them. It really needs some round Cibies to look right. Your thoughts??

I don't like them at all. I would cut the wings/mounts off the cactus smasher and not mount any auxiliary lights.

If I were to mount auxiliary lights, I'd mount round ones (whatever fits, 4"?) in the center of the cactus smasher bar.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

"Not period correct that's for sure! I don't think I like them. It really needs some round Cibies to look right. Your thoughts??"


Maybe try them upside down underneath the tabs? That leaves the blinkers clear. If that doesn't cut it, I agree with Tirewater - cut them off. Really nice work on this patina pony! The rear view side mirror is spiffy!

 

[stout22]

I'd mount round ones (whatever fits, 4"?) in the center of the cactus smasher bar.

This is what I was also thinking

 

[Scoop]

Thanks for all the comments. OK, the 4" square LEDs are out! I do like the tabs. This is what I'd like to have:

Round:

Rectangular:

As you can see the Cactus smasher for the early Bronco has the light tabs lower so the lights do not block the turn signals. I may need to lower them. Now to find some vintage Cities!!

Maybe Hellas??

 

[No Hay]

Nice work on the bumpers. Perfect dimensions.

I like the round Cibies too.

 

[ep67bro]

Yup round lights would look best. Even a set of small KC lights would be a better fit than the LEDs.


I really want a Cactus smasher on my 70 even more after seeing your pics!

 

[kylakekevin]

What do the cibies look like? I defiantly think round is the way to go and either hang them down or move the tabs down one.

 

[Scoop]

What do the cibies look like? I defiantly think round is the way to go and either hang them down or move the tabs down one.

 

[mp]

I have a set of vintage, period correct rectangular KC highlighters (amber I think) with the covers if you want them. I don't throw away anything. They would look perfect on that rig.