Scoop's 72 Patina Build

[Scoop]

I've started the repair of the tailgate. It was actually in very good condition compared to most tailgates when the Bronco has been stored outside for many years. Just a small amount of rust in the upper section which I will replace with a patch panel. The area around the tire carrier latch is dented and cracked along with a "puncture wound" just to the right of the latch. It is getting a patch panel as well.

Here are the patch panels cut out.

And today I got as far as fitting up one of the patches.

I should be able to get the other patch fitted up tomorrow and both pieces welded in. I need to get this done so I can swing the tire carrier around and mount the spare.

 

[Scoop]

I got both patch panels fitted up and tacked in this morning.

 

[NGABronco]

I got both patch panels fitted up and tacked in this morning.

A little more welding and grinding and some more "Scoop" patina-ing!!!!
Looks good!!!;D;D;D

 

[Scoop]

Thanks Ben!

I got it in primer yesterday - still needs some massaging.

I finally found a spare after going to 4 different used tire places. 15's are getting hard to find. I found plenty of 18's, 20's and 22's (this tells me who is selling their used tires! LOL) but no 15's. I found one place that had 3 - one 31" AT and two 33" MT's. So I bought the 31". It was a BFG AT with about half the tread. Perfect spare for this Bronco! I got the wheel painted and mounted yesterday.

My goal for today is to finish up the patches, get the hardware reinstalled and hang the spare in the tailgate position. I'm getting this one ready to take to the Texas Round Up at the end of the month.

 

[Scoop]

Done for now!

Here's the "before" pic.

Here's the "after".

With the hardware back on.

Got the spare mounted as well.

Next project - from 2-post radio to single DIN.

I'd really like to go to an uncut dash or to a radio delete dash but since this one was already hacked I decided to go with a single DIN bluetooth media player.

 

[bronkenn]

Nice fab job on the tailgate.

 

[Scoop]

Nice fab job on the tailgate.

Thanks! It's not perfect. I tried aligning the holes for the bracket and I should have paid more attention to the body line. It's off ever so slightly!

I went out to shoot some "glamor" pics but it started raining on me. Got a few though before the downpour.

 

[kylakekevin]

Looking good Scoop !

 

[Ksm]

Ohhh I love the middle shot

Here I cleaned up the colors a little.

 

[Scoop]

Ohhh I love the middle shot

Here I cleaned up the colors a little.

Thanks! Can you send me a hi-res version? I tried it as my screen saver but it's a bit grainy.

 

[ep67bro]

Gary
The truck looks great. I really like the look of it and how you are mixing the old and new. I am kind of doing the same with my 70.

 

[Ksm]

Thanks! Can you send me a hi-res version? I tried it as my screen saver but it's a bit grainy.

Email me your original and I'll re-edit it. I just grabbed the low resolution one you posted online.

 

[half cab]

I like it Gary! Good job.

 

[Scoop]

I've been working on the steering column. Adding link here to reference thread on making a smooth collar.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Ohhh I love the middle shot

Here I cleaned up the colors a little.

That's a calendar shot! Very nice! Diggin' the mirror!

 

[Scoop]

Well the steering wheel project did not go exactly as planned! The smooth collar mod turned out good . . .

. . . but as you can see the later year steering wheel is still on! I had refurbished a correct year wheel but it would not fit correctly. Tightening the wheel nut jammed it into the collar and locked up the steering. I even trimmed the wheel some and could not get it to turn freely. So back on with the wheel that came with it. Not sure what the issue is - maybe PO changed out the steering shaft when they replaced the wheel?? I also had to go to the local pick-n-pull and get a new horn button assembly - I tore up the first one getting the wheel off. One of the main reasons I jumped into the steering column repair was that the turn signals were not cancelling. I of course assumed the turn signal switch was broken like most eventually do and I ordered a new switch. Wrong! Turns out it was not cancelling because the newer style steering wheel has not provisions for cancelling cams. It uses a different mechanism to cancel. So I had to weld on some cancelling cams to make it all work. I did install a new turn signal switch so I should be good.

Here is a stock wheel with the cancelling cams.

Here is what I did to make the cams.

Welded on and ground down some.

It seems to work fine now.

 

[Scoop]

Well, prepping for the Round Up means I had to install shoulder harnesses in the Bronco! My grandson "graduated" to a bigger car seat that requires a shoulder harness instead of using the child restraint connector points that come in all new cars. I made a bracket for the rear seat that has the connector points but now that won't work of him! I need to do this to the 72 and to my trail rig so he can go on the trails too. His mother (our DIL) will not let the kids in the Broncos without the appropriate car seats.

So . . .

I also installed some TEMPORARY neoprene seat covers in black with red stitching!

 

[Scoop]

And the rear seat in with new seatbelts . . .

 

[bronkenn]

Hey Scoop, could you adjust the steering shaft retainer at the end of the shaft to keep it from jamming the wheel to the shift collar? I had to do this to properly fit my steering wheel to the shift hub. Ken

 

[Scoop]

Hey Scoop, could you adjust the steering shaft retainer at the end of the shaft to keep it from jamming the wheel to the shift collar? I had to do this to properly fit my steering wheel to the shift hub. Ken

Good question! I'll check that out. Thanks!