The orange beast isn't very orange anymore

[kuch68]

More progress from a very busy Sunday. I did finish the last of the rear wheel well and front filler neck cover, and moved onto the door area. The wheel wells will have to be reinforced once the tub is taken off the frame since it is hard to reach from under the vehicle.

From lessons learned on the passenger side door, I took many extra measurements and continued to measure each time a new piece was being set up in the door area. I was able to cut out the old striker post, rocker panel, and inner rocker panel. I then prepped the support channels and floor pans and got most of the inner rocker welded in.

I line up the new striker post and it needs a little tweaking before welding. If all goes well I could be working on the kick panel, door post, and cowl panels by the end of next weekend, that is as long as I stay motivated.

 

[kuch68]

I was able to take some big steps over the last couple days. First and foremost, I was able to remove nearly all of the bracing in the vehicle. It has been quite some time since the Bronco was able to stand by itself. The only bracing left in the vehicle is up under the cowl to make sure the new pieces will go in straight.

After the bracing was taken out, I turned my attention to the drivers door post/kick panel. I cut everything out, lined up the new kick panel and door post and test fitted the door with everything screwed together. Due to diligent measuring, the door fit perfectly except the gap at the striker post was too narrow. Hopefully that can be fixed by some shims inside the door. I welded it together and the door closes effortlessly. Then I took on the passenger side door to get rid of the small sag after opening. A shim behind the lower hinge and it is cured. The doors never closed this well!

While I was cutting the bracing out, I used it to brace the firewall to the core support and cut out both inner fenders and wheel wells. Finally, I sat the new seats in the front to see how everything is coming together. These were probably the best deal of all. Two (brand new) seats for less than a pair of jeans. One of my buddies had a connection that retrofits GM Topkicks with new interiors, we got the last pairs.