Things you wish you did when taking the body off the frame to paint?

[clinem03]

I just delivered my 76 Wagon to have the body taken off the frame for some metal work and paint. She is mostly original, including the paint and the body is in awesome shape...but does need some metal work in the usual areas (floor pans, rockers, front fenders). I plan to have the frame coated, and any new lines run (ebrake, fuel lines) while also adding the side body moulding the truck. I also plan to add AC as this will be my daily driver and it gets really hot/humid here in NC in the Summers. I'll also be doing the usual things like a new suspension, interior upholstery etc but my question today is more about the body/frame and any "add-ons" that make sense while taking the body off and painting it. I figured getting all of this stuff done before paint would ensure that all the holes that are drilled are coated in fresh paint to ensure that there is no bare metal showing that could be susceptible to rust. I am also considering a ceramic coating for the exterior to keep the paint super fresh.

What am I missing? Are there things you did to your Bronco before paint? Are there things you wished you had done before paint?

 

[dsenatore]

Hi Clinem03,
25 years ago I wish I knew to tack a brace between the door openings. My rocker seams wish I did too! :-[
Will address this when I take the body off again for the 25 year redo...
Cheers,
David

 

[Rumcustom]

With the body off, I would add the rear dual shock mounts to the frame even though you might not be going to dual shocks. They are cheap enough and it's a good time to install them and paint the welds properly with the rest of the frame. If you do, don't forget to clearance the inner fender well above the area where the mounts will be, just like the factory did for the stock mounts. I did this in the old days when we were all going with dual shocks but maybe with today's availability of quality shocks you won't need to worry about adding more.

 

[Steve83]

Read this caption & the NEXT several:

(phone app link)

 

[RonJones]

Advice? Take a gazillion pictures. Weld/fill any unneeded holes. If any new equipment to be added, fit and drill ahead of time. Cuts down on touchups later. Be sure and get leftover paint and primer for later touchups. Take pictures of the paint before the labels get smeared with paint. Get the frame sandblasted and galvanized before coating. Dropped it off in Ft Worth and picked it up 1 week later. $700 in 2018. The paint shop wanted $1200 for sandblasting only and $2K for coating. Sandblasted only has to be coated right away - galvanized, whenever. Take a gazillion pictures!

 

[rguest3]

clinem03 - Assuming you are going to take the whole Bronco apart, take lots of pictures during your tear down and Bag / Label all re-usable original hardware.

Mock up all modifications that require drilling holes.

Here is a picture of what your Bronco will look like. The Frame was Powder Coated. Then start assembly.

Make a spreadsheet of all systems of the truck and what parts are needed for the upgrades and what parts you are going to restore.

Paint ALL parts individually then assemble. Looks so much better and more detailed if done this way. Seems the unpainted Calipers and Master Cylinder are the first things to show Rust. Paint them.

 

[74 Bronco Billy]

Congratulations on yr project. I hope it goes well. I took yr question as specifically what items, so:
Steering- if you can still use yr PS box, then great, but you may want to reinforce the box frame where it mounts, possibly with gussets as well. Look up Ruff Stuff.
Suspension- YOu will find that shipping makes the decision visually for you between the two biggest vendors suspensions, Duff's and WH. With you in SC, go with Duff's, install like previously laid out.
EFI- If going this route, yr fuel system will need a return line to a after market large gas tank, so get one, mount it, then put in both yr fuel lines and brake lines.
Braking- Discs Up front are great, but hydro boost will make them better. Confirm that the set up you plan to use will fit with the engine of yr choice.
Accessories- If you plane on trail lights, AMP steps, aftermarket bumpers, roll cage, etc., install 1st, then holes are in places. Put weld in nuts or plugs if needed from McMaster Carr or Ruff Stuff.
Good luck
Forrest

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[clinem03]

With the body off, I would add the rear dual shock mounts to the frame even though you might not be going to dual shocks. They are cheap enough and it's a good time to install them and paint the welds properly with the rest of the frame. If you do, don't forget to clearance the inner fender well above the area where the mounts will be, just like the factory did for the stock mounts. I did this in the old days when we were all going with dual shocks but maybe with today's availability of quality shocks you won't need to worry about adding more.

Great idea! I do plan to keep her as original as I can and only plan to add single shocks in the rear as most of my driving will be on the street. I also invested in higher end eibach shocks...so hopefully they are enough!

 

[clinem03]

Hi Clinem03,
25 years ago I wish I knew to tack a brace between the door openings. My rocker seams wish I did too! :-[
Will address this when I take the body off again for the 25 year redo...
Cheers,
David

Great call! The shop that is doing the work will definitely brace the body before removing it from the frame.

 

[clinem03]

Advice? Take a gazillion pictures. Weld/fill any unneeded holes. If any new equipment to be added, fit and drill ahead of time. Cuts down on touchups later. Be sure and get leftover paint and primer for later touchups. Take pictures of the paint before the labels get smeared with paint. Get the frame sandblasted and galvanized before coating. Dropped it off in Ft Worth and picked it up 1 week later. $700 in 2018. The paint shop wanted $1200 for sandblasting only and $2K for coating. Sandblasted only has to be coated right away - galvanized, whenever. Take a gazillion pictures!

Pictures are free these days! I do this with every project, its so simple and often times saves my A** when putting everything back together. Thanks!

 

[clinem03]

clinem03 - Assuming you are going to take the whole Bronco apart, take lots of pictures during your tear down and Bag / Label all re-usable original hardware.

Mock up all modifications that require drilling holes.

Here is a picture of what your Bronco will look like. The Frame was Powder Coated. Then start assembly.

Make a spreadsheet of all systems of the truck and what parts are needed for the upgrades and what parts you are going to restore.

Paint ALL parts individually then assemble. Looks so much better and more detailed if done this way. Seems the unpainted Calipers and Master Cylinder are the first things to show Rust. Paint them.

GREAT advice!

 

[Jfryjfry]

Do any lines you want to run on top of the frame (fuel, brake, Evap, etc) but make sure whatever clamp system you come up with that you make it so you can access and r/r it from the side. Eg I’d use hex bolts and not screws

Also run any hoses and wires through the frame that you want to now. I ran transmission cooler lines and some electrical through mine to keep it neat.

 

[bigmuddy]

Do any lines you want to run on top of the frame (fuel, brake, Evap, etc) but make sure whatever clamp system you come up with that you make it so you can access and r/r it from the side. Eg I’d use hex bolts and not screws

Also run any hoses and wires through the frame that you want to now. I ran transmission cooler lines and some electrical through mine to keep it neat.

I agree with thinking ahead on fastners and clamp access for later when the body is on.

I would sandblast the frame, treat with POR or something similar and topcoat with a simple paint that can retouched later, powdercoat will eventually either fade get scraped off or later degrade and peel.

 

[hammer189]

Seal off both vins so you can read them after the frame is painted.