Unbelievable Bronco Story + build thread

[Cortez]

For the drive train - I pondered it a lot but in the end decided to stick with the NP435. If money were no object I probably would upgrade to a 5 speed but when I considered my typical driving there is not much reason to do it. I did pick up a 2nd hand gear banger that I will put in - shoot even a 20% improvement in shifting would help. More trading and swapping happened on the tranny - I pulled mine out to rebuild and picked up a second one for $100 to see if it might be better than mine.

Well then I found a rebuilt one, 20 years newer than mine and swapped him my two tranny’s plus $100 - so I’ve got $200 in it total. Not bad. Changed the clutch out at the same time - yes I found a clutch kit someone bought and didn’t use so I saved some dough on that too. It’s definitely a sickness with me :-[. Or maybe it’s a gift I have.

Here’s a couple pics of my daughter (now 12) helping put the transmission back in. It was August - which in Florida is the absolute worst time to be working in the garage the heat and humidity is unreal...you only get comfortable once your whole shirt is soaked with sweat then the evaporative cooling happens...it ain’t pretty.

 

[KANE]

This is an Awesome Story!! So glad you got Charlie back! Keep pluggin away, looks great!

 

[Cortez]

This is an Awesome Story!! So glad you got Charlie back! Keep pluggin away, looks great!

Thanks Kane - I love your build...I think I have settled on Brittany Blue for mine also.

 

[jmangi62]

Man what a great assistant, she be getting right in there.

 

[KANE]

Thanks Kane - I love your build...I think I have settled on Brittany Blue for mine also.

That's great! Something to keep in mind is the color you use when you prime..I used black and it darkened it up. White would lighten it up. Barely but it was evident in the sun on a piece my metal with both primed and painted samples. Pictures really don't do the color justice...I really love mine! Let me know if you need any Paint codes. Cant wait to see it!

 

[sprdv1]

NP435 has been through lots of miles in a lot of vehicles.. I don't blame ya

 

[Cortez]

Yesterday I cut the quarter for the new flush- mounted fuel filler. Just need a little finishing work and plumbing.

 

[svastano]

Looks great!

 

[txtruk15]

Yesterday I cut the quarter for the new flush- mounted fuel filler. Just need a little finishing work and plumbing.

I like that gas cap - where did you find that?

 

[Cortez]

I like that gas cap - where did you find that?

It’s the filler neck with a locking cap from Newton Equipment, model is “zero 300”

https://www.newton-equipment.com/zero-300-filler-caps.html

Luckily one of their US distributors is in my town...just ran by and picked it up.

 

[txtruk15]

It’s the filler neck with a locking cap from Newton Equipment, model is “zero 300”

https://www.newton-equipment.com/zero-300-filler-caps.html

Luckily one of their US distributors is in my town...just ran by and picked it up.

that sure is pretty - I think that's going on my "mod" to-do list!

 

[Cortez]

Knocked a few more things off my list today - bell crank assembly put back in, fuse box mounted, rebuilt heater mounted back in, and welded up the cracks in my window frames...feeling good about the progress today.

 

[rguest3]

Hey Cortez - Charlie is looking Great! I look for ward to seeing the final product.

 

[Cortez]

Thanks Ray, seems like the list never ends. - I need to come over and see your Coyote build.

 

[rguest3]

Yes, the list never ends.

A Fully assembled Coyote on the Engine Stand with the BC Serpentine, Headers and Engine Mounts ready to install. Rolling chassis is done and body is in PPG Epoxy Primer.

The other 69 Gobi and the 76 Decor are first in line. Coyote will be next.

 

[Cortez]

Picked up my front seats today, they turned out pretty sweet. These are 2016 JK seats that I had an upholstery shop make a correction to the top panel. ;D

 

[Audifan]

Picked up my front seats today, they turned out pretty sweet. These are 2016 JK seats that I had an upholstery shop make a correction to the top panel. ;D

JK seats look great. Are you able to use the j**p seat mounts or are you having to fab up mounts?

 

[ToddinMT]

That is a great story!

 

[Cortez]

Thanks for the comment Todd. Audiffan - I cut off the Jeep seat mounts and basically have flat-mount sliders so it will be easy on my drivers side to mount the seat but will have to fab a mounting bracket for the passenger side...shouldn’t be too difficult I had previously done the same with some Grand Cherokee seats.

 

[Audifan]

Thanks for the comment Todd. Audiffan - I cut off the Jeep seat mounts and basically have flat-mount sliders so it will be easy on my drivers side to mount the seat but will have to fab a mounting bracket for the passenger side...shouldn’t be too difficult I had previously done the same with some Grand Cherokee seats.

Gotcha. Thanks for the insight.

Looking forward to seeing it come together.