Unbelievable Bronco Story + build thread

[sprdv1]

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

Look like they would be comfy....

 

[Cortez]

Work has been crazy for a while and so I had to put my schedule off a little bit with the bronco. I’ve still been making some updates as I can and here’s a few of the latest ones getting really close to getting in the paint.

I installed an edelbrock performer intake that I picked up from Rguest3, and finally got the front dress back on the engine, new valve covers and fitech back in place. Picked up a new radiator since my wife complained about the old one being ugly. Just about to have Charlie running again- can’t wait.

We did make it to super Celebration just as spectators and had an awesome time...it was great motivation to wrap this up and get it back on the road.

 

[Cortez]

Also hit a couple light steel repairs...filled in my cut dash and welded in a patch panel for my broken door latch retainer area...this was a patch panel from CJ Pony parts as a 65-66 mustang part but it’s the same as Bronco. Just need a thin coat of body filler and some sanding now.

 

[Cortez]

I thought Super Celebration would help me settle on a paint color but I’ve been so confused that it changes every day. I want something that says old school but not plain Jane. I was all set on Brittany Blue with maybe a flat black special decor stripe...but love the lime metallic and still have a craving for Caribbean Turquoise. What to do?

 

[JGbronc]

I thought Super Celebration would help me settle on a paint color but I’ve been so confused that it changes every day. I want something that says old school but not plain Jane. I was all set on Brittany Blue with maybe a flat black special decor stripe...but love the lime metallic and still have a craving for Caribbean Turquoise. What to do?

My vote is for Carribean Turquoise. Would be a good fit for a '67.

 

[Cortez]

Well I think I have zero’d in on the color. Cavalry Blue - a fairly recent color from Toyota and I have seen an Icon Bronco with the color...love it. Going with maybe a flat black Special Decor stripe. Hope to deliver to the paint shop by end of this week so I was up at 4:30 today with my mind going nuts with all the items I want to finish. Yesterday I got door latches on and striker plates as well as welding on a new windshield fold down latch. Today is replacing the fuel pump and fitting the grill and hood. Started out by prepping a beef brisket to slow smoke cook today!

Guard dogs look a little lazy this morning.

 

[No Hay]

Excellent color choice.

Every Toyota truck I see go by in that color, I imagine it on my Bronco.

 

[sprdv1]

Cool color, will make that thing sharp...

yeah old guard dog, must be off shift

Well I think I have zero’d in on the color. Cavalry Blue - a fairly recent color from Toyota and I have seen an Icon Bronco with the color...love it. Going with maybe a flat black Special Decor stripe. Hope to deliver to the paint shop by end of this week so I was up at 4:30 today with my mind going nuts with all the items I want to finish. Yesterday I got door latches on and striker plates as well as welding on a new windshield fold down latch. Today is replacing the fuel pump and fitting the grill and hood. Started out by prepping a beef brisket to slow smoke cook today!

Guard dogs look a little lazy this morning.

 

[Cortez]

Well I found out why everyone hates the fitment of the new steel panels. My grill didn’t fit in several areas the PS hump that matches to the top of the fender was about 5/16” gap and the driver side profile matching to the fender side was off about 1/4”. Was able to weld up enough to fill the passenger gap and then had to cut the spot welds on the front of driver fender and reposition it then weld back in place. Also had to add a layer of steel on driver side where it meets the hood to close a gap. Lots of work but I think it’s decent now.

 

[rguest3]

Great to see you guys yesterday. Good luck with Charlie, you have already done a lot.

I have a hunch as to what color you might go with???

 

[BA1125]

I am currently waiting on my painter to paint a test panel in calvary blue and avalanche grey so I can decide which one to go with!

 

[Bonefizz]

I love that color! Can't wait to see it!

 

[69 Fl. Bronc]

Wow! Amazing story. I wish I would have met up with you in Venice.

 

[Cortez]

Wow! Amazing story. I wish I would have met up with you in Venice.

Give me another 4-6 weeks and hopefully I can drive this one down to Venice and meet up. ;D

 

[Cortez]

It’s finally here...dropping Charlie off at the paint shop this morning. Yesterday after work she saw the sunshine for the first time in 18 months...so pumped to get her finished.

Here is a video summary- man I love that Duffs 2 into one exhaust...sounds so good! My 12 year old technology literate daughter made the video and put the Bob Marley song in it that played from Charlie when we bought her the second time...it happened to be my CD from the original sale nearly 5 years earlier and had never been removed through two owners.

https://youtu.be/rPyq9D7cQe0

Summary of my build over 18 months is:
Toms rear lift springs 3.5” to replace the $25 second hand add a leaf from my first build
Moved axle back 1.25” and added Woods driveshaft
23 gallon Sherman tank and reconfigured the fuel lines and pump location.
Resealed and painted the transfer case
Replaced the NP 435 4 speed with one 20 years newer
New clutch and flywheel
Duffs 2 into 1 exhaust
Drake shorty headers
Edelbrock intake manifold
New front timing chain seal, water pump, harmonic balancer
New radiator
Oil pan seal and valve covers
Lokar dip stick
New power steering pump
New fenders, quarters, rockers all around
Replaced inner fender passenger side and straightened core support from some earlier wreck
New grill and tailgate
Patched about 50 holes in the tub from years of drilling and installing things
New floor pans
Rebuild of heater with high output fan (for when it’s below 60 here)
Door skins replaced on both doors
Latch area repair on driver door
New door latches and strikers
Bilstein shocks all around
New flares
Raptor lined the tub and roll bar

Surely I’m missing something- no wonder it took 18 months...I’m so ready to drive her and not spend every weekend working on it.

 

[rguest3]

Hey congratulations on Charlie's next step!

What color did you decide on? Calvary Blue?

 

[Cortez]

Yeah - I keep coming back to the Cavalry blue...should look sharp.

 

[ntsqd]

They're never truly done. If they are, they're for sale!

Congrats on the next big step!

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Congrats! Great progress, has to be an awesome feeling finally getting back behind the wheel. Love the neighbors cheering you on in the background! Looking forward to seeing the that color on Charlie.

 

[rguest3]

I'll bet you had a hard time deciding after seeing the 76 Magnetic???