Where do I go from here?

[Airmapper]

I need some ideas on how best to proceed with my Bronco. Here is what I've done and what I'd like to do, I know some things go before others, so I would appreciate any opinions and advice on what to start on and what simply has to be done before I can start on something else.

What I've done to my 1966 I6 Half-cab:

• Cleaned it up, washed off as much grime as I could get to with a hose.
• Removed the bench seat.
• Removed wheels and tires, it's sitting up on jack stands.
• Doors are off and rusted out so they don't ever stay in I just prop them in to keep rain out some. (I don't have the luxury of keeping it indoors.)

What I want to do, there is too much to list, but this would be the major stuff. In general I want a trade off between comfortable on the road and a good off road rig.

• Replace suspension, original is shot.
• Lift, 3.5" I'm thinking.
• 16" American Racing (or similar) rims, with off road tires (not sure on size.)
• All brake lines need replacement.
• Disk brakes on front at least.
• Power steering possible.

Rear fenders are still up for debate for me. I'm not decided on cutting, going for a LUBR, or replacing the rears and saving the uncut fenders. The entire body is pretty rusted, so not sure if I'll really be saving anything for sure.

So I guess my biggest question is what would be a general procedure on bringing this back from rust bucket condition and getting it drivable, and what do I need to avoid replacing until I have my mods in place?

I appreciate any input, I realize I'm asking a very broad question, but really any little bits of info here and there will help. I've never attempted a vehicle restoration project before so it's all new to me.

 

[Jakedog]

Are you going to attempt a full resto-mod?

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

Establish mile stones and make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew.

I.E. you are going to need new axles well a new front at least. also since you cannot keep it indoors your first investment ought to be one of those tarp tent things to keep crap off it, trust me you'll thank me later.

what is the rest of the body like?

pics?

 

[Airmapper]

Are you going to attempt a full resto-mod?

Maybe not full resto, I know I don't have the skills to get it into pristine condition any time soon. I don't want to go too far out there away from normal, but I'm not worried about keeping everything stock or looking 1966 original.

I want it to be in good working condition, comfortable to drive, and reliable. I plan for it to be a used vehicle that wouldn't be any trouble to drive to work, take camping, or hop in and go off roading.

 

[Airmapper]

br0nc0xrapt0r,

Thanks, I've been considering the tent thing, as well as those car ports. I know I'm going to have to get it under something once I take any part of the body off. Might can move it into the building it's next to now if I get ambitious enough to get everything out of it, but I got dust issues in there since it has a dirt floor.

Pics as requested:

 

[DonsBolt]

First thing replace the brake line, make sure all the brakes work.

Your going to have a hard time finding 16 inch wheels with the right back spacing, so think about 15 inch wheels. Maybe you can find a good used set of 31's on 15x8 wheels, and you might not have to cut the rear.

with some 31's a 2.5 inch lift will look great uncut, work great with the manual steering.

Get her running, do one thing at a time

 

[Airmapper]

Thanks, I might be just as happy with those as I would be with the other, I do tend to dream bigger than really necessary.

Edit: Didn't see DonsBolt's post till after I posted this lol.

I wanted to add it runs and drives pretty good as is. (I started it and moved it to it's current parking spot.) I'd like to keep as much of the drive-train as I can to keep costs down, might have to make some compromise on lifting and tire size maybe, or work up to that in time. I'd like to get it driving on it's own somewhat reliably so it will be easier to manage. Body work in my opinion is lowest priority, once it works good I can worry about looks.

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

I suggest a media blast! here is a tip i use to get off stubborn gunk. Get the EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER tm. the non fume kind, spray her down with that and let it sit for 10-15 min then brush and hose down, the higher pressure water the better.

 

[72-Madisyn]

as far as getting her going think saftey first...I know sounds like your mom right?, but without good brakes, taillights, headlights you are asking for something to happen to where a mini resto wouldnt really be in the works. Focus on a full tune up on the drive train, then think about everything you need to make it stop. after all that is done is when the fun stuff like axles and lifts come into play.

 

[broncnaz]

Ditto on the brakes easliy replaced and upgraded you dont need a new front axle. I would also agree on the 16in rim issue. Not only that 15in rims and tires are still quite a bit cheaper than 16's and your not going that big anyways with a LUBER.
Suspension is relatively easy it kinda appears that it may already have a lift on it. Although I guess it could just be small tires but usually the rear fender is closer to the top of the rim than yours is with stock suspension.
Power steering while nice can be done easily as well and since your not going to be runing big tires or doing major offroading I'd say it can wait.
If it currently runs and drive good then I would say that body work is actually more of a issue and in reality the bigger issue that has to be dealt with.

 

[66halfdone]

Good brakes and a well tuned engine are a must. Some low cost but effective areas that will help make your halfcab more reliable are; Cleaning and inspecting all electrical connections. Especially ground connections. Replace if nessasary. Change out fluids in the tranny, tranfer case and both diffs. Do not hesitate to ask questions here. I love the spirit you show for helping keep another bronco from wasting away. Good luck

 

[Airmapper]

I appreciate all the good information here, trying to soak it all in.

As suggested I'm looking into 15's and 31" tires, I'll probably be searching for pics here on the board of similar rigs to see what the results will look like. I also need to find a good local tire shop to work with. Wal-Mart services my Escape on close to stock tires so they don't give me any hassles, but I hear they will for custom jobs.

How much rust removal/ prevention work would be practical? I'd like to take the body off and have the chassis sandblasted, repaired, then painted, but I know I'm going to get into $$$ and might not be that much better off if I'm not making a showroom truck anyway. Any thoughts?

 

[Airmapper]

Update:

Well on my way into the brakes. I have the rear drums off and all the brake components disassembled. Will be ordering new parts and have a list built. All the removable brake parts (springs, cylinders, adjusters, shoes) will be replaced except for the hubs, which while rusted are still in good shape, they have been sandblasted and I'm going to paint them with rust preventing paint. Haven't got into the front ones yet, but doing the same there. (Some bees decided my frame was a good nesting spot, so now I have extermination work to do first, they don't like me beating on things.)

I'm planning to order a hard brake line kit with the brake components, and try to find all the necessary hose connectors and hoses for the non metal lines. I also need to check my master cylinder.

After that I'll be tuning up the engine, replacing all fluids, get some form of seating, lots of minor but important things, and getting rims and tires, which at that point I'll probably need more guidance on spacing and sizes I could use.

I think I see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, at least I should be able to drive it around a little while I get built up for larger projects that it needs.

 

[sprdv1]

Light is good.. Keep up the progress

 

[Explorer]

If you haven't already, take a hammer and go over every inch of that frame checking for rust. Don't be afraid to hit it either. Check especially from the striker posts back and underneath the front spring buckets. Two common places for them to rust out.