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PhL0aTeR
Tue Sep 6th, 2011, 10:04 AM
My grandfather owned this bronco for almost all of its life. When I moved down to texas to live with them, eventually this is what i drove in high school. Unfortunately i wrecked it twice, once someone T boned me, and the other one i swerved on an icy bridge to avoid someone who thought it would be nice to drift on said icy bridge..... anywho, a couple years ago I finally convinced him to sell it to me. Here are a few pics taken on the trip back....

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/100_6911.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/100_6913.jpg

Got it home, thought i might tinker with it a bit to see if i could get it runing again, IIRC the motor was pretty tired the last night i drove it....


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/100_7041.jpg

i think it had a timing problem, needless to say, i traded it and a pistol to a mechanic buddy (Who happens to be heading up this project with me) for another engine....

Ford 5.8EFI aka 351

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/351EFIbolted.jpg

But im getting a head of myself. After i "got done driving it" (didnt want to run anymore after a fun night at the lake) granddad towed it to his cabin at the lake and let it sit..... and sit..... .and sit.... eventually some bored kids found it and busted out the windows, broke the speedo glass, just generally ruined anything that made a cool sound when shattering, and so it sat some more... and rotted....

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/100_7056.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/100_7049.jpg


I had some big plans for this bronco, basically everything i ever wanted to do when i was a kid that granddad wouldn't let me do and then some!

So i started collecting parts....

First thing granddad wouldnt let me do was remove the top.... He said he didnt want the seals ruined. I bought what i thought were 66/67 doors with removable frames, turns out i bought 68 doors which are highly sought after due to the fact that they are the only one of the 3 years that didnt require modification to fit to a 68-77, the removable frames of course are favorable because when you remove the top, it looks better with the frames removed also.

I also picked up a set of hooker headers, a 205 transfer case and a 4R70W transmission which would be my parts transmission taking the guts from the wide ratio tranny and dropping them into a manual valvbodied (AOD) transmission giving me lower 1st and a higher overdrive with no need for computer controlling.

Obviously i needed to get on the business of rust repair also.... so i picked up some repair floor panels...

here are some progress pics from last month

did most of the main fabricating, the tranny brace, a supplemental transfer case brace as well.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/12-23-09/IMG_6493.jpg

passenger side rust repair....

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/12-23-09/IMG_6517.jpg

passenger side kick panels and floor

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/12-23-09/IMG_6520.jpg

drivers side, the same

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/12-23-09/IMG_6518.jpg

PhL0aTeR
Tue Sep 6th, 2011, 10:05 AM
the more we looked at the stock floor it was just too close in too many places, so $100 later i had a used floor from a parted out bronco that was in much better shape than mine was. Out with the old and in with the new.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/12-23-09/IMG_6516.jpg

Then we had a nice full weel this week to do some steady work, although one of the days was a dedicated junkyard day where i picked up my coveted 78/79 ford tilt steering, and got a screamin deal on it if i might add. Also got my hands on some comfy bucket seats from a 2nd gen dodge intrepid, the drivers side being 8 way power with removable headrests.

The weather was extremely nice, so we pushed it out of the shop and i sandblasted the floor for a good 4 hours from what Bill said, i guess i got lost in it, but needless to say, the leftover surface rust is gone, we prepped it and shot it with the rhino lining.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6588.jpg

the steering column isnt really mounted, we just installed the grant steering wheel and needed a place to put it.... seemed like a good idea....

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6589.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6591.jpg

I plan on filling the rear fenderwells with expanding foam and making some covers

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6593.jpg

o yeah... not gonna need that anymore

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6602.jpg

need to finish up some rust repair in the engine bay, namely the sots up near the firewall that u can see cut out here

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6599.jpg

then i will shoot the rest in satin black rustoleum or something

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6598.jpg

This greasy ******* wants to go for a ride.... by the way, Bill fabbed some brackets for the column and we mounted it..... yeah...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6604.jpg

Did i mention 8 way power seat?

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/PhL0aTeR_Bronco/1974BroncoRanger/01-15-10/IMG_6609.jpg

PhL0aTeR
Tue Sep 6th, 2011, 10:08 AM
^ those two posts just serve to bring one up to speed....

i have it registered and have been doing shakedown runs around here, and with good purpose, as ive ran into a few things ive since ironed out.

At this point, this is where it stands....

It has a lower mile 5.8EFI from a 95 Bronco, modified 5.0 intake, 75mm TB, Hedman headers, Custom 2-1 3" exhaust, NP205, and an AOD with Wide ratio 4R70W gears. Then the more common mods, doors w/ removable window frames, 2" body lift, Ford tilt steering, driver's 8 way power seat (front seats from a Dodge Intrepid), power steering (4x4x2 box) Custom brake booster bracket, booster out of an explorer, front disks, aluminum radiator, and 23 gallon fuel tank/skidplate.

It is still a bit rough around the edges, so im working on those small issues.... My next plans involve building a front and rear bumper, rock sliders, and a roll cage. Then comes bodywork, im pulling off all my trim, filling the holes, filling the antenna and front fuel tank hole, getting a new nosecone and fenders, the front to rear fender mod, and paint. After that I will look at getting some different wheels and bigger tires.

Here is the latest pic with my better half at the wheel

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317103_252583108108833_100000714367034_809883_2464 822_n.jpg

ChrisCBX
Tue Sep 6th, 2011, 10:53 AM
Cool project. So often, people inherit property from grandparents and the next thing you see is a "for sale" ad. It's nice that you are keeping it running.

PhL0aTeR
Tue Sep 6th, 2011, 11:00 AM
Cool project. So often, people inherit property from grandparents and the next thing you see is a "for sale" ad. It's nice that you are keeping it running.

Thanks! The day after i last drove it all those years ago, i offered him $3500 for it, but he turned me down, said he was gonna get it runnin. :sleeping:

When i did convince him to sell it to me, I paid him what he asked, $700. He took the money back to TX with him and put new tires on it, and replaced all the broken glass for me. Despite that, he tried to warn me that it was pretty bad, and he was right. oh well, i have been determined to have this bronco for over ten years. Hell, it still has my high school parking lot sticker on the windshield! :D

derekm
Thu Sep 8th, 2011, 08:18 PM
I know Ive seen this b4 but THANK YOU for sharing again!!!! I hope to do an older (81-85) f150 and do another efi swap w either a 5o or 5.8. nothing special, just a 4x4 for the winter and a truck when needed :)

PhL0aTeR
Thu Sep 8th, 2011, 08:52 PM
I know Ive seen this b4 but THANK YOU for sharing again!!!! I hope to do an older (81-85) f150 and do another efi swap w either a 5o or 5.8. nothing special, just a 4x4 for the winter and a truck when needed :)

Funny you should say that, i thought i had posted here, but i couldnt find the thread for the life of me.:?

dont count out the 300 straight 6, that wasnt a bad motor in those OBS trucks either.

....Says the guy that is in love with the 5.8 in that light ass bronco..... :leghump:

derekm
Thu Sep 8th, 2011, 09:45 PM
Funny you should say that, i thought i had posted here, but i couldnt find the thread for the life of me.:?

dont count out the 300 straight 6, that wasnt a bad motor in those OBS trucks either.

....Says the guy that is in love with the 5.8 in that light ass bronco..... :leghump:
haha, no since im familiar with the 5.0 swap I was thinking something from a mustang or lincoln, I have a ho cam if i can find a cheap roller motor & just do another "p" head fi motor.

derekm
Thu Sep 8th, 2011, 09:46 PM
btw wish I had a garage, I tossed 3 or 4 5.0 intake sets, e7 heads & sold off nearly 2 complete efi swap kits

PhL0aTeR
Thu Sep 8th, 2011, 11:22 PM
tell me about it, i got rid of a Dana 60 last year that i could use right now.