Bronco TLC after storage??

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Bronco TLC after storage??

Postby Jesus_man » Mon Apr 03, 2017 2:47 pm

As the summer nears, it's time to start planning to make the run to CO to get my bronco and bring it home. It's been in storage for ~5 years and I am compiling a list of things I should look at/service before she's trail ready. I am in the process of rebuilding the motor, so it should be sorted out with new fluids. Also, I have replaced both the LP and HP fuel pumps to include fuel filters.

My starting list includes:
Check oil level in diffs, Tranny & t-case.
Grease all U-joints, and be ready with spares!! Some were already whining on my run up Blanca last July. But they had not been greased for years!
New wipers? (Cherokee upgrade)
23 gal Fuel tank leaks. I am going to try and pull it and see if it's an easy fix.

Additions:
Check rubber hoses for leaks (after warm-up)
Flush brake system

What else should I add to this?
Last edited by Jesus_man on Tue Apr 04, 2017 8:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
http://www.ucora.org
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Re: Bronco TLC after storage??

Postby Digger » Mon Apr 03, 2017 7:14 pm

Rag joints on the steering shaft? Check for cracks in the rubber.

Check for cracks in the tires, hoses, and anything else rubber. You may have to warm it up and stress the parts a bit to check for leaks.
Cummins R2.8 diesel, ZF5, AtlasII, HP44/BB9, ARBs, coiled / linked suspension, 37" KO2s, full cage, bumpers, etc.
Build Thread: http://www.coloradoclassicbroncos.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5420

Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 25.1 mpg
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Re: Bronco TLC after storage??

Postby Kinder » Tue Apr 04, 2017 7:01 am

Flush the brake system, brake fluid loves water and likes to gum up the works.
Best to Date MPG: 26.6
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Re: Bronco TLC after storage??

Postby Jesus_man » Tue Apr 04, 2017 8:45 am

All good points! I'll update the list!

No rag joints, but lots of rubber hoses!
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
http://www.ucora.org
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Re: Bronco TLC after storage??

Postby Unaweep » Tue Apr 11, 2017 7:17 am

My Bronco sat outside for 10-14 years without being driven before I bought it.

Things I had to work on:

New clutch...Bronco almost not drivable with the chatter when starting off..about shook your teeth out. Even tried to slowly burn the clutch with the Bronco pushed against a tree to give a temp fix..clutch was too far gone.

New Battery.

Ground from Battery to frame/engine had corroded., gave intermittent problems...replaced.

The radiator hoses are still ok.

Replaced the water pump and some of the radiator fluid, fluid tested good to -20 (spilled some radiator fluid).

Replaced the fuel tank rubber fill hose section as it was leaking from dry rot..but I'm not sure if the previous owner had used the proper hose type, it almost seemed like radiator hose.

Same time replaced the fuel lines and put in a new electric fuel pump. Rubber fuel lines were really hard and brittle.

Tires...I thought they would last a little longer, first flat from sidewall dry rot was within 10 miles. Flat tire on a bridge. Sucked.

Didn't do anything to the brake fluid right away as the rear drums were totally worn out...flushed it all when I rebuilt the brakes front/rear.

My Bronco had three gas tanks...the third tank had such old gas that I took the entire tank out.
1969 Ford Bronco with: 351W, Q-Jet, ARB front locker, 3" Suspension lift, NP435 transmission, 33" Goodyear's, roll cage, body rough.
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