What have you done to your Bronco today? (v.2)

[ZOSO]

The accessory relay's like that are the easiest. Simple to locate them. Dash is starting to look good.

[Gunnibronco]

Thanks Rob,

Pretty much mapped things out.

I agree about the relays. Also I wanted to keep all the relays the same type, so I could carry a single type spare. I wish the Centech & RJM fuses matched.

Funny thing I noticed, on the Hella 4 fuse panel, the lid has a oring presumably to keep water out, but the wiring spades are exposed. Brilliant.

Need to order indicator lamps & some other stuff soon. I was thinking amber for turnsignals, blue for hi beam, and probably red for CEL, brake & alternator warning lamps. I'm going to replace my heater core & seal kit while its out too.

[Colorado75bronc]

I would run green for signals, blue for hi beams, amber for cel like a modern vehicle, but looks great man, on the fuse block just buy some individual wire weather packs for the back of the terminals

[Gunnibronco]

You are probably right, I'm color blind and can't tell you what colors a modern car uses. I thought CELs were red.

[Colorado75bronc]

Ya service reminders, srs, some suspension fault lights are red, but most cel's are amber

[akaFrankCastle]

Finally got around to installing my JB Fab twin stick kit. I didn't bother pulling the shift rails and modifying them (T shift case) as I won't be doing any front digs any time soon. The install was more to get rid of the POS, 30 year old Duffy shifter that was in there. It sounded like a rattle snake sitting on the tunnel cover when I got up to highway speed. 30 year old worn out parts have a tendency to do that. Install went pretty easy and I managed to knock it almost completely out during my lunch break. Having a 3 speed floor shifter with tunnel cover helped out.

[ZOSO]

so my 79 has sat forthe last year. The last time I drove it was when we went and ran gordons gulch last march. Well I started it up and drove it around the neighborhood. the tires were square. The carb is gummed up. So in the next few weeks I'll go through it all and get it running in top shape again. Im ready to do some wheelin.

[akaFrankCastle]

Tonight I did something I haven't done in over three years...










I put two running vehicles in my garage.

[hockeydad4-22]

Unlike Zach - I still have 1 vehicle in my garage that does not run (and 2 that do as well). This weekend I finally started the archeological dig down to Wilma's frame. She was buried under a landfill size pile of holiday lights, car wash towels, tire chains, winter coats, tools not put away, a snow blower (not sure why I think I need one of those anyway) etc...

And I picked up an AOD trans.

But I did spend some time playing cars this weekend too.

I took care of tuning up my buddies 71 Cuda so I can ship it down to FL where he recently moved.

Despite the "less than manly" color, when you fire up that big block, this becomes the coolest car I have ever driven. Very fun.

Yes, I did install the window sticker and floral license plate frame as a surprise for him when the car comes off the shippers truck.

[Jesus_man]

That's good stuff Greg! Barbie Cuda!

[Kinder]

Now that's funny

[sbolt19]

I'd still drive that beast....Mary Kay sticker and all, let some yappy little rice rocket try and take that 383.

[Gunnibronco]

I got my indicator lights in from Ron Francis, I didn't choose the LEDs because LEDs don't seem to work as 3G alternator indicator lights.

What I ordered/received is this:
http://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DA-32

These lights are marked with "LCD 14V 80MA", hoping they will work with my alternator? Are these LCDs or incandescent?

I'd like matching lamps. I really don't want one odd ball light, after all this work.

I ordered a couple rocker switches for my OBA & probably hazards. I think while the wiring & dash is being replaced, I'm going to install a 79 tilt column & 4x4x2 box. The column swap will need the hazard switch moved to the dash. I think I'll also be installing Clint's spring buckets and probably moving the axle forward 1" or maybe 2"- opinions?

April/May/June is slow with work, so hopefully I can tear into it then. I should have the dash ready by then.

[Jesus_man]

I ordered a couple rocker switches for my OBA & probably hazards. I think while the wiring & dash is being replaced, I'm going to install a 79 tilt column & 4x4x2 box. The column swap will need the hazard switch moved to the dash. I think I'll also be installing Clint's spring buckets and probably moving the axle forward 1" or maybe 2"- opinions?

2" is about the max I could go without a LOT of work to inner fenders, steering box, track bar etc. But go as much as you can.

[Gunnibronco]

Thanks, I realized last night that I'd have to move my radius arm frame brackets forward. I've drilled the frame for 5 or 6 bolts through each bracket. I'm not sure I want to move and remount them, adding a bunch of new holes & leaving a bunch of unused holes. I need to take a closer look at what it will do.

JD, how are your radius arm to frame brackets mounted? bolted & welded? just welded?

I had thought about the inner fenders, track bar, and steering, but not the radius arms.

[Jesus_man]

Sounds like a great time to extend 'em. You know you want too...

I think you have the skills to cut them, extent and plate them back in to get you buy until you can build your own DOM set.

I sketched these brackets up and Clint made them a reality:




Please ignore my booger welds! Excuse: Not my welder, a newb to welding, and upside down... :)

[Gunnibronco]

I can appreciate some gorilla welds. I will probably end up moving things forward. Just need to work out the details.

Those brackets are interesting, I could remove& reuse mine or get a set like yours, and maybe move the arms to the outside of the frame. Reducing the angle of my arms reaching out towards my wide axle mounts. Hmmmm.

[Jesus_man]

Outside the frame would be sweet for clearance as you could raise them too.

[Eck]

I had a very productive Bronco day today. I needed it too as I have been MIA on this project the last few weeks due to travel, weddings, and work.

Started the day out at 8am with a Basic MIG class at General Air, which I was accompanied by Justin. I guess it is a good thing that 90% of my welding is already done before I took the class

I did have one last patch to complete and the skills I learned and practiced today actually gave me a MUCH better result. It was night and day the difference of a clean weld I was able to make after taking the class. I am looking forward to the advanced class next weekend.

After completing the welding patchwork, I moved on to fitting my new tunnel cover. I purchased the piece from eBay for around $45 shipped and it is a nice solid steel cover. I wasn't a fan of the Diamond Plated one that was in it from the PO. I did have to do some slight pounding on it to get a better fit, but I think that I will probably line the underside edges of it with some sort of weathersripping to make it air and element tight.

I then moved into the beginning of prepping for Raptor Liner. I received the kits yesterday and went through the entire interior with a 6" orbital sander. I have a smaller 2" sander that I will go back and get into the tight spots before probably finishing up the final details just before actually spraying down the liner.

Also bought my seats. Getting the Besttop TrailMax II. Front Pro Recliner series in Black Denim and the rear fold and tumble in Black denim. That was a pretty penny!

Sooo.... I am getting pretty close to actually being able to shoot liner (both interior and engine bay). Things are starting to come together!!

[Colorado75bronc]

Nice work, glad to hear its coming along

[akaFrankCastle]

spent an hour or so the other day fixing my headlight connections. had some wiring come loose a few months ago when my headlight adjuster screws let loose on a rampart range drive. trying to solder on 41 year old wiring just reignited my desire to get a new wiring harness. maybe once this home sale stuff settles down i'll be lookimg at that again.

[Gunnibronco]

In the last couple days, I got a couple orders in. One with the rings to install new sending units into my old tanks. Today I got my switches.

P1010806.JPG

Does anyone know how to retrofit a passenger eject system? I found one on ebay from an Aston Martin DB5. Pics would be helpful.

[Colorado75bronc]

Awesome switches man! I finished them months ago, but here's some pics of the ride height dropped on mine, now a 4.5" sl and 1" bl, some of the adjustable coil buckets that Clint at Battlement Fab cut out and I built and installed and the awesome trac bar he built for me that really tightened up my truck, it's so responsive now!

[Justin]

Looks really good!

[Jesus_man]

Looks great Corey! Responsive & steering are generally not two words heard in reference to an early bronco!

Chad - love the switches!!

[Colorado75bronc]

Thanks guys, ya JD it's not something you'd expect especially out of the big beast that it is, still want more caster, when I swap in the 4bt I think I'm going to go with a 5.5-6.5" coil, but adjust the buckets to keep it the same height, so I get a lot of down travel, plus mount some nice air bumps, and whenever i go to a Dana 60 front I'll probably buy Clint's radius arm kit

[Gunnibronco]

Corey,

Who makes a 5.5"-6.5" spring? I was thinking about 78/79 Bronco springs, I think they are taller normally, plus then add a big lift. Probably the wrong spring rate for a normal early Bronco, but probably would work with the extra weight of the diesel.

Looks good, I can't wait to install mine. I have a set of 5.5" coils now (somewhat unknown origin), will be setting up for a 3.5" lift.

[Colorado75bronc]

I think bc broncos makes some, I'm going a different route, I know of few guys out in Oregon and Washington that are running some custom built springs by Coil Springs Specialties, and they love them, here's some in action these are 5.5"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg2Qx_rW-1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Gunnibronco]

Holy crap. I guess those would do.

I'm not really looking for max spring length, probably overkill in my truck, but the thought has crossed my mind.

[Colorado75bronc]

Did you get your spring buckets fab'd up yet, I love mine! And if you haven't, I would strongly recommend you have Clint build you the same trac bar I did, I gave him the measurements and it fits perfect, I had to find a new bolt for the frame side, but man what a difference