I'm too old for this.....

I have 3 early Broncos in various states of disrepair. Until this summer all ran, but one has died. Specifically a Holley aftermarket fuel injection system. Instead of replacing it for $1400 and who knows how many hours of work, I have decided to junk it out. I originally purchased it for parts anyway, but it was a solid rig so it was used for the last six years or so.

So I'm swapping the axles and 35"'s, steering, transfer case, and bumpers onto my hot rod. By myself in the cold. Of course both rigs have different suspension configurations, so plenty of fabrication along the way. :wah: The good news is that when I get done I will finally be able to open that 418 up all the way.:pimpgrin:

I have about a week of decent weather. I am currently having nightmares about jacks, hammers, torches, and welders. No way I get thru this without a smashed finger.:dunno:

Big azz rusty bolts and everything weighs a ton. Headbang

And the dumbest little things hang you up - like brake line fittings. :frustrated:

So, the point of this swap is to replace sorta stock drivetrain components. The suspension lifts are different, so thats some cutting and welding moving brackets around. Sounds easy enough, but one set of gear has been cratered and beefed up. Bigger u-joints start at the pinion yoke and don't end until I get past the xfer case which includes the bigger output shaft. Not even the drivelines are the same.:frustrated:

I knew this would happen. Down the rabbit hole I go....... :pity:

Having them up on blocks like that would scare the hell out of me to be working under them.......


A buddy of mine in elementary school watched his Dad die when a tranny they were working on slipped off the jack and landed on his head.

I'd use 2x4 and build a square stand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-TXbUh25P4

Those are big azz blocks. If you don't hear from me again, assume you were right.

It won't be on blocks, but pulling the xfer case will require exceptional care. Having done it before, that's the one that scares me.

Now this looks scary. No way in hell I'm going under there without getting some trusty timbers in there.:geezer:

Done ..........for this year.:rolleyes::drive:

On the road again.:cool::cool::cool::cool:

Took her for a little spin. I found a UFO hunting elk.:wary::run:

Brother had a 69.. 302 3speed(on floor, or where right knee wanted to be)

But his buddy dropped a 351 automatic into his bronco.. was constantly blowing/breaking the drive line..

My last build was an E-150 van 351M, I put a NP 435 (4 speed with granny gear) in it, on my back in a carport.. was told that it couldn’t be done did it with Ford parts, removable floor panel was only fabrication.. drove it all over , towed first camper trailer (didn’t hook up brakes) to Watkins Glen for last Grand Prix..

Bought the first 4Runner received by Falls Church Dealer,1985.. R-22 engine and live front axle.. a/c only option... mail ordered back seat! Van and camper were sold..

This '69 had a 302 and 3 on the tree and a dana 30 up front, 350 gears.

As it sits now its a big 351, borg warner t-19 (taller 1st gear, synchronized), original d20 with high strength output shaft, currie 9", and the second d44 front end. With 400+ hp, 411's and 35's lots of stuff to break. I added "anti wrap" brace to the rear end to try to keep the geometry stable. Rear driveline is aftermarket as are bigger u-joints. It never ends..........

All that stuff done on my back in the driveway.

The gray one that donated its axles has a warmed over 302 and an np435. Otherwise I stole all the good stuff out of it (except for the dash full of auto meter gauges - on the list). Its value now is that it has a title.

I gave the mostly original '74 to one of my boys. A couple of days ago We worked on the intake so we could get the original uncut hood back over this warmed over 302.

All rusted away here..

I do love the “baby bronco “..

If I won the big lotto I’d buy a professionally rebuilt western “baby bronco” fire breather or FJ-55.. the FJ-55 is about the ugliest of its type ever made.. with a FoMoCo drive line of course..

Man, I love those old Broncos. My oldest was a 3-in-the-tree 6-banger I miss to this day. Haven't seen one of the new ones yet, but they'll be coming out soon. Till then, I got one of the new 3.0 Turbo Diesel Jeeps I'm prepping for desert runs. She got 33 mpg doing the Poney Express Trail this Summer. Finally, a Jeep that doesn't suck down fuel. I no longer have to carry Jerry Cans every where I go.

Hunter

Got my bumpers finished yesterday.:smokin:

It looks good, Curt...:clap:...Ben

That's one bad-ass Bronco, Curt. I'd take that over any of the new ones every day of the week. :cool:

Hunter

Quote:

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Originally Posted by UTAH

That's one bad-ass Bronco, Curt. I'd take that over any of the new ones every day of the week. :cool:

Hunter

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Thanks. I could never get rid of it. Besides having a very personally unique backstory (it was the former company car of the founder of the company that I later ran), it was built not bought. Hundreds of hours spent fighting rusted bolts and 50 year old grease.

I don’t drive it much, but the drivability gets better every year. Pretty much a Sunday afternoon cruise around the neighborhood is all she gets. It’s been 15 years since I dropped the 408 roller motor in it. This summer I will get past 500 miles on the motor. :pimpgrin:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CactusCurt

....it was built not bought.

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Spoken like a true vehicle aficionado. I'd 4x4 with you and enjoy it.

Just got 35s put on the Jeep with no lift, which required in-depth research and shopping. TireRack met the specs - I am one happy boy.

May your on and off-road adventures be safe and fulfilling.

Hunter

I have to confess that I might have to spring for one of these when they come out. I can see me spending my golden years cruising around the backroads of my hood in one of those.

A good friend has one of the original jeepsters. That thing will be worth a fortune when this new jeepster rolls out.:smokin:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/east...beach-concept/

Yeah, I love those old Jeepsters. Classics.

Hunter