It was about time I started this thread. Now that the truck passed the Smog, I can safely start restoring this Bronco, which by the way I nicknamed "Bruce" in honor to Bruce Springsteen, I am a big fan
My intention is to restore it as close as possible to the original, with a few upgrades to make driving and handling it a little safer.
Unfortunately, I cannot afford to make a frame off restoration, and this will be a slow process due to budget and time restrictions. But I have the intention of tackling the most important stuff as quickly as possible. Not necessarily in order the following are some of the things that I would like to dress:
RESTORE SMOG (COMPLETED)
When I received the truck it was missing all the smog equipment. You can read all about the process of restoring all that back to stock in this thread. This has been succesfully completed.
A comparison of before and after.
DRIVETRAIN
-Rebuild Front and rear axles
-Rebuild front and rear driveshafts
-Repair leak in Transfer Case
Ziggy and I already rebuilt the front axles and I rebuilt the rear driveshaft, but there is still some work left. We have to open both front and rear differentials and see how everything is looking in there. And of course change the fluids. Maybe swapping my stock 3.5 with a 4.10 gear ratio, which would be more suitable for the 33” tires I have now. The transfer case is leaking, so probably changing the seals and most definitively changing the oil.
BRAKES
-Bleed old fluid
-Install new Master Cylinder, existing is leaking
-Install new calipers, extended line due to lift and rotors at the front
-Install new drums, extended line due to lift and hardware at the rear.
-Eventually I would like to install a Hydroboost system, but I cannot afford it now.
STEERING
-Install a Saginaw Pump
-Install a better gear box, Ziggy recommends a Redhead Steering Box.
-Fix rag joint.
-Fix links and replace bushings.
SUSPENSION
-Replace all Shocks
-Replace Bushings
REPAIR LEAKS
-Address a big leak that is been happening in the transmission where it meets the engine by replacing the gasket.
-Change oil pan gasket to fix a leak there too.
-Ziggy detected a bit of water coming from the exhaust. I have to be vigilant but most likely there is a leak of water in the engine.
FUEL SYSTEM
-Fix/Replace fuel lines
-Fix/Replace sending unit, existing one doesn’t work properly. I have a 33 gallon tank but when filling the tank to 25 gallons the needle moves to Full, filling it more than that makes the needle go back to empty.
-Replace tank for new one, existing is rusty.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
-Upgrading Alternator to 3G
-Upgrading Water pump to high flow.
-Installing Ziggy’s Windshield washer fluid / radiator combo overflow tank
-Reinstalling stock AC, most of the components were missing. Eventually I would like to upgrade it to a more modern system but for now I will bring it back to stock with some junkyard restored components.
-Install new radio and speakers. PO ripped off everything, leaving holes everywhere.
-Down the road if money permits it would help to have the truck rewired and maybe install one of those new Dakota VHX Instruments. But that would be more of novelty.
COSMETICS
-Repaint the whole truck. Ideally a two tone (Blue/White) and install the racetrack moldings, although that will be $$$
-Install new weatherstripping
-Replace windshield, existing is cracked
-Replace rear left quarter glass, existing is cracked
-Install sound dampening
-Install new carpet
-Restore door panels
-Restore dash and cluster
-Reupholster front bench, restore rear
-Restore rear kick panels
I am sure there will be more stuff that I am missing but this is way enough to keep me occupied for a very long time.
Stay tuned! I have pictures of the front axles and rear driveshaft restoration coming soon.
My intention is to restore it as close as possible to the original, with a few upgrades to make driving and handling it a little safer.
Unfortunately, I cannot afford to make a frame off restoration, and this will be a slow process due to budget and time restrictions. But I have the intention of tackling the most important stuff as quickly as possible. Not necessarily in order the following are some of the things that I would like to dress:
RESTORE SMOG (COMPLETED)
When I received the truck it was missing all the smog equipment. You can read all about the process of restoring all that back to stock in this thread. This has been succesfully completed.
A comparison of before and after.
DRIVETRAIN
-Rebuild Front and rear axles
-Rebuild front and rear driveshafts
-Repair leak in Transfer Case
Ziggy and I already rebuilt the front axles and I rebuilt the rear driveshaft, but there is still some work left. We have to open both front and rear differentials and see how everything is looking in there. And of course change the fluids. Maybe swapping my stock 3.5 with a 4.10 gear ratio, which would be more suitable for the 33” tires I have now. The transfer case is leaking, so probably changing the seals and most definitively changing the oil.
BRAKES
-Bleed old fluid
-Install new Master Cylinder, existing is leaking
-Install new calipers, extended line due to lift and rotors at the front
-Install new drums, extended line due to lift and hardware at the rear.
-Eventually I would like to install a Hydroboost system, but I cannot afford it now.
STEERING
-Install a Saginaw Pump
-Install a better gear box, Ziggy recommends a Redhead Steering Box.
-Fix rag joint.
-Fix links and replace bushings.
SUSPENSION
-Replace all Shocks
-Replace Bushings
REPAIR LEAKS
-Address a big leak that is been happening in the transmission where it meets the engine by replacing the gasket.
-Change oil pan gasket to fix a leak there too.
-Ziggy detected a bit of water coming from the exhaust. I have to be vigilant but most likely there is a leak of water in the engine.
FUEL SYSTEM
-Fix/Replace fuel lines
-Fix/Replace sending unit, existing one doesn’t work properly. I have a 33 gallon tank but when filling the tank to 25 gallons the needle moves to Full, filling it more than that makes the needle go back to empty.
-Replace tank for new one, existing is rusty.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
-Upgrading Alternator to 3G
-Upgrading Water pump to high flow.
-Installing Ziggy’s Windshield washer fluid / radiator combo overflow tank
-Reinstalling stock AC, most of the components were missing. Eventually I would like to upgrade it to a more modern system but for now I will bring it back to stock with some junkyard restored components.
-Install new radio and speakers. PO ripped off everything, leaving holes everywhere.
-Down the road if money permits it would help to have the truck rewired and maybe install one of those new Dakota VHX Instruments. But that would be more of novelty.
COSMETICS
-Repaint the whole truck. Ideally a two tone (Blue/White) and install the racetrack moldings, although that will be $$$
-Install new weatherstripping
-Replace windshield, existing is cracked
-Replace rear left quarter glass, existing is cracked
-Install sound dampening
-Install new carpet
-Restore door panels
-Restore dash and cluster
-Reupholster front bench, restore rear
-Restore rear kick panels
I am sure there will be more stuff that I am missing but this is way enough to keep me occupied for a very long time.
Stay tuned! I have pictures of the front axles and rear driveshaft restoration coming soon.