Decided to start a thread, to help document my build. I purchased this 86 a few weeks ago with the original plan to just patch it up and enjoy it for a while, but i am really terrible at just patching something, it eats at me. My last patch job turned into a 2 year bumper to bumper restoration of a 67 mustang. I have this "while im in there" attitude that wins over every time and i just cant help but make something look new before i put it back on. So, after some digging through forums, catalogs, discussions with the wife (she is the mental tie breaker when i cant decide if i want to do one thing or the other) and my son (who the bronco is ultimately for) here is the plan, as it sits today.
- I want the bronco to remain as stock as possible in terms of looks. I just know i don't want it to be the original Brown on tan. I initially wanted to keep it factory-ish and paint it with the dark blue on tan EB paint scheme, but my son didn't really like the dark blue (no matter how much i tried to sell him on it). My wife liked red and immediately i saw a red / white / red paint scheme in my head and was charging forth with that idea...but my son again, struck that down. We decided on a Bronco color, just not the correct year, Medium Blue Metallic 3P. Solid, and adding the XLT trim, that was my condition if we was painting it that color and not Eddie Bauer scheme.
- The interior is in really tidy shape, i think this thing has 122k original miles and the seats aside from one small puncture in the drivers seat look amazing, the carpet will clean up nice, the door panels and interior plastics are going to get a fresh coat of SEM to bring them back to life. The wiring is still in good shape, the metal is in good shape, no rusted floors or anything like that, just a bashed in door and fender that will get replaced. Going to update the electronics a bit, bluetooth radio, backup camera in the rear view mirror, but not much else beyond that.
- Mechanical- engine runs as good as an 86 is expected to, it leaks like crazy. I plan on pulling it out and just inspecting it, resealing it, and maybe do some mild port work on the exhaust and maybe bevel that darned ledge on the inside of the combustion chambers, then delete the AIR system, put some headers and free flowing Y pipe and exhaust on it and be done with the engine, don't want a hot rod just a dependable engine. The transmission (AOD) works, but it hasnt been rebuilt in 35 years, plan on sending it off for an overhaul for good measure.
-This thing still has the original shocks under it, OR they were replaced with original shocks, but they look original. I just plan on replacing any worn bushings (still drives pretty dang good honestly), tidying up the undercarriage a bit and not getting too carried away, maybe replace springs and shocks, maybe give it a 1-2" lift while im at it, havent decided on that yet.
Anyway, i plan on doing all this work myself (aside from the transmission and debating doing the final paint job), going to get my son to help me (he's 10) maybe he can learn a thing or two and be one step ahead in this world.
Here is what it looks like right now:
This is my first big bronco, i have ZERO experience with these or any other ford of this era, I grew up a Chevy guy, have restored a couple of old Camaros, and the mustang i mentioned earlier, and actually a couple of tractors. I welcome any sage advice you may have to offer on these beauties. I am nearly finished with a 74 Ford 5000 tractor, i made a promise to myself to finish it and get it out of my shop before i start working on anything else, and if all goes to plan ill be done with it in about 2 weeks. Then i plan to just start tearing this thing down, pulling the interior out, pulling the engine, trans, removing the fenders, hood, doors, roof and going to work.
