And the work begins for the fall*-My '73 build-up-* UPDATED 11/5

[fireman1749]

Today started the day that im going to finish my 1973 Bronco. Ive had it for almost 3 years now and its time to be rebuilt.

As it sits right now:
1973 model, stock 302, 3 speed, D20, D44, 9", both with Detroit Tru-tracs and 3.54's, tom woods drive shafts, 35x12.50's on black cragars, 5.5" progressive rate coils, blocks in rear, aluminum radiator, Ford Taurus electric fan, bucket seats, 6 point cage, custom dash, JB Fab twin sticks, rear half with spray in bed liner, no bumpers, Warflares, Bestop soft top, NO RUST ;D

In 3 months or less:
New 302, toploader 4 speed, full width D44 and 9", spooled rear, locked in front, 37-40's, beadlocks, rear springs or shackle flip, tubed front clip, finished interior with tubing added to cage and center console, bumpers, and much more

Here's some pics as it sits now and my to do list, i hope to work on it almost every day and get this thing done for once and be able to drive it.

 

[SC74]

You've got your work cut out for you! I look forward to seeing your progress pics the next several months. You're not too far up the road from me (G'ville, SC) - hopefully we'll meet at one of the east coast rides sometime when both of our rigs are done.

Robert

 

[66Gasgrill]

You still got your truck in Maggie Valley? Lookin good. Keep us posted.

 

[fireman1749]

Yeah its been a while, about time to do something with it.

Yeah its still in Maggie, as soon as i can get it to run long enough to get it on a trailer its going to Brown cove to my brothers shop

 

[73azbronco]

Keep us posted, I'm in the same boat with the same year except C4 tranny. I'm interested what you do for front/rear diffs.

 

[fireman1749]

Right now they both have Detroit Tru-Tracs which ill be selling the axles when I get full widths.

Did a little work on it today. The battery is charging right now so it may start and run this evening hopefully. I finally got the alternator bolted on and wired up, took the carb off to clean it and make sure its fine. Here's some pics..

 

[fireman1749]

And......................



It runs! Idles like its new.... its the first time its been started in 8 months... before i go any further im going to wire up the volt meter so i can see how the new alternator is doing but woo hoo it runs!

 

[fireman1749]

Moved it today, tranny is coming out tomorrow so the toploader can go in... while its out im cleaning the whole undercarage and painting it all and running new brake lines.... pics will be up tomorrow

 

[fireman1749]

Got the tranny and t-case out last night, took the tranny apart to get the gear selectors out, and put the new shifter on. If the rain will clear up a little im going to paint it all tonight and put it back up in there... heres some pics

 

[fireman1749]

And it runs!!

Next step is getting the transmission tunnel done and building a center console

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

What are you going to do for a center console? Lookin good by the way

 

[fireman1749]

Ok.... i was a little bored haha....

Plan on making it out of fiberglass coming down from the dash and also making it to where i can remove it for access to the tranny and t-case :-*

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

I like it!

 

[fireman1749]

Center console... soon to be covered in fiberglass

 

[fireman1749]

Little update...

Started on the bodywork for a little bit today... looks like im going to take it down to bare metal the whole body

Theres like 8 different colors in this thing so... oh and a sweet hole that was covered up with an excellent bondo job haha

 

[fireman1749]

I've been working on it a bunch lately now that I am living back in NC. Here's a little update more pics to come!

-Rewired most of the dash and all the switches. Ran all new wiring for the electric fan, lights, etc.
- Removed heater and all junk under dash and moved battery to under dash
-Began on a center console
-Started on the body work so the thing can be painted.

 

[fireman1749]

Oh and yeah 23 coats of paint on the rear fender... can anyone beat that?

 

[fireman1749]

Little update for the day..

Interior is pretty much done except for the sheetmetal on the center and spraying Raptor Liner. The center console is made out of MDF board. All the dash wiring is finished finally!

As for under the hood, all that is left to do is a few little hoses and such and its ready for painting.

Next step: Body work!

Here's some pics

 

[fireman1749]

Here's some updates like anyone even cares but anyway...

Made an inboard shock mount. Im going to bolt it to the frame instead of welding it.

Started on the rocker panels and gaining some ground clearance.

Here's some pics

 

[eds66bronco]

Nice work fireman... Keep plugging away. I spent about 2 years on mine but it is worth every minute with learning to do it yourself. Great you have such a solid starter to begin with. You would cry if you saw the rot-bucket i'm about to dig into... press on...