SEMA 09 Thread

[toddz69]

I don't have pix off the camera yet, but just wanted to start a thread for sharing photos and stories from SEMA. Broncobowsher and I drove up on Wednesday, did our usual ~1.5 days of walking/talking/gawking and came home today.

In general, the show was a reflection of the general state of the economy with fewer exhibitors, particularly in the Truck/SUV/4WD section (biggest sections of empty real estate) but the attendance still seemed to be good - although not the elbow-to-elbow of 5-6 years ago though.

EB's had two vehicles of representation this year. For the first time in a number of years, an EB was on display out front. By all appearances, it was a '77 with a few custom touches. It was apparently built by an ~18 year old kid and according to the story I heard, this is the 7th or 8th vehicle he's built. If that's the case, he's well on his way to a successful career of building vehicles. The other 'EB' of note was Marshall Madruga's Big Oly Trophy Truck displayed in the Bilstein booth. It's taken Marshall nearly 3 years to build it, but the end result is well worth it. He's made it street legal and is enjoying it. It was definitely a big hit with the crowds at the show. Watch for it in the NORRA rally next year and to be on display at the 1000 in a few weeks.

As far as new products go, it's always tough/interesting to find new things that might be of interest to early Bronco owners. I'm a general "car guy" as I know many of you are as well so although I see a lot of neat stuff every year, finding things that might work on our trucks is always more of a challenge. And of course I miss a lot. Things that I saw this year that might be of interest: Wilwood replacement 2 piston calipers for the GM single piston calipers used for our disc brake conversions, a new Torsen differential, a new gas cap from Scott Drake, and a few other items that I'll probably remember when I unpack everything. Of particular interest for several of us at the show was finding out if Dynacorn really has an EB body in the works. They do - but it's 1.5-2 years away, and according to the people we talked to, won't likely include anything forward of the cowl.

We didn't see Jim Creel in his suit there this year but we did have the privilege of hanging out with Drew Peroni (Broncitis) and his brother Bryan who came out from PA. Also visited with Mike Wiley from Protofab and Mike McLeod from Broncoworks.

Pictures and likely more additional memories to follow.

Todd Z.

[sprdv1]

Awesome Todd. I bet it wuz a great experience!! Lookin forward to pics.

[tasker]

very cool, is it invite only or can general public attend?

[yjzonie]

You have all the fun Todd...........

[Broncobowsher]

Originally Posted by tasker

very cool, is it invite only or can general public attend?

Closed show. Must have connections to get in the door. No, the half price show tickets won't get you in. You need credentials in the auto industery.

That blister on my foot is starting to go away already.

I am still stuffed from the Eat At Joe's BBQ in Wickieup.

Some random photos that probably won't make much sense...

[toddz69]

Here are some shots of the Big Oly TT, including one with Mr. Drew Peroni (Broncitis) and I standing in front of it.

Todd Z.

[toddz69]

Here are some shots of the Wilwood caliper I mentioned earlier.

Todd Z.

[toddz69]

These are some shots of the '77 displayed out front. You'll see from the business card that someone familiar was there earlier.....

Todd Z.

[toddz69]

Here's the Hi-Lift attachment I was talking about earlier. The gas cap has already been introduced by the vendors but I had never seen one in person so I thought I'd take a picture. The shift knob is for an FJ but has the correct pattern and could probably be transplanted if desired (a Scott Drake product). The air filter is a neat Donaldson "Power Core" filter marketed by Volant. Certain models could easily be adapted to an EB 5.0 mass air meter.
Although I haven't investigated the literature yet, it appears that Fox has some more OEM mount-friendly shocks available now. And last but not least, we're always on the lookout for EBs. Tim (BroncoBowsher) and I spotted this in a hotel parking lot on Wednesday.

Todd Z.

[DirtDonk]

Welcome back guys. My feet feel your pain.
Love that pic of the SOHC ("sock") engine in the Ford booth next the GT40!
Don't see those every day. In my circles anyway. Hard to take my eyes off of either one of those classics.

Sorry I had to miss this year. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[DonsBolt]

Originally Posted by toddz69

These are some shots of the '77 displayed out front.

Todd Z.

Thats a very nice bronco, but can't figure out why he put a clock in that doesn't match the other two gauges. especially when they make one that matches a lot better

[tasker]

Originally Posted by toddz69

Here are some shots of the Big Oly TT, including one with Mr. Drew Peroni (Broncitis) and I standing in front of it.

Todd Z.

AT least one of you is happy to be there! (sorry Drew )

[yjzonie]

Todd, more info on the gas cap.

[toddz69]

Originally Posted by yjzonie

Todd, more info on the gas cap.

Here's some good info on it from the WH website:

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product...p/new_products

Todd Z.

[Durtymax]

Originally Posted by toddz69

These are some shots of the '77 displayed out front. You'll see from the business card that someone familiar was there earlier.....

Todd Z.

That bronco is sexy.