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"You're my boy Blu" ‘72 Build Thread - First Bronco, First Resto

crutch

Full Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2015
Messages
249
I picked up my Bronco in July of ’15 not really knowing what to look for or what I was getting myself into but I was so excited I found one I liked and went for it. This is the first restoration and my first Bronco so it’s been quite a learning experience.

I think I started with a good foundation, usual floor pan rust but motor ran good and didn't smoke.

Among my excitement of the new purchase I started buying parts right away and fixing things but without any real build plan. Unfortunately I didn’t find out about this site until after I started ordering parts and tackling projects.

So…after scouring through this site I came across all these other cool ideas I really should have been planning for. So needless to say I’m changing things from early on and wasted some money but thats all part of the journey (at least thats what I’m telling myself).

I figured I might as well go ahead and start a build thread since I’ve enjoyed everyones else's so much and appreciate everyones help along the way. Any feedback is always appreciated.

Here are some pictures of what I started with.
 

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doghows72

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
2,036
Looks like a great foundation to start with. I'm sure all f us have done the same thing on our first one. Start ordering, then start researching!
My first Bronco I'll bet I was 40k into a 12k truck. 3 engines, two transmissions and I couldn't count how many times I changed or modified the suspension.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
 
OP
OP
crutch

crutch

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Jul 3, 2015
Messages
249
The PO had riveted some sheet metal over top the existing floors so we found some good stuff once we started getting into it.
 

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OP
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crutch

crutch

Full Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2015
Messages
249
Looks like a great foundation to start with. I'm sure all f us have done the same thing on our first one. Start ordering, then start researching!
My first Bronco I'll bet I was 40k into a 12k truck. 3 engines, two transmissions and I couldn't count how many times I changed or modified the suspension.
Good luck and keep us posted!!

Ha, glad I'm not alone. I stopped keeping track of the money. I kept putting bandaids on things when I really needed a plan. I've learned so much from everyone on this forum over this last year and excited to get back on the road soon!
 
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OP
crutch

crutch

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Jul 3, 2015
Messages
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Picked up new heater core, blower motor and sealing kit and went to town on the heater box. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.
 

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stout22

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Athens, AL
Looks like a good Bronco. Heater box looks great!
What year and what are your plans for it?
 

half cab

Contributor
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Dec 8, 2010
Messages
16,306
Just wondering was the Bronco originally a Ca. truck with the rust?

Great foundation you have though.
 
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OP
crutch

crutch

Full Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2015
Messages
249
Looks like a good Bronco. Heater box looks great!
What year and what are your plans for it?



It's a '72 and it will be mostly used as a weekend ride and taking family to the beach. I commute too many miles to work right now so won't be a daily driver but I want to make it reliable enough where I can take it for longer trips.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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crutch

crutch

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Joined
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Messages
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Just wondering was the Bronco originally a Ca. truck with the rust?

Great foundation you have though.



I know it spent time in CA and CO but that's about all the history I have on it. Funny story though, right after I got it I took it to a buddy who is a mechanic to do an inspection on it. His boss started asking me questions about it. Apparently he recognized it and his brothers girlfriend owned it for awhile and he remembers pulling boats in and out of the Colorado river with it. Small world.




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Justafordguy

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Looks like a very nice foundation for a fun project. Keep the pictures coming. :cool:
 
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crutch

crutch

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Is the name of your build from the movie "Everybody's All-American" ??



It's from a Will Ferrell movie called Old School. If your into Will Ferrell movies I highly recommend.

As you can tell I've already painted it. It just need to get the pictures up.


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half cab

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I know it spent time in CA and CO but that's about all the history I have on it. Funny story though, right after I got it I took it to a buddy who is a mechanic to do an inspection on it. His boss started asking me questions about it. Apparently he recognized it and his brothers girlfriend owned it for awhile and he remembers pulling boats in and out of the Colorado river with it. Small world.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If it originally had the rubber mat and add the Co. river then that explains alot.
 

Germd

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Joined
Jun 16, 2014
Messages
342
Picked up new heater core, blower motor and sealing kit and went to town on the heater box. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

Gosh I love seeing new parts arrive and knowing they're gonna be part of bringing something back to life. Congrats on your progress and keep up the good work!
 
OP
OP
crutch

crutch

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crutch

crutch

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249
"You're my boy Blu" ‘72 Build Thread - First Bronco, First Resto

Grinding out the bedliner has been a real PITA. I found that an oscillating tool with the scraper blade and a heat gun worked the best on flat surfaces. Works great with a sharp blade but they dull too fast.

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crutch

crutch

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The most stressful thing I think I've ever done is pick out a paint color. I wanted a more classic color like boxwood green but I figured given the large amounts of bronco boxes that were going to be delivered to the house and countless hours in the garage I better let my wife have a say in the decision. We agreed on this metallic midnight blue. It's growing on me.

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.94 OR

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That's going to look sharp.

Color of top?

I have a silver top and silver grille, seems to balance out ok for me.
 
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crutch

crutch

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I actually don't have a top, just going to run a black bikini top here in Southern California.


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