DrBronco69's Super New Crawler Build Thread

[joe]

Went and bought a Ruff Stuff 3/8th's inch thick diff cover and started building off of that. Here is what it ended up as. Its about 1/2 inch more forward on the axle than PSC calls for, but feel I wont have any issues with it. This is a real nice kit, easy to work with and well explained in the install directions. The guys at PSC are quite helpful as well with any questions.

lookin goooooood

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Getting close! Pics 7-13-12

OK, so it's getting close to completion so I figured I would give you guys a couple teaser pix.

 

[yak67]

WOW! very nice

 

[72_EB]

Mikey,

Your old Gallery shots came up on the Classic home page the other day when I logged on. Was a trip to see this old shot. You've come a long way, buddy. ;D Get that baby running for the Fall!

J

 

[joe]

WOW! very nice

YES! WOW!

Uh.... no..... you ain't gonna wanna wheel that thang ;D

 

[DRBRONCO69]

YES! WOW!

Uh.... no..... you ain't gonna wanna wheel that thang ;D

Bet you some of your Chili and your ass I am gonna wheel the shit out of it! ;D

 

[joe]

Bet you some of your Chili and your ass I am gonna wheel the shit out of it! ;D

LOL!

BTW... 10 weeks to OCBR %)

and we're goin to Clayton OK that Monday night and then to Hot Springs Wed or Thurs Nite.

 

[jlylec]

man that thing is bad as hell! almost looks fake it's so cool. like an RC truck or something. nice work!

 

[DRBRONCO69]

It's been so long since I have updated this thread that I am unsure if anyone is even watching.....so my apologies for those that have followed the past three years.
The rig is nearing completion.
I am currently working on buttoning up all the little things that go along with a build like this. This is the first time I have ever done anything of this caliber as a wheeling rig goes. Everything......and I mean everything seems to have to be hand made, fabbed, modified, worked, thought out, planned, parts gathered weekly, researched, etc. etc.......Anyways, you get the jist of it. I've taken a ton of pics along the way but daily life takes precedence most of the time. I coached baseball for my 8 year old this summer and my daughter just turned one this October. I tried hard to reach my goal of getting it to OCBR this Fall but fell short.
Soooo.......for those who are still following, here is an update.

The 351 is running. The RJM harness was the way to go!...Mustang 5.0 injection on top of my fresh 351W with a b
BC broncos adapter. She sounds great. Don Stanley at TSI transmissions built me a killer C4. I installed my Cheetah shifter tonight.
PSC full hydro steering installed and built off of a Ruff Stuff diff cover. What an awesome kit and a great bunch of people to work with.......if you can actually get through to someone in their tech dept.
I am running an E-450 hydro boost unit with matching master cylinder tied in. I mounted the hydro boost and master cylinder next to the radiator on the drivers side and had a custom pedal assy and shaft made up by a street rod buddy of mine.
I went with GM 3/4 ton front and rear brakes for my Dana 60s, all new with adapter brackets from ?....can't remember.
I purchased a steering column DOM with quick release wheel from Speedway.
Atlas case and shifters insatalled, modified of course.
Need to have a custom rear driveshaft made.

Next on list is to get all new door felts, fab a Trans tunnel, cut down my soft top, figure out windshield wipers, and exhaust. She's near ready to have her first voyage down the street and hoping its ready for the first snowfall to have some fun.

I see a lot of new screen names here on the board and wondering where all us old schoolers are. If you have any Qs about the build, feel free to ask. Thanks for watching so far! Hope to find everyone well and see you on the trails soon! - Mike

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Here are some photos of the front mounted Hydroboost and master cylinder as well as the Transmission Tunnel I fabbed up last night. It will be removable for easy access to the trans and transfer case and driveshafts. I cut 3/4 inch x 1/8th thich strips and layed them out on the floor where I want it to bolt down. Flange i guess. Then from there I built off of it with 3/16th steel rod and made a cage. I will cover it with thin steel and build a frame to mount my Cheetah shifter.

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Pics of the Front mounted Hydroboost unit, mounted and plumbed. I was not OK with just running Manual brakes so it took a little figuring out where to mount everything. Being that I bobbed the front 17.5 inches, she's a little tight. My shock hoops were in the way of any kind of OEM brake booster/master location and I didn't want it inside or under the vehicle. I modified the OEM brake bracket and pedal assembly. By fabbing a longer pedal rod and direct mounting the pedal to it, I was able to bring everything left toward the drivers side 8 inches. I then made a push rod and lever long enough to attach to where the hydroboost is mounted up front near the radiator left of the shock hoop. Tight fit but everything worked out well. Pictures arent that great, better to see it in person I guess. Thought I would share anyways.

 

[broncojack]

Keep on keepin on, you'll gert it done in time for a spring run.

 

[broncoitis]

OK, so it's getting close to completion so I figured I would give you guys a couple teaser pix.

Doc,

Truck looks absolutely SICK!!!!! Love how you finished off the back half of your roll cage. I can only hope that mine turns out as nice. Definitely subscribing to this thread and going back through it. Nice job!!! ;D

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Attempt # 1 at my trans tunnel was a complete failure. I made it from 3/16 steel rod with 3/4 wide flanges. I cut all the filler pieces and welded it all together on the bench. Went to test fit it and cant get the flanges anywhere near where they are supposed to sit on the floor. It is warped to all hell from welding it up. Attempt # 2 tomorrow. Wont let that happen again. Shitty thing is I knew better. Live and learn. See above photos for the beginnig stages.

 

[Blueknightcrew]

A work of art Mike. LOVE IT;D;D;D

 

[Colorado75Bronc]

I love it man, looks great!

 

[DRBRONCO69]

A work of art Mike. LOVE IT;D;D;D

Couldn't have done it without you Ron! Hope to see you soon.

Thanks for all the kind words from everyone keeping track of the build. I plan to be taking this thing all over the place this upcoming season.

 

[Stutsmo]

Couldn't have done it without you Ron! Hope to see you soon.

Thanks for all the kind words from everyone keeping track of the build. I plan to be taking this thing over to Frenchy's for the Bronco Heaven meeting.

Fixed it for ya! ;D.... Seriously though……Great job! looking forward to seeing it in person one of these days. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago to watch my Bears loose to the Seahawks …. I couldn’t have been too far from ya .I should have tried to get a hold of you to see for myself!
Keep up the good work ….See you at Mike’s on the 19th.

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Fixed it for ya! ;D.... Seriously though……Great job! looking forward to seeing it in person one of these days. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago to watch my Bears loose to the Seahawks …. I couldn’t have been too far from ya .I should have tried to get a hold of you to see for myself!
Keep up the good work ….See you at Mike’s on the 19th.

I'm 15 mins from Soldier Field. See ya soon.

 

[DRBRONCO69]

Took the truggy out for the first time for an extended ride yesterday in the snow. Picked my son up from school in it. Needless to say.....he was stoked. Truck runs and handles great. I need to reclock my transfer case because the front driveshaft is rubbing on the left lower link bracket at the frame. Good times!

Getting ready for Bama Brawl, see ya soon!