Introducing Project 71 Lub'er (updated pics)

[71 LUBER]

Ok, I'm starting my build thread.

First off, some photos from March, 1994 when I first got it. It was wussy blue with a white hard top (already off for the Summer). 302, 3 on the tree, as stock as you can find them. Quickly added a roll bar and new shoes. She was my daily driver for 3 years during which time a new 302 4bbl was built and dropped in, 3" single lung exhaust and floor shift conversion. Also added the front portion of the cage for a full 6 pt cage before tearing her down for what would end up being a VERY LONG restoration process. Let's just say it spent more time as a storage device than a project.

When I get home tonight, I will post current pics of the day it left for the body shop as well as photos I took this morning of it's current stage in the shop.

It should be ready to paint within the week and back in my garage where I can finish it up.

This is where I will be relying on all the expertise and helpfulness of this board...I'm already starting to feel way in over my head ;D

Enjoy the pics and I can't wait to get the final stages rolling and pick your brains! With any luck, I'll be driving her again in the Spring.

 

[71 LUBER]

First couple photos are from the morning it got towed to Classic Rods & Restoration. It's probably at the ugliest stage it's ever been. Years back, I had removed the body and sandblasted the frame, epoxy coated it and started thinking yellow was the color it would be. Not anymore.

The following photos are from this morning. Lots of new sheet metal after the tub came back from media blast and more well hidden problems were discovered.

When I first started stripping, I found the usual PO messes. The original pics look pretty decent, but there was lots of bondo and half-assed body work under that rattle can paint job. I found rockers rebuilt with old license plates, newspaper and bondo just for starters. After MB, it got even worse.

New sheet metal:
both inner and outer rockers
both pillars and rear strikers
floor boards
both rear 1/4's
left inner rear wheel well
hood
windshield frame
tail gate
both front fenders
both front inner fenders between firewall and core support
both doors re-skinned
and lots of little patching with new sheet metal.

Jesus, my wallet is hurting, but in a week or so, with fresh paint, it will all be worth it. I wish I could do body work at this level so I didn't have to send it out, but what are you gonna do?

 

[fatboy]

Awesome...keep the pictures coming!

 

[Uncut75]

Glad to see it become "uncut" again and turn into a LUBR.
Someday my 75 will be a LUBR too.

 

[Bronco]

i'm glad you are bringing one back to the uncut world.

 

[sprdv1]

Excellent.. That's what I wanna hear..

 

[71 LUBER]

Thanks guys. I always wanted an uncut and I'm really stoked to see this after paint.

I wanted to thank Ransil, I went to see him this weekend and he's really helping me secure the last parts I need for paint. BIG UP to him, great guy. That's the kind of help I'm going to need to finish this thing. I also got lots of good advice from him on the order in which to finish this thing. Very appreciated! I was way off in the direction I was going and I see that now.

Paint pics coming soon.

 

[71 LUBER]

More pics as of this morning

The body work is coming along. Both rear 1/4's in, all strikers and pillars in, passenger door skinned, passenger side front inners in. I took these this morning when I dropped off the NOS tail gate and Ted Nugent's old hood.

 

[wpso115]

How did you come across Ted's hood?

 

[Crewwzin]

Glad to see it become "uncut" again and turn into a LUBR.
Someday my 75 will be a LUBR too.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "LUBR"?

 

[bronco loco]

Lifted Uncut BRonco

 

[71 LUBER]

I was kidding, it's not really Ted's hood.

 

[fatboy]

Coming along well. Looks like you picked a good shop too, at least one with taste, a 71 olds, same vintage mustang and a street rod, looks early 30's Ford possibly. Keep the pictures coming!

 

[biobiegun]

How much lift?
What tires/wheels will you run?
(I've got a LUBR-RUBBER)

 

[SC74]

Looks great so far! My next Bronco will be a LUBR too. Keep up the good work!

 

[71 LUBER]

Coming along well. Looks like you picked a good shop too, at least one with taste, a 71 olds, same vintage mustang and a street rod, looks early 30's Ford possibly. Keep the pictures coming!

These guys do awesome work. There's usually 12-15 cars in the garage and another 12-15 outside at any time. I swear every time I go in there's new stuff. This weekend was 2 mach 1's, a 60's vette, early 70's Jeep, a Cuda...the list goes on. That rod's been there the entire 9 months my Bronco has been there.

They do a ton of vettes. Two months ago, there was a BEAUTIFUL old Goat in there.

 

[71 LUBER]

How much lift?
What tires/wheels will you run?
(I've got a LUBR-RUBBER)

1" body, 2.5" suspension with 31's for now. Thinking on replacing those 15" wheels for a 265/75/16 down the road after all the little details are done.

 

[71 LUBER]

Funny thing was, as mine was sitting at the main garage door that morning, which was up, 3 separate old timers driving by stopped to see if that was what they thought it was...because "they hadn't seen one of those Broncos forever". Felt pretty cool.

 

[71 LUBER]

Starting to look like an EB.

Here are some pictures from this morning. The passenger side is nearing completion and starting to look like a Bronco.

I'm getting excited, not long until paint!