Pebbles: 1 Family Mostly Stock 68 Build

[green61bug]

I never realized cages messed up the ability to use the glove box door. Maybe you could just clean it up and leave the door off for a convenient cubby? Kinda messes up the look of the dash tho. I would do a Tuffy. I saw that they have one that is "hidden" under the passenger side. Im interested in that on since I have a bench seat.

 

[chuckyb]

Roll cage

Work continues on the roll cage, and it has taken a turn towards customized, which I think it needed.

The TBP gussets are being ditched in favor of some beefier corner supports. My master body man has also suggested and fabricated the extra rear bars to go over the wheel wells. Instead of drilling through the bars for the seat belts, he is going to add threaded inserts to accept the 1/2 bolts for the belts.

All of this is extra work that is taking additional money and time, but should be nice touches when finished. I am hoping to take it to get powder coated in the next couple of weeks.

 

[chuckyb]

decisions

First shop visit since July and cage is now all welded up with grab handles and threaded inserts for seat belts. I got my first look underneath with the body on the frame. I took the roll cage to powder coating. Original plan was black for the cage. Now I am thinking it would be good to match the powder coat to one of the three factory colors (Pebble Beige, Parchment or Wimbledon White). The powder coating guru has color samples and is researching the options.

 

[broncobsession]

Looks great. What is the green thing sticking out of the transfer case? Cold duck?

 

[chuckyb]

Looks great. What is the green thing sticking out of the transfer case? Cold duck?

Thank you. The green thing is a Rancho overdrive...I still need to change out the yoke and oil seal which is the reason for the ziploc bag and blue tape.

 

[rydog1130]

looks good chuck!

 

[green61bug]

Such a killer build!

 

[sprdv1]

coming along pretty well Chuck.. Keep on pushing

 

[lgdpt]

Very impressed Chuck. I am following this build. I also plan on doing my cage in WW Powdercoating. And our Broncos are cut from the same cloth... Bench seats with bulkheads and full hardtops.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

You will probably want to replace the window frame at one point. The 66 we restored had rust come back on the frame. Stained the new paint job. It is impossible to fix the inside.

 

[chuckyb]

fenders, doors and some glass...

Scenes from the body shop...it sure looks better with fenders and a grille! I am happy with the window tint; I was a bit concerned it would look too dark. I am making plans to bring her back home for a while. Some shop space needs to be freed up in order to work on the roof, along with the roof of the green one along side it.

 

[Bonefizz]

Great looking rig!

 

[sprdv1]

Nice for sure.. Can't go wrong w/tint in my opinion..

 

[rydog1130]

looks good, glad you were able to save that vintage sticker on the vent window!

 

[chuckyb]

Thanks Ryan- you’ve got a great memory!! Dave, Travis, Greenbug and others - thank you, all of the feedback definitely helps keep me motivated and learning.

 

[904Bronco]

Very Nice. Well done on saving the sticker...

 

[chuckyb]

Back home for a while

My son and I picked her up from the body shop and trailered her home in a light rain on Saturday. The body work is not finished but as previously mentioned, shop space was temporarily needed. The roof and hood still need be worked on along with cage, weatherstripping and some other finishing items. About 15 months has elapsed since we started the journey with sandblasting, so it’s come along a bit faster than I was realistically hoping for.

I was not planning on bringing her home at this point, but I’ve adjusted the project plan given the opportunity. I will focus primarily on things between the firewall and the dash since this will get more difficult after the cage is in. I opted for the new style non-ABS firewall insulation from JBG and started fitting it in. Next steps are to get the steering and the e-brake working so it is less of an adventure moving it around. From there I will work on wiring, heater, pedals and perhaps AC. Time is extra tight as we are getting ready to move to a new house.

I included a pic of my modified dash. You will notice that there is no longer an ashtray and the speaker area and glove box are moved over to accommodate the cage. I hated cutting the dash at all but I am really happy with how stock it still looks and how clean the body work is.

 

[svastano]

Looks Great!

 

[Crawdad]

I like all the new shiny zinc hardware. Also like the custom “Chuck” floor mats!

 

[green61bug]

Looking good as usual! I was iffy on the glove box door relocation but I think it turned out nice. Once the cage is in it will feel like it was meant to be. Really looking forward to checking this one out.