My Classic Bronco Build: F8 LUBR

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Its now 100 degrees out so progress has slowed. After the flooring was done we realized the rear gas tank was in the way of the mounting holes for the fold n tumble rear seat. So we had to drop the tank, drill 4 holes, mount the seat latch bracket/belts and reinstall the rear tank that had a few gallons of gas in it. Then we moved onto the auxiliary 12 gallon tank

V5e3TOb.jpg


Here you can see the Second Skin Spectrum sound deadening and heat barrier as well as the freshly coated frame. Amazing how solid the tub sounds now

PbTLHxk.jpg


Here is the custom filler neck extension my builder made to get from the tank to the original modified neck that's now welded to the back of the quarter panel. Still need to hit the gas station to test the vent line but less turns and kinks than before so shouldn't be an issue

fzrQnX1.jpg


The roll cage was built with the stock wiper motor in mind and since we went with smaller dual electric wiper motors I didn't think we'd have any clearance issues. I was right! 1/4" of room on the drivers side haha! Threaded the cage and ran heim joints to the windshield

TW32bfZ.jpg


We had to take half of the upholstery off the rear seat as the bracket mounting bar was too far inset to get the C clip on. The upholstery shop must have messed with it as it mounted fine before we dropped it off. Spent way too much time fixing that but the rear seat is now bolted in with the new belts from Seat Belts Plus

Z5B6zdu.jpg


Still looking into twin stick boots. I want something kind of custom but not finding many options

jo3abyj.jpg


While installing the rear seat I hit my head on the cage twice in the same spot. Almost got a helmet out to finish. Roll bar padding research is in the works! Looking for half padding like this:

MOR-80944_xl.jpg


Im also in talks with Mojo Shades to build me a custom bikini top. Taking measurements this weekend so Ron can get started: https://www.mojoshades.com/photo-gallery

dNL5mlO.jpg


Got the H3R Performance MX250B Fire Extinguisher mounted on the cage

9un9xd0.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Looks like the same orientation but Im looking for a flat angled bezel like this

JBFABNVAXBOOT4_1024x1024.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Got tired of the doorless look so we threw the doors on first thing! First one took 20 mins, 2nd one took 1 minute. We left the door seals off for now because we're having floor trim made and it would be in the way. The doors close so solid with the second skin sprayed inside them

C6hWxEr.jpg


Matching door panels to the seats. Hooked the amp up and bridged it from 4CH to 2CH, then connected the 6.5" speakers. After some EQ changes it sounded pretty darn good. Going to fit them into the quarter panels this weekend and get it tuned, then I will make a subwoofer decision. Right now Im thinking I need an 8" sub in the back and the same amp can handle it but it might be fine as is

TtsosNY.jpg


Still need to make some hinge adjustments but they are very close to flush

HfcyelQ.jpg


Threw a satin silver mirror on and love how it matches the door handles. So clean!

9GDgWJ9.jpg


xh7Rrxf.jpg


Desperately needs its first detail!

jrZYyRj.jpg


zAQq2Df.jpg


Ran to the gas station to put gas in both tanks and the aux tank neck leaked where it met the rubber. The fancy hose clamp wasn't tight enough so we stopped filling it up and drove it home. Guy on a Harley said, "clean Bronco" as we pulled away stinking of gas. Was a 4 mile round trip drive and 95 degrees out. Temp gauge never went above 190 which was nice to see

QncNm8d.jpg


Rolled the ladder out and got this shot since I need a picture for Mojo Shades to build our bikini top. The blue tape came off after this pic. Wish I would have done it before!

4tfhuEb.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Finally got the glovebox door installed. Suck a picky hinge and latch!

gSHYNg0.jpg


New fuse box in there as well as a USB cable which can charge a cell phone or play music from a thumb drive/external hard drive

9NJ0E9d.jpg


I picked up some neodymium magnets from K&J Magnetics to mount the inner fiberglass panels. Glued them on, let them sit for 24 hours and slid them into place. Needed a little bit of trimming but they sit flush with the top of the bedrail

zAMjaQF.jpg


A little bit of pull and they pop right off but will hold in place while driving. I am going to put a tool bag behind the rear portion.

oEQBLhh.jpg


The original plan was to install 6.5" speakers on the left side of the panel but after seeing the clearance issues we had with the cage/seat/seatbelt we decided against mounting them in the back. I was also not a big of fan of having all the sound in the rear so not too disappointed

iDPjDjj.jpg


I luckily came across the guy making the fiberglass kickpanel pods and he made me a set of these and shipped them out the next day

wff9rKa.jpg


The speakers I bought are 2.5" deep and the panels allow for 2.25" of depth. So I ordered some spacers to bring the speaker out a little bit more. Also had to trim in 3 spots to get the speaker to fit snug.

gyXC5vl.jpg


The painter came over last night to adjust the doors and hood. Amazing what he can do in a matter of minutes that would have taken us an hour or two.

BZ5bryH.jpg


Still need to install the door rubbers but the gaps are literally perfect. I forgot to get a pic but he snapped this one

KC2XVmq.jpg


Moved onto the hood and installed the Shox n the Hood struts from WH

ldSLCQX.jpg


After closing the hood we noticed the passenger side not sitting flush and the side of the hood was bulging up. Took them back off and did some hinge adjustments to make it sit a little lower. With the shocks off the bulge is basically gone. I think the steel hood shocks are too strong and I may need to change the hood bracket to something larger that spaces out the load. Going to OReilly this weekend to find some softer shocks to see if that helps

8sthfKP.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Been raining or 105 outside so its tough to work on! Door gaps and body lines are right where we want them

skyShga.jpg


Klgtcpx.jpg


ySXvoln.jpg


Got back to work finishing up the sound system. Mounted the 6.5" Hertz Mille Pro MPX 165.3 coaxial speakers with a small spacer to make room for the magnets.

E545bi5.jpg


All set to mock up and screw the fiberglass pods into the kick panels

RTdeW5L.jpg


807KRWF.jpg


The Pioneer 1,200W amp sits on an elevated plate that bolts down under the passenger seat. Wires all go out through the bottom of the tub and back in through the firewall

2oByJpK.jpg


Great fit although I need to have a custom ebrake pedal mount made or some other route. Still need to wrap the wires for the high beams as well. The lighting is coming from the American Autowire Harness underdash lights that I put LEDs into

s6N8ewT.jpg


Very happy with the sound stage up front rather than having the speaker in the read quarters. Did some EQ tweaking and they already sound so much better. I have the amp bridged and running at about 75% of capacity which is about 150W per speaker

bPbD4u3.jpg


Put the Bronco in reverse to check out the LED backup lights. The backup camera also has LED lights

fRVolKM.jpg
 
Last edited:

MachME

2V Power
Established Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2005
Messages
5,896
Location
Z
I can't see in the pic, are those 5100 bilsteins? Is the letters/wording on it right side up/readable? If it is not, you have it upside down. The boot goes down on the one's I have used.

Loving this build.
 

thirtytwovalve

Steam Rollin 335's
Established Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
1,427
Location
El Paso, TX
They only fit one way on the fronts for an EB since the lower end is a standard bushing and the top goes thru an eyelet. I have the 5100s on mine and they're all setup the same way as his are.
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
I can't see in the pic, are those 5100 bilsteins? Is the letters/wording on it right side up/readable? If it is not, you have it upside down. The boot goes down on the one's I have used.
Loving this build.
Yes Bilstein 5100s. Labels are all right side up. As said above they can only install one way as there's a bolt mount on the bottom versus a rod/nut mount up top
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Here's a walk around video of the Bronco at idle. Missed that sound!
I put a partial mod list in the info section, need to work on a complete one

We got the softer hood shocks installed and I had to move the brackets forward about an inch so the shock had some more throw. Underside of the hood is still filthy. I scheduled a full detail for October 18th, the day before my first car show. The Bronco will get the full treatment including a polymer based paint protection coating

u2qdbvr.jpg


The hood now closes and sits flush so crossed that issue off the list!

Q3Up8Uk.jpg


JrRpywG.jpg


The exterior door knob stopped working so I had to take off the panel and adjust the rod going up to it. Got it dialed in now. A day time shot of the new speaking pods

GLcvizq.jpg


Tuesday night we took a 2 mile drive down to the gas station to make sure the new filler necks and rubber hoses were all sealed up. No leaks and the gauge readout is accurate. Switch on the dash flips the tank and the gauge together

yPm9JQs.jpg


But we did find out we have belt squeal coming from the alternator, only when cold though. We drove it back home with no squeal at all. I ordered a new dual v-belt pulley for it to see if that fixes it

tff-7610fd_xl.jpg


Also ordered some low profile c-padding from Jegs for the roll cage

2Xttwwc.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
The roll bar "padding" came in and its rock hard plastic. Won't make you bleed like steel but it will still knock you out.

FGiMGW7.jpg


I cut one piece up and used some velcro straps and got it mounted. It looks horrible and came right back off that same minute. Sent the other 4 pieces back to Jegs for a refund. Its got a sticky back but the raptor liner on my cage wont allow that to work at all.

TPi6WbJ.jpg


Im most likely going with the headbanger padding from WH and use their brown wraps

4230NET.jpg


On the test drives we've done we discovered that we still have clearance issues with the drivers side window frame hitting the cage. We got home from the gas station and found paint chipped off the corner which was very frustrating. We had modified that section of the cage last year and thought we solved the issue but I guess not. Im talking to some fab shops about pulling the cage back out and either cutting 1" out of the top and middle cross bar and re-welding it or scalloping the bar that runs along the window frame. Ill then have to redo the raptor liner.

UzuqcG0.png


Moving onto the belt squeal, I contacted Tuff Stuff who makes the 100AMP alternator and after a few emails they said the pulley it came with is too narrow and the belt isnt seated properly. They sent me a new pulley at no charge. Got that installed last night and started it up. No squeal! Gave it some light revs and still no squeal! Gave it a half throttle rev and the squeal is still there. So its much better but I can't have it squeal at all. I may try a different v belt to see if that helps but if not we're gonna try the dual belt setup.

slaMKkb.jpg


Iv2SQmj.jpg


The prior cut the pedal and handle off and moved them over to clear the cage he had in it years ago. With the new speaker pods in Id have to point the ebrake pedal at a 45° angle to make it work and thats just not gonna fly. So Im currently trying to find a 10" or smaller manual ebrake lever from some other car/UTV/forklift that I can mount on the firewall

MuBCaDY.jpg


I feel like Ive gotten nothing done in a month and only added to the list! Bronco goes back to the painter in 3 weeks for touch ups so I hope to solve many of these issues before then. At least the rain has been cooling off the garage!

sz3RoaB.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Found a twin stick shift boot that I liked from Stronghold. Did some measuring and decided the '80-86 CJ D300 shift boot was close enough to what I needed so I ordered the carbon fiber boot with black stitching and got it mounted in minutes.

https://www.strongholdshiftboots.com/product-page/80-86-cj-d300-twin-stick-shift-boot

hHyAQhR.jpg


zTghzWi.jpg


I found an ebrake from Control Cables that I think is going to fit great on the firewall. Its just under 10" long and Im going to mock it up tonight

Kit 5 - (Lever With Boot & Ring) Emergency Brake Lever Kit - Lay down ratchet style parking brake lever,boot and ring assembly. (PN#B1000B101)

esiCl6S.jpg


I had a fabricator/car builder come over to check out the roll cage clearance issue. The same guy that rolled the rear fender lips and set me up with a paint/body guy. He is so busy and is in such high demand for restorations that its nearly impossible to get him away from his shop. He spent 45 minutes adjusting the windshield and door which got me enough clearance from the cage that I can now drive it without it touching. We are going to loosen all of the cage mounts and see if I can twist the cage away from it some more but it wont need to come out which is a huge relief!

rekZRcB.jpg


I tightened up the alt belt some more and it squealed on start up and then never squealed again. So I backed out of the driveway and went for a cruise!

OUBalGO.jpg


Found a little hill and rolled up on it to flex the suspension a little

fWDHNVp.jpg


SjD7dcV.jpg


We have major tuckage!

UiUiNEG.jpg


Idling the temps did climb up above 218 but back on the road it dropped under 190. Can't let it idle in 98° heat too long. I wound up puting about 10 miles on it Saturday which is the most its seen in 5 years. Hoping to put even more on it tonight

 

geoffmt

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
2,024
Location
billings, mt
Man that thing has turned out beautiful! I have become to love the gen1 broncos after driving a buddies for a couple weeks(a few years ago)


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Picked up a car trailer in San Diego and drove the Bronco up onto it for the 35 mile drive out to the painters shop for touch ups. Changed out the LUBR plate for a copper Historic Vehicle plate

tjGkF9X.jpg


There are no DRings or mounts for straps on the trailer so we ordered some stake bed pocket DRing mounts for future trips. Decided to make the drive out to the shop and made it without a problem!

eHDNRCr.jpg


He was just finishing up a Coronet that he painted B3 blue.

QirIOTC.jpg


c_oc=AQlMrKOur6BDOLjQMkV3232y1lJV_-b7ODWyOqs-yvwmV1ClfzFDhKZLvxPCI7jlMrU&_nc_ht=scontent.fphx1-1.jpg


Tucking them in for the night

uZERgxj.jpg


8fIKWb9.jpg


Main reason for the trip out there was I completely missed an extra mirror hole in the passenger door. He welded that up, repainted/cleared/buffed the door and then touched up some tiny paint chips. Not a single flaw on this thing now! We used a nut on the back of the mirror bolt and they dont wiggle at all compared to the stock plastic nuts

4oG1xNC.jpg


I had ordered some 5000K LED headlights from China :)rolleyes:)). Took almost a month for them to come in. Testing them out tonight but they should be a massive improvement over the regular H4s (H4 LED Headlights Headlamps Hi-Lo 1500W 5000K 225000LM 6500K Lumileds Luxeon ZES | eBay)

sqrF72h.jpg


Got the Bronco back Saturday and made the 35 mile trip back home. Got some rolling shots of my Dad driving it.

SYGj2x2.jpg


Monday night we went out and got some sunset pics

oBN4ti5.jpg


H3kSQtW.jpg


w6ns50y.jpg
 

Jefe

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2006
Messages
18,443
Location
AZ
Got an email from Hagerty about listing my Bronco for rent for commercials/photoshoots/etc. Not too many Broncos on there and some of the prices people are asking are crazy!

Why not: Own the moment, rent this 1974 Ford Bronco

Also got an email from Barrett Jackson about consigning the Bronco in the upcoming Scottsdale auction. Not selling but I sent the info in to see how the process works and what they think

I picked up some stock Bronco floor trim and it just didn't cut it for me. I went to Industrial Metal Supply and bought some 1/8" 6063 aluminum and got to work cutting them to fit and rounding the corners.

UbMUvy5.jpg


Installed 21 RivNuts in the tub and painted the trim with a hammered black rust-oleum paint

tydaCSh.jpg


For less than $30 I think this turned out pretty darn good

18jxVUu.jpg


T8seiWA.jpg


While we worked on the trim I employed my mother to stitch in some seat belt stops. Employ = She feeds me and I let her work on the Bronco. She did a great job and now the latches stay above the doors

Jjqwjn7.jpg


Picked up some billet tire tread twin stick knobs. Might as well keep with the theme

8qati8I.jpg


I had MOJO Shades build me a custom bikini top for the roll cage. They specialize in Jeep shade covers and did an excellent job. I had to take a bunch of measurements and it fits great. Cuts a ton of sun out and much less wind noise than topless

ROiZR0M.jpg


eeJQVEv.jpg


This morning we drove the Bronco to the exhaust shop and had them cut off the old tip

Sn8Lfwp.jpg


I didn't want to see a tip so we went with a turn down dumped tip and tucked it up a little higher

D2mnfl7.jpg


Hardly even noticeable even with the Bronco in the air

FhFLPom.jpg


Exactly the look I was going for. Had to stop at a few lights on the way to work and did not notice any fumes coming in the cabin

Gws4CPq.jpg


Also stopped at the glass shop that did the flush mount windshield and had them install the rear view mirror tab. I had bought this billet mirror almost 3 years ago:
f5J3Lwe.jpg


Limited space in between the dual wiper motors but I got it up high enough so it doesn't block visibility

RAAs1Ws.jpg


Tomorrow morning I have a Cars & Coffee Car Show and Im cruising in with 3 or 4 Broncos. Its my first public show and really excited! Next week is the big show Ive been preparing for since May. Some excellent pics to come.

Oh almost forgot, I tested the horn out on the way to work. Click the speaker button at the bottom right for sound:
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top