4Door Bronco build
- Thread starter patl
- Start date
Good day if somewhat frustrating. Everything is done underneath. Toe in set, trac bar adjusted, and drag link will hopefully be set tomorrow when the column goes in. Had a nice Connex CB but can't quite get it to fit in the overhead roll bar because of the side mount mike. Oh well, have an old Cobra 29 tuned and peeked ready to go in.
Sway bar hit the Duff hoops, which it doesn't do on my '76. Took a little persuading, but we finally got it bent to fit. Seems these hoops were bent by a different vendor. Their current ones don't have this problem.
Sway bar hit the Duff hoops, which it doesn't do on my '76. Took a little persuading, but we finally got it bent to fit. Seems these hoops were bent by a different vendor. Their current ones don't have this problem.
Hey Brett- no one knows better than Thomas how much work is left to do. This is not the only project scheduled to be completed by then. Gonna be a lot of late nights and weekends from here on out.
A huge step forward was made today as the top finally went on. Took a little trimming here and there, but it looks like a good fit. One major hurdle which has been going on for over a year.
Steering column is also in including lower shaft.
Tomorrow hinges go on and doors will be hung for first fit. Of all the challenges so far, this is by far the most difficult. Once they are hanging and swinging true every thing else is downhill from here.
A huge step forward was made today as the top finally went on. Took a little trimming here and there, but it looks like a good fit. One major hurdle which has been going on for over a year.
Steering column is also in including lower shaft.
Tomorrow hinges go on and doors will be hung for first fit. Of all the challenges so far, this is by far the most difficult. Once they are hanging and swinging true every thing else is downhill from here.
For those who have been waiting along with us for this day, it has finally come! Doors and fenders are being fitted. Still a lot of work to do, since there are twice as many doors and a top to line up, but first fit isn't as bad as we thought it might be. Still, with Thomas being the perfectionist that he is, nothing will be considered done until it is perfect. Had it there before paint, we should be able to get it there again.
Last edited:
daddyusmaximus
Explorer
It's depressing to see someone else build your dream... LOL That thing is gonna be so nice.
Thanks guys. Good to hear from the land down under, also.
The way the added shock tab is welded on clocks it in a position where the shocks are not completely parallel. My '76 looks the same. Has no impact on function. Wild Horses has or had a kit that put the shocks in a more vertical position, but required a section of the floor to be cut and a panel welded into the rear floor alongside the wheel house. Too invasive for me, and also reduced an already small rear floor area. This setup seems to work good, as I've been running it on the other Bronco for about 6 years. Helps a little with axle wrap as well.
The way the added shock tab is welded on clocks it in a position where the shocks are not completely parallel. My '76 looks the same. Has no impact on function. Wild Horses has or had a kit that put the shocks in a more vertical position, but required a section of the floor to be cut and a panel welded into the rear floor alongside the wheel house. Too invasive for me, and also reduced an already small rear floor area. This setup seems to work good, as I've been running it on the other Bronco for about 6 years. Helps a little with axle wrap as well.
snekvasil
Adventurer
This build is so fun to watch...any idea what you're going to do about wheels/tires? You may have said before, but I wasn't sure.
A picture of a tire and wheel is on page 14 of this thread. They are Fuel 17" wheels with 37"x 12.5" Cooper ST Maxx tires. The one on the right . It was shown beside the 35" tires on "Black Pearl".
Making progress today, although it doesn't seem like it. The top is bolted down and door fit is almost done except for a few details. Some small mods will have to be done to the top for rear door fit, so it looks like I may be painting it to match the cosmic quartz paint on the other parts. Oh well, at least it's strong enough to add a rack. Eventually there will be a lockable rear cover on the back end.
Making progress today, although it doesn't seem like it. The top is bolted down and door fit is almost done except for a few details. Some small mods will have to be done to the top for rear door fit, so it looks like I may be painting it to match the cosmic quartz paint on the other parts. Oh well, at least it's strong enough to add a rack. Eventually there will be a lockable rear cover on the back end.
Doors are good everywhere but one place. The rear doors where they fit the top have a little challenge. The driver's door is too tight and the passenger's door has about 3/8" too much gap. So, top is being modified to fit and will now have to be painted to match the rest of the "cosmic quartz" color. Thomas never liked the gelcoat, anyway. I think he is happy it's going to be painted.
Top cut back at rear of driver's door.
Top stretched on passenger side.
This showed up at the shop today. It's was built by AEV for BF Goodrich's launch of their new All Terrain KO2. Nice build. Tooling around the Knoxville area for a couple days before heading to Atlanta on Friday and heard about Thomas' shop, so he stopped by to check it out.
Top cut back at rear of driver's door.
Top stretched on passenger side.
This showed up at the shop today. It's was built by AEV for BF Goodrich's launch of their new All Terrain KO2. Nice build. Tooling around the Knoxville area for a couple days before heading to Atlanta on Friday and heard about Thomas' shop, so he stopped by to check it out.
Been a busy week. Many things accomplished although it doesn't seem like it. Terrance came out and did a basic cut and buff on a few areas so that we could go ahead and install side markers, headlights, and flares. Flares will go on tomorrow.
He is a master detailer and I'm lucky to have him working on this project. He has high end customers who fly him all over the country to work on their vehicles.
Headlights are the H4 upgrade.
Door handles are powder coated black.
The top is being painted and should be ready Tuesday or Wednesday. Electric window kits are installed in the rear doors. Finally starting to look like a real Bronco.
He is a master detailer and I'm lucky to have him working on this project. He has high end customers who fly him all over the country to work on their vehicles.
Headlights are the H4 upgrade.
Door handles are powder coated black.
The top is being painted and should be ready Tuesday or Wednesday. Electric window kits are installed in the rear doors. Finally starting to look like a real Bronco.