1970 Bronco

[bowhntrmatt]

I am really impressed! I have taught myself to do some minor work on stuff using tools. However, I have no idea how anyone could do what you are doing unless you grew up tearing things down and rebuilding them. Impressive!!!

Thanks! I guess old dogs really can learn new tricks. I've never been the mechanical type with engines and stuff, but have always been the "take it apart to see how it works" kind of guy, and built a career as an HVAC tech, so I'm not unfamiliar with having to figure stuff out. These projects are really enjoyable to me, although frustrating when you come across unforeseen stuff. The main thing is the willingness to just dive in and do it.

[eastover53]

It came with a 302 that the previous owner said was freshly rebuilt, and the few things I’ve checked on it seem to add up to that being the truth, so I’m rolling the dice on it. I’m going to run an Eden rock pro Flo 4 and a 4r70w auto transmission.

From my experience, the 302 and an OD transmission is all you need in the original Bronco. Add the EFI and call it good. If you blow the motor, then maybe consider a modern 5.0 swap. These are extremely light vehicles that were sketchy to drive over 55 mph when brand new. No matter what mods you do to the suspension and steering, you’re not going to want to drive one of those at 85 mph on the interstate. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

[bowhntrmatt]

From my experience, the 302 and an OD transmission is all you need in the original Bronco. Add the EFI and call it good. If you blow the motor, then maybe consider a modern 5.0 swap. These are extremely light vehicles that were sketchy to drive over 55 mph when brand new. No matter what mods you do to the suspension and steering, you’re not going to want to drive one of those at 85 mph on the interstate. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

That's exactly my thoughts. It's nice knowing that you can also get a brand new roller short block for these things for a couple grand, so if the engine goes south I'm just a weekend project away from a brand new one. That's also why I chose to go with 4.56 gears instead of 4.11. I figure the vast majority of my time will be spent under 55 with what this is intended for (driving around Wimberley you are always stuck behind slow tourists).

[bowhntrmatt]

slow progress this week. I decided to go ahead and replace the front axle u-joints. I hadn't planned to, since they seemed fine and I'll likely rarely use 4x4, but once I got into it the driver side is super tight on one side. So I got them ordered but the little c-clips are absolutely welded on with rust, so I've been soaking them in penetrating oil.
In other news, the transmission rebuild is under way. I paid for all the new parts that are going into it yesterday and my guy says it should be done within a week or so. The bad pert is, my new crossmember is back ordered and will probably be at least another month.

[Bucknaked]

slow progress this week. I decided to go ahead and replace the front axle u-joints. I hadn't planned to, since they seemed fine and I'll likely rarely use 4x4, but once I got into it the driver side is super tight on one side. So I got them ordered but the little c-clips are absolutely welded on with rust, so I've been soaking them in penetrating oil.
In other news, the transmission rebuild is under way. I paid for all the new parts that are going into it yesterday and my guy says it should be done within a week or so. The bad pert is, my new crossmember is back ordered and will probably be at least another month.

Whattt….? You’ll rarely use 4wd? That’s just sinful

[bowhntrmatt]

Little progress, but a small change of plan. The front axles u-joint seats were all eaten up, so I decided to just go ahead and take on rebuilding the entire front axle. I had originally planned to let someone else do the re-gear after everything else was done, but now I’ve decided to just do it all.
so now I’m waiting on the brown truck to drop off all the parts and trying to prepare myself with a lot of online learning in the meantime.

[Katch66]

Great rebuild. Any progress?

[bowhntrmatt]

Great rebuild. Any progress?

I took a break with some back issues, then took the kids to Disney, then went fishing, now I'm finally back at it. I got the whole front diff disassembled and started the rebuild. I'll hopefully do my first mock fit-up this evening to start trying to get all the shims right. The only shop press I have easy access to is at a buddy's place an hour away, so it's tedious. But I got the inner pinion bearing pressed on today so I can start the re-assembly.
In other news, the body shop is actually making progress, though right now is a very scary time to look at it as they are cutting out all the bad metal and replacing.

[Katch66]

Thanks for the update. You certainly are doing a thorough job. The end result is going to be great!

[bowhntrmatt]

I don’t have nearly the patience needed for a differential replacement, but after a few hours I got it dialed in. I started on the final assembly and realized that the inner seals that came with the kit are for a later Dana 30, or maybe a Dana 44. Either way, back to waiting for parts to arrive.

[bowhntrmatt]

After finishing the front third member and re-assembling everything, I’ve realized that my new HD front u-joints contact the axle housing slightly. I can still turn it by hand so the temptation is there to just let it self-clearance, but I’m going to take it back apart and chamfer it with a die grinder. Just adding this to my list of struggles with this build.

[EliteDriver]

Very nice! Following!

[Medic225]

Nice!

[bboswell]

I'm late but I'm following now! Maybe this will be my motivation to get back on my Scrambler project...

[bowhntrmatt]

Getting the clearance I needed on those axle shafts was much easier than I thought. I really just had to knock down the sharp corner on the U-joint and we are good. Maybe moved .1" material.
I made a parts trade today with a guy as well. He got my manual pedal assembly and clutch linkage and I got his auto pedal assembly.

I know this thread is progressing slowly but making the update posts keeps me moving forward and checking off the thousands of things that need doing.