75 Bronco Build

[Jesus_man]

How tall are you? I'm 6' and just installed very low pro seats. Anything impeding the top of the windshield would be in my way. But I LOVE the sleek look of the rack!

[Strike2]

How tall are you? I'm 6' and just installed very low pro seats. Anything impeding the top of the windshield would be in my way. But I LOVE the sleek look of the rack!

Thanks I'm 5'-8" at best and hope the view is ok, Ill be running Mastercraft seats which sit about 3.5-4" off the floor.

Nice, the KCs will add some vintage love, I hope you put the smiley face covers on them.

Thanks those cover should look very retro, I'll be on the look out for some for sure

[Jesus_man]

I think KC offers cool LED round lights, that with the covers would look retro, but would perform much better!

[sykanr0ng]

KC also makes LED inserts for their regular housings.

[Strike2]

KC also makes LED inserts for their regular housings.

Thanks that's good to know, I may need to convert these as they maybe 24v lights, I got them off a military Humvee and haven't got a chance to checking the voltage.

[Strike2]

Well the swing gate was just a "looker" and did not actually function lol, good thing its still in the R&D phase and only tack welded in. I guess the hinges need to be on the same plane and not 2" off so I made a 2" block with welded nuts on the inside same concept only functional
note to self say off the greyhounds while fabricating and stick with

[Strike2]

Couple of updates as I almost have the rear rack complete and waiting on some LED lights for the rear, meanwhile I added some aluminum plating to the top rack and trimmed front and rear fenders I was planning on skinning the flares but decided to hold off since I still need to add 4-1.5" center tubes to all four corners for strength. So I started removing the front fender inner apron and securing the front radiator panel to the engine cage by removing that metal it sure does opens the engine compartment up. I also needed to mock up the EFI/Hydroboost just to see where the placement of the shock hoop will be but I'm kind of at a wall since I really cant order the shocks until I get the Bronco weighed and can't trailer it until I secure the axles???? Any how here are a few photos

[Jesus_man]

Still enjoying what you're doing! Thanks for keeping us updated.

[Rox Crusher]

I am digging it too

[Strike2]

Thanks Jesus_man/Rock Crusher ! It’s been a fun build so far

[EFI Guy]

Is the outer bar part of an EXO or will it tuck into the fender?

[Strike2]

Is the outer bar part of an EXO or will it tuck into the fender?

The outer bars are my tube fenders which stick out 3.5" and will be skinned using 19g metal then painted back to OEM. The tire coverage should be just about the same as the plastic rear flares on stock axles, 3.5" looks about right IMO using a 9" rim on F150 axles.

[Gunnibronco]

I like the idea, and this is the first I've seen it done like this. I've been running 79 44 & 9" for a while now. When I swapped to the wider axles, I was running a 10" wide rim w/3.5"? backspacing (33x12.5 tires). My tires hung way outside my old school traditional Bronco flares. The biggest issue for me was mud. If I was driving on a muddy dirt road, the tires would throw mud all over the windows. It didn't take long before I literally couldn't see out any window of the truck. I installed the Wild Horses wide flares (Silverbacks) and it fixed the problem. I wasn't wild about the look, but I got used to it, and now they look fine to me. Plus they served a function, and made a big difference. I've switched to an 8" rim w/similar backspacing. It pulled the tires in under the truck a lot, and I'm not sure if I'd need the wider flares at this point. I'm not 100% sure how wide they are, I can check if you want.

[Strike2]

I like the idea, and this is the first I've seen it done like this. I've been running 79 44 & 9" for a while now. When I swapped to the wider axles, I was running a 10" wide rim w/3.5"? backspacing (33x12.5 tires). My tires hung way outside my old school traditional Bronco flares. The biggest issue for me was mud. If I was driving on a muddy dirt road, the tires would throw mud all over the windows. It didn't take long before I literally couldn't see out any window of the truck. I installed the Wild Horses wide flares (Silverbacks) and it fixed the problem. I wasn't wild about the look, but I got used to it, and now they look fine to me. Plus they served a function, and made a big difference. I've switched to an 8" rim w/similar backspacing. It pulled the tires in under the truck a lot, and I'm not sure if I'd need the wider flares at this point. I'm not 100% sure how wide they are, I can check if you want.

Thanks,
yes if you get a chance I'd be curious how wide they are? I felt 3.5 was ok for a 12.5 and hope I can stick with a 35". here is a side shot of the tube fender along with my XJ flares and how skinning them makes them look, its a long welding process and hope they look good on the Bronco.

[hockeydad4-22]

I am paying close attention to this build. Lots of really great stuff!

[Strike2]

I am paying close attention to this build. Lots of really great stuff!

Thanks for the kind words Hockeydad!

[Gunnibronco]

Thanks,
yes if you get a chance I'd be curious how wide they are? I felt 3.5 was ok for a 12.5 and hope I can stick with a 35". here is a side shot of the tube fender along with my XJ flares and how skinning them makes them look, its a long welding process and hope they look good on the Bronco.

The WH Silverbacks are 4.5". My 33x12.5 hang just a bit outside the flare.

DSCN8282.JPG

DSCN8283.JPG

[Strike2]

Thanks,
yes if you get a chance I'd be curious how wide they are? I felt 3.5 was ok for a 12.5 and hope I can stick with a 35". here is a side shot of the tube fender along with my XJ flares and how skinning them makes them look, its a long welding process and hope they look good on the Bronco.

The WH Silverbacks are 4.5". My 33x12.5 hang just a bit outside the flare.

Thanks Gunnibronco, I think I'll be just about right with 3.5" BS

[Strike2]

Couple of small updates, I've been busy adding all the gussets to the front engine cage, finished the interior cage minus the seat mounts and hope my my Mastercraft seats arrive today. I installed the rear lights and not 100% sold on the oval light placement I think there too close together so I may re-design it, good news is that the 5 gallon jerry cans fit great and the rear glass still opens up.

I tack welded 2"x3" square tubing to the frame/axles and will be getting the rig weighed soon, added most all the weight to simulate a trail ready rig carrying 28gals of fuel so I can order shocks and figure out the hoops for mounting. I have LOTS of welding to do but I'm getting pretty excited on not every buying or cutting metal again!!!!

[Jesus_man]

I agree the oval lights make it too busy back there. But I LOVE the suspension. King has come a long way!

[Strike2]

I agree the oval lights make it too busy back there. But I LOVE the suspension. King has come a long way!

Thanks for confirming the rear lights, Yea the Kings are their new entry level minimalist "strut"

[Strike2]

I was at the hobby store for work today and came across this beauty and had to buy it. Would painting the hood black on my Bronco be considered a "poser" move in the Bronco community?

[Jesus_man]

I haven't been to many craft stores, but I have been looking for that bronco when I do.

As to the hood being black - it's your ride...

[mickphatmac]

Would painting the hood black on my Bronco be considered a "poser" move in the Bronco community?

LOL!!!! After all of your mods, you’re worried about what people think about the color of your hood!!!???

[Strike2]

LOL!!!! After all of your mods, you’re worried about what people think about the color of your hood!!!??? [/quote]

I've just done a couple of "minor mods" . Anyhow I just finished adding the last of the tubing to the cage, figured out the seat mounts and added most of the weight to mimic a full tanks of gas, tools along with some misc. items. now she's ready to get on the scales this should be interesting as I was trying to go for light weight although my metal receipts show 260' of material so far minus 30' of scrap.

[Strike2]

Bronco weights in at 3,878lbs w/26gals fuel and fully loaded, minus passengers, oil, coolant. So I ordered up my shocks and they should be here Wednesday which is great timing as I'm heading out to Phoenix on Wed for a week. I've taking a few days off from working on the Bronco to paint a black to silver tailgate for my neighbor, it sure is a nice break from doing metal work!

D/F 998lbs P/F 1032lbs
25.8% 26.3%

D/R 966lbs P/R 882lbs
24.9% 22.6%

[phyler]

Bronco weights in at 3,878lbs w/26gals fuel and fully loaded, minus passengers, oil, coolant. So I ordered up my shocks and they should be here Wednesday which is great timing as I'm heading out to Phoenix on Wed for a week. I've taking a few days off from working on the Bronco to paint a black to silver tailgate for my neighbor, it sure is a nice break from doing metal work!

D/F 998lbs P/F 1032lbs
25.8% 26.3%

D/R 966lbs P/R 882lbs
24.9% 22.6%

That tailgate came out nice! I may have to hit you up for some tips as my summer goal is to get the body work done and some paint on mine. [emoji16]

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[crawlercreations]

Bronco weights in at 3,878lbs w/26gals fuel and fully loaded, minus passengers, oil, coolant. So I ordered up my shocks and they should be here Wednesday which is great timing as I'm heading out to Phoenix on Wed for a week. I've taking a few days off from working on the Bronco to paint a black to silver tailgate for my neighbor, it sure is a nice break from doing metal work!

D/F 998lbs P/F 1032lbs
25.8% 26.3%

D/R 966lbs P/R 882lbs
24.9% 22.6%

Those weights sound lighter than I would expect! Makes my coilover spring weights sound more correct. I was thinking I was light on the springs but there isn't a whole lot of sprung weight on a Bronco I guess! I am at 100 over 200 on my coil over springs. That gives me 5" of shock shaft exposed on about 4.5" of lift but almost no pre-load on the springs. I think I will end up with 100 over 150 once I am all done with my suspension work. Just as kind of an FYI for your starting point.

[Jesus_man]

I am a bit shocked at that weight as well. I am +800lbs loaded for the trail (tools and all). But we all know that lighter is better!

[Strike2]

[/quote]That tailgate came out nice! I may have to hit you up for some tips as my summer goal is to get the body work done and some paint on mine. [emoji16]

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk[/quote]

Hey Adam,
No problem I've learned a few things painting just let me know when your getting ready, just my preference but I like shooting base/clear vs. single stage.