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re: 1973 Ford Bronco "Restoration" - Tips Needed
Posted on 4/8/20 at 9:20 am to bapple
Posted on 4/8/20 at 9:20 am to bapple
In something like that I don't like changing visible items.
I would turn the radio into a dummy controller. They make a small Bluetooth adapter that can run into a small amp and then replace the factory speakers with something high end with baffles behind them.
The factory radio still works, but you can also use it as a volume knob for your phone.
Looks clean, sounds great.
The other guys have covered the rest well. If it's made of rubber, change it. Depending on the motor, be careful with your oil choice.
IE, you may wish to run Delo 15w40 in it for the zinc and moly combo.
I would turn the radio into a dummy controller. They make a small Bluetooth adapter that can run into a small amp and then replace the factory speakers with something high end with baffles behind them.
The factory radio still works, but you can also use it as a volume knob for your phone.
Looks clean, sounds great.
The other guys have covered the rest well. If it's made of rubber, change it. Depending on the motor, be careful with your oil choice.
IE, you may wish to run Delo 15w40 in it for the zinc and moly combo.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 11:25 am to bapple
I’m drooling over that ride. My Grandfather had a 74 that my Grandmother sold when I went to college. Came home for Christmas to hunt and it was gone. Asked her where the Bronco was??? She replied... oh honey I sold that thing. No one ever drove it......
Posted on 4/8/20 at 11:43 am to geauxbrown
quote:What a kick in the nuts. I imagine something like: "I got $1,500 for that old thing!"
I’m drooling over that ride. My Grandfather had a 74 that my Grandmother sold when I went to college. Came home for Christmas to hunt and it was gone. Asked her where the Bronco was??? She replied... oh honey I sold that thing. No one ever drove it......
Posted on 4/8/20 at 12:28 pm to bapple
Keep it as stock as you can. You can’t go back sometimes. Dave Kindig did one a few years ago that was very tasteful and would be my template. Should be on their website or Motor Trend.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 12:37 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
Restored I bet it would fetch $50k +.
My former boss has a '74 that he has restored that may be one of the finest Broncos I have seen and I owned a '72 and my dad had a '69 and been in on several project Broncos. He gets offers of $50K plus all the time and he walks away. He has it insured for $70K.
I thought that was the best looking Bronco I have seen but I saw a black one sitting on 37" Boggers at Reds in Laffy back around Christmas that is hands down the best one I have seen now. I am sure someone on here knows who owns it because it is like the mythical OT 10.
This post was edited on 4/8/20 at 12:38 pm
Posted on 4/8/20 at 4:00 pm to bapple
Join a Bronco forum when you get a chance. A wealth of info from guys that are willing to share info on something they love doing. I'am finishing up on a 4 year frame-off restoration on our 78 Wagoneer, good luck.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 8:16 pm to TIGER2
Wow, a lot to respond to. Let me give this a try:
My dad changed the oil. We plan on putting fresh belts and replacing every rubber bushing. The thermostat and cooling system are definitely on the list since the reservoir has some gunk sitting at the bottom of it but they'll be later.
Wiring harness is a MUST since there are wire splices all over the place and some wires are sitting directly on the valve covers. My grandpa didn't care too much about appearances under the skin and that is catching up to us.
Exhaust is in decent shape but the brakes are definitely the scariest part. Everyone who says to keep it original has not seen the leaking master cylinder or the rusted-out brake lines. As it stands, you have to pump the pedal a couple times to get it to stop and you lose a bit of fluid on each pump. 4-wheel discs with stainless lines and a new master cylinder is likely the first upgrade since that will make it driveable. We want to be able to actually stop it and discs will be much easier to maintain.
There is some rust in the floorboards but that will be done later. It's not too intrusive right now. As far as everything else underneath, rusted brake lines are the highest priority.
Not sure what specific transmission other than a 3-speed automatic but the engine is a 302 short block.
Thanks! Definitely need it...
Our highest priority at this point is making it safe and driveable. My dad wants to drive the grandkids in it and we prefer it be a safe endeavor. So the brakes and wiring harness are a must. Unfortunately the rear fenders have already been cut and we want to put on a simpler, cleaner set of flares. That'll be down the road.
My Papaw had a love of cars, that's for sure! There's also a 65 red Mustang convertible sitting in the garage collecting dust. We'll see if we want to embark on that as well...
The plan is to keep it as original as possible but have it be safe. As of now, it's not quite there - leaking, rusted brakes and the electrical connections are all kinds of crappy. There are numerous dangling wires with no connection and visible wire splices everywhere.
Looks can be deceiving! The body is in decent shape and will be better once I correct all the paint but there is plenty of rust underneath. I have to say it's interesting polishing paint with no clear coat - the pad is quite blue right now.
There are quite a few things that don't work despite being hooked up and there are wires hanging out everywhere. A harness will be an early buy.
Probably going full brake upgrade with 4-wheel discs, new master cylinder, and new lines.
The amount of stores specifically meant for restoring Broncos has been impressive.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Looking forward to some fun times and potentially not-so-fun repairs with this rig.
quote:
Change the oil, and have it analyzed, do a compression check, check out all your dope and grease it, replace belts and hoses, and thermostat, check out the radiator good and put a new cap on it
My dad changed the oil. We plan on putting fresh belts and replacing every rubber bushing. The thermostat and cooling system are definitely on the list since the reservoir has some gunk sitting at the bottom of it but they'll be later.
quote:
I would do the wiring harness next after that, and get an electronic ignition on it
Wiring harness is a MUST since there are wire splices all over the place and some wires are sitting directly on the valve covers. My grandpa didn't care too much about appearances under the skin and that is catching up to us.
quote:
Check out your exhaust system, once that is good to go, do the brakes.
Exhaust is in decent shape but the brakes are definitely the scariest part. Everyone who says to keep it original has not seen the leaking master cylinder or the rusted-out brake lines. As it stands, you have to pump the pedal a couple times to get it to stop and you lose a bit of fluid on each pump. 4-wheel discs with stainless lines and a new master cylinder is likely the first upgrade since that will make it driveable. We want to be able to actually stop it and discs will be much easier to maintain.
quote:
While you are doing this stuff, go through every nook and cranny, underneath looking for rust, then fix it, and then get the fenders back like original.
There is some rust in the floorboards but that will be done later. It's not too intrusive right now. As far as everything else underneath, rusted brake lines are the highest priority.
quote:
What engine and transmission does it have?
Not sure what specific transmission other than a 3-speed automatic but the engine is a 302 short block.
quote:
you can get an entire rubber and seal kit from toms as I recall
Thanks! Definitely need it...
quote:
I know this may not be the popular answer but I’d leave that Bronco alone.
Our highest priority at this point is making it safe and driveable. My dad wants to drive the grandkids in it and we prefer it be a safe endeavor. So the brakes and wiring harness are a must. Unfortunately the rear fenders have already been cut and we want to put on a simpler, cleaner set of flares. That'll be down the road.
quote:
That is one beautiful piece, bapple.
My Papaw had a love of cars, that's for sure! There's also a 65 red Mustang convertible sitting in the garage collecting dust. We'll see if we want to embark on that as well...
quote:
just wanted to say holy crap that thing is beautiful.
quote:
Like a couple others have said, PLEASE keep it original.
The plan is to keep it as original as possible but have it be safe. As of now, it's not quite there - leaking, rusted brakes and the electrical connections are all kinds of crappy. There are numerous dangling wires with no connection and visible wire splices everywhere.
quote:
And it doesn’t look like it needs any restoration. I was expecting a pic of something beat up and rusted out.
Looks can be deceiving! The body is in decent shape and will be better once I correct all the paint but there is plenty of rust underneath. I have to say it's interesting polishing paint with no clear coat - the pad is quite blue right now.
quote:
are you having a lot of electrical issues?
There are quite a few things that don't work despite being hooked up and there are wires hanging out everywhere. A harness will be an early buy.
quote:
if you replace the master cylinder might as well change the lines and update to front disc if it has drums.
Probably going full brake upgrade with 4-wheel discs, new master cylinder, and new lines.
quote:
Join a Bronco forum when you get a chance.
The amount of stores specifically meant for restoring Broncos has been impressive.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Looking forward to some fun times and potentially not-so-fun repairs with this rig.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 11:18 pm to bapple
Ok, you just want to patch it up and drive it, not really restore it. I was going to tell you to go on and pull the body off too, to make everything easier. That's really the right way to do it.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 11:33 pm to bapple
quote:
4. Fender flares - as you can see, the rears have been cut but the flares on there now suck. I will likely drill out the leftover rivets and get some flares with self-tapping screws. My dad would prefer to go with white over black but suggestions are welcome.
Passed an old Bronco on Perkins Rd with a similar paint scheme, it had white fender flares and they look awesome. I would go that route to keep it more original. Unlike some others, I would put larger tires than the current stock size.
Posted on 4/9/20 at 7:08 am to bapple
As others have said, don't do anything to it! That is a great looking '73. I have owned/restored somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 classic Broncos. Love em.
If there is no cancer in rockers, tailgate, firewall or door panels, I wouldn't repaint it. It has a nice paint job right now and just a bit of buffing has brought back the shine.
Wiring harness is a good idea. Jeff's is a great site. Tom's Broncos is good too.
As for the suspension, good idea to replace the dry rotted bushings, etc. We did some of ours with poly and loved them.
I never had a Bronco with cutouts, didn't like cutting the fenders. Never really "lifted" one other than a 2"-3" suspension kit.
Man keep those stock wheels! Those and the wheel covers make it a true classic!
Other than that you have incredible specimen of a classic! Is there carpet? I see the chrome and trim and think maybe that model had carpet. Check the floor pans. Those will go too if the carpet stayed wet for long.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Forgot. As you said in a response, have leaks that need attention. That is a bugaboo with some of the old Ford engines. Do a valve cover gasket replacement as a minimum, or you may have to do the top end seals. Not a big deal but good to pull it apart and inspect inside. Also, both pumpkins and tranny seals will probably need to be replaced. Check these guys out too, I used them a bunch LINK
If there is no cancer in rockers, tailgate, firewall or door panels, I wouldn't repaint it. It has a nice paint job right now and just a bit of buffing has brought back the shine.
Wiring harness is a good idea. Jeff's is a great site. Tom's Broncos is good too.
As for the suspension, good idea to replace the dry rotted bushings, etc. We did some of ours with poly and loved them.
I never had a Bronco with cutouts, didn't like cutting the fenders. Never really "lifted" one other than a 2"-3" suspension kit.
Man keep those stock wheels! Those and the wheel covers make it a true classic!
Other than that you have incredible specimen of a classic! Is there carpet? I see the chrome and trim and think maybe that model had carpet. Check the floor pans. Those will go too if the carpet stayed wet for long.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Forgot. As you said in a response, have leaks that need attention. That is a bugaboo with some of the old Ford engines. Do a valve cover gasket replacement as a minimum, or you may have to do the top end seals. Not a big deal but good to pull it apart and inspect inside. Also, both pumpkins and tranny seals will probably need to be replaced. Check these guys out too, I used them a bunch LINK
This post was edited on 4/9/20 at 7:24 am
Posted on 4/9/20 at 8:26 am to canyon
Canyon, thanks for all the helpful information.
Do you have an email address I can pass on to my dad? He wants to have a good resource to ask these questions as we move along with the project. If you’ve done about 7 of these you’re likely a good candidate to point us in the right direction.
Do you have an email address I can pass on to my dad? He wants to have a good resource to ask these questions as we move along with the project. If you’ve done about 7 of these you’re likely a good candidate to point us in the right direction.
Posted on 4/9/20 at 8:49 am to bapple
This made me go fire up my XJ that has been parked about 3 years. Had to replace the battery and it fired right up. I was going to cut it up, but now I am thinking I will just fix it up for my grandson. He is only 9 and my XJ is a 1999. So by the time he is of age it's going to be very old. Everything still works in it. AC and all.
Posted on 4/9/20 at 8:59 am to bapple
Ken.ca.miller@gmail.com
I would love to assist in any way I can!
I would love to assist in any way I can!
Posted on 4/9/20 at 9:24 am to fishfighter
Thanks, Ken!
Me Bapple told me a couple days ago, “you know the girls will be begging to take a ride in the Bronco with Pap everyday in about 5 years right?” That got my dad pretty excited and he’s wanting to get it driveable. The girls are only 6 months old right now so we have some time.
quote:
but now I am thinking I will just fix it up for my grandson
Me Bapple told me a couple days ago, “you know the girls will be begging to take a ride in the Bronco with Pap everyday in about 5 years right?” That got my dad pretty excited and he’s wanting to get it driveable. The girls are only 6 months old right now so we have some time.
Posted on 4/9/20 at 9:31 am to bapple
With the rims and tires and fenders keep it original.
I would redo the suspension, brakes, wiring
I would redo the suspension, brakes, wiring
Posted on 4/9/20 at 9:47 am to deltaland
I'm not sure I would go as far, as putting 4 wheel disk brakes on it. Just fix what it has, and they will be adequate. It's not a heavy vehicle.
Posted on 4/9/20 at 10:17 am to upgrayedd
quote:
Does it have 3 on the tree?
He said it was an automatic, probably a C-4, that's what my 75 had, personally, I would prefer the manual.
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