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1973 Ford Bronco "Restoration" - Tips Needed
Posted on 4/7/20 at 9:52 pm
Posted on 4/7/20 at 9:52 pm
OB faithful... I have come needing some guidance. My dad finally brought my grandpa's old Bronco back to Louisiana and while it can be driven right now, we would like to get it in better shape to drive around more often. First, I'll give some eye candy with pics:
Also did a little hood polishing to get some depth back to the no-clearcoat paint:
Now for where I need help - what takes priority and what suggestions can anyone give for those who have been here? Here's what we have so far in mind:
1. Brake master cylinder, replace brake lines with stainless, front disc conversion, new front hubs - the kits from Tom's Bronco Parts look good unless anyone would suggest avoiding them.
2. Rims and tires - if anyone has suggestions or knows the lug bolt pattern let me know.
3. Wiring harness - the Painless Harness from Tom's Bronco Parts looks pretty good and would surely clean up the mess that is currently under the dash.
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.
5. Suspension parts - I will likely change out the shocks but just about every bit of rubber under this thing is dry rotted. Any suggestions with this problem are also appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Also did a little hood polishing to get some depth back to the no-clearcoat paint:
Now for where I need help - what takes priority and what suggestions can anyone give for those who have been here? Here's what we have so far in mind:
1. Brake master cylinder, replace brake lines with stainless, front disc conversion, new front hubs - the kits from Tom's Bronco Parts look good unless anyone would suggest avoiding them.
2. Rims and tires - if anyone has suggestions or knows the lug bolt pattern let me know.
3. Wiring harness - the Painless Harness from Tom's Bronco Parts looks pretty good and would surely clean up the mess that is currently under the dash.
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.
5. Suspension parts - I will likely change out the shocks but just about every bit of rubber under this thing is dry rotted. Any suggestions with this problem are also appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
25
Posted on 4/7/20 at 9:57 pm to bapple
Send that thing to gas monkey, Martin bros, or one of the other shops on TV. If not them, find a well respected and honest custom shop. They will go as big as you want or as close to factory as you want.
I guess my point is I wouldn’t try it on my own unless you are 100% in and know what the time commitment and costs are. At some point you will say, yeah, I’ll get to that next week and 10–15 years later you are sitting there going man, I wish I got to that in a week like I planned all those years ago.
Saw it happen with my Pawpaw’s 67 mustang. He ended up selling it to some guy for 1500.00 and had to put new tires on it for the guy just to get it out of the garage.
I guess my point is I wouldn’t try it on my own unless you are 100% in and know what the time commitment and costs are. At some point you will say, yeah, I’ll get to that next week and 10–15 years later you are sitting there going man, I wish I got to that in a week like I planned all those years ago.
Saw it happen with my Pawpaw’s 67 mustang. He ended up selling it to some guy for 1500.00 and had to put new tires on it for the guy just to get it out of the garage.
This post was edited on 4/7/20 at 10:40 pm
Posted on 4/7/20 at 10:29 pm to bapple
1)+1 for the Tom's disc set up
2)Old Bronco's are made for rally wheels or the old Mickey Thompson bullet hole rims with the big bullet holes and some BFGoodrich KO's
3)Find a good metal man and have him cut the fender curve out of a set of replacement front fenders and graft them into the rear panels. It looks 100x's better than flares and all four corners will match and look like it came that way from Ford
I wish I'd never sold my 73. But like a dumbass I took an offer on it that was too good to pass up
2)Old Bronco's are made for rally wheels or the old Mickey Thompson bullet hole rims with the big bullet holes and some BFGoodrich KO's
3)Find a good metal man and have him cut the fender curve out of a set of replacement front fenders and graft them into the rear panels. It looks 100x's better than flares and all four corners will match and look like it came that way from Ford
I wish I'd never sold my 73. But like a dumbass I took an offer on it that was too good to pass up
Posted on 4/7/20 at 10:37 pm to bapple
Man, no way I’d put ghetto wheels on that cherry. 7.50-16 co-ops on those oem steels and that’d be it for me on tires. Very nice ride. 
Posted on 4/7/20 at 11:13 pm to bapple
1st things first,
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. I would do the wiring harness next after that, and get an electronic ignition on it(there is a company called pertronix, that will turn your distributor electronic, or sell you one that is already done). Check out your exhaust system, once that is good to go, do the brakes. 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.
What engine and transmission does it have?
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. I would do the wiring harness next after that, and get an electronic ignition on it(there is a company called pertronix, that will turn your distributor electronic, or sell you one that is already done). Check out your exhaust system, once that is good to go, do the brakes. 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.
What engine and transmission does it have?
This post was edited on 4/8/20 at 2:40 am
Posted on 4/8/20 at 12:22 am to bapple
I rebuilt a 74
got most of what I needed from toms and the rest from broncoforum.
you can get an entire rubber and seal kit from toms as I recall
got most of what I needed from toms and the rest from broncoforum.
you can get an entire rubber and seal kit from toms as I recall
Posted on 4/8/20 at 5:57 am to bapple
Good plan- I did an 80 CJ, 79 Big Body, and an 80 Hilux- now I’m doing a 2000 Single Cab 4x4 dually with a 454 and 5 spd for my 12 year old.
Everything you listed, you can do yourself with your dad. Solid plan, btw.
Everything you listed can become boring as hell and turn into the above posters paw paws Mustang if you don’t like wrench work.
Some car guys like to drive- hire someone
Some car guys like to wrench- they sell to someone
I go in spurts- I really like to drive, but sometimes I really like to wrench- sometimes I’ll leave a project sit for a long time.
The key thing is not to get frustrated and have a lot of patience- ANY job you do on it will be much better done if you take your time, plan and prep before starting.
Also, please don’t molest it. Please Please Please don’t molest it.
Everything you listed, you can do yourself with your dad. Solid plan, btw.
Everything you listed can become boring as hell and turn into the above posters paw paws Mustang if you don’t like wrench work.
Some car guys like to drive- hire someone
Some car guys like to wrench- they sell to someone
I go in spurts- I really like to drive, but sometimes I really like to wrench- sometimes I’ll leave a project sit for a long time.
The key thing is not to get frustrated and have a lot of patience- ANY job you do on it will be much better done if you take your time, plan and prep before starting.
Also, please don’t molest it. Please Please Please don’t molest it.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 6:01 am to bapple
Man, the body looks like it's in great shape. What's under the hood? 302? 300?
Posted on 4/8/20 at 6:36 am to bapple
I know this may not be the popular answer but I’d leave that Bronco alone. Put it back to as close to stock as you can and preserve it. There are some people who would give some serious cash for that machine.
For parts, Wild Horses, Jeff’s or Tom’s bronco parts. There are a ton of places dedicated to vintage Bronco parts. That is one beautiful piece, bapple.
For parts, Wild Horses, Jeff’s or Tom’s bronco parts. There are a ton of places dedicated to vintage Bronco parts. That is one beautiful piece, bapple.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 6:39 am to bapple
nothing to add regarding repairs, just wanted to say holy crap that thing is beautiful. An old restored Bronco is my dream vehicle. I could fit so many dogs in the back of that thing.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 6:59 am to bapple
Like a couple others have said, PLEASE keep it original.
You have a rare gem based on condition and the fact it's been in your family is even more reason.
Change out all oils and fluids, inspect all belts and hoses and take a peek at the spark plugs.
Change out the dry rotten rubber suspension parts as needed.
Put money into the rear fenders to get them back to original.
If you want to tinker a little, keep the original rims and tires and set aside in covered storage and put some more aggressive wheels for looks.
Drive it and enjoy it! That thing is awesome as is!
You have a rare gem based on condition and the fact it's been in your family is even more reason.
Change out all oils and fluids, inspect all belts and hoses and take a peek at the spark plugs.
Change out the dry rotten rubber suspension parts as needed.
Put money into the rear fenders to get them back to original.
If you want to tinker a little, keep the original rims and tires and set aside in covered storage and put some more aggressive wheels for looks.
Drive it and enjoy it! That thing is awesome as is!
Posted on 4/8/20 at 7:06 am to bapple
Awesome Bronco especially in that condition, i'm a little jealous. 
Posted on 4/8/20 at 7:16 am to Mark Makers
Way jealous, exceptional representation of a classic. Suggest Hegarty for agreed value car insurance that’s really cheap.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 7:35 am to Dock Holiday
quote:
Drive it and enjoy it! That thing is awesome as is!
This. I wouldn’t touch it. And it doesn’t look like it needs any restoration. I was expecting a pic of something beat up and rusted out.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 7:41 am to Croozin2
quote:
I know this may not be the popular answer but I’d leave that Bronco alone. Put it back to as close to stock as you can and preserve it. There are some people who would give some serious cash for that machine.
THIS.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 8:04 am to fishfighter
Gateway Bronco would buy it in a heartbeat for $$$$$. Restored I bet it would fetch $50k +.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 8:07 am to bapple
Bro, that is beautiful!
Posted on 4/8/20 at 8:17 am to bapple
awesome machine right there. update the ignition first, get rid of those points. the 75-77 i believe went to electronic ignition. you could try to retrofit to that system or get a gm style 1 wire distributor and be done with it. change all belts, hoses, plugs wires, etc. they are pretty simple to work on.
Buy new flares for the back and leave the front fenders alone
are you having a lot of electrical issues? if not you may not need to rewire, just fix the problems. a bigger alternator with an internal voltage regulator is a good upgrade.
I would personally keep the wheels and hubcaps you have, just get new tires.
the brakes can be a rabbit hole. if you replace the master cylinder might as well change the lines and update to front disc if it has drums.
tons of resources online. classicbroncos.com is s great forum. Tom's broncos and jeff bronco parts are both good sources for parts.
i really miss my 76 i had.
Buy new flares for the back and leave the front fenders alone
are you having a lot of electrical issues? if not you may not need to rewire, just fix the problems. a bigger alternator with an internal voltage regulator is a good upgrade.
I would personally keep the wheels and hubcaps you have, just get new tires.
the brakes can be a rabbit hole. if you replace the master cylinder might as well change the lines and update to front disc if it has drums.
tons of resources online. classicbroncos.com is s great forum. Tom's broncos and jeff bronco parts are both good sources for parts.
i really miss my 76 i had.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 8:33 am to bapple
keep it stock except for a 6" lift, some 35"s and deck that mother out with LED's.
Posted on 4/8/20 at 9:04 am to bapple
If you have the time and the space. I'd say disassemble, bag and tag everything. Now is the time to see whats hiding behind everything, so you can clean and repair what is needed.
You are on the right track, replace all wires, anything rubber, anything that moves or flexes and probably a new fuel tank. If its 100% stock now, Id keep it that way. if not, Id upgrade to a newer injected engine. The mustang 302's from the 90's are a common swap that you can find for cheap. Then Id put new axles and brakes on it. Add a good AC if it doesnt have it. The rest Id leave stock still. its not like you bought this from some place random.
You are on the right track, replace all wires, anything rubber, anything that moves or flexes and probably a new fuel tank. If its 100% stock now, Id keep it that way. if not, Id upgrade to a newer injected engine. The mustang 302's from the 90's are a common swap that you can find for cheap. Then Id put new axles and brakes on it. Add a good AC if it doesnt have it. The rest Id leave stock still. its not like you bought this from some place random.
This post was edited on 4/8/20 at 9:06 am
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