My first Baby Ford

[EricJ]

I've got a garage full of old Fords, but this is my first wee little one

On first impression it appears to
be just a scaled down F-100. I do think I like her.

What I need for info right now is who are the good guys and who are the bad guys when it comes to body parts.

I'm in Mass. so used is pretty much out of the question 'cause everything around here is pretty rusty.

What I need right up front is;

Hood, Previous owner cut a hole in it to fit a medium riser manifold, too bad to 'cause it looks perfect.

both front fenders and both quarter panels or patches.; PO cut the wheel wells

Tailgate

Grill.

Any info would be appreciated.

[1975StroppeBaja]

I assume you're talking about an Early Bronco! If so, how about some more info... model year, engine, etc

The good guys for body parts are Dennis Carpenter down in NC. However, I think most of the typical Bronco houses like Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, James Duff, Wild Horses, etc carry Dennis Carpenter's sheetmetal.

Most of what's out there is pretty good stuff. Of course, there will be some trimming and adjusting to get the repro parts to fit correctly, but it can be done. Avoid the repro taillight corners like the plague. They are total junk. No lip to weld to, no tabs to mount the taillights, no "stake hole" at the top. I cleaned up a set of originals to use on mine.

I used almost all repro parts from the kick panels back on my Bronco. See before & after below...

Good luck with your project and keep us posted on your progress!

[EricJ]

sorry about that, she be a 71.

[Cheshire Cat]

I like Jeff's Bronco Graveyard as body panels go. Good product and seem to fit together well. Dennis Carpenter are the best but, tend to be alittle more $$$. I have had bad luck with Wild Horses panels. Fitting them seem to need alot more cut and finsh then the others in my experience.
Thats my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Cheshire Cat

I like Jeff's Bronco Graveyard as body panels go. Good product and seem to fit together well. Dennis Carpenter are the best but, tend to be alittle more $$$. I have had bad luck with Wild Horses panels. Fitting them seem to need alot more cut and finsh then the others in my experience.
Thats my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

To be honest I'd rather have the nice fit than the price. I priced everything I think I need and only came to about 2600 at Dennis Carpenter and I think most of it stated original tooling so I'm happy with that.

I just picked it up a few days ago after looking for a few years. It's going to be my wifes dailey driver if she likes it. I'm going to make it run and drive right first then let her drive it for a few days to see if she likes it. If she does then I'll do the frame off to her. If she doesn't I'll probubly drive it myself the way it is and restore my 65 pickup that is my DD now, then do the Bronco after.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Cheshire Cat

I like Jeff's Bronco Graveyard as body panels go. Good product and seem to fit together well. Dennis Carpenter are the best but, tend to be alittle more $$$. I have had bad luck with Wild Horses panels. Fitting them seem to need alot more cut and finsh then the others in my experience.
Thats my 2 cents. Take it or leave it.

Keep in mind most EB shops do not produce their own sheetmetal parts. They all come from the same place for the most part. Also I always try and remember that you are replacing a part because it can not be fixed so if you have to do some work on thew new part you are still money ahead. I have had several EB's that have needed rust repair or cut quarters replaced back to stock and all parts need to be worked some unless you get lucky. Even NOS or used parts may not fit perfect so just go into it with that in mind.

Here is my latest EB I picked up a few years ago sitting in the walnut grove down the road from my house. It is a 100% stock 71 that is rust free, tops never been off nor have the doors. I am the third owner, the first owner sold it in 72 to the old guy I got it from. My original plans were to make it a 2wd bagged street rod but I think I might just sell it since it is so original and un-touched. I have a few tail gates and one grill that are perfect if you are looking for them.
Then again how cool would it be to have a 56k original mile EB dropped on the ground still looking stock!
The dent you see in the drivers side fender is the only ding or dent on this rig.



Kevin
LFD Inc.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Keep in mind most EB shops do not produce their own sheetmetal parts. They all come from the same place for the most part. Also I always try and remember that you are replacing a part because it can not be fixed so if you have to do some work on thew new part you are still money ahead. I have had several EB's that have needed rust repair or cut quarters replaced back to stock and all parts need to be worked some unless you get lucky. Even NOS or used parts may not fit perfect so just go into it with that in mind.

Here is my latest EB I picked up a few years ago sitting in the walnut grove down the road from my house. It is a 100% stock 71 that is rust free, tops never been off nor have the doors. I am the third owner, the first owner sold it in 72 to the old guy I got it from. My original plans were to make it a 2wd bagged street rod but I think I might just sell it since it is so original and un-touched. I have a few tail gates and one grill that are perfect if you are looking for them.
Then again how cool would it be to have a 56k original mile EB dropped on the ground still looking stock!
The dent you see in the drivers side fender is the only ding or dent on this rig.



Kevin
LFD Inc.

One of us is on the wrong coast, can you ship the grill and t-gate? and if so how much for the 2 with shipping to 02532, Buzzards Bay, Ma.

Eric