Early Ford Bronco is Being Built from the Frame-Up

Ford Bronco project started back in 2011 and as of early 2020, it has been entirely transformed.

The new Ford Bronco will be introduced to the world next week, but the interest in this new SUV comes from the popularity of the classic models. Many people know the Bronco name for the large SUVs which were introduced in the late-1970s and continued through the mid-1990s. However, the legendary SUV began its life in the 1960s as a smaller, more agile vehicle that was designed to serve as a rugger off-road machine. Based on what little we know of the upcoming models, the new Bronco should be more like the first generation rigs that were sold from 1966 through 1977.

We have quite a few members who have built and/or restored an early Ford Bronco and “Tasker1973” is one of them. He began sharing the details of his latest Bronco project back in late-2016. Since then, he has provided updates from time to time, with the most recent coming earlier this year. The classic SUV isn’t quite finished yet, but it is coming along nicely and once done, this is going to be an amazing machine on and off-road.

Bronco Project Introduction

When the OP first shared this project back in 2016, he began with an overview of what he had planned for this classic Ford Bronco.

Started in 2011 with a set of 5.5″ front coils from Wild Horses Nitemare that I bought from a scratch and dent sale. I started my build of a daily driver/very off road capable rig. Many hours have gone into this and have a way to go buy will share some of the milestones as I go through my PC.

The basics:
351 EFI roller motor
4R70W O/D transmission
Dana20
Detroit 31 spline Moser axles in a large bearing 9″ W/4.56’S
ARB air locker front Dana 44 with chromoly shafts w/4.56’s
4 wheel disc brakes with hydroboost
Kentrol fiberglass tub
Protofab roll cage
5.5″ long arm Wild Horses front and 5.5 Deaver springs from James Duff

This is not a traditional build thread where the OP provides updates at every step of the way. Instead, he began the thread a few years into the build, starting with pictures from the day that he got the Bronco. He also shares pictures of the classic Ford when it was stripped down to the bare frame, and as the frame-up build progresses.

In this initial post, we see the rough state in which the OP purchased the Bronco along with the project in various states of the build. We also get a good look at the engine and the new body as it is installed.

Recent Updates

Since the OP began this thread back in 2016, he has provided a handful of pictorial updates. The first was shortly after the initial post and with that, he showed off the new cage, the new dashboard and some shots of the fresh V8 in its place on the frame.

In 2017, the OP shared some updates pictures, including one of the dashboard with the new gauges and an overhead shot of the engine in place. This batch also included a shot of the transfer case shift levels with grenades serving as the knobs.

MAKING slow progress, wiring is being finished and the driveline is in and bolted. It’s the little things that take forever!

Finally, in early 2020, the OP shared his most recent update on the Bronco. It doesn’t have doors or the interior, but the majority of the body panels are in place. It also appears as though the chassis and suspension work is just about complete, including the huge off-road tires.

There is still plenty of work left to get this classic Ford Bronco on the road or on the trails. Based on what we can see from the progress pictures, this is going to be one badass classic SUV.

Click here for a look at many more pictures of this classic Bronco during the build.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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