Well i've been searching for a couple of years now for a good deal on a restorable early bronco and I finally found one! Picked this gem up for $600. The frame and axles look like there in great shape, the body is trashed, not one usable body panel. I plan on posting my build here if there is any interest.

Here she is after we unloaded it...

 

Alway's interested in a build! Looks like the stuff I usually start with. At least it's in one piece.

 

What's your plan for the cancerous body, repair/replace/glass?

 

I plan to replace the doors, fenders, and hood. The floor and everything else will get repaired. Hopefully haha.

 

You'll need a windshield frame for one thing. Hopefully you have checked the frame over good. Some places can be fixed like where body mounts sit and some damage behind the rear wheels and frame area hidden by fuel tank. Cowl is probably the worse thing I've tackled. Your pedals are supported off of that. You'll have to evaluate and compare cost of panels vs a donor tub requiring less work. There is a couple of people in MI that have parts that I can get the contact info for you if needed. Good luck and looking forward to your progress.

 

Thanks for the help i will be needing some panels for sure...i'm definitly expecting the worst. I wont really know more until i get the body pulled off.

 

Looks like a lot of work but i'm sure its possible.

 

Funny, same color as my '70. I think it's an oem (if U find out the name - not #, let me know it). I got a frnt bumper, plow/frame/cesna hydraulic gear pump/controls in '83 for $100 less. It had a weird clutch and a '69 falcon 170 in it.

"...if there's any interest."
Sure is, not many EB build threads on FTE!

Have fun. The big blue in the background of the pic is my fav yrs bronk/pick up....

 

That looks kinda like the type I can afford I still have some hope of finding one me and the youngest can work on together for her first car. Good luck keep us posted on the progress.

 

600, nice.... I would advise you to keep the metal top on and pull the hood, grille, fenders and doors... the metal top will help you square the think up when you are replacing the floors and maybe the body cross members.... start on one side and then work to the other.... the stuff looks ugly but might be more usable than you think... also you will find panel glue extremely helpful.... dont overuse it.... but if you have to put the quarters back together then I would recommend using it on the seem between the upper and lower quarter....

 

im gald to see more repeat bronco offenders like me, that a 78 or 79 in the first pic?

 

Looks like a nice uncut, glad to see another one saved.

 

"...wont really know more until i get the body pulled off...."
as U probably know, the frnt end will collapse if unsupported - it's a long way from the 2nd set of mounts (drver/pass's feet) up to the 1st mounts @ frnt bumper. That area is unsupported and will bend everything (inc. door geometry) outta whack. I'd get the correct (yours will B off currently) measurements; adjust to match; and weld cross supports - then remove. U may have enuff to save (if like mine) that way the vendor panels will fit easier, you'll know how much/what size/fitment panel creation and not as much work after replaced on frame to twique into place.
My top had spread (due to weight) @ the bed rail dimensions so I could not trust it as a guide. Viewed from the rear the rig looked like parentheses ( ) - bowed out. The top pushed out the bed w/it as settling. If I went with the top for a gauge I could never put on any of the vendor's soft tops. Again, the true measurements are your best guide.
Good luck, keep us informed, have fun. We LOVE pic!

 

OK been a little side tracked with fixing up the house and didn't work on it at all this winter.

BUT....its go time. Hopefully in the next week or so i will pull it out of the garage and get the body braced up, pulled off, and start working on the frame.

Still undecided on what motor to use. I wouldn't mind a 302/351 efi, and think if i can find a good donor i will go that route. However, my favorite motor is the 400, and i just don't think i could go wrong there. Simple and powerful, cant beat it.

 

I just love the EB's. I'll be watching and learning.