So I traded an old quad for my beater bronco.

The 91 had been used as a submarine & there was a rod knocking.

I found a replacement 302 in a 92 F150 @ the local junk yard for $175. They even let me hear it run. Score!

Once I got into it we found out it had been rebuilt! Double score!

After replacing all the gaskets & dropping the engine in I started replacing or cleaning the sensors. New voltage reg, new TPS & new motor mounts.

So now it's time for a test drive. (Excited)

I pull out of the neighborhood & hammer down the road. Check engine light pops on. Exhaust leaks & I get pulled over by a very nice county sheriff because I have no brake lights.

Luckily he let me go with a verbal & I promise to go right home.

I turn around & happen down toward home & the front wheel Flys off & goes bouncing down the road in front of me.

Ever have one of those days?

There had been no vibration or warning until seconds before it let go.

So I jack the truck up & pop the wheel back on. Where's a cop when you need one?

My daughter had been asking for an antique truck for her bday. I asked her if she was sure she wanted all this hastle.

Despite all the fun on the first test drive I've got most of the bugs worked out now & I have a reliable & damn cheap (& damn ugly) full size bronco!

Anyone else have any fun adventure stories?

 

Similar incident with my 78, it was my first week at my new plumbing job and I was cruising down the freeway in the morning traffic at about 45. I went over an overpass and the truck felt kind of strange after a bump, then the rear driverside dropped almost a foot. I thought I blew a tire and right before I started making my way over to the shoulder, the truck bounces up about a foot then slams down and there is a grinding sound. Sparks flying, I smashed it over to the shoulder. As I looked out my window I saw one of my 35 inch tires flying down the HOV lane with my brake drum behind it... I was more terrified of it hitting someone than losing the tire, that's about 100lbs rolling 45 mph. After everything calmed down a bit I had to get it towed home since I have no jack, no spare lug nuts and the studs were all Fubar'ed... The flatbed drive only strapped it down with 2 chains and almost tipped it over taking a turn into my neighborhood... There would have been one dead (half dead) tow truck driver if that happened. Anyways, I got everything home including the tire and drum and grabbed my moms van, made it to work only 30 minutes late...







Hopefully the last time it will ever see a flatbed...


The studs were toast...


Backing plate hammered. It looked like the ski of a helicopter or something.


Lesson here, ALWAYS torque your lugnuts properly... An impact gun from walmart won't cut it.