Honestly I'm not too sure, I think it was a stock or slightly better than stock replacement.




This was the old one. It was softer metal I think. And due to the reason, the warranty was void. Instead, I fixed it and went back to the shop with old yoke and gave it back. I told them "I did something stupid and broke it, use it as an example to the younger folks that come in for work. Show them what happens."

As for the crush sleeve, I don't think I messed it up. The residual leaking I had was from fluid that came out when I pulled the yoke, just a small amount. I haven't seen any leaks since and shortly after fixing I drove to the mountains for a snow run. It did fine.

 

Lets see those pics! Don't give up on us and don't give up on TGM!

 

I thought I posted those already... My bad.
All credit goes to my friend Carla, she's a budding photographer who was working on expanding her art portfolio. I suggested some automotive photos and she agreed happily! If I can get these downloaded by my first break(I'm posting from work), then I'll replace the link with photos


As for TGM, I am still on the fence and leaning towards keeping her. I told myself I'd never sell but seeing the truck sit put me in a slump. I just ended my second job so I'll be free for 2 days a week finally. Maybe things will start getting done! I feel like if I can start doing some small things, that will get the ball rolling.


IF I start doing work, I plan to begin with the new hood latch that I've had for the past year, and maybe buy some 33" tires so I can drop that dumb body lift in favor of stock bushings. That's a big step I need to take.

EDIT: guess I have to do it the hard way. The photo uploading software that FTE uses won't let me upload the photos. So, photo bucket it is.























She did a great job with the photos. Aside from my ugly mug, the truck looke d better than ever.
When we did the tall grass shots I had a sudden fear that the dry grass would catch fire from the hot exhaust. Got away without an issue.

 

As things sit currently, plans to sell the bronco have changed. Between the support from you guys and the fact that I love the truck, I've decided instead of selling it, I'll change the goal. The original goal was a sort of Pre-runner hybrid. A street truck with nice suspension and a powerful drive train. While I'd like that, that is a ton of work. It involved a 5.5" lift from JBG.

After thinking about that, I think instead of that I'll do a 1.5-2" lift and remove the body spacers. If the 35s are too big at that point, I'll downsize to a 33x12.5. With that, I am on the lookout for this type of wheel.


The Western style Turbines. I've been reading that they are pretty difficult to find anymore and not cheap if you do. Craigslist had nothing so far but a company about 2 hours East of me seems to have a variety of Turbines. I'll have to search a bit more in-depth to see what brand and condition but if the price is good, I'd be happy with them. 33s with 4.11 gears would be really fun.

For starters, I'll get the hood latch on, that is something quick and easy. The body lift removal will be soon though and I am not sure what all I need to buy. It still has some really old blown out rubber bushings under the body lift. I read about some stuff that can get rusted together so I'm a bit concerned about what I might run into. I plan to start with 1 corner and see what I will need, then buy everything new. Any tips would be great.


As far as the engine, the original plan was to pull my 351m and have it built by a shop. That's also changed, a guy up north has a 400 in good condition that he will be selling around July or so. I figure I'll get that and freshen up the gaskets and other easy to reach parts. Then swap motors. He also has a C6 he is willing to sell that I plan to pick up. Mine feels like it's slipping. Those 2.73 gears are probably to blame for that. Going this route will be much cheaper in the end vs having a shop build a motor.

The brakes will need a bunch of work, I need a new hydroboost module, the correct one. Mine is a GM one that doesn't work as effectively as it should. Then, power steering lines, one of mine got a hole melted in it from the exhaust. Brake lines as well, someone was telling me about NiCopp lines. They are a softer nickel/copper line that resists corrosion and still has the strength of steel. Softer lines also mean I can bend them easier for shaping.
An idea I toyed with was converting to disk brakes in the rear. I'm not sure what that entails but maybe it would be worth it?

So far, this is as far as I've got. But there is still more to do.

 

With no body lift you'll need at least 4" of suspension lift to clear 35s. I have superior turbines on my '77. Dad got them for $100/set plus shipping from eBay. One had a crack that had been previously repaired

 

I've only got a 3" body lift as it sits. I shouldn't require any lift to clear them, however I would expect rubbing. I do plan to change the suspension. The stock stuff is worn and rides way to rough. I'm thinking 2" is as high as I'll go. My brother ran 35s on a stock 84 for a while. He had a lot of rubbing over bumps and stuff.

 

33s on a stock height 78-79 fit and shouldn't rub, but its close... if you flex out really hard you MIGHT get some bumping, that being said 33s could use maybe 1 or 2 inch of lift to be totally safe and therefore 35s should only need 2-3. Theres also cutting fenders but i would hate to cut up these trucks like that. few more years and they are going to be classic so its best to keep them intact as much as possible. The same lift requirements are not true for later generations as these older ones naturally sit a bit higher and you would need at LEAST 4'' to fit 35s.

On another note, glad to hear you will be keeping the old girl and she looks great in those pictures!!

Oh, on that first note again, my Black is on 33s right now and is stock height so i will see if i can flex it out to touch after i get the new u bolts on. if not then 35s with 2'' should be no problem. There is one 78 in town running on 35s with no lift so they fit but with very little clearance and the owner doesn't take it off road where I am sure they would rub. Ill see if i can find out more and let you know.

 

For what it's worth, the 79 F150 I had cleared 36's with a 2" body lift. Alot of it depends on how worn out your springs are.

 

Appreciate the replies. I'm 99% sure I could clear 35s. But 33s could be fun with my gearing. I wouldn't mine spinning the tires once in a while. Gotta show off for the ladies!

Right now I have 35s. If I can get the rims I want, I'll wait till the body lift is gone before deciding if I want 33s. I'll also search for photos of stock/2" lifted with 33s. I don't really like a lot of wheel well. Example, 6" with 35s. It just doesn't look good.

 

if you are having trouble spinning 35s then downsizing isn't the answer. The answer is MORE POWER! lol.
I know what you mean by too much wheel well also. White has 33s and 5 inches of lift (which is about 4 inches more than it needs) aesthetically it really shouldn't matter but lifting a vehicle too much (or too little) is dangerous and counter productive for function. Function over form any day. I agree with you about getting away with as little lift as possible to safely AND properly operate.

 

No problems turning them, but the 4.11s I had put in, made the ratio out to be about stock. More power is an option and it was the plan originally. I was going to get my engine rebuilt and stroked. But that was going to be very expensive and a guy up north has a nice good running 400. I figure some minor bolt on stuff and it should produce plenty of power.

One of the reasons behind the 33s idea is space. If I don't have enough space to go over a bump without rubbing, I'll downsize to a 33.

 

I personally like the 33s and the 4" lift I have on my Bronco. I don't think I'd want to go any bigger for several reasons. One, the tires would be way more expensive and two, I'd get worse gas mileage and have less power unless I re-geared! Also, my 33s slightly rub against the radius arms at full turn so I think I'll stay at that size.

I think with 4" of lift or less, 33s are about perfect. Bigger tires are cool for sure, but it gets to a point where it becomes too expensive to maintain them. I want to be able to daily drive my Bronco, and having bigger tires will make that harder to do!

 

I have to say, I've had my 35s for about 5 years or so. They are showing signs of age more than wear. I don't really off-road though so it's all Street wear. 33s would be fine in my book but a 4" lift might show too much wheel well. I like being able to use my vehicles while they look good at the same time, too much wheel well doesn't look good to me. Anyway I would also have to decide what tires I want. For a while the General Grabber red letters were what I was going to replace my tires with. Now, I'm not so sure. I've been seeing a lot of stadium/trophy trucks and I like the look of the tires they run. Not having the ***** on the sides

 

Guy's my 85 Bronk in the pic has 33X12.5 on it.
They rub on the radius arms in a hard full turn.
Just enough to polish the arms. This is a stock
suspension. Do they make a 33X10.5? if so that
is what I would like as they would not rub and
work better in the snow we get here.

 

They certainly do.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Only a few results in that size from tire rack but it looks like a normal tire size.