I finally am starting my 1986 Bronco resto and I want to make sure I do it right. First thing im doing is taking off the frame and getting it powder coated. I have every tool you can think of at my disposal btw. Other than removing everything from the firewall, what else do I have to do?

 

Do you mean you're taking the body off the frame? You are going to have to remove everything, remove all the grease and dirt, and sand blast it. Painting the frame is a little easier, and a lot less expensive

 

I got a deal with some guy in a neighboring city that said he would sand blast, and paint the frame for 800 bucks. This is a complete restoration and id like it to be done right. What do you mean by just having it painted though? Are you talking about painting over the grime and rust?

 

I'm assuming he means painting it instead of powder coating, which is more expensive. There are ways to screw up painting and powder coating obviously, so make sure this person knows what they are doing and doesn't cut corners in prep or finishing.

 

Its hard to find the process of taking off the fram for this particular year. Any idea what i should do once the firewall is clear?

 

Well I assume it would be similar to a 92-96 model which I may know a little about. However, if it is being powdercoated, pretty much EVERYTHING will have to come off eventually so it doesn't hurt to keep taking things off. Powdercoating requires very high heat to cure, so not a lot of things can stand up to those temps.

I'd probably start with taking down the driveline after stuff is off the firewall. Driveshaft/t-case/tranmission etc. Then, I'd probably concentrate on wiring harnesses and or pulling the motor. The wiring harness running back to the fuel pump (if you have that)/fuel tank sender and brake lights would probably be easier to start with. Then the engine bay wiring harness. You'll need to take off the fuel tank/any fuel lines that have rubber in them.


It gets easier to pull more stuff of the more stuff is pulled off! Trust me, I just had most of my bronco pulled apart. It would have been a great time to paint the frame etc.. oh well. I'll just spray over everything down there with something else I suppose. With the driveline any wiring out of the way, it should be a lot easier to access any body mounts and there shouldn't anything else keeping the body to the frame (if the wiring is gone.)



Anyways I'll say again, powdercoating requires very high curing temps so pretty much everything will need to come off. I don't believe anything with seals (transmission etc) can withstand the curing temps.