I did a build thread quite a few years back on my 1996 F250 and it's Rustoleum paint job, D60 swap, etc. I obviously like my old Fords and this Bronco kind of fell in my lap. It's a desert truck that made it's way back here to the rust belt unscathed and my buddy got it in some kind of race car sale/trade. He just wanted cash so I got it as is, needing a transmission but priced right and had all intentions of fixing it and flipping it. Well, I kinda dig it and have been slowly making it my own. I got a parts truck for the E4OD and went ahead and used the lever activated Tcase to do away with the Bronco's push button 4X4. Got all the carpet out (stunk like dog pee) and planning on spray in liner for the floor boards eventually. Did a little fender trimming to fit 33's. This build is gonna go slow. I have had the top off for weeks and am just enjoying the thing with no rush to complete...Here's a few pics as received with the old steel wagon wheels, the nice rust free cab mounts, fender trimming and turbine wheels with the new 33's.

 

Like the wheels. I used to have a Bricknose myself until it ended up on its lid.

 

Nice looking ride!

 

Got the FSB undercoated.

I am all about budget builds. I think that there is a time and place for high end products but also that a fun, respectable project can be built on a budget. I have seen a lot of guys throw high dollar paint or parts at a project that didn't have the proper prep work invested. The end vehicle wasn't all that nice when completed and the owner ended up disappointed with the investment.

Thought the product I used would be a good cheap skate tip to share with you.

Black Jack #57 rubber roof coat. The label claims it is specially formulated to adhere to rusty metal roofs, and it does seem to adhere to anything. I bought it for about $50 for 5 gallons at the local home improvement store (vs. 100 bucks for 1 gallon of auto undercoat). You will need a "shultz" type gun to spray it. No reducer is necessary with this type gun. I have a UPol brand gun and it works well with spray in bed liner too. They can be bought for $25 dollars on the net.

But no cheap tip is worth trying without some endorsement. So...

This cheapo undercoating trick worked absolutely amazing on my daughter's '88 Ranger $1000 build. The undercarriage pictures are of her Ranger when we sold it. That was after 3 winders of snow and salt exposure. Her truck was no where near as rust free as my Bronco, but I think that it endured our winters very well, especially for the low investment.

As always, prep work is key. Power wash all the crud and loose rust off before you apply the coating. Use a large mixer on a drill to ensure the thick coating is evenly mixed prior to application. And plan on looking like a bum for a few days after, cause it really does stick to anything. Clothes, hair, skin, fingernails...

 

Being a desert truck, the brake hoses looked pretty dry when I was under this thing so I replaced them as well as replaced the stock auto hubs with some Mile Marker premiums. Took a few pictures of the underneath of the Bronco, since those above were of the Ranger.

Unfortunately I totaled my daily driver back in early November hitting a deer at freeway speed and may sell the Bronco to help fund a newer daily. Funny I bought this thing to flip but am kinda attached to it now. I am still driving it every day for now and am going to continue to work on it until I decide for sure what direction I am going to go

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What are you going to do with the stock auto hubs? Dibs!

It's a nice Bronco, I'd consider keeping it!

 

Nice FSB! I'd keep it if I were you, broncos are so fun. Want to sell me the push bar?

 

Good looking bronco. I would hold onto it if it was me. They kind of grow on you and are hard to get rid of. I've had mine about 15 years now and plan on keeping it until my boys are old enough to pass it down to.

 

Pulled the trigger on a new daily ride last week. It isn't a Bronco, but still a . It's actually a new version of my old '96. Black supercab with grey interior. The 6.2 gas motor is pretty strong and the mileage is substantially better than the '96s 460 . Still got the Bronco for now. And the '96. And a few non Fords. They just never seam to leave once they get here...

 

<(whistle) That's a nice truck!

Many things beat the MPG of those 460"s!

 

Thanks for the help 77flh!

 

I've been MIA for a while on here. Have been focused on other projects with less wheels. Thought I would update on the FSB. Both my girls moved out in 2017 and later that year or early 2018 I was about to sell the Bronco when my oldest daughter said she wanted it. My buddy and I delivered it to Florida where her and my son in law prepped it for paint then had a local shop shoot it Destroyer Grey and bed liner the interior. Turned out super cool. They actually sold the top and it hasn't had a top on it since 2018. It's an awesome beach buggy and a lot of fun in the Florida sun.