Hi up here in Alaska we get something called a dividend, its basicaly where the states gives you money. This year we are getting $919.84 which is pretty low, a couple years back we got about 1800.00. Im only 15 now but Ill be 16 soon. The other day a pretty nice bronco just fell into my hands (Ill post pics soon). Anyways its a '83 with a inline six. The back 2 leaf springs are broke so I plan on fixing those, and I also plan on getting a 3 inch body lift. I can get new springs for about $75 for each side at a salvage yard. I know someone that will put the body lift and do the leaf springs for me, for alot cheaper then anyone else no exact price known yet though. There is some rust around a couple of the wheel wells and the back tailgate on the bottom is completely rusted out. I plan on useing none other then bondo to go around the wheels and then for the tailgate Im either going to patch it as well as I can with bond then put dimond plate over the bottom going about three inches up or my brother has a bronco that does not run anymore and Im going to see if his tailgate panel is in good shape. Then I plan on sanding it down putting a couple cans of spray paint primer on it and painting it gloss black then putting paint shine on it. I plan on doing this with money that I have now. So to the point I will have some money left over to do as I please with my Bronco. I plan on putting a light bar on it. What else should I do with the money I have left over???

 

well, one thing to start out with, you shouldnt put diamond plate on it up there. it will trap moisture underneath it and it will cause your body parts to rust faster. i suggest doing the bondo thing and then using the do it yourself rino liner instead of diamond plate, it will protect it better from the elements. as for your left over money, do you have automatic hubs or manuals? if automatic i would get manual ones from either warn or mile marker.

 

also in your climate investing in a polyurethane bushing kit will help keep that suspension going longer. rubber bushings suck, especially the factory ones.

 

I have manual hubs

 

The possibilities are endless for Bronco 'improvements', soft tops, engine mods, bumpers, winch, etc. I suggest searching the forum and galleries for ideas and what have you. Have fun and enjoy your Bronco! -Bill

 

Post some pics so we can see your progress as you go.

Kim
1996 Bronco 302, 5 speed manual

 

I got some pics posted

 

Oh my shes rusty !
Check were the seats bolt into the floor,also were the seat belts bolt into the floor.
Lets make her safe before we worry about how it looks from the outside.
Bondo will not work on this truck !
Too rusty,rust will just come back in a few months.
Your only answere is panel replacement.
I would start with Tailgate and go from there.
I'm from Minn. I know rust when i see it and in my younger days I tryed the bondo fix.
The good news is the 300 six is one of the best motors ford ever made !

 

also you wont want poly bushings up there due to the cold weather they will be very harsh. rubber would be a better choice. but i agree , the rust is pretty bad. check out jcwhitney or broncograveyard for body parts.

good luck

 

What you might consider doing is putting a topic in the title box...

As in "What should I spend my money on?"

 

Or better yet...after you get the rust taken care of and have the basics that you talked about...take half of whats left and save it up...sorry bud...I know its tough not to want to spend it all right away, but why not put a little away? You may come across something later on and say..."aw crap...I wish I had some of that money for that!" By all means have fun with some of it and "git er dun" but you may be glad you did if you saved some.


Chalk it up to me being a dad! Other than that...like they said congrats and enjoy!

 

you could always forget the body lift and get bigger springs all together, sence you need new ones already, then get the front lifted. or, you can never go wrong with a set of new/bigger tires under the beast. just a side question, why do you get dividends?

 

from the oil that gets pumped out of there state. i have friends that live up there in wasilla .

 

Well Im just gonna scrap the body lift idea and the 33's. My brother has an 82 Bronco that is out of comiison and he has since moved on and got a new truck. But before his Bronco gave up he got new tires and rims which Im going to buy from him. They are 245/75/15 Bf's trail edge in pretty good shape. His tailgate is also in great condition so Im gonna get that from him too. Once I get the new parts on Ill post pics

 

kemicalburns, is that true about poly bushings? do they get harder due to the extreme cold? i figured they would last longer than rubber. if you have some specific info on why they are better in cold weather i would enjoy listening.