Well, Instead of just lurking I thought I would post up some progress on my frame of resto of my 79 bronco. So here is some pics and progress to date.

Here are some picture when I brought it home. I bought it from some guy who had bought it, had a rebuild 400 put into it, and he started to tear it down. (He only managed to remove the top and rear seat and loose them). After that it sat for 2 years, until his wife got tired of it taking up space in the garage and put it on Craigslist. I had been looking for a good canidate for more than a year when I came across it less than a mile from my house. I bought it for 1500 bucks, primed the carb and jump started it and drove her home - slowly!

 

First thing I did was clean up the engine compartment so I didn't turn into a grease ball tearing it apart. Came out pretty clean after 4-5 cans of oven cleaner and a lot of time with a power washer. I ended up renting a big one from Home Depot - because my 99 special just wasn't cutting it.

 

Here it is about midway through tear down. Man I hope I have labeled stuff good enough

 

Here is the frame after I degreased it and before I finished blowing it apart.

 

Heres the tub back from the blaster. I only had a little rust on the tub. But both doors, fenders and rear tailgate had major dents in them. I found dent/rust free doors here locally. The rest I ordered of the web.

 

Here's the frame before the blaster.



and here it is and some other parts after the blaster.

 

Heres the Frame back from the powder coater. Also had to order new leaf springs. I was going to just go with blocks, but when I started tearing it apart, I had a bunch of broken leafs, so I went ahead and ordered 4inch lift leafs. Also picked up some limited slips for front and rear.

 

Heres a bunch more pieces back from the powder coater. They are a little dusty in the pics but they look pretty good up close. A few things I wish I had spent more time cleaning up - but heck it is going to be a driver for the wife not a trailer queen.

 

Here is some assembly progress.

Got the 9" Set up. Installed the lift. Installed the axle housings. I spent a couple hours - doing nothing but sandblasting and painting nuts & bolts - woo hoo - that is a load of fun, let me tell you. Some knuckle head at the shop sent the spring shackles to the powder coater with the bushings still in it. So I had to heat them up to drive the old ones out. Screwed up the powder coating. So I though well I'll just blast the remaining coating off and then repaint them. Let me tell you that powder coating is tough stuff. I couldn't get it off. So I gave up and just painted them. Nobody will never know but that little voice in my head. Everything is so shiny!!!

Here are some pics.

 

Pulled the motor apart. It was beautiful inside - recently rebuilt. Somebody spent some money rebuilding this thing but neglected to put the stud on the mains to hold the oil pickup in place so it was just flopping around in their. I am glad I pulled it and fixed it before things went kaboom!!!

Installed new Cam, lifters, pushrods, fuel pump & Intake. Installed Headers, New water pump. And mounted the motor, tranny & transfer case. Here are some pics.

 

Got the wheels and tires in had them mounted. and went ahead and Ordered pipe for the exhaust today - ouch steel just went up like 20%. This is how she sits as of today. I am waiting for a bunch of little parts to come back from the blaster so I can mount the brakes and get it back to a roller. Body work is done so I plan on picking the body up this coming week so I can get it to the painter. I will post more pics as I make progress.

 

Lookin good!

Can't wait to see more.

I'm gonna subscribe to this thread.

 

I'm doing the same Bronco in my garage and would like to know what you paid for some of the powder coating and where you had it done.

I was going to just have the frame sandblasted and painted but seeing your frame powder coated and how nice it looks and your opinion on the strength of the finish I believe I will get mine powder coated as well depending of course on the costs involved.

Thanks for the pictures should help out immensely with my stalled build(it ain't cheap but when it's completed wow they are something to behold.

Cheers,Rick.

 

Powder Coating the frame was 225.00 I will have to get you the place when I get to work Tuesday.

 

Thanks that gives me a good benchmark to start with.

Cheers, Rick.