1978 bronco at home rebuild. (8months in)
 

So Ill start the thread with basic information, not used to forums so Im just gonna try and wing it. Last year I had the thought of doing my own car, instead of keeping the truck which someone else had already put alot of time and money into, So I told my 1976 f150 for $5,500 and I payed 4,200 plus $1000 for tires so I actually made money on the car. I bought a 78 bronco in grand junction for $900, Here I am 8 months later and winter is fading so I am firing back into the Bronco in a rush for camping season.

Here is picture ofmy old truck. Sold $5,500
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps035b5764.jpg

Day 1 Bought Bronco in Grand Junction for $900, and it needed gas and new battery to get moving, so it didnt take much to get home. They were asking $1,500 but accepted 900 first offer lol, maybe should have gone lower.

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psffa080e1.jpg

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psdcf84822.jpg

Got to work right away removing paint with orbital sander.
Then I cut out the rusted areas in the quarter panels, roof and rear door.Next I covered the raw metal body car with paper towels and spayed them with rust removing solution from summit racing. repeated 4 times every 15 minutes making sure the car was covered in damp towels. Then I plastic wrapped the removed panels so that the solution wouldnt evaporate so quickly since I could not dunk my car this was my "at home" budget method.

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps624f8905.jpg

After removing the paper towels it was important to keep wiping the body panels keeping them dry and removing any forming surface rust.

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95a41ffd.jpg

Then I painted the repaired areas and common rust panels with POR-15 (Rust prevention paint)
Then I fiberglassed, and body sealed the reapair areas, sanded again, this time closing some holes in the hood and roof from aftermarket stuff of some kind, not sure what, just had the holes to deal with.


http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6dc1359f.jpg

Here is rear quarter panel after primer (no more big ass hole)
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psdddf3c23.jpg

after all that it was finally time for paint, but this is an at home 20 year olds first project car so budget was an understatement.
This being the case, I went with roll on bed liner since this will be an off road camping vehicle, it sees alot of bushes and tree branches in the Rocky mountains. I painted the insides of the body panels with Rattle can bed liner.

Finished Paint all back together
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7455bd8f.jpg

Now I had finished with the body/ exterior. I moved onto the interior.
It was gutted from behind the front seats back. i was pleased to find that there was NO rust on the inside of the truck. I rattle canned with bed liner the bottom of the floor boards just for something extra and to pretty it up a bit. I then built side panels out of 3 ply wood and sealed them then wrapped them in black suede. I did this for all the interior panels (because theyre were none) except for the door cards. Once I did that I dynamated the rear and added carpet then built a camp bed/box with tempurpedic pad and wrapped it with same black suede. It is 1 foot tall 5.5 long and 3.5 wide, it holds ALL my camp gear no problem. it is bolted to the floor boards so its solid when on the spirited roads in Coloardo.
Before
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1593cdce.jpg
After
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psaa219ec9.jpg

Then I had to do something about the seats, so I ordered the reupholster kit from bronco graveyard and got it done, luckily the orignal seat foam was in decent shape and just the wrap on it was bogus.
Before
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0dc56fd.jpg
After (hadnt hit it with a heat gun yet because I dont have one to shink the wrap)
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psc62daf8f.jpg
Now that I was happy with the body/ interior and only having spent $450 on everything for paint and interior it was time to start fixing things.
I had the haynes repair manuel from the 76 f150 i had and luckily it doubled as the bronco book. I also bought the book of differentials from bronco graveyard and was impressed with how easy it was to learn how to work on these solid axles.

First I replaced the Ball Joints, and u joints in the front axle. using a hammer and a vice and shop rag it was tougher than i thoght to squeeze those ball joints in there. I borrowed the hub tool from a good friend who works at a local garage here, its only 2 blocks from my storage unit where i work on the truck so he lets me stop by thoughout the day with random questions and things. its given me the confidence i needed to get into it and start tearing things down. also borrowed a wheel bearing grease packer that made regreasing a breeze.

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psfbc68573.jpg

NOTE::When taking apart your hubs take pictures of how they came out, I put back something backwards which made me have to go back in to be able to get out of 4x4. lol Nooby mistakes make everything take 5 xs longer.

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6cfe5feb.jpg
New u joints and balls joint succesfuly installed
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9e157623.jpg
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps02bf7dfe.jpg
Next paycheck I got some skyjacker spring 1 inch lift and doestech shocks 1-2 inch lift for the front, this game me the clearance I needed for 33x10.5 (NOT 12.5 chill) Still need to add a leaf to rear and order new rear shocks. Putting these in only took about 45 minutes.
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c5890dc.jpg

Then I made the tough choice, I sold my old downhill mtn bike to fund the project.
I got new braided brake lines, new rotors, brake pads. All in previous picture.
I also ordered a rebuilt steering box from bronco graveyard which combined with the new balls joints I am now steering like its 1978 again, probably even better, can cruise with 1 finger on the wheel after i got the alignment and put on a new steering stabilizer.
with the last of the money from my bicycle I ordered a wheel and tire combo off of desertrat.com. 33x10.5r15
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps80505bf4.jpg

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps947402ad.jpg

Now I am happy with the front end drive train, there were no leaks so I replaced all the fluids in differentials, transfer case and transmission. Pretty happy with its performace dont think im going to mess with anything. the driveshafts u joints are in good condition so they will not be replaced yet either.

Its now time to start with the motor, Since i dont have the tools that shops have available im doing what I am going to call, at home restoration, rather than claiming a rebuild. Starting with the bottom of the motor up I put in new oil pump, shaft, pickup and oil pan gasket, also upgraded the drain bolt to a magnetic one.

http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps267ef42e.jpg
http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4250c77b.jpg
Next I put in a new fuel pump, water pump was obviously recently replaced so that stayed. Thermostat, radiator hoses and a radiator clean/flush while changing out hoses, added a kats tank heater. Spark plugs, spark plug wires, and both belts, alternator and accessory. New gasket for exhaust manifolds and removed most of the hoses from valve covers and EGR and what not. Put on filters where needed, new PCV valve and valve breathers. plugged off intake EGR valve and then had my friend help me at the shop with the air fuel mixture and timing for free. Put in a new higher AMP alternator and new voltage regulator. New Starter and Starter solenoid. New wires for everything installed (probably more time consuming than installing most of this stuff).
I think thats it pretty much up to date,
Plans for the near future are focused on engine performance.
Next is, Holly float non-Adjustable 650 cfm carb 4 barrel.
Edelbrock Performer intake for 4 barrel compatibility and a distributer with a better curve in it, thinking summit racing brand. If I am not happy with the power after this, Ill get headers, cam shaft and lifters, hopefully I can do something with the tired valves too. Hoping I can make the 351M work for my needs without having to get to heavy into engine swaps and stuff.
Comments, advice, Thread advice especially welcome, but if your gonna hate on how budget I have to be please dont. Im 20 with nothing more than common house garage tools and first time.
Thanks for checking out my project. Cant wait for it to be complete summer times almost here baby!! :-jammin


http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/...psafc162e8.jpg

Looks like a nice "home restoration" haha

I can't believe you sold that first truck for $5,500!! I'm having enough trouble trying to sell my 96' for $3,500!

But keep up the nice work looks like it's coming along great.

thanks Fordman96,
yea I had the truckposted for $6000 on craigslist and some guy came all the way from wyoming to buy it for his 16 year old son. :-blah

It was a pretty sweet truck, alot nicer than the bronco, but ill get there soon enough:-drink

The bronco is way better anyway!!

looking good so far! keep up the good work

Will do, thanks!

Strong work, keep the posts coming. Always helpful to see how someone else is doing it.

Any updates Camper?
BTW, if you're putting on a 4 barrel and intake, you'll be moving more air/fuel into the engine. Usually when doing that, it's recommended to put headers on too so that the exhaust side of the equation doesn't become a choke point for your engine's breathing. Kinda like you taking a huge breath in with your mouth wide open then having to exhale through straw.

I like it, I like it alot!!!!!

Great work, Budget minded is the way to go! Keep the updates coming. I love that you got the round headlights, I am swapping to them as I like that look better.