1981 Bronco rear bench bounces

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Travis W

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Good morning all. I am new here and in Vancouver Washington. Just picked up a 1981 bronco to restore. It’s coming along nicely but can somebody help me out with a question. The rear bench seat bounces when I’m driving. Obviously because of the spring under the front brackets. Is there a way for it to not bounce or is it possibly because the latch at the bottom to the rear of the seat could be loose? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

Tiha

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Bounce or shake?

I used to watch the back seat move, not being able to ride back there. Mine was a bad tire on the back shaking the truck.

However yes, you can make if more solid if the latch is not holding it tight. Usually wrapping something around the bar latch in the floor will help hold the seat more stable.
 
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Travis W

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That’s a great idea. Almost like the hard plastic piece that wraps around the door striker. But yeah, it’s not a shake, it’s a bounce. Every time I hit a bump it slams down. But I’ll try rapping something around that little rod and that should hold it in place. Thanks!
 
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Travis W

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Welcome travis. Im also from WA and rebuilding an 81.

Jason
Thanks Jason. How far along is your Bronco? I’m about 90% done with interior and getting ready to get it painted. I’m going with a sand color body and graphite grey shell.

What issues have you come across with yours?
 
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Thats gonna be a damn nice bronco man! Building a hunting rig out of mine. Will have a 2" suspension+ 2" body lift on 35's. Got most of my half-assed body work finished, will be rhinolining the whole thing.

The rear window has been a real PITA but other than that no problems than rusty bolts. Lots of making up for lack of maintenance!
 

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Is yours a 351m? I see your dash has the "custom" on it, any chance its a trailer special model? Thats what mine is but im not real sure exactly what differences come with that.

You got a front end pic?
 

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Travis W

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Dude, you removed the FORD letters off the hood?

I like the blacked out grill and headlight bezels. I’m not sure if mine is a trailer special model. Sorry to say, what is that?

The previous owner swapped out the engine to a 351 Cleveland, so parts I need to research old Mustangs. It’s kinda frustrating sometimes. And rhino lining is a great idea for a hunting rig.
 
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I removed every piece of trim and none of it is going back on. I like the plain look. Im into mine for a little over $1500 and already have the lifts, wheels/tires, and paint sitting. my goal is to sell off my unwanted parts and get to $0 all in. Already satin blacked my tire carrier, its sitting in my shop waiting to go back on after paint.

The original owner of mine swapped a 400 into it so my 351m is gone too.
 
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What size tires you have on in that photo? Yours looks like it sits a little lower than mine. The side pic i sent has a 2" lift in the back only so far but its got 31's under it.
 
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Travis W

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I have 32”, but only because that’s what the previous owner installed. I won’t go this big when replacing. Most likely 31”, too.

Hey, I see you primer spots along the old trim lines on your doors and over your wheel wells. How did you remove the pegs and fill the holes? Did you do this yourself?
 
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The wheel well trim just pops off with a trim remover (kind of a wide flat blade screwdriver with a forked end) but youre left with little brass retainers left in the holes. I just pliered those out. If youre re-installing your trim you can just paint over them and reuse.

As far as the filling unwanted holes i sanded to bare metal and peened in each hole so that the fiberglass bondo grips a couple square inches of steel instead of just the rim of the hole. It feathers out nicely. My rig was unmolested prior to me tearing it up, im the second owner. Was all your trim off and work started before you got yours?
 

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Travis W

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All trim was still installed when I bought it. I’ve removed it all very carefully and it’s all still in great condition to reinstall. It’s just quite honestly, I’m not 100% whether I want to reinstall it or not (the BRONCO & horse on the fenders absolutely I will reinstall). But, the trim that runs front to rear I’m not 100% if I want the OG feel to it, or keep it plain.
 
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Travis W

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This is how I bought it. The trim runs on top and bottom of the gold two tone. I’ve been given opinions on reinstalling it, or going without. I’m not 100% on which I want.
 

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