Another newbie here with a 69 Bronco

[Hatu]

My kids gave me a restored 1969 Bronco Sport for my 58th birthday; it's pretty nice. It has a 302 and a 3 on the tree; no power anything, runs pretty good but starts to miss when the rpms build a bit. It looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor until you look under the hood and it's OK there too, just not detailed and like new.

I think I will want to up grade the brakes to disks on the front and a vacuum boost and I'm looking into a trans swap. I have a spare toploader 4 speed from a 64 Galaxie, but from what I've read, I may be better off going with a NV4500 to get the best set up.

I'll post some pictures when I figure out how to do it here.

Hatu

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Hatu.., Got any more kids...??

Take it slow.., don't overwhelm yourself with too many projects at first.

That's a good yr. & you may find you're happy the way it works now.

Might want to take care of that miss first., to be sure it's not serious.

Years-o-fun head'n your way..!! /

 

[S_bolt19]

Welcome & definitely take care of that miss like Bully Bob said. As for the others upgrades, I would drive it like it is for a while to see if you do want to go more in-depth with them. And if you do, start with the front disc conversion. It will be your best starting upgrade from the start....if you want it. As for your tranny, what are you wanting to do with it? You have to remember that with the NV & the galaxie trannies, you are going to have to fab up an entire new crossmember, different bell housing, adapter plates, etc. to get everything to match up. If you are wanting something that is a better tranny with minimal work, look at the NP435. They are #1 cheaper, #2 just as bullet proof as the NV & more readily available. They are almost a direct bolt in transmission.

 

[Hatu]

Hi Hatu.., Got any more kids...??

Take it slow.., don't overwhelm yourself with too many projects at first.

That's a good yr. & you may find you're happy the way it works now.

Might want to take care of that miss first., to be sure it's not serious.

Years-o-fun head'n your way..!! /

I only have the four kids ... :0)

Thanks for the good advise; I've restored a few old Fords so I'm aware of what I would be getting into. But I agree that thing to do is drive it with the 3 on the tree for awhile and get used to it. I've only driven it 50 miles or so and there are only two that are bothering me so far: #1 the radio speaker was shot; so I replaced it with one I had on hand and #2 the brakes seem to take an excessive amount of pressure to get the rig stopped. The brakes are all drums with no vacuum assist, so maybe this is normal, but I've looked at a front disk retrofit as well as a vacuum assist addition.

The miss has got to go, so it's probably going to be the next thing I tackle. I found a set of Shop Manuals on eBay and bought them, so as soon as they arrive, I'll be able to dig deeper into the brakes and turning.

Thanks again for the great advise!

Hatu

PS, can you tell me how to add the attachments to your avatar?

 

[Hatu]

Welcome & definitely take care of that miss like Bully Bob said. As for the others upgrades, I would drive it like it is for a while to see if you do want to go more in-depth with them. And if you do, start with the front disc conversion. It will be your best starting upgrade from the start....if you want it. As for your tranny, what are you wanting to do with it? You have to remember that with the NV & the galaxie trannies, you are going to have to fab up an entire new crossmember, different bell housing, adapter plates, etc. to get everything to match up. If you are wanting something that is a better tranny with minimal work, look at the NP435. They are #1 cheaper, #2 just as bullet proof as the NV & more readily available. They are almost a direct bolt in transmission.

Thanks for the reply! Hmm, I didn't realize a NP435 would work so easily and I agree that would be a great trans; I run a number of them in our company work trucks, they're very durable and easy shifting; great transmissions IMO.

I'm rebuilding a 64 Galaxie right now, so that's why I have the spare Top Loader; it originally came with a 390 with the small input Top Loader trans. Since I'm swapping the engine for a stroked 427 that will make about 650 hp I decided to upgrade to a big in big out Top Loader; thus the spare trans. But it's a sellable trans, so it there's something better for the Bronco application, it won't be a problem to sell the spare TL and get what ever would work best.

Thanks again for the tip!

Hatu

 

[Bully Bob]

PS, can you tell me how to add the attachments to your avatar?

Damn'd if I know...!! I clicked on my name in the upper right on home page....poked 'round in the controls 'til I added/changed a few things....

#2 the brakes seem to take an excessive amount of pressure to get the rig stopped.

If you put them back to spec..., (i.e. shoes fitted to drums, etc.) they'll stop on a dime..!! I have the same brakes as you.., it stops as good as my F-150 all powred up.

As you know ... boosting weak brakes is "a band-aid" .. :-B

HTH

B

BTW.., you can move the column shift to the floor & be very happy for doing so.... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Hatu]

Good to know that the brakes can be that good as is, I will be sure and check it all out before I do any modifications.

I think I'll leave the shifter on the tree unless I decide I need more gears.

I just noticed you're also a pilot, very cool. I have fixed wing single and multi engine, IFR, Commercial and Rotorcraft private.

Hatu

 

[Bully Bob]

Isn't it great...!!

I have single/multi. eng., land, IFR, & Instructor ratings.... no fling-wing though.. /

 

[Hatu]

Isn't it great...!!

I have single/multi. eng., land, IFR, & Instructor ratings.... no fling-wing though.. /

Wow! So you're an instructor, cool beans, do you work with any particular FAA examiner? I have around 2700 hours total time, most is in multi engine piston twins, I have about 600 hours in Aerostar 601P's with some 58P Baron, B60 Duke and 130 hours or so as PIC in a Cheyenne 400LS (what a hot rod that thing is) These days I usually fly a nice P210 or the Robinson R44.

Hatu

 

[Bully Bob]

Geeese..!! You're way ahead of me...!! Do you need a "right seater"..???

I'm do'n A321's Bombardiers, & my favorite., the 747.....LONG STORY..!

------ BUT -----

We'll have to take this to "LOCAL TAVERN" on home page., or "PM"

OR., we'll get scolded [-( for chat'n on the wrong page.... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

I'll shoot ya some info. on rollbars & tops on your other post.