Getting Started

[1under]

I have just purchased an 1971 bronco, it is my first project i have ever done. From what i can tell from driving it around it runs very well. It does have a good amount of body work that need to be done. Has a lot of rust in the normal place for a bronco. If anyone has any suggestions they would all be helpful. thanks

 

[Seabronc]

Welcome to the Zone > . Sounds like you have a place to start by doing the body work. Post some pictures when you get a chance, we'd like to :-B at them.

Good luck,

>-

 

[1under]

Welcome to the Zone > . Sounds like you have a place to start by doing the body work. Post some pictures when you get a chance, we'd like to :-B at them.
Good luck,

>-

How do i post pictures....not real good with the computer

 

[Seabronc]

How do i post pictures....not real good with the computer

When you are making an entry, there is a box that says BROWSE. If you press that you can go to any file on your computer and upload it. Jpeg format is preferred and it is nice to re-size them to around 900 pixels. Once you select a picture press the UPLOAD button, that will send the picture to the BZ server.

>-

 

[Justshootme84]

Welcome to Bronco Zone!!! I would suggest before buying any parts or doing any work, make a plan of what you want to do. Will it be a daily driver, trail rig, show truck, etc. Take a good, close look at the whole Bronco insdie and out. Check under the carpet/floor mats, inside the wheel wells, the tailgate, windshield frame, etc. for rust or holes. Check the frame for any cracks or signs of damage. If the body and frame are sound with little or no rust, you'll have a better foundation to work with than a 'rust bucket' that will need major surgery. You can get just about any replacement part for the early Broncos from several vendors like Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, James Duff, Wild Horses and others. An original vehicle is worth alot more than one that's been cut up or modified, so think about that factor before **** any major mods like a lift or body work. IF you have any questions or seek advice, this is a great forum with tons of info. Good luck, and let's see some pics!!! JSM84

 

[1under]

When you are making an entry, there is a box that says BROWSE. If you press that you can go to any file on your computer and upload it. Jpeg format is preferred and it is nice to re-size them to around 900 pixels. Once you select a picture press the UPLOAD button, that will send the picture to the BZ server.
>-

I have some pictures up now in an album

 

[1under]

Welcome to Bronco Zone!!! I would suggest before buying any parts or doing any work, make a plan of what you want to do. Will it be a daily driver, trail rig, show truck, etc. Take a good, close look at the whole Bronco insdie and out. Check under the carpet/floor mats, inside the wheel wells, the tailgate, windshield frame, etc. for rust or holes. Check the frame for any cracks or signs of damage. If the body and frame are sound with little or no rust, you'll have a better foundation to work with than a 'rust bucket' that will need major surgery. You can get just about any replacement part for the early Broncos from several vendors like Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, James Duff, Wild Horses and others. An original vehicle is worth alot more than one that's been cut up or modified, so think about that factor before **** any major mods like a lift or body work. IF you have any questions or seek advice, this is a great forum with tons of info. Good luck, and let's see some pics!!! JSM84

got some pics up now in an album

 

[cooter302]

from the pics i saw tht u put up,it doesnt look like the exterior body work will be much trouble

but im guessing tht floor pan wiht the red duct tape might prove tricky

i think this would be cool to see has a restoratoin or maybe i slightly modified trail truck

thts just me tho

im going full on with my 66

i might even be putting some kind of a flat bed on mine....

 

[1under]

from the pics i saw tht u put up,it doesnt look like the exterior body work will be much trouble
but im guessing tht floor pan wiht the red duct tape might prove tricky

i think this would be cool to see has a restoratoin or maybe i slightly modified trail truck

thts just me tho

im going full on with my 66

i might even be putting some kind of a flat bed on mine....

I am leaning more to a slightly modified trail truck, I dont do much off roading but would like to have a little body and supsion lift, not to big thow, How are you going about fixing your frame rails, mine have some rust spots in them to

 

[cooter302]

with my frame rails i got lucky and dont have to replace much

more then half of my frame is still good so there is no need to replace the hole sections

im just gonna basiclly patch up,nothing pretty,just enough to get the job done

you should try to get some pictures of your frame up so i can get a better idea

 

[Justshootme84]

After looking at the pics in the gallery, I would agree that the Bronco appears to be in decent shape overall, and the fact that it's driveable is a big plus in your favor. I've seen a few for sale around here along the coast in much worse shape. When I restored my 84 Bronco, as I've done with other trucks, was to break the rig into systems that need work. Body and mechanical can be broken down further, such as interior, exterior, frame, hardtop, etc. I like to get the mechanicals done first, so at least you can drive to the parts store or pick-up stuff at the salvage yard. Brakes, electrical, fuel, etc., and so you don't get stranded on the side of the road. Sounds like the first issue, then, would be the steering play. Try to see if the whole steering box moves while turnign the wheel, and if there's any slack in the steering linkage or column, with both wheels jacked up. As far as the floorpan goes, it appears that is the major rust issue, along with the rocker panels. Check under the Bronco with a mirror and good flashlight for further signs of rust in the frame and under-body crossmembers. Look inside the fenders, as I've seen some bad rust in the corners next to the cab. Mud and dirt tend to collect there and eat through. It makes little sense to put in a new floor if one or more of the crossmembers for support are rusted through. Might take a pic or two of any trouble spots, including the "rust holes" in the frame. JSM84

 

[1under]

with my frame rails i got lucky and dont have to replace much
more then half of my frame is still good so there is no need to replace the hole sections

im just gonna basiclly patch up,nothing pretty,just enough to get the job done

you should try to get some pictures of your frame up so i can get a better idea

Made a album for the rust holes in the frame take a look when you get a chance.

 

[1under]

After looking at the pics in the gallery, I would agree that the Bronco appears to be in decent shape overall, and the fact that it's driveable is a big plus in your favor. I've seen a few for sale around here along the coast in much worse shape. When I restored my 84 Bronco, as I've done with other trucks, was to break the rig into systems that need work. Body and mechanical can be broken down further, such as interior, exterior, frame, hardtop, etc. I like to get the mechanicals done first, so at least you can drive to the parts store or pick-up stuff at the salvage yard. Brakes, electrical, fuel, etc., and so you don't get stranded on the side of the road. Sounds like the first issue, then, would be the steering play. Try to see if the whole steering box moves while turnign the wheel, and if there's any slack in the steering linkage or column, with both wheels jacked up. As far as the floorpan goes, it appears that is the major rust issue, along with the rocker panels. Check under the Bronco with a mirror and good flashlight for further signs of rust in the frame and under-body crossmembers. Look inside the fenders, as I've seen some bad rust in the corners next to the cab. Mud and dirt tend to collect there and eat through. It makes little sense to put in a new floor if one or more of the crossmembers for support are rusted through. Might take a pic or two of any trouble spots, including the "rust holes" in the frame. JSM84

Thanks for the suggestions, i have been tring to get a list of the things that i wont to do and the stuff that needs to be done right away. It keeps getting longer and longer ha. i posted some pics of the rust holes in the frame so please take a look when u get a chance. thanks again

 

[Justshootme84]

That's some serious rust. the only sure-fire way to treat it is to cut out the rusted area, and weld in new metal. The problem is anything mounted on or close to that area, like a spring shackle or body mount, will put a load/ stress and cause cracks. The best option, then, is to remove the body and sandblast the frame. Cut out all ofthe rust and make new plates to patch those area that you have to cut out. Add support to any spots wheer you find cracks. Welding new metal to clean, original metal will be much stronger than welding to rusty metal. You could also swap another frame under the body that is in better shape, but that's going to be really hard to find for an EB. JSM84

 

[Forever Off Road Diggin]

I'd spend a few grand and get a new frame. If you ever want to make the truck into some thing nice down the road or want to do some serious 4xin, cutting and patching all that rust will only make that frame weak and most likely it will crack around all your welds.

It would be a shame to do any body work only to have the frame give out and wreck it.