Hello

[1973Donkey]

I wanted to say hello to you all. I have been around the Bronco community for a while but really kept my project to myself. I had no one to share my obsession with for most of the time I have been restoring my 73 Bronco since my brother and friends all own mustangs.

I usually avoid most Forums but this looks like the place to be! I have owned my 1973 bronco for 17 years now and have gone from a decent project vehicle to wreck, then back to show quality and now I need to start working on the 'ol "Donkey" again. Its been over 3 years since i have started my beloved vehicle and I'm getting the "itch" to start working on it again. I just plain was burned out after 12 years of slowly piecing it together. I have moved and the years of neglect are creeping up again in the form of rust on the door strikers and rear quarter seams...I hate rust!



The vehicle was in good condition back in 1988. had alot of small rust areas and was a nice orange with white stripes and hood decals. The engine had 125,000 and runs great (even to this day!) I'll look for some old photos of the beast back then. I took it upon myself to build a unique look for my restoration with the goal of not going for the typical high lift and large tires that were common place. I do love that look, but I decided to be a bit more conservative.



I drove the bronco 150 miles every day from Boulder to Morrision Colorado for 14 years even while I was tearing it apart. The only exception was when I had it in the shop for paint and transmission work. I now have 652,000 miles on the original engine with only a couple of lifters making a fuss. I did add a Jacobs ignition and a Mallory Distributor to smooth out the ingnition system and put a carter 4 barrel Carb with ****** headers to help the 302 breathe better. I believe i'm running about 220HP maybe a bit more.

I'll post more recent photos to show you all what a few years of just letting my horse graze did. its not a pretty sight. ( i'll post picst soon

I will be happy to pick all of your brains for the next few months so I can get the "Donkey" on the road again. My wife hates it...but i'm going to die before my "Donkey" leaves me.

its good to meet you all!

Matt Smith

 

[Seabronc]

Welcome to the Zone Matt > . That is a great looking Bronco :-B and nice writeup on it. We try to keep this the no judgement zone /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> , unlike some forums that jump all over someone for asking a question that has been asked before. It looks like you have a lot to offer to people that are doing the same thing.

Good luck,

>-

 

[Bully Bob]

WOW...! WOW.....!!!

Why wasn't this rig all over the 4x4 rags..?

Nice clean rig...!

When were these pics taken?

That Kayline snapless top (made there in Den. Colorado) didn't come out 'til the late 90's....

How did you pull that off...was that a proto-type of some sort..?

Are the front fenders F/G..? (no clearance lights) Great fit..! Hood as well, & what are the two small bubbles on the hood.?

 

[1973Donkey]

WOW...! WOW.....!!!

Why wasn't this rig all over the 4x4 rags..?

Nice clean rig...!

When were these pics taken?

That Kayline snapless top (made there in Den. Colorado) didn't come out 'til the late 90's....

How did you pull that off...was that a proto-type of some sort..?

Are the front fenders F/G..? (no clearance lights) Great fit..! Hood as well, & what are the two small bubbles on the hood.?

Good Eye! The Kayline top was purchased in 1998 from James Duff. I'll dig up the receipt later this week and give you a exact date. I originally had the snap type, but time took its toll on it so a new one was added about the time I photographed this. I worked in a photo studio and this photograph was taken in a cove. these rooms have the corners smoothed out to a nice curved shape and the floors are painted weekly. thats why the seams are not noticable.

The fenders are perfect replacements from K-Bar S. no reflecter holes where ever on the pair I recieved. The hood was the Last one produced by High Country 4x4. It is fiberglass, and unlike others that look very simular, this one is very heavy and thick with wood supports. I was blessed to literally pick the last one they manufactured for years. Frankly I do not know if they make them anymore? the Doors, tailgate, rea tub, Flooring are all original. I replaced the inner front fenders, Rocker panels, Passenger wheel tub and grill with replcements from Jeffs Bronco Graveyard.

I had to chrome the grill due to the amount of gravel thrown down during the winter month in Colorado. I imagine you guys understand how that sandblast you paint! It was the only way to go. Thr problem was there are no plating companied that could get the thin parts to actually chrome properly. I ended up using the Sante Fe plating company in Denver. they did a good job getting it to chrome in most places. If you look around the headlights and right side you can see where it only nickled!

Off to work folks i'll check in later and get you updated pictures and exact dates of restoration on certain areas. I'll tell you some crazy stories over time as well. This Bronco has seen the worst life can dish out!

Matt Smith

 

[firelt90bronco]

Dude, that truck is mint, its gotta be worth alot!

 

[1973Donkey]

It was in mint condition! I have a bit of work ahead of me now. Both rear quarters need to be replaced as well as the stiker posts. The engine has 652,000 miles on it. it runs well but as you can imagine the engine is very tired and needs to be rebuilt or swapped for a crate engine. I'll post pictures later today of the damage that has occured ober the last 6 years.

Matt Smith

 

[firelt90bronco]

652,000!? Damn, my diesel has only 206,250 and I'm worrying about a rebuild!

 

[1973Donkey]

652,000!? Damn, my diesel has only 206,250 and I'm worrying about a rebuild!

People always think I'm telling "Tall Stories" about my 302 but I have all the miles and oil changes documented as well as my weekly tune ups I performed on the weekends.



old paint new lift! 2.5" this was in 1992

I am a firm believer in always using the same oil 5w 50 Castrol synthetic oil. (I used Amsoil when I could get it in the early 90's) Bosch Spark plugs and 76 gas. Change oil every 4000 miles I keep the distributor slightly advanced because it really runs better that way.



fall of 1996. new paint!

I actually had my oil pump fail with 35mile to get home. I had used the "Duralube" oil treatment once a year and I already had 300,000 miles on the engine. I said " what the ****, Lets see if that stuf really works!" I figured the engine was so old it would give me a perfect excuse to buy a new one! Long story short, i made it home no problem. The Engine actually ran cooler than normal /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> the only noticable diffence was the noise of the lifters banging around without oil! amazing stuff I swear by it!



1996 just before my move to California in '97

If you would like to see the restoration photos lwt me know. i have about 4 or 5 of them lying around

Matt Smith

 

[firelt90bronco]

That is one **** of a Bronco! Its always great to keep taking pictures of your progress, I've been doing that and it makes you think when you look back on all the work and busted knuckles.