Where to start?!?! 1974 bronco.. love of my life

[SimplyBoredCwgrl]

Lets cut to the chase.... my family is driving my insane. As a senior in highschool i AM rather limited financialy; However, this truck has been kept in my family for 13 years in hopes that it will someday be mine. I had recently given up on it due to the stress levels produced by my family reguarding my truck.. The thing is i was at a car show the other day and i seen one... done up almost exactly how i want mine done and it broke my heart.

i want this truck to be done right the first time... problem is, where do i start?

- Weatherstrips... GONE.

- Decently sized rot holes on the bottom side of my doors. (my thoughts were to weld patchs in and replace the door crancks, which are nonexistant)

-Engine knock and vibration

-Rotted wheel wells

-seats are rotted.. back seat was stollen a number of years ago, but no real importance to me right now.

-body needs to be sanded, primered (as of right now i have a layer of rust inhibitor OVER the old paint job in hopes to prevent more rust damage)

-PAINT JOB.. i've been changing my mind about what color i want it weekly for 8 years probly, hehe.

-tires

-flares

-dashboard (cracked, no real big deal though.. i can live with that)

-dent in one of the door... its on a crease, should i just buy a new door?

i am buying a new ignition switch this week and replacing my old one to get get the ball rolling... but where do i go from there? weatherstrips? doors? sanding the body? rhinoline? engine? wheel wells?

i know this is going to take LOTS of time and LOTS or money...

i already have a couple year old duel exhuast, a herse(sp?) racing shifter, 352 motor...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me decide where to go from here!

 

[STLKIKN]

Well S.B.C....

First off, welcome to the 'zone.

Lots of good information here for the asking.

As for your project,

first, sit down with a pad of paper, and outline what you want your truck to look like and have for options.

second, compare your list to what you have as a starting point.

(do a complete mechanical inspection, including all brakes, steering, and suspension. Then move on to cosmetics such as body and interior)

You will want to start with mechanical and safety issues first. If it doesn't run or drive, and isn't safe to be in, there is no point in continuing!!

You can break your project down into sections that can be done one at a time, that way your truck will never be too far from driveable, or you can tear into it full on, and have this become a full frame off type of job.

Since you are on a limited bidget, this project may end up like many of our projects trucks, done just a little bit at a time!

Don't be discouraged, just remember that all good things come to those who wait.

As for the motor, do you have a 352 (FE series?) if you do you may want to sell it and find a 302/ 351 Windsor engine for this project.

Good luck, I am sure there will be many other responses here as to your starting point.... please keep us posted on your progress

stlkikn

 

[beefy85]

yea i agree with stlkikn get the mechanical part done first..you dont wanna be driving around with your new paint and body work and need to stop and all of a sudden your breaks dont work and as the the 352 i also agree with him too on that...your gonna have a **** of a time tryin to find parts for it..well good luck and welcome to the zone

beefy

 

[Seabronc]

Sounds like you have gotten some good advice on getting your project off to a start so I'll hold mine until you get more specific with your questions. Welcome to the Zone > . post some pictures even if it is a little rusted. Keep a Photo album of it as you go with a lot of before and after pictures. They will make a good history of your progress and a neat albums to keep on line at a place like Superford. http://www.superford.net

Good luck,

>-

 

[MBell70]

I agree with all the above. I bought my bronco just after high school and I basically keep it running and mechanically sounds until I got out of college. I would hold off and get to know the vehicle and have fun on the trail before working on the body. Get is mechanically sounds and safe first. I would make a list of everything that you want to do and the parts needed to complete the project. I would then start buying the parts and when you have everything that you want on the bronco, do a frame-off restoration and install all the new components then. It has taken me since 1996 to get my bronco the way I want it, which I have almost complete. Bodywork is a lot of work. Have fun.