1984 Ford Bronco Project

[Overland California]

Nope. Just added the tabs for the coilovers and limit straps.

Who made them? If you’re planning on bumping off the radius arm, you’ll want to double up those mounting ears as they tend to bend easily.

*EDIT* I see you’re running the solo kit. Definitely keep that radius arm platting in mind if you end up bumping there.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Who made them? If you’re planning on bumping off the radius arm, you’ll want to double up those mounting ears as they tend to bend easily.

*EDIT* I see you’re running the solo kit. Definitely keep that radius arm platting in mind if you end up bumping there.

Thanks. Haven't decided where to put the bump stops. Actually haven't bought any yet. But plan to eventually.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

I decided to make the bumper I already built for the old bronco fit the new one. Instead of cutting apart the bumper I decided to modify the frame instead. I cut the outside of the frame off.



I cut the new outer piece out of a 2x6 rectangle tubing 1/4 inch thick.



Then I tacked them to the bumper and got it in position and level.



Then I tacked the new frame section to the original frame and cut the tacks off the bumper.



Then it was time to weld up the new outer frame section.



On the inside I added some plating to reinforce the new part and angled it up to the old frame. Not sure if the angle will add much strength but it looked a lot cleaner than the squared off transition.



Now time to make some holes for the bumper bolts to go through. I drilled 7/8 holes through both sides.





Cut down some tubing to make sleeves to pass through the frame and weld to both sides. For added strength and to reduce the holes down to the bolt size I wanted.



Sleeves sitting in place.



Welded up and ground down smooth.





Now to sand it all and clean it up for paint.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Primed and Industrial paint on the frame section.





I decided to get fancy and paint the shock hoops and cross bar the body color. So it was time to mask off the frame and body and paint the hoops.



A couple coats of color and clear.







And off with the plastic to see how it looks.









Now hopefully I can get some things bolted back on the front again.

 

[M Rose]

Looking good.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

I got some more of the suspension but back in place. Managed to sneak out and get the front axle beams and radius arms installed.






I also managed to get the knuckles striped and cleaned up. All ready to paint.





Along with some cleanup of the front center section.



And after some primer and more industrial paint.





Now to let some paint dry and bring home some ball joints.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

New seals and diff reassembled and clean. Time to put it back in.



All bolted back up






Speed sensors back in the knuckles and installed. Also some coil overs on.






Now to get the axle shafts cleaned up and ready to go back in.

 

[M Rose]

@Dakota Houligans are you over on FSB as well? I’m slimpartywagon over there.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

@Dakota Houligans are you over on FSB as well? I’m slimpartywagon over there.

once and awhile. I don't think I've put up anything about this one over there.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Started working on getting the abs pump/module installed. But the bracket put the assembly too close to the shock hoop so the brake lines coming out the side wouldn't clear anymore. Time for some more cutting and welding.



I cut the taps off and bolted them onto the pump and slid them over far enough to clear the shock hoop.





I tac welded them in place and then took it to the bench and reinforced the bracket and welded it back together.



Then some grinding and some more paint and it was time to put it back in.



Just realized I didn't take a picture of the side with the brake lines before I came inside.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

New U-joints and some paint on the front axle shafts.



Also the front dust shields are pretty ruff and one was rusted through and unusable so I picked up some new ones and added some paint. Which probably won't last long.



Axle shafts and dust shields back where the belong.



Cleaned up and painted the spindles and added new seals.



Spindles back on.

 

[M Rose]

Great work on the old girl Dakota. I’m getting a lot closer to running again... just to have my daughter tell me she wants one now... so looking for another 3rd or 4th Gen.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Great work on the old girl Dakota. I’m getting a lot closer to running again... just to have my daughter tell me she wants one now... so looking for another 3rd or 4th Gen.

Nice. Mine is already trying to claim mine and it's not even together yet. But today she did tell me she wants to build a dragster...

 

[M Rose]

Nice. Mine is already trying to claim mine and it's not even together yet. But today she did tell me she wants to build a dragster...

Yours too huh... she also found a 1940 Ford 2.5 ton farm truck she wants to “Rat” out... she needs a JOB...

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Yours too huh... she also found a 1940 Ford 2.5 ton farm truck she wants to “Rat” out... she needs a JOB...

It all sounds fun. Just need more spare time for it.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Back on the Bronco a little. Front Calipers are ready and installed. I had some paint left from doing my valve covers so I painted the calipers as well.





And some nice extended stainless brake lines.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Did this earlier this fall but have been busy lately. Cleaned up the engine and prepping for some fresh paint. only about 38,000 miles on it. So just some paint and updates.





Cleaned up and scuffed almost ready for paint.



Fresh coat of primer and same black paint as the frame.





I know the valve covers look nasty. I have a plan for them too.



Painted the hubs and transmission cross member while I was at it.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Time for some work on the valve covers and some of the engine brackets. I cleaned them up good and then sandblasted them to clean the old corrosion and paint off. Then cleaned again and degreased.





Some primer on. I used a ppg epoxy primer that is made to stick to aluminum on these.





Then a Splash of the body color.









Then some time consuming tape work. That I forgot to take a picture of apparently. And some of the Color that we plan to use for the stripe. And some clear coat.











It's looking a lot better now.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

The wife came out to lend a hand getting the engine and trans bolted back together and resting in the bronco again.



I'm glad to see it back where it belongs.



Trans is still grungy but it is back in mainly for mock up and to hold engine in correctly. I plan to take care of some upgrades and refreshing on it too.

 

[Dakota Houligans]

Had a little time for the bronco again. Decided to sparay lizard skin sound deadener in the doors before closing up the openings I made for repairing the lower part of the doors.





While cleaning the area up to weld the pieces I cut out I got the bright idea to make it a removable panel so I have easy access to the doors internals. So my son and I drilled some holes and put some stainless steel riv-nuts in the doors.



Then I cut out some panels to put on.



I got some small stainless button head bolts to hold it on.



Now time for some more sound deadener on the back side of the panels.



And painted the other side of the panels the body color. They will be covered by the door panel so probably wasn't needed but seems more finished to me.