Thinking of rebuilding the EB

[Clint]

It seems I can only go a few years without tearing the EB down and changing a bunch of stuff... and Im at that point. I had convinced myself to build a chassis and put some skins on it, but Im just not that guy. I love having my Bronco.

So, I have decided to start a build. It will start in the next month or so, but just tossing ideas out there right now. The last time I built it, it was featured in Crawl, and its a heck of a capable rig. 5 years later, the tub is all torn up and its in pretty rough shape. I have hacked the frame up, hacked more out of the tub, and to be honest, it has grown beyond what I built it to do. Below are my thoughts: Let me know what you think!

Frame: Double stacked tube frame. 1.5" .120 wall DOM with 1" Dom spacers and CNC plasma cut flat plate to pretty it up. It will be different dimensions than the EB frame so the Atlas will fit flat, and there will be more room for the coilovers front and rear. So, narrow in front and rear, wide in the middle. Custom body mounts, engine mounts, cross members, etc.

Tub: I have a VERY clean cut tub out back. Narrow it 4" on each side. Do some body work where I french in some 1.25 tube in various places and armor it up where needed. Narrow my already narrowed fiberglass hood, and MAYBE run a tailgate, maybe just a shell of one welded in. It will most likely end up functional.

Once I get these built, then I will add suspension bracketry and mounts in, then transfer my existing 351/c4/atlas over, and the Front D60. I will get rid of the stock EB housing I have as well as the 35 spline shafts, and put in a RuffStuff housing (since we sell them) and it will end up 6" wider overall than it is now. It will eliminate the wheel spacers I run, as well as make it close to the D60 width. I am at 103" WB right now, and will push the front out another 3 inches and the rear back another 2. I might have to get rid of the tail lights, but will save them if possible. Im hoping with it being narrowed up I can keep them if I do the body work right.

If I can find some deals on a set of heads for the 351, I will do that as well, since the motor is ready for them.

Build the cage, tied in with the new frame work, put in the seats and throw the same paint job on it (maybe)


Anyway, thoughts? questions? concerns? Been thinking about doing this for a while...

Pic of the Bronco for Crawl:



Pic of it now:








And that pic looks better than it does now, the tub is just trashed.

[ClayJ]

Why don't you keep this one the way it is, and find another to rebuild?

[Clint]

Why don't you keep this one the way it is, and find another to rebuild?

Well, main reason is I already have all the parts sitting here, and dont really need/want two rockcrawlers. My current one is too far gone to make it into much of anything else without a ridiculous amount of work...So, I think making it into a new one makes the most sense.

[Jesus_man]

I remember the Crawl debut. Already 5 years ago? Wow!

As hard as you wheel, do you think you can protect it well enough to keep it looking nice? Aside from an Exo, it'll be hard to do.

I like the idea, but are you looking for a One-Last-Build type of setup, or something to get you by for the next 5 years?

[Justin]

I say do it. Sounds like a sweet build, and I'd love to see what you come up with. I'd be inclined to make the flares steel similar to rtread's rig to better protect the fenders.

[Clint]

I remember the Crawl debut. Already 5 years ago? Wow!

As hard as you wheel, do you think you can protect it well enough to keep it looking nice? Aside from an Exo, it'll be hard to do.

I like the idea, but are you looking for a One-Last-Build type of setup, or something to get you by for the next 5 years?

Its always the last time! :D Honestly I think its a symptom of me liking to tinker on it every once in a while, then go beat on it for a few years. So who knows, I cannot answer that question honestly :D

I think I can protect it alot better. Steel flares, steel door inserts, cage running into the tub with some not quite yet figured out plating and bracing.....

[Clint]

I say do it. Sounds like a sweet build, and I'd love to see what you come up with. I'd be inclined to make the flares steel similar to rtread's rig to better protect the fenders.

Ill have to check his out and see what he came up with.

[Booger]

Looking forward to seeing whatever you build. Looks like the old one has been run through the rock grinder pretty well but that's what you built it for right?

[Clint]

Looking forward to seeing whatever you build. Looks like the old one has been run through the rock grinder pretty well but that's what you built it for right?

You got it. It was NICE, for a rock rig. The tub was never straight, and im getting excited to start on the new build!