New Member w/ '68

[crash080]

After many years of "dreaming" I finally got an EB to build/restore. Learned how to drive a manual and plow snow in my now father inlaws '69 up in Craig. Built a couple of BII's with the kids and now I finally get to do my project. Last August I picked up my EB over in Grand Junction which is pretty clean overall, minimal rust, mostly straight and hadn't been beat to death on the trails. What I ended up with is a '68 with a '73 Dana 44 front end with power steering conversion, rebuilt 302, 3-speed with floor shifter, 2" body lift, all new brakes, lots of leaks and worn out rear springs...

Immediate plan was to get her to paint but the safety orange is starting to grow on us. That and I got passed by a brand new orange Lamborghini so I figure that I'm in style for once (kids will argue that one)!! Now I'm focused on getting things mechanically squared up and reliable. So far I've replaced the majority of the soft seals (engine, trans, transfer case) so that I could keep the fluids where they belong. Rebuilt the front drive shaft and replaced the rear drive shaft (somebody thought that it didn't need the CV- let's just say I don't miss the vibration...), rebuilt the front axles, add power brakes and front discs, had the broken gauge cluster rebuilt by Kevin over at Classy Chassis, installed H4 headlights so that I can actually see at night, installed a new clutch and removed about a 1,000 butt splices in the harness. Been a ton of other stuff, lot's of head scratching and wondering what the PO(s) were thinking...

Getting her ready for a 2.5" lift, 33's and lockers. But before that I have to do penance via a master bath remodel...

Looking froward to making some new friends here on CCB and meeting up on the trails at some point.

IMG_0610.JPG

IMG_0770.JPG

[Woodscaper]

Welcome to the site. The Bronco looks like its in good shape. Congrats on getting YOUR own project.

[hockeydad4-22]

Welcome to the club, it is a great bunch of folks. Nice rig, I can see why the bright orange grows on you.

[Justin]

Welcome! Stick with the color, it looks good with the black accents.

[Kinder]

Love that color & welcome

[Jesus_man]

Welcome! Nice rig and it sounds like you've hit the ground running!! What are your plans with the rig?

[crash080]

Thanks everyone.

I have a very long "To Do" list. Ultimately the plan is to have a nice trail rig/daily driver (in the warmer months) so in no particular order...

2.5" lift and 33's. I am starting to consider going up to 35's and at least 4.56 gears but haven't decided yet. Dual shocks up front to a carry winch.
New heads (someone put 289 heads on the 302!), a slightly stronger cam and headers/dual exhaust to help it breath better.
Lockers front and back. Currently trying to decide on what to put in so any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated. I like ARBs but damned $$$!
23 gallon rear tank
Mastercraft seats
Remove 3-speed and install NV3550
Split shifter on Dana 20
Full cage
Lizard skin & dynamat the interior to cut down on some of the noise & heat coming through the floor
AC from Vintage Air (wife demanded it so who am I to argue?)
Body and paint

Other than the lift, tires and gas tank the build will slow down during the summer. Just too much fun to drive!

[Justin]

The thoughts:

1. Go with 35's and 4.56, or even 4.88 since you're thinking about a trans with overdrive. One trail run with the group and you'll wish you had gone bigger. I thought I'd never want bigger than 35s and have been considering 37s.
2. Look for some GT40 heads. They're great, available cheap in the junkyards, and will free up some horsepower.
3. I love my ARBs, if you've got the $$ they're a great option for a DD since they've got nice on-road manners. Then again, mine came in my truck.
4. The NV3550 is a great trans, but not the strongest. If you think you'll ever wheel hard or want to go with big power, go with something stronger. For a lighter duty street/trail rig they're great. They also don't have a spectacularly low first gear, so take that into account when you're gearing the diffs.

Sounds like you'll have a great rig!

[Jesus_man]

Also, dual shocks are not necessary for a winch. You might get 1/2" higher lift springs tho. But properly valves shocks will be better than duals and easier to dial in as well. There are many guys who have removed their second shocks.