69 Dudes-- Just the beginning

[Jesus_man]

Yes, water takes too long to evap.

[Eck]

Installed the rear seat after finding out the first one was defective.

[Eck]

Went topless this weekend. Was also able to get the front part of my role cage bolted in, install the bikini top, and make some repairs to the internals of the driver's side door.

[Kinder]

White bikini top, fairly uncommon, nice complement to your trucks paint scheme, I like it.

[Justin]

Agreed, that top looks great.

[Eck]

Thanks guys-- as long as it "stays" white! Not to toot my own horn, but I am very happy so far how things have turned out. Keith aka Plumbdoctor did a great job with the paint and I am sure that after the summer and he does some touch ups and buffs it out, its gonna look even better. Now I just need to get motivated to re-wire the dang thing so I can get a stereo in there.

I know I have said it before, but thanks to both of you guys, Justin and Kirk for your help through the winter. I wouldn't have come close to the progress without your help and direction in particular.

[Colorado75bronc]

Looks awesome

[plumbdoctor]

OJ gets a Beenie... Looks good, now get the harness and we'll put it in over here when "we" flip the turd back over

[Eck]

OJ gets a Beenie... Looks good, now get the harness and we'll put it in over here when "we" flip the turd back over

When are you planning to do that? I'm real tempted to make this happen. Only setback is that while the dash is pulled, I'd like to move the wiper controls and probably fill the radio hole. And obviously paint it. Still doable?

[plumbdoctor]

Yep, only down time is watching the paint dry

[Eck]

Yep, only down time is watching the paint dry

I thought some about this whole thing. I think I may get through the summer with what I have. When I pull the wiring and dash, I want to touch up the Raptor Liner, tweek the dash a little bit, and fix the glove box to work with the cage. Then I can spend some time getting it exactly how I want it instead of trying to rush it.

I do however want to swap out my gas tank ASAP so I can tell how much fuel I have. I know you wanted to pull some measurements-- would you want to help me do the swap if I bring it over when you flip the turd? When are you planning to flip?

[Eck]

A few snapshots from Orenthal's first trail ride.

[Justin]

Looks like a happy dog, nice!

[Error404]

How is the liner in the engine bay holding up? I've always wondered how it does with heat.. I've wanted to do it with mine.. since mine has no motor no trans now is the time to spray it.

[Geologist]

Great looking Bronco!

[Eck]

How is the liner in the engine bay holding up? I've always wondered how it does with heat.. I've wanted to do it with mine.. since mine has no motor no trans now is the time to spray it.

I have had zero issues with it in the engine bay. The ONLY place I have noticed any wear at all is right behind the gas pedal (maybe I shouldn't floor it so often!)

[Eck]

Was going through a bunch of boxes of junk during my move this last week and found some gems! This was my first Bronco-- my parents bought it for me my Senior year of HS back in 1996-97. I had it through my Freshman year of college and then sold it because I couldn't get it to pass emmissions and wanted something a little more commuter friendly. Man I wish I would have had the foresight to hang on to it though! It was also a 1969. Had I think a 3" suspension lift, 302, 3 spd on the floor. Loved that thing! It even made an appearance in my Senior Year Class video. Final shot was us driving into the sunset on the old Daniels Park Road ( I went to HR high school when HR was still a little country)-- and we threw our graduation caps in the air with the top off.

[Colorado75bronc]

Looks really clean! Nice!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Eck]

Started working on the dash. Bought the dash overlay from JBG and cut out most of the middle section. I then cut out the old glove box and am welding that piece in over 5 inches so that it won't hit the roll cage. I plan to move the gauge cluster to the other side of the steering column. Keeping the heater controls in the same place.

[Jesus_man]

Had a friend who shortened his dash on either side by a couple of inches, allowing the roll cage to fit much tighter to the windshield and giving better ingress and egress. If I re-do my dash, this will be part of the project.

[Eck]

Took the dash to get a couple holes water jetted. Decided to get the vintage tachometer from WH and mount it in the dash. So the speedo and tach holes will be cut by this weekend.

Also started my heater rebuild. I had gotten a new blower and squirrel cage for Christmas and it's a lot bigger. Had to cut a larger hole. Also grinded out all of the rust and am ping some new paint on the heater parts. I did purchase a new seal kit so I am hoping this thing will be a serious upgrade when all said in done.

I haven't done any research... YET... But is there an upgrade to the actual heating unit or do I replace that stock?

[Justin]

The heater core is a stock replacement. Good call on the tach, I've been eyeballing one of those. they're sweet.

[Gunnibronco]

I can vouch for the heater upgrade. It is a huge improvement. New "low speed fan" = old "high speed fan". New "high speed fan"= actual defrosted windows and actual heat you can feel.

I did mine in the truck (not recommended) when I turned it on, 40 years of accumulated dirt blew out my defrost ducts.

[Eck]

I've spent the last couple of nights working on my speaker compartments. I'm going to be running 2 pairs of 6x9 JBL marine speakers in the rear. I plan to bridge them with a 4 channel Kenwood low profile amp that will also fit behind the rear panel on the passenger side.



I'm also running the 6.5 JBL marine speakers in the front kick panels flush so I won't lose any foot space or have to relocate my emergency brake. I will also run these off the Kenwood amp. I'm using a steam table pan to enclose on the backside so they are protected from water and any dirt or rocks when wheeling. You can see in the picture that I'm gonna have to cut a corner of the fresh air intake, but I will just tie it into the steam pan and use some silicon or seam sealer to enclose it.






It was a lot of cutting and sanding to get everything to fit snug. I had to make some spacers for the 6x9's so they will fit with the depth. I plan to shoot everything with raptor liner so I don't think you will even notice. It'll be nice because I won't lose any interior space as the panels will fit flush. It was kind of a PITA but I'm happy with how it's turning out and am excited to have a stereo system that will be all weather and still hopefully sound good.

[Justin]

That looks really good! Curious to see how it turns out. I'd be tempted to use some bondo or something to blend those spacers in and make them look really nice.

[Jesus_man]

I am jealous as that should sound really nice! Someday I'd like to upgrade my system. Marine grade is a good way to go. If tower speakers for boats weren't so bulky I'd be tempted to run them. But then I think to myself it's just a rock crawler...

[Eck]

Just received email that my gauge has been restored and is en route back to CO.

Before:

Gauge Before.jpg

After:

Restored Gauge.jpg

Will be here just in time for the rewire this weekend!

[Jesus_man]

That's so awesome! Someday I hope to do the same!

[akaFrankCastle]

2k more miles and mine will be headed off for the same treatment.

[Digger]

Just received email that my gauge has been restored and is en route back to CO.

Before:

Gauge Before.jpg

After:

Restored Gauge.jpg

Will be here just in time for the rewire this weekend!

That's amazing! Looks great!!


On a different note, how do you like your rear seat?