Gunni the ΓÇÿ66 Bronco

Post by **Kinder** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 10:57 am

The time has come for me to fess up that IΓÇÖm the current proud owner of ChadΓÇÖs 1966. As with a lot of things it was the right truck, IΓÇÖve always wanted a ΓÇ£grandpaΓÇ¥ Bronco, at the wrong time, Willem had totaled my F-150 hours before Chad messaged me. Anyway, I didnΓÇÖt waste much time before deciding a new truck wasnΓÇÖt worth passing on this little gem. IΓÇÖve named it Gunni as a nod to its previous owner and town from which it came.

Chad has spent a ton of time researching the quirks of the 1st year Bronco and acquiring all the correct parts for this rig. His hard work can been seen in the following threads.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8062

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8240

IΓÇÖve spent the last few weeks getting it running and road worthy. The engine needed a little sorting out with electrical, fuel and exhaust. All the lights work, brakes brake and steering steers. The correct, though crusty, interior was bolted in and I had Bobby help me find some AT tires to put on the tiny rims. I also wrestled the twisted bumpers straight enough to mount up. Finally, I pulled the NP435 out and put in a converted top loader temporarily.

The grand plan is a restoration with a few period correct additions like a Stroppe roll bar and Rancho overdrive. Also, some safety mods like disk brakes for the Dana 30 and 3 pt seatbelts. The resto is years away, I need to finish WillemΓÇÖs Bronco, then DeclanΓÇÖs Camaro and BSD always needs a few things. In the mean time IΓÇÖm going to drive it around Parker and keep it on the road!

More to come...

Post by **TOOLMAN** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:18 am

Nice!

Post by **D&D72** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:20 am

Well done! I'm happy to see you got it Kirk!

Strike2 · Post by **Strike2** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:51 pm

Congratulations on the new ride, its very cool!

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 5:21 pm

I wish I could have kept it. But I'm glad it stayed in the club, and that it will get a restoration, not a resto-moderation. I'm so happy it's back on the road!

Post by **BroncoRaider** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 6:24 pm

NICE!

Post by **Jesus_man** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:41 am

I can only hope to follow in your footsteps someday with a "grandpa" bronco of my own. I also got to think of something for my son to drive in 9 years! I look forward to watching you enjoy and then restore this one!

Post by **ZOSO** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 8:05 am

I was curious who got it. Great to see it on the road now.

Post by **cpldavis37** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:16 am

Very cool.

Post by **Rox Crusher** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:46 pm

that truck has so much character !

Post by **Kinder** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 4:16 pm

The future looks good for reduced RPM and maybe even 65mph!

Post by **Kinder** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 4:14 pm

I guess 50+ years of use isnΓÇÖt bad, I just wish it would have broken at home instead of 30 miles away. Good thing I remember how to shift without a clutch, of course the stop lights were a bit tricky.

Post by **phyler** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 7:18 pm

Kinder wrote:I guess 50+ years of use isnΓÇÖt bad, I just wish it would have broken at home instead of 30 miles away. Good thing I remember how to shift without a clutch, of course the stop lights were a bit tricky.

I have a stock one if you need it. Not sure if they varied between the years. Mine is from a 75. That is if you don't decide to just weld it up.

I had that happen to me in Glenwood springs. Had to drive home to Boulder. Just started it in gear then shifted. Total pain.

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Post by **D&D72** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:27 pm

I think I may have one as well. Lord knows I owe you!

Post by **Kinder** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:33 pm

Thanks fellas, already back on the road. I should have known something was up, it was needing more travel in the pedal to get it in gear.

Post by **D&D72** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:34 pm

Post by **rt9** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:22 am

Kinder wrote:I guess 50+ years of use isnΓÇÖt bad, I just wish it would have broken at home instead of 30 miles away. Good thing I remember how to shift without a clutch, of course the stop lights were a bit tricky.

Oh man. Should have called me. Got one in the garage.

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Post by **Kinder** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:45 pm

Goodbye lift, Gunni will be just fine without you.

Pics when the sun comes up.

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:04 pm

Post by **Kinder** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 8:04 am

So much better with the front lift gone, the PO (not Gunnibronco) that put the lift in did it right, all the items were welded in, serious pain to get it all out without hurting the original parts. Next is pulling the small lift block in the rear, should sit level then. I was a little concerned that the 50+ year old coil springs would sag, but they seem okay.

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:21 am

Nice!!

I wondered about those coils as well. It's really coming along. So good to see you breath life back into it.

Post by **Jesus_man** » Mon Mar 05, 2018 7:53 am

Looks great! How high are the lift blocks?

Post by **Kinder** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 3:15 pm

Jesus_man wrote:Looks great! How high are the lift blocks?

Rear block was 1ΓÇ¥, IΓÇÖm sure you canΓÇÖt see the change in this pic from previous, but blocks are out now.

Post by **rt9** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 3:38 pm

Looking great!!!

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Post by **Jesus_man** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 4:42 pm

You can notice a slight difference in how the tire is covered. It looks great!!

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 6:48 pm

Kinder wrote:
Jesus_man wrote:Looks great! How high are the lift blocks?

Rear block was 1ΓÇ¥, IΓÇÖm sure you canΓÇÖt see the change in this pic from previous, but blocks are out now.

There was a huge homemade steel bumper and Warn 8274 winch on the front of the truck when I got it. I bet the front springs were 2.5" or 3" lift, and the weight of the winch and bumper took 1.5"-2" out of it. I'm curious if Duff can tell you what lift the front springs were.

P1020981sm.jpg

Post by **Kinder** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:24 pm

IΓÇÖll see if I can get a part # off of them, if not IΓÇÖll measure them and try to find a comparison.

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 9:03 pm

Just something I had wondered about. That front bumper must have weighed a couple hundred pounds, plus the winch. I needed help to get it into the metal recycling dumpster at my neighbor's shop. I don't know what the weight difference between a 170 vs a 302 is.

I think Duff just introduced a 2.5" lift. I'm wondering if it was a 3.5" coil. I bet a measurement and a call to Duff or a post on FB could get an answer. Not really a big deal. I was considering putting them on my 72 at one point. It has an old Superlift lift with coils that look like they belong on a diesel F350. I'm sure it will test the quality of your dental work on a washboard road.

Post by **Kinder** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:09 am

The lift springs measured 18.25 -18.5ΓÇ¥ free length, a quick search shows 3.5ΓÇ¥ lift springs have a free length around 20ΓÇ¥. Free lengths are based on progressive springs. IΓÇÖll send the measurement off to Duff, but right now it looks like a 2ΓÇ¥ ish lift spring.

Post by **rt9** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:12 am

Kinder wrote:The lift springs measured 18.25 -18.5ΓÇ¥ free length, a quick search shows 3.5ΓÇ¥ lift springs have a free length around 20ΓÇ¥. Free lengths are based on progressive springs. IΓÇÖll send the measurement off to Duff, but right now it looks like a 2ΓÇ¥ ish lift spring.

I'll check mine too as our broncos are darn near twins. I had a huge bumper winch combo on the front as well. Yard art now... Lol

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