74 Baja Race Bronco - Baja or Bust

Post by **landshark** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:31 pm

So some of you know that I have decided to race in the 2019 NORRA Mexican 1000 and now that i have decided a direction and Bronco to build I thought I woudl start this thread to document my progress and hopefully garner some interest to help out, be apart of the chase team and more. I don't have all the fine details sorted just yet, as it took me a few months to figure out exactly the way forward for the build. Essentially after discussing with several members of this forum and family it seemed a bit short sighted to tear my running and driving 72 apart - literally, instead of passing it on to the next person to enjoy as a daily driver or a great starter for a build. In place of it, buy a roller and build that into my baja rig.. so that's what I did.. or at least the buy a roller part so far.

This is the 72 that I will be selling -

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and here is the 74 that followed me home today - no running gear, Dana44 front. Yes of course there is some rust - will repair most of it.

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found a horseshoe under the seat

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Post by **landshark** » Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:38 pm

progress tonight, rust looks worse than it is... lots of surface, lots of fred flinstone

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tomorrow I will continue to strip stuff off and have a good look at what needs to be repaired!

Post by **phyler** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:22 am

Oh, this should be a great thread. I was very jealous over the Baja trip. This will be great to follow. Happy to lend a hand when needed.

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Post by **Kinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:52 am

IΓÇÖd like to donate some parts if you are interested, letΓÇÖs talk over the phone then meet at my storage. Also, do you have a pit crew together?

Strike2 · Post by **Strike2** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:39 am

This is totally cool! Congrats of starting the journey
IΓÇÖll be following the build for sure popcorn

,the horseshoe is a great sign and needs to be kept with the Bronco imo

Post by **Jesus_man** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 4:48 pm

Oh man, this is going to be great!! So what are your overview plans? Suspension, power etc??

Post by **pgilbeau** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 5:37 pm

Definitely interested to follow this build as I have thought about the NORRA thing after seeing Brad and Roger Lovell run their Bronco. Any idea on what class your going to run?

Post by **landshark** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:21 pm

Kinder wrote:IΓÇÖd like to donate some parts if you are interested, letΓÇÖs talk over the phone then meet at my storage. Also, do you have a pit crew together?

No pit crew yet, just trying to get my crap together and get the ball rolling first. ideally it would great to have 3-4 people in a chase truck/trailer.

I will give you a call this week. Unfortunately I am at a customer site all day every day for at least a week, maybe two so unable to do anything during the day at the moment. Nice thing is there is lots of patching to do in the mean time!

Post by **landshark** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:17 pm

Jesus_man wrote:Oh man, this is going to be great!! So what are your overview plans? Suspension, power etc??

Basics are 351W (still talking to the engine builder on stroker or not), C4 with manual reverse valve body, Dana20 hardened output shaft/tail housing, 1350 rear drive shaft, 9" big bearing trussed housing with full spool, 4.56 gears, 33" tires 15" rims, 2.5" lift, no body lift, 2" Fox shocks at all 4 corners, coils and leafs, custom cage, 33 Gallon fuel cell etc etc etc.

pgilbeau wrote:Definitely interested to follow this build as I have thought about the NORRA thing after seeing Brad and Roger Lovell run their Bronco. Any idea on what class your going to run?

I will be running in the Pioneer class which is the same class as the baja bronco - mark and Toddz and the 69 bronco driven by Boyd Jaynes and Brian Godfrey , basically the rules are stockish suspension points, 35" tires or smaller, rear leafs, nothing mroe fancy than a 2" reservoir shock, anything goes as long as it was available during the years the body style was produced.

Post by **landshark** » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:50 pm

Finished stripping the inside and engine bay, will move on to removing the fuel tanks, ebrake and all the other stuff I won't need or needs replaced.

No big surprises as far as rust repair is concerned, a little disappointed in the amount of rot in the drivers side cowl, not an easy patch but I have done it before. I think i can salvage enough of the door post to replace just the back cover, will know when i cut stuff away.

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Engine bay is straight forward, both side skirts, I am thinking i will just replace the entire driver side kick panel as i already have it.

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Both floor pans are long long gone, matter of fact the floor mat was resting on top of the aux fuel tank, you could fred flinstone this thing easy. Will also be doing some quick patching to the rear bed in the corners and along the wheel well. This will never be restored so not going to be anal retentive about the patches or welds - must resist!

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Checked the fuel cell fitment - ready to roll!

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and of course my helper for the day, always there for encouragement and advice. I think he's telling me i have a better chance of being a quarterback than getting this thing ready in time!

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Post by **Gunnibronco** » Tue Jul 10, 2018 6:29 am

Good luck with this Chris! Looking forward to seeing this all come together.

Post by **landshark** » Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:03 pm

I will be working on this junk all weekend. If any of you want to swing by please do. Most of you have my details and locations. Will be cutting and welding.

Post by **landshark** » Sun Jul 15, 2018 5:18 pm

Did some work this weekend. Should have the front passenger side floor pans and other patches welded in by tue night. Will then move to the drivers side which is going to be a bear.

Post by **Mr. Lav** » Tue Jul 17, 2018 6:30 pm

Looking good.

Post by **pgilbeau** » Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:14 pm

Looks like your making some good progress, keep it up.

Post by **Rox Crusher** » Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:15 pm

Will this rig be capable of a run up pikes peak against Aaron Kaufman next year ?

Post by **landshark** » Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:34 pm

Rox Crusher wrote:Will this rig be capable of a run up pikes peak against Aaron Kaufman next year ?

You bet!

Speaking of which I will be pushing hard next week to finish sheet metal patching, so if anyone gets ants in their pants to have some cutting/welding fun let me know and swing by. Will be working most evenings and expect all weekend after Monday.

Post by **Jesus_man** » Wed Jul 18, 2018 6:01 am

I so wish I could come help and learn some body work from you!!

Post by **landshark** » Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:01 pm

Things are starting to show up, better get my butt in gear!

Reverse gate will replace the standard pattern, itΓÇÖs on the way.

Post by **Viperwolf1** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:47 pm

Lots of things appearing.

Post by **Jesus_man** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 4:48 am

Time to turn some wrenches!

Post by **cravenbronco** » Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:18 am

Sweet
Can't wait to see the end result

Post by **landshark** » Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:31 pm

Driver floor pan in. Kick panel and door post will be in tomorrow. Need to repair cowl a little then moving to the bed area repair.

Post by **landshark** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 9:36 pm

Body panel Replacements done, will tackle more body work later. on to the fun stuff. Will pull the body off this week and start reinforcing the frame and building suspension.

Post by **Jesus_man** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 6:44 am

That is a lot of coolness!!

I've always wanted one of those pinion guards.

Post by **Justin** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 6:28 pm

Ruffstuff currently has them on sale.

Post by **landshark** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 7:08 pm

Sprayed primer and seam sealed most of the repairs, built a rolling stand for the body. Rear disk brake kit came in.

cw72 · Post by **cw72** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 3:49 pm

Nice looking disc kit. I have a similar style on my 14b, but IΓÇÖve been having problems with those calipers seizing up after what seems a season of use. Going to be swapping in these next go around, hopefully better luck and more stopping power while IΓÇÖm at it. https://www.wilwood.com/calipers/Calipe ... l%20Piston

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Post by **crawlercreations** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:42 pm

cw72 wrote:Nice looking disc kit. I have a similar style on my 14b, but IΓÇÖve been having problems with those calipers seizing up after what seems a season of use. Going to be swapping in these next go around, hopefully better luck and more stopping power while IΓÇÖm at it. https://www.wilwood.com/calipers/Calipe ... l%20Piston

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I have those calipers front and rear on my bronco. I can't directly compare them to the standard calipers but I will say I can lock up all 4 40" tires more easily than should be with manual brakes. Lightweight and well built.

Post by **landshark** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:24 pm

We will see how this kit does, itΓÇÖs the ruff stuff early bronco kit. I didnΓÇÖt want bolt on and this one seems decently built and priced better than most.

www.ColoradoClassicBroncos.com