02/16/2024
I have been out of commission with a Herniated disc in my lower back, so not much work related fabrication or race radio stuff going on. I am remodeling my house and hope to be back in this summer.
I hope to get back to working on race radios and once my back is better start back on fabrication projects.
The Bronco, if you had not seen it, I am building a 1972 Early Bronco and putting it on a 4x4 Long travel TTB 1986 Bronco Chassis. The 86 chassis is a stronger frame, better suspension setup , wider and longer wheel base. I am building something Ford should have done, a Full-size Early Bronco. It will be a convertible with a Mastercraft race style bench seat in the back, fully caged front to rear and coilover's. I am eventually want to widen it 3-4 more inches per side and run 37 inch tires. But at first, just to get it back in the dirt, I will run it with parts I already have in my collection of stuff. One of my main upgrades will be a new motor and transmission. It is time to retire the Napa Autoparts 302 motor and the AOD transmission. I want more HP and a transmission that stands up to the sand dunes. So I picked up a few year's back a 351w from a 1989 ford Bronco and also got a freshly rebuilt C6 transmission. I plan to run a manual reverse valve body on the C6 to combat heat, but still run a torque converter. I won't have to worry about burning up clutches, I hope. ๐
I really want to stroke the 351w to a 408w or 427w. If I can get a Dart Block, then the 427w is the way to go, but if I stick with the block I have already, 408w will be the answer. I want to be in the 550hp range withe the torque in that same range. I am looking for reliable power on pump gas. I want to have my Bronco able to have more fun in the dunes than what I struggle with on the 302 and AOD. Don't get me wrong, I still did stupid jumps with a half cage over the rear seats and just stock seat belts as you can see from the picture of the Bronco at Pismo Beach a few years back. The 86 Bronco is the love of my life as far as toys go. Family second and God is first.
So in this time of back problems and house remodeling, I have been working remotely from home for a Audio Bible Minister called Talking Bibles International. We make a digital audio Bible for those that can't read their own language or can't see. Mostly we work with churches and ministries to give the Word of God to people in Africa and India missions organization, but we still work all over the world. I just finished Mastering a Language called Hatam that is spoken in Iran and the middle east and it will be given to villages for free by missionary organizations. I am a sound engineer and since I was 15 have been doing live sound for church, live sound for bands, some demo studio recording and post production remastering and audio restoration of Audio Scriptures since 1999 when I joined Audio Scriptures International that became Talking Bibles International. I still do sound at church when my back permits, but have taken a break from it and Rock band's and touring at this time. I would like to get back into music once the house is done. I am re-doing the home studio and may play around with some instrumental recording in the future. And yes, I play the Bass and guitar, but out of practice for now.
Back to the Bronco, well, during this down time I have been picking up parts when I find good deals on the Market place or Ebay.
I just made a deal with a old friend to help me with the heavy lifting and get the 72 body stretched and widened to hang it on the 86 chassis. I hope to have it in roller mode by this summer maybe the end of the year. Next year, maybe in the dirt. Doing some horse trading with the 72 axles, transmission and transfer case and I have a bunch of 1992 AutoFab fiberglass for another Bronco my friend has. I have all the fab tools to build a full race legal rollcage, so we will be working on a Willys Jeep for his son and his 1990 Bronco Project. Fortunately I have a lot of experience with the TTB Bronco suspension and cages for them.
It will be a lot of work, but fun to drive in the end.
How many people drive a Full-size Early Bronco? I only know of a few and they are awesome.
To give credit where credit is do, I did not come up with this idea of a Full-size Early Bronco. A long time friend for over 25+ year's , Glen Straightiff of Complete Fabrication and Co Founder of Agile Off-Road, was the fabricator that built the one I am using as a template and inspiration for my Bronco. Glen partnered with Chris Wilson to build and race in class 3 and 8 in a killer 2 seater Parnelli Jones inspired open cockpit with a wing roof. Their Bronco is a beast and convinced me for my 50th Birthday to go old school, so I picked up the 72 Bronco to use as a donor for my Project.
Eventually I want to put a car lift in the garage to make the Bronco project easier. I already had a friend check it out and we can fit a two post lift with a few rafter framing changes. I will be able to get the Bronco 5 feet off the ground, maybe more.
Once I start making progress I will post pictures.
That is a brief update, sorry for the long radio silence. I hope you and your families are all doing well .
Your Brother in Christ
David
