1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

[Gsmblue]

Picked up nre wheels and tires on Craigslist for $400!

15"x 7.5" with a 5x5.5" lug patern. The tires are 235/75R15 Toyo open country H/T's

They are smaller than the 31x10.5 on there, hopefully it will look ok!

[Gary Lewis]

I assume that "nre" means "new".  Right?

Not a bad price for new tires and those wheels - and I love the wheels.  

[Gsmblue]

Lol! Indeed! Fat thumbs...

[Gsmblue]

Impulse buy of the day: New brake booster!



Much better feel. I went in to buy new front pads and rear shoes and just asked about the booster..

Might change out the rear slaves depeneding how they look. This is all happening because of the new wheels.. i am pulling the old ones off and it gives me a chance to do the rest of the brakes..

[Gary Lewis]

As I say, these trucks are like onions.  You keep peeling and crying, but soon you'll have onion rings.  Or a bloomin' onion.

[Gsmblue]

Totally agree, this is a hobby for me, so finding more stuff to do is fun!

Open End Chrome Center Caps have been ordered...thinking of just doing the slaves anyways... 🤣

[Gary Lewis]

Right way to look at it - it is a hobby.  Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

[Gsmblue]

Agreed. It is all about the journey. I am trying to take the time to enjoy it.😎

The wife has a friend in town this week from Germany, they plan on riding the Bronco everywhere!

I call that a success!

[Gary Lewis]

You, sir, have succeeded!  And it will only get better with the improvements you have planned.  Well done!  

[Gsmblue]

Thanks Gary!

I had no “oomph” in me today. Work was a slog... I did change out the oil sender in Espy.. now I am much happier with life in the middle of the dial!!

Small step, but now when I am driving I won’t be staring at that dial..

Really wanted to do the rear cylinders but did not have the energy...

[Gsmblue]

Revised to do list:

Short term (1-4 weeks)
Change out the wheels
Re-align steering wheel, I put it on a little wonky!
Replace rear brake cylinders and all pads/shoes
Vacuum hoses all need to be replaced so they are all blue 😎
Carburetor adjustment to lean off
Alternator cable needs to be replaced
Ground strap from battery needs to be replaced
Paint remaining interior trim (I have some spares from JY)

Medium term (4-6 weeks)
Blue top steering box (out of stock!)
Driver seat rebuild (needs a pro)
Tachometer
Shift indicator needs replacing
Map lights
Wire up KC daylighters
Sound deadening
Map pockets on doors
Drill out tire swing arm bolts. 2 are in there bad.
Paint/mount tire swing arm


Long term (who knows!)
New tires
Paint body work
Body mounts
Anti roll bar bushings
Radiator
AC (missing some components)
Dash pad replacement
Rear bumper (JY one did not work out)

[Gsmblue]

Replaced the rear brake cylinders, brake shoes, springs and auto adjusters. Put on the new rear wheels. Looks much better. The wife wants the 31inch tires on the new wheels...


Of course, having problems bleeding the brake system out... gave up doing it on my own and will get a friend to come stand on the peddle tomorrow.

[Gary Lewis]

I think I agree with your wife.  The smaller tires just look too small.  Besides, it'll make her happy.  

[Gsmblue]

Yeah, I will get the tires switched out when I have the brakes bled. Hopefully I can find some better tires by then..

[Gsmblue]

I got the brake/bleeding issue sorted out. I didn’t extend the self adjusters far enough! Easily fixed!

Front pads are practically new so didn’t change them. Discs and drums are in great shape.

The brakes feel great now, solid!

Put the new wheels and tires on, what a difference in ride quality! Even though the tires are pretty worn they ride so much better than those cheaper ones! Eventually I will put the same tires on here as I have on the truck, Goodyear duratrac 31x10.5

Adjusted the steering box mesh a little bit, feels better but still needs replacing.

So all in all she is in great shape, I am happy for the wife to drive it without me! There are still lots of things to do, but that is for me as a hobby 😎

So a few items off the list!

Short term (1-4 weeks)
Vacuum hoses all need to be replaced so they are all blue 😎
Carburetor adjustment to lean off
Alternator cable needs to be replaced
Ground strap from battery needs to be replaced
Paint remaining interior trim (I have some spares from JY)

Medium term (4-6 weeks)
Blue top steering box (out of stock!)
Driver seat rebuild (needs a pro)
Tachometer
Shift indicator needs replacing
Map lights
Wire up KC daylighters
Sound deadening
Map pockets on doors
Drill out tire swing arm bolts. 2 are in there bad.
Paint/mount tire swing arm


Long term (who knows!)
New tires
Paint body work
Body mounts
Anti roll bar bushings
Radiator
AC (missing some components)
Dash pad replacement
Rear bumper (JY one did not work out)

[Gary Lewis]

Excellent!  Your wife is going to love driving it, and the lady from Deutschland will have a blast.  Will they take the dog - it seems to be right at home.

But, where are you getting your blue vacuum line?  And, what is it made of?  I'm not sure I want blue, but I'm also not impressed with the quality of the stuff I've purchased.

And, how 'bout a pic of the truck w/the new wheels and tyres on?  Also, maybe a pic of the ladies driving it?

[Gsmblue]

Pics will come this afternoon for sure!

It is going to bloody rain tonight/tomorrow so the top has to go back on 😕

[Gary Lewis]

What day was I supposed to read this and then see pics "this afternoon"?  

[1986F150Six]

Perhaps his wife, the lady from "Deutschland" and the dog are still driving?

Did anyone notice the dog's reflection [3 posts up] is seen in the ultra-rare electric mirror? Nice!

[Gary Lewis]

That's a possiblity!  But, that makes me wonder.  His wife's from GB and would drive on the left and the lady from Germany would drive on the right.  But which side would the dog drive on?  

And, I loved the pic w/the dog in it.