1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

[grumpin]

Gsmblue wrote

I really like the 10 hole rims! When I got this Bronco it had centerline wheels, look at earlier posts in the thread and you will see, I did not like them at all!


I need one more for the spare... but I can’t do that until I get the spare tire holder mounted, which I can’t do until I get the 2 broken bolts out!!

It never ends...

 Looked through and found your old rims. They are good looking rims on certain applications, not a Bronco, IMO.

More like a hot rod, maybe an early seventies Cougar or the like.

[Gsmblue]

Agreed! Still trying to find a home for them somewhere....

[Gsmblue]

Today I finally managed to remove the sheared bolts from the spare tire carrier mounting holes!!

As a result, I sanded and painted the carrier. In hindsight I should have done the whole deal in Black, the chrome spray did not finish well and will need wet sanding to bring it up..

The receiver on the tailgate was missing the rubber stopper, so I fashioned one from a bolt and silicon hose.

It passes the 10ft eye test, just!

[Tallyho]

I'm kinda digging the silver

[Gary Lewis]

Looks good to me.  But then I'm more than 10' away.  

Seriously though, the silver does look good.  It blends in.

[Gsmblue]

Ta!

The rattle can paint needs some smoothing out.. I will hit it with some 320 wet and call it good.

I did put up the old spare for fun, a 10 hole wheel has been purchased on eBay.

This weekend I also took car of a couple of small items:
Straightened the steering wheel
Set the timing to +10 degrees at idle
Set the idle lean mix
Ordered a new NSS
Replaced the washer fluid hose as it was leaking
Tried to fix the transfer case shifter boot... gave up!

All progress is good progress!!

[Gsmblue]

Pic 😎

[Gary Lewis]

Progress is good!  And you are making good progress.

[Gsmblue]

I was thinking how much work do I still to do on the Espy...  The answer is .... a boat load!

Although I am trying to keep a list of priorities, I think my list is incomplete.. But to make myself feel better I have redone my "To-do" list to include what I have completed so as I complete stuff I can move it down the list and keep track of what I have done.

So as best as I can tell the list looks like:



Short term (1-4 weeks)
Neutral safety switch
Radiator (Sprectra Premium CU560)
Vacuum hoses all need to be replaced so they are all blue 😎
Alternator cable needs to be replaced
Ground strap from battery needs to be replaced
Paint remaining interior trim (I have a whole new F150 grey interior from the JY)
Prep rust on body work
New seals for the removable top

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
transfer case shifter boot and trim
Map pockets on doors


Long term (who knows!)

Paint body work
Body mounts
Anti roll bar bushings
AC (missing some components)
Dash pad replacement
Rear bumper (JY one did not work out)
Rear axle seals
transfer case shifter boot

Completed

Installed Stainless steel braided Brake lines and flushed the system.
Replaced brake booster
Replaced rear brake slaves
Center Console and glove box locks replaced
Driver side power lock actuator replaced
Windshield leak fixed
Re-align steering wheel, 3 times…
Custom plates
New headliner
Replace power window switches and bezels
Replace power mirror switches
Replace power lock switches and bezels
New Alpine BT149 stereo
New speakers (Infinity Refernce) and wires
Painted dash needles
Fixed idiot light films on dash
Replace power steering return hose
Replace headlights
Replace side marker lenses and bulbs
Replace rear light clusters and bulbs
Remove all old extra lights and wiring
Replace all 6 shocks with KYB Gas-A-Just
Replace window wiper arms and blades
Installed all new weather stripping
Replace vacuum modulator for transmission
Installed center console
Replace battery terminal clamps
Installed new Edelbrock valve covers with new gaskets
Re-installed Edlebrock performer intake manifold with new gaskets
Installed new Edlecbrock 1406 carb and a new air filter
Installed HEI dizzy/ignition
Installed new steering column top assembly
Installed Borg intermediate steering shaft
Installed factory grill
New steering wheel
Carburetor adjustment to lean idle
Drilled out tire swing arm bolts. 2 were rusted in
Paint/mount tire swing arm
New wheels (Ford 10 hole 15x8)
New tires  (Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 31x10.5x15)
New rear brake shoes and springs (front were already brand new)
Installed washer jets
Replaced washer bottle/coolant overflow


I am sure I am forgetting some stuff I have done and some stuff that I know needs to be done..

The new spare wheel should be delivered this weekend then I can get a new tire on that.

It won't be long before the top has to go back on and that means I will need to get a bunch of stuff done ready for winter!

[1986F150Six]

Looks to me that you are over 50% complete on your to do list!

[Gsmblue]

It keeps bloody growing though!!!!

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, you've made good progress!  

I really like keeping track as it is so easy to think nothing is getting done when it really is.  Well done!

[Gsmblue]

Only a small update. I ordered the seals for the top, they should arrive next week before the rain does!

The radiator (CU560) and a new cap has arrived and is sat in the garage.

The NSS is the wrong one. It is a 4 wire, Espy has a 2 wire, so really just a back up light switch.... need to work out what the part number is, if anyone knows please let me know.

And today, the spare wheel and tire got an upgrade. Need a nice cover on there for the winter I think...

[Gary Lewis]

Ooooh, that spare tire and wheel look great!  Excellent upgrade.  But, they do need covered.

As for the NSS, see if this new page helps: Driveline/Transmissions/Automatic Transmissions/Neutral Start Switch.

[Ferdinand]

What a project! Glad you were able to document the progress! I am in a similar project on an '85. Thanks for the motivation!!!

[Gsmblue]

Thanks Gary. I am going to pull the old one out and take a good look at it. I am certain it only has 2 wires but otherwise looks identical to the first one on that list....

[Gsmblue]

Ferdinand - Are you going to start a project thread too? It is a great idea. It has helped me keep track of what I am doing and is a great way to get help from the rest of the people here :)

[Ferdinand]

Good call Gsmblue. I will try to sort through what I have thus far and try to put something together. I sure would love the feedback and input along the way!! It is a journey for sure, but then again that is what it is all about!

[Gsmblue]

Could not resist this cover!

[grumpin]

Where did you find the cover? Looks nice!