1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

[Gsmblue]

Lol!

I was just fighting this issue in excel… pesky Europeans!

But this is definitely July 10th.

The week of July 4th I have as vacation, the plan is to finally get the front end rebuilt and sound deaden the rest of the interior, basically the flooring. The seats will be out anyway so may as well pull the carpet up.

As I have all week, I will see what else I can afford to do. I would love to get the rear springs and rear axle seals done if I have the available funds, been an expensive year around here though..

[Gary Lewis]

I think the Europeans have it right and we have it wrong.  Day/month/year makes more sense than month/day/year.  But I just wanted to remind you that I remember your heritage.  

Good luck on the week's work.  Should go well and I'll bet you'll be pleased with the sound deadening.

[Gsmblue]

Finally got the fender flares on. Looks much better in person.

Gave Espy a quick wash down and wax too. Need to paint the doors and tailgate still.

I dialed the eddy 1406 carb back to stock so i can take another stab at tuning it..



Getting close to the front end rebuild. I have a week off coming up!

[Gary Lewis]

Looks great!  Espy is a doll!  

[Gsmblue]

Passenger side partly stripped down. Borrowing a pickle bar from a friend later.

Spindle is pitted where the bearing seats, should replace? I see graveyard have them for $125 each …. Ouch…



Spindle:

[BigBrother-84]

Which one of your fleet is it?


Still talking about Espy?

[Gsmblue]

Lol! This is indeed Espy.

Any recommendations for a place to get spindles? Summit was very expensive

[ArdWrknTrk]

Spindles are never cheap, especially if you want OEM quality Dana/Spicer product.

I've found that JBG has the best prices and prompt shipping. (when I've needed driveline components)

 https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Dana-44-Spindles-Lockouts/products/1091/

I haven't gone hunting for better prices. I'm just a satisfied customer.

[Gsmblue]

Thanks, I ended up ordering from JBG last night for the same reasons, just been happy with their service and quality.

But now this project gets pushed out a week 😫

[Gsmblue]

So while I am waiting for the spindles to arrive a couple of things have happened.

1. I dropped the seats and the cloth off to the upholstery guy today. Should get them back sometime next week
2. I installed a new amplifier for the stereo. I went from the Infinity Reference series to the Infinity Kappa series so they now match the Kappa speakers. The amplifier is smaller and sounds much cleaner. It is fused at the same 2x30A. I used an oscilloscope to match the output of the stereo to the amp and all that good stuff.
3. cleaned up the grounding for the amplifier.

I need to get a ball joint press tool, can't believe it is $90 from Horrible Fright!!

No idea when the spindles will arrive so may start pulling the carpet out so I can put some sound deadening down.

Really want to get this done over the next week, but it is gonna be HOT!!

[Gary Lewis]

That's cool, but I would like to understand how you "used an oscilloscope to match the output of the stereo to the amp"?  I'm not doubting it, just wanting to understand so I might be able to do it.  

[Gsmblue]

My process.. I play most of my music from my phone.

Download signal generator app.

Connect phone to stereo via Bluetooth

Set tone to 1kHz

Turn phone volume to max

Attached scope to stereo phono leads to see when the sine wave started to clip, backed down to clean signal, stereo registered 44 on the dial out of 50.

Leave stereo at 44

Connect amp, not speakers. Attach scope to speaker terminals and dial the amp gain till clips then back off. This is your max clean signal.

Not too complex.

[Gary Lewis]

Well done!  That makes sense to me.  Thanks!  

[Gsmblue]

Thank you YouTube!

A The spindles arrived just now too.

Gonna be a busy weekend..

[Gsmblue]

Slow progress, but progress!

Passenger side:
Radius arm bushing replaced
Upper and lower ball joints replaced
Spindle and bearing repalced
New Bilsteins shocks installed
New spring installed



Decided to stop there for the day. The rotor/hub install shouldn’t be a stress and will try and do it tomorrow

[Gary Lewis]

Yippee!  

[Gsmblue]

Got the passengers  side finished up. I didn’t get a good pic before the wheel went on though.

So the fancy blue caliper is hiding back there!

Started on the driver’s side. Got the ball joints in. The lower one was a total mare but we got it in.

Any advice on how to change the radius arm bushing? It looks like there is less wiggle room on the driver’s side.

[firefire]

Hi. I used a lashing strap to help pull the radius arm out of its bracket. Page 3 Fixing Eddie.
Greetings Stein

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, pull the axle forward with a come-along, ratchet strap, etc to get to the bushing.

[Gsmblue]

Thanks!

It was a tough one. In the end decided to pop the drive shaft out, undo the pivot bushing and then  it was free and easy. We did sacrifice the vent tube in the process 😫

Of course the pivot bushing was shot so I ordered a pair of them up, as I am this deep it wouldn’t make sense not to replace them. They should arrive next week but i will be away for work a bit, not sure when I will get to complete this.

One thing I do know, the front end will be tight as a tiger and once it goes for an alignment it will be straight as a die.