Ferdinand - '85 Bronco 351W XLT "Phoenix" rebuild project...

[Ferdinand]

Evening gentlemen,

Bouncing around a bit due to time and weather...

Tonight I tried working on getting my driver's side door skin back together.
I need to install a new speaker, get the sound mat and insulation together, paint the skin, and reinstall everything.

On the speaker wiring, I read over Rembrant's thread and there are some realy helpful pics and info on that thread, but I was curious if there is a wire color chart for the radios and speakers anywhere?

I have been browsing, but can't seem to find anything. I thought for sure at least a chart was in here, but I could be wrong. We all look at a ton of info and sometimes its hard to remember where we see everything.

Anyway, if anyone has a any info., throw me a bone...

Happy wrenching!

[Gary Lewis]

Evening!  Yep, there's radio wiring info: Electrical/EVTM/1985 EVTM/Radio (Stereo)

[Steve83]

There are some tweaks, shortcuts, & upgrades in the captions of this album:



Most of it applies to '80-96.

[Ferdinand]

Thanks Gary, this is exactly what I was looking for!

Although I have to admit, I wasn't sure which radio mine was classified as 😉

Side note - so glad to see so many new members joining the forum!! I wish I could keep up in welcoming them 🙃

(Hoping for another Ohio/West Virginia/Pennsylvania guy to join! I dont see myself making it up to Canada anytime soon 😂)

[Gary Lewis]

Glad it was what you needed.

And, it is great to see all the new people.  We are up to 322 members.  

[Ferdinand]

Evening gentlemen,

Been tied up with life enough that it squeezed out project time for the most part. It has been good to see so many new projects to follow along with! (I have a lot of homework to do! )

Here is a little bit of progress since last report:

Finally finished up the driver's side inner door card. The sun had deteriorated the plastic in the typical fashion that these fade and turn chalky. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.







Here is the paint I ended up with. If you remember an earlier post of mine I was trying to use a desert tan off the shelf, but I was able to find a guy to custom mix some paint for me. I gave him one of my kick panels to try and match. You tell me if you think its close or if I should try for something closer for the passenger side.








*I am pretty pleased with the improvement. It is not perfect. Up close you can still see the texture difference. But, it is a far cry better than where I started.

I did go ahead and try to insulate the door and door card both before reinstalling. I did replace the speaker as well. (I'd really like to not have to pull this again any time soon!

[Gary Lewis]

It certainly is a huge improvement.  But it is really, REALLY difficult to tell colors on a monitor.  And especially when I think you took the pics under fluorescent lighting.  It is amazing to me how different lighting brings out different colors in even adjacent panels.

So the main this is whether or not you are happy.  If so, I'd do the other side the same way.  I don't think everything was a perfect match originally, so the only way you'll get them to match now is to spray them all out of the same can.

[grumpin]

I agree with Gary, hard to tell on the color match, but looks good! That's going to be a nice Bronco!

[Ferdinand]

Thanks Gary. You are right on the fact that the original panels didn't match that well to begin with! I am glad to have the chalky issue taken care of and I really like the sound of the door when it closes now since I added all the extra insulation. The previous owner replaced the window motor so I am good there as well.

I have a window motor and a speaker to put in the passenger side when I do it. I may not mess with that till later in the year though.

[Ferdinand]

Thanks Grumpin

It is slowly all coming together. I took it in for a front end alignment yesterday and she got the attention of everyone in the shop .

Exhaust install is scheduled for Friday. After that, I think I am finally road worthy!!!!

[Gary Lewis]

The difference in the door-closing sound is amazing.  Somewhere I have a video of the difference it made, years ago, on Dad's truck.  Much, MUCH more pleasing.

[Ferdinand]

So, I have to tote Ferdinand around on a trailer because I do not have plates yet.
(Looooooooong story)



Grateful to have use of my wife's grandfather's truck and trailer. But as you can see, it's a tight fit!





She obviously rides awfully tongue heavy since most of the weight is in the front. I am gong to try and back it up on the trailer for the one long trip I need to make. That should get the majority of the weight over the axles. Then, hopefully after that I won't need the trailer anymore!!

[Gary Lewis]

One long trip?  What's the plan, Stan?

As for backing it on, make sure you still have enough tongue weight.  Bad things happen otherwise.

[Ferdinand]

I have to run it about 2 hours North West (which will be more like 3 pulling a Bronco with a 1/2 Ton) to get an inspection. It's a long crazy unfortunate story but suffice it to say that when you have a few digits off from the VIN to the title, it is a VERY difficult thing to get settled!

After that I should be able to plate it and all will be well. (Lord willing)

[Gary Lewis]

Be very careful on that run.  Hopefully the trailer has brakes?

That VIN/title glitch sounds like a nightmare.  Ouch!

[Ferdinand]

Slow and steady wins the race they say.

The trailer certainly isn't anything to write home about but it is heavy and tracks well. It does have brakes.

I plan to head North Thursday. So I am pretty excited to maybe be driving this thing Friday 😎

~been a looooong time coming...

[Gary Lewis]

Yippee!  I will keep you in my prayers for a safe and successful trip.

Let us know, soonest.

[Ferdinand]

Slowly working on my punch list...

Got the interior cleaned up a bit.



Finished the axle vent, installed a rear-view mirror, replaced wiper motor wiring & plug (from Boneyard donor), & installed one of my horns. My rig came equipped with dual horns but I can't seem to revive the one 🙃. I only need one for the inspection 😉.

A big item off the list is the exhaust is finally done... Take a listen and tell me what you think:



I'm liking it... 😎

[Ferdinand]

Thanks Gary. I appreciate that very much.

You will certainly be the first to see Ferdinand's true maiden voyage!

I certainly couldn't have got this far without you and all the guys that have found a "home away from home" on this forum

[Gary Lewis]

It sounds great!  And, it looks great!  You are going to love it, and it will all have been worth it.  

As for helping, that's what we are all about.