Red, striped and renewed

[FrazerJames]

Here she is! First 24 hours of ownership. It wasn’t without a fight (stalled 2 blocks away from the house), but she’s home. Now to begin the “sitting for 12 years in a garage” rebuild/update process. As you can see she’s in ridiculously nice condition already. Most of the my upgrades will be mechanical, but I do plan on changing the appearance slightly:



Steps to salvation:
1. Fix the fuel issue
2. New Tires
3. Upgrade Carb?
4. Replace window seals
5. Rewire headlights
6. Add rollbar (With rear shoulder seatbelt attachment) and softtop
7. Move to the 81 grill
8. Change front bumper to chrome
9. Clear turn lens
10. Upgrade rear bumper and add tire carrier
11. Repair driver seat split seams

And that’s just what I know about. I haven’t even dug into the brakes condition (although they feel pretty good so far). Pretty excited to get this thing going!

[FrazerJames]

[Gary Lewis]

That is a REALLY NICE Bronco!  You've done well.  Chosen wisely.  

If by "rewire the headlights" you mean you are adding a headlight relay harness, then I'm very much in agreement.  These trucks need that in the worst way as the wiring and switches were marginal when new, and they are far from new.

[FrazerJames]

Thanks Gary! Yep! The relay harness!

I thought I saw a kit somewhere for it that someone was selling but I can’t seem to find it anymore. I’ll probably just collect the pieces according to your documentation.

[Gary Lewis]

Both LMC and JBG, as well as many others, sell a plug-in harness.  No need for cutting, soldering, etc.  That's the way I'd go.  There's a discussion about it here: http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Lighting-tp66231p66674.html

[Dorsai]

NICE!

[Sac79]

Very nice indeed, inside and outside!

[Rembrant]

She looks to be in outstanding condition! Nice score.

[FrazerJames]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Gary Lewis]

That's a wonderful looking Merc!

[ArdWrknTrk]

How much are you asking?

My preference would be blue or mustard, but it is, as you say, immaculate.  

[Machspeed]

Very nice! Can I ask what that sold for?

[FrazerJames]

A bit over $10K.

[FrazerJames]

First step - getting it from the street to the garage. The battery definitely needed charging. The starter is working much better with actual power. :)

Still took a while to get it running though. I still think it’s a fuel issue so I’m dropping the tank and replacing the sending unit (probably this weekend). I took some video of it running because I could hear some sort of rhythmic wheeze or “honking” coming from the engine bay while in idle. By the time I got the hood up and filming it was just going away, so this video probably won’t help identify it. Of note, though, is the clear fuel filter I’d like some insight on. In the mercedes there is usually some air in the prefilter. Not sure if it’s the same for the Ford... While in idle for a while it started dropping rpm and going back up. I assume that’s the carb doing its job, but, again, I’m new to carbs...

[Gary Lewis]

I don't hear the "wheeze" in the video.  A bit of clatter though.

And the fuel filters I've installed do about what yours is doing.  Air in them is normal from what I've seen.  Apparently the relatively low pressure and flow don't push all of the air out.

[FrazerJames]

Yeah, it went away right as I started filming. Sounded like maybe a poor vacuum seal? Or maybe the vacuum pump struggling?

The clatter you’re referring to - fuel related? I’m not sure how they sound in good order.

[1986F150Six]

Beautiful Bronco!

[FrazerJames]

Thanks for the compliment!

Gary - The clatter you’re referring to - fuel related? I’m not sure how they sound in good order.

[FrazerJames]

Ugly on the inside. Yikes. Just replacing the whole tank at this point.

I’m wondering how to check to see if the hard lines need to be replaced up to the pump.

Also, there’s a black plastic hose that when from the tank to the filler - I assume it’s an air release for easier pumping? Either way, I accidentally removed it and have no idea how to put it back.







1983 Bronco 4.9 300 I6
Current Name: Whitney

[IDIBronco]

That is one nice looking bronco.  Very jealous of the condition yours is in.