Project "Old Skool": 78 Bronco

[Maverick]

Like I needed another project. I've already got a few I can't seem to get finished, so why not another right? Once again another rig popped up for a good deal I just couldn't live without, this time in the form of a 78 Bronco. Picked it up about two weeks ago, it was just over the border in Oregon. Made the 150 mile trip home with no issues. It's a one owner, 99% rust free, all original (down to the exhaust) 4spd truck with a 400. Runs awesome, previous owner had just dumped $1300 into it replacing the carb, timing chain, water pump, radiator, and all tune up parts. I paid $1000 for it

It is by no means a cream puff. Faded paint, interior needs work. The tailgate was replaced with one off a FS truck because the PO backed into a tree with it down. The right front fender is wrinkled and it has various dings, but the body is solid and it runs great which is what is most important to me.

It has been named project "Old Skool" because it will remain mostly stock in function and appearance. No fuel injection, one ton axle swaps, big lift or tires. I just want a clean, simple, reliable Bronco I can drive and enjoy without dumping loads of cash into. So far I've replaced all the ball joints, front wheel bearings/seals, and hubs. Next order of business is getting it to pass CA emissions, which will hopefully happen this coming week.

 

[Blake.]

hey look it's Juice Box's older brother!

Looks to be a good buy bud! good luck

 

[Colin]

looks good man

 

[jhammel85]

Man that is clean! We can only dream of something that clean here in NJ (damn salt...)

 

[Maverick]

Threw on some new wheels and tires today, Pro Comp A/T 33's on Cragar 15X8's with 3.75" BS. Keeping with the "old skool" theme I went with white steelies and white letters out on the tires. Normally I'm not a fan of either, but I think it looks pretty darn good.

Talked to my local smog guy and he said I needed to replace the tailpipe (rust holes) before I tried the emissions test. So it looks like exhaust is next on the to do list.

 

[Downey]

that thing is sweet wish i could find on in that good of shape

 

[Colin]

looks slick man

 

[Blake.]

it's amazing how much rims and tires can change the look of a vehicle.

normally im not a fan of the white wheels and white letters out either.
but it looks good on this bc its that era. like you wouldnt put smoothie hubcaps on a 2011 truck without some serious modifications to the body to make it look right.

I like it!

cant wait till i get rims and tires for my b2

 

[4.0B2]

I love it! I actually kinda like the look of it just like that. Idk if I'd even paint it! Lol. If you do. Stock is the answer.

Edit: didn't see the hood at first. Paint it back stock. Leave it simply clean!

 

[Maverick]

I love it! I actually kinda like the look of it just like that. Idk if I'd even paint it! Lol. If you do. Stock is the answer.

Edit: didn't see the hood at first. Paint it back stock. Leave it simply clean!

That's the plan. When the paint gets done it's going back to stock. For now I'm just going to prime/seal the hood to keep it from rusting. I plan on selling off my V8 Ranger project to fund this project so nothing major is going to happen until then.

 

[Maverick]

Picked up a used Dynomax muffler for free and had a new tail pipe bent up then installed it all myself. It has a nice sound without being too loud or droning going down the freeway. Passed CA emissions no problem

Next order of business is getting the hood dealt with to keep the surface rust from turning into to real rust. So I stripped it down to bare steel and dropped it off over at a body shop that owed me a favor.

 

[4.0B2]

that says a lot, b/c i couldn't pass CA emissions!

 

[Jim Oaks]

Awesome.

I love the old school look of older trucks.

 

[dixie_boysles]

mmmm me wants

 

[JoshT]

Next order of business is getting the hood dealt with to keep the surface rust from turning into to real rust. So I stripped it down to bare steel and dropped it off over at a body shop that owed me a favor.

WOW! I think if I were to strip the paint off the hood on dad's old 70 F100, there probably wouldn't bee anywhere that much left. If there were it'd probably be more Bondo than metal, I know for a fact that the bed's that way.