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1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

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BigBrother-84

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Gsmblue wrote

This was a much bigger project than planned.

I feel I read at my own story...
This is the case of almost every job I did on Big Brother. But I have absolutely no regrets!

Nice result! Too bad for the bugs, they are now part of your truck.

Jeff / 1984 F350 Crew Cab 4x4/5.8L w351 4V/ T18/ D50 4.10 front/ 8' bed.
Restored 2019-2022.
Nicknamed «Big Brother 1984», due to its soooo-looong shape & nod to George Orwell's 1984 famous novel.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Congrat's!!! It is going to look wonderful!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

“Scope creep” should be my middle name 🤣

The joy of projects.

Wait till you hear the next one, changing the locking hubs is resulting in a full front end rebuild! 🙄

1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

The paint is all sorted and ready for a nice buffing in the spring!

The next part of the project is to rebuild the steering/suspension on the front end. Originally I was just going to replace the locking hubs for some nice vintage ones from fleabay. Then, scope creep..

The larger wheels and tires are definitely putting extra stress on the system and that sloppy feeling is back.

I have the front bodywork/grill partially dissembled due to the painting so access is pretty good. I am working out what I need to do here to maximize the opportunity of having it pulled apart.

So far my list of things I have bought verses what I still need to buy looks like:

Purchased:
Manual hubs
Inner and outer bearings
Hub/rotor assembly
Spindle bearings
Bearing seal
Radius arm bushings
Brake calipers
Brake pads
Rear brake drums and pads
Caliper/drum paint (blue)
Bearing grease
Bearing packer
Bearing puller

Yet to Purchase
Ball joints (Moog)
Ball joint press (rent)
Brake dust shields
Tie rod ends (Moog)
Steering links (Moog)
Bilstein 4600 shocks (quad set up)
Moog shock bushings (for stabilizer too)
Front springs

What else should I be considering while I am pulling this all apart?

For the record the sway bar was rebuilt already using Moog bushings.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Can't wait to see the pics of it all buffed out.

As for the steering, while you are in there you should consider a Blue Top steering box. Not cheap, but far easier now than later. And you may well wish you had when you get it together.

Also, the rag joint is frequently suspect on these. If you want to replace it Jim can show you how he did his using later components.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

I can't wait either.

The plan is to pull the doors and tailgate off in the spring and rebuild them. Then finish the cab/door jam/roof paint and reinstall it all.

I have the blue top box in and no rag joint as I have a Borg in there :)

Sounds like I have most bases covered then, just need to break out the credit card... The scariest part..

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

If you have the Blue Top and Borg in there, then your list will make a new truck of it. However, do you have the caster/camber eccentrics?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

I know not of what you speak..

Please enlighten me

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

I used Moog K80108 Caster/Camber Adjusting Bushings on Dad's truck, although I'm not sure those are the right ones for you. Anyway, they allow the alignment shop to dial in both camber and caster by tilting the top of the ball joint.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

More Moog items for my shopping list!

I will definitely add these in, thanks!

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I didn't know which offset to buy, unless you already have it on the rack and know how far out it is?

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

I have a MOOG parts list of $400 and a Bilstein parts list of $600(ish).

This got really expensive really quick.

Will probably just to the MOOG parts next month and then the Bilstein can be done later as those are easy. Th KYBs I have are only a few years old but looking pretty ratty already.

Not planning on driving Espy much this winter but want to get a number of fixes done. After the front end comes the back end, right?

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Well. As thorough as I thought i was dealing with the rust on the front fenders, it is coming through again already.

Not a big issue, as fenders are not expensive I am happy to just buy new ones.

My friend inherited a shop and a auto paint set up. He has no idea what to do with it, but he has a 1907s Blazer he is working on so we are going to learn together this year!

My question is: how hard/easy is it to replace the front fenders??

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

That's a bummer! But fortunately it is pretty easy to replace front fenders. There's not all that much that bolts to them, or vice versa, and they are the last thing to do in body alignment.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

As winter is winding down and Spring is threatening to arrive it felt like the right time to order all the front suspension parts.

So I did!

I decided that ai will take care of all the front end work and reassemble the front end not worrying about the little fender rust bubbling, Espy can the. be driven for the summer.

In the background I will source and paint front fenders and a tailgate, then bolt them on later.

Still need to work out carb tuning and AOD rebuild - a new neighbor offered to help as they have a shop and a lift AND EXPERIENCE - something I am lacking.

So all in all, a plan is laid out.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

That sounds like a plan, Stan! I like it. Drive it for the summer and then tackle the body work next winter.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

A small update. I have an appointment at an uhpulstary place tomorrow. They are going to look at re building/covering the front seats to match the original pattern that is on the rear seat. if they can't get a good match then I will look at have all of them done in some tastful blue color. They are booked up through mid July so it will be good to get this on the books.

In the meantime I will look for a couple of seats to put in so I don't lose summer driving time :)

And as posted elsewhere, I have painted the new brake drums and calipers. Still waiting on the Moog springs to arrive before tackling the front end rebuild...

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

SMS Auto Fabrics is supposed to be the go-to place for factory fabrics.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Espy is booked in for 7/10 to have the seats reupholstered. I am going with Heidi Regatta Blue vinyl with a Laguna houndstooth (blue and white) cloth insert. The price is high $2k for the front captains and rear bench, but the guy is old school and said it will take him a week to do everything.

While I was in there he was working on seats for a 1983 blazer that had the houndstooth cloth but white vinyl... So I totally went with that cloth insert, looks amazing.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

That's gonna be beautiful! And it is July 10th, right? Not October 7th? (Not sure who's convention you are using.

)

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

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