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1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

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Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

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I think you will be pleased with the results.

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

Honestly, I am not looking forward to changing those pivot bushings, it looks tight in there. But there is no doubt the end result will be a quantum leap forward..

Unfortunately I have a lot of travel coming up and I am not going to get this all done for a bit :(

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

Pivot bushings arrived today. I can’t get to them till Saturday.

Looking at my ball joint press I am going to struggle with the sockets I have to assemble a press, my sockets are all too deep.

Any advice on how to press them out, preferred socket size or other tool?

I saw videos of people drilling the rubber out and using sawzall to cut the bushing sleeve, but that seems sub optimal.

firefire

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Hi.
I drilled around the senter pipe. Then knocked it out. Removing the rest of the rubber is not so difficult. Then I used a chisel and hammer to get the sleeve out.
Still on page 2 or 3 in my thread.
Greetings Stein

Stein.
1986 Bronco Eddie Bauer, 5,8L, 3 speed Autom.Tr
1996 F350 , 7,3L Powerstroke, 4wd, 5 speed Man. Tr.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Thanks Stein, I did see that on your thread. I will be prepared in case that is what I have to do.

I got the first pics of my rebuilt seats, picking them up on Friday.

A little out of focus, I will of course post better ones when I pick them up.

BigBrother-84

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Looks good!

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.

firefire

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

Nice seats 👍.
Pressing out the whole bushing may be possible. The pivoting arm is hollow. Dont think there was more than 5 mm of wall thicknes around each end of the bushing. Are you planning on using bushings from Energy Suspension ?
Greetingd Stein

Stein.
1986 Bronco Eddie Bauer, 5,8L, 3 speed Autom.Tr
1996 F350 , 7,3L Powerstroke, 4wd, 5 speed Man. Tr.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

I got all my bushings from Moog. They had an “improved” design and a standard, I got the improved.

I will try and start replacing them on Friday PM, I have a friend to help, but he doesn’t work on cars. I guess he can pass me a beer now and then!

firefire

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Hi.
Is it the Moog 8620 ? Then it looks like it will be an easy install being a complete bushing. Energy Suspension may be a little awkward being several loose parts to put together. Good luck. Only one beer pr. completed bushing 😄.
Greetings Stein

Stein.
1986 Bronco Eddie Bauer, 5,8L, 3 speed Autom.Tr
1996 F350 , 7,3L Powerstroke, 4wd, 5 speed Man. Tr.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Yes, that is the one!

As everything else was MOOG I decided to stay the same.

Not sure but I seem to have this built up in my mind as a difficult thing to do…

Also I have a slight aversion to the color red. When my friend was swearing helping me with the radius arm bushings he shouted at me, “Dude, the bushings are fine, leave them”. I conviced him to carry on helping me.

Once we had them changed out he asked me,”why were you so insistent on changing those bushings, they are fine”.

The response was simple. “They are blue now, not red.”

That may be the closest he has ever come to hitting me.

I am a little worried, he is my dentist and my appointment is coming up 😂

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Mixed bag of progress.

Only managed to change out the passenger side pivot bushing. I couldn’t access the driver side and didn’t have it in me to strip it all down again..

One day when I am not on a gravel driveway I will do it.

On the plus side i got the drivers side all assembled. I can’t torque the radius arm bushing down as I put the jack stand too close..

Touched up the paint on the brake calipers from a few knocks.

Everything looks good. Just need to bleed the brakes, put the new steering linkage up and put the wheels back on. Then I can get going on the interior and get an alignment.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

But that’s still PROGRESS, and progress is GOOD!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

BigBrother-84

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

I love these blue touches here and there, really nice!

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.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

And now with all four hooves back on the gravel!

Still need to torque the radius arm bushings and lug nuts and deal with the steering stabilizer.

But I will be able to move on to the interior for the weekend and worry about the alignment next week.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Yippee!!! Almost ready to GO!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Before putting the new seats in I wanted to inspect the flooring. Good job I did.

Didn’t get a pic before starting with the wire wheel, but it was crusty.

Got a few holes, my only option is to fiber glass until I learn to weld..

So cleaned it, POR15. Will glass it and prime/paint tomorrow to seal it up. The goal is still to get the seats in this weekend..

Only got driver side pics. Passenger side was better.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Your seats look beautiful!

Just a heads up to be careful that you don't seal the oval body mount access plate to the rest of the floor. At some point you'll need to get in there.....

Great job bringing Espy back to her former glory.

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.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Yes, it is looking good!

POR makes a filler for small holes, and POR15 itself will seal really small holes. But, as you've probably found, you want to have some cardboard under the truck as some will drip through.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Might want to seal it from underneath once the fiberglass has set and has bridged all the holes.
I haven't worked with POR but I know it's tenacious and very hard when cured.

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

Thanks guys!

Yes, i will have to wire wheel the underside and take care of that. Should have done that before the POR.

Probably use a scuff pad on my grinder and blast through it. Need to order more POR too.

My mind is a little scrambled - cot Covid… been fighting it all week along with a broken tooth..

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