Just bought a 1981 Bronco

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Just bought a 1981 Bronco

JK'sWay
Hi, from central Wisconsin.

I'm Jim, and I just bought my first Bronco; is this sharing like AA?  Just bought a 1981 Bronco with drive train modifications done, and the body in pretty great shape except the rocker panels.  It's just about exactly the project/toy I've been looking for.

It's not my first Ford, or Ford truck - been driving a '92 F250, 7.3L with a Banks Sidewinder Turbo and turbo exhaust & exhaust temp monitor.  I've had the diesel for 14 years, and it's been a great machine.  I use it as daily driver and haul fire wood for my wood stove, it's a great machine for pulling downed trees out of the brush.

I'm still happy I bought my Bronco, and am working on putting together the interior and cleaning up under the hood.  I'd really like to lower it though, 1 or 2 inches - it's taller than I'd like - - - gotta get some grab handles for the A pillars!!

Hope to cross paths on the road, or off...

Jim


1981 Bronco, 4.9L I6, Offenhauser C Intake, Holley 390 Carb, Hooker Headers, ZF5 Manual Trans - '95 F350, NP205 Transfer Case - '79 F150, Dana 60 4:10 Front Axle - '95 F350, Sterling 10.25 4:10 Rear Axle - '95 F350, Ruff Stuff Disc Brake Conversion, P/S, P/B
1992 F250, Ext Cab, 7.3L IDI, 4x4, Banks Sidewinder, Banks EGT Monitor
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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

Rembrant
JK'sWay wrote
I'm Jim, and I just bought my first Bronco; is this sharing like AA? 
Yes! Doesn't it start out, "Hi, my name is Jim and I have a Ford problem!". LOL.

Welcome aboard. I spent some time in friend's Bullnose Bronco's back in the 80's and 90's, but largey forgot about them until recently. They've really grown on me the last while, and I'd love to have one myself.

I'm working on cleaning up under the hood myself. Just finished rewiring a bunch of stuff on the passenger fender today.

Good luck with your project!
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
In reply to this post by JK'sWay
Welcome!  

I have an F150 and an F250, and would love to have a Bronco.  But, I don't have a problem.  Just everyone else.  

Anyway, glad you found us.  That looks like quite the Bronco.  Lots of neat stuff on it.  How 'bout some pics?
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

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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

JK'sWay
Hey, there,
   
    Don't know how to insert pictures yet, I can't get the 'insert image' to insert an image...
it's just adding file spec info...still trying...

    Would anybody have a clear picture (link?) under the hood of their Bronco that clearly
shows the wiring between the alternator, starter relay, and battery?
    I need one to compare the wiring in my '81, it's been altered...

Thanks
Jim

1981 Bronco, 4.9L I6, Offenhauser C Intake, Holley 390 Carb, Hooker Headers, ZF5 Manual Trans - '95 F350, NP205 Transfer Case - '79 F150, Dana 60 4:10 Front Axle - '95 F350, Sterling 10.25 4:10 Rear Axle - '95 F350, Ruff Stuff Disc Brake Conversion, P/S, P/B
1992 F250, Ext Cab, 7.3L IDI, 4x4, Banks Sidewinder, Banks EGT Monitor
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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

JK'sWay
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
Hi, Gary,
  Found the picture insert instructions, here goes again...

,

Hope I got this right...

Thanks

Jim


1981 Bronco, 4.9L I6, Offenhauser C Intake, Holley 390 Carb, Hooker Headers, ZF5 Manual Trans - '95 F350, NP205 Transfer Case - '79 F150, Dana 60 4:10 Front Axle - '95 F350, Sterling 10.25 4:10 Rear Axle - '95 F350, Ruff Stuff Disc Brake Conversion, P/S, P/B
1992 F250, Ext Cab, 7.3L IDI, 4x4, Banks Sidewinder, Banks EGT Monitor
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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Jim - Good looking truck!    Glad you got the Insert Image thing to work.

As for wiring, I don't have a pic, but how about the schematic: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/charge--power-distribution.html.

If that doesn't work I could take a pic of Big Blue's wiring tomorrow.
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

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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

JK'sWay
In reply to this post by Rembrant
Hi, Rembrant,
    Same here, cleaning up the passenger side, alternator/starter relay/regulator wiring, gotta do some studying to be sure things are what they should be.  
    Right now my charge gauge might not be reading right, it's steady at just right of center.  Bronco runs fine though, and no battery problems...



    After cleaning up the driver side wiring by pulling out the original ignition wiring, I checked the temperature circuit, it's good, but the is gauge stuck full cold, either the sensor or the connection is bad

    Fuel & oil pressure gauges reading normal.

    Studying wiring diagrams...
Thanks
Jim
1981 Bronco, 4.9L I6, Offenhauser C Intake, Holley 390 Carb, Hooker Headers, ZF5 Manual Trans - '95 F350, NP205 Transfer Case - '79 F150, Dana 60 4:10 Front Axle - '95 F350, Sterling 10.25 4:10 Rear Axle - '95 F350, Ruff Stuff Disc Brake Conversion, P/S, P/B
1992 F250, Ext Cab, 7.3L IDI, 4x4, Banks Sidewinder, Banks EGT Monitor
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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

JK'sWay
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
Hi, Gary,
  Thanks again, the tech references are great.

  Am studying them & comparing them to what I'm looking at under my hood -



  Tested my temp circuit & have good gauge response there,

  but practically had to run for my life at that point, and am now waiting for
the mosquito's to stop swarming so I can get back at it...

  Never had mosquito's like this before (central WI)

Thanks again

Jim
1981 Bronco, 4.9L I6, Offenhauser C Intake, Holley 390 Carb, Hooker Headers, ZF5 Manual Trans - '95 F350, NP205 Transfer Case - '79 F150, Dana 60 4:10 Front Axle - '95 F350, Sterling 10.25 4:10 Rear Axle - '95 F350, Ruff Stuff Disc Brake Conversion, P/S, P/B
1992 F250, Ext Cab, 7.3L IDI, 4x4, Banks Sidewinder, Banks EGT Monitor
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Re: Just bought a 1981 Bronco

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Jim - Glad that is working for you.  Good luck.  
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