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My '83 Bronco

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Rembrant

Re: '83 build

Looking good Pete!

I wish I could do body work. I really want to try painting my truck, but I'd probably make a mess of it.

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

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

Well, lots of people have done decent work their first time out. Certainly there is enough material out there to keep you on the right path. Certainly I would help however I could.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

BINGO . . sometimes I just start opening boxes and bins and always am surprised LOL

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

Finally started the tailgate for the Bronco. Got the embossed panel cut, fit and tack welded. It's a start.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

Gary Lewis

Re: '83 build

Administrator

Cool! But it looks like it'll be lots of work to fill all the holes. Remind me where the embossed panel came from?

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

Rembrant

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by PetesPonies

Oh man, that's a lot of work isn't it...

Did the Bronco not have an embossed panel like that?

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Broncos did not have Ford letters, just smooth. As for the holes, you mean the spaces between the tack welds? If so . LOL. This is what I do. You want to get some spaced tacks to get panels fitted and flush. Then you come back and start putting more tacks, in between the others, until you have about 1/4" spaces. they you weld the 1/4" spaces. The key is keeping the heat down. Don't want to get the panel warped. Here's a Mustang I'm doing right now. It's a '70 Fastback. I'm replacing the right quarter, but keeping the ends of the panel original . .because repro metal sucks. So being that I do this all the time, welding that piece in the tailgate is a piece of cake :)

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

Gary Lewis

Re: '83 build

Administrator

Makes sense. Looks like really good work.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Steve83

Re: '83 build

Banned User

In reply to this post by PetesPonies

PetesPonies wrote

Broncos did not have Ford letters, just smooth.

'78-96 got Ford badges (either the word or a blue oval, either on the t/g or on a trim panel), and '66-77 had debossed tailgates:

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Here's a close up of one end that I finished. It's actually very flat, just like i wanted. There is some unleveled areas obviously as you can see, but dealing with the thickness of the sheet metal, no need to try and get it smooth as you may go through. Welding naturally causes some shrinkage and if it is controlled, it can be good. Everything is below the level line, so a skim of filler after sealing the weld, will make it perfect.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

And here's one I did today on the rear of that quarter panel for the Mustang.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

Rembrant

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by PetesPonies

Lookin' good Pete. I'll be doing some welding this winter myself...and maybe even body work if I get ambitious enough;).

Gary Lewis

Re: '83 build

Administrator

In reply to this post by PetesPonies

Yes, that looks good! I've done a fair amount of welding, but nothing ever came out that good. I'm impressed.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by Rembrant

I do it all the time. Its a good "something" to do where you can stand back afterwards and feel real proud.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

Gary Lewis

Re: '83 build

Administrator

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: '83 build

In reply to this post by PetesPonies

PetesPonies wrote

I do it all the time. Its a good "something" to do where you can stand back afterwards and feel real proud.

Nice job Pete. Just out of curiosity, what brand and size wire are you using?

I have a little Lincoln Power Mig 140C and have used it for some light autobody work. I patched the floor and replaced the rocker panels a few years ago on a little diesel VW Beetle I had. I'm going to be using it to weld-in new cab corners on the old F150 soon. I have gas for it, and I think the smallest wire installed at the moment, .025 or whatever it is (I'm not home at the moment to check).

PetesPonies

Re: '83 build

I use .023 - .025 . .whichever is available. No difference. I never use .030. Brand . . . .again, no difference. Lately I buy at Harbor Freight. Their 10lb reel is the best price. I go through a fair amount of wire and have never noticed any difference.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

Ferdinand

Re: My '83 Bronco

In reply to this post by PetesPonies

Man, Pete! This is an awesome project!! I am working on getting things mechanically sound. Then maybe, just maybe I might start trying to teach myself body work. My Grandfather was a body & paint man for Ford for 40 years in the Weirton WV area, but my dad was not too interested so I only remember bits and pieces from when my grandad was alive and that was a loooooong time ago. However, you are right on the info. out there nowadays. I don't know what I would do without YouTube... I can't believe we learned all this stuff by just trial and error and bloody knuckles before! Kids nowadays... so spoiled... 😉

Keep up the great work and juggling the projects. I laughed out loud when I was reading you and Gary's exchange on finding/losing parts. I'm living that life as well. 😂

I will be checking in for updates regularly.

Jamie Helmick
'85 Bronco 351W HO, C6, 4X4, Full rebuild @ 51k original miles (fire), Edelbrock air gap intake & 600 cfm carb. w/elec. choke. 4" RC lift w/35's. Check the Projects Page if you're interested.

PetesPonies

Re: My '83 Bronco

Thanks. My only problem is I have a customer's '70 Mustang. I'm building an Esso Station for myself, on my property. I am building a motorcycle right now, for myself. I am building the '83 Bronco and an '83 Ranger, all at the same time :) So I bounce from one thing to one things, as time or interest prevails. But I am ALWAYS doing something.

Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

Ferdinand

Re: My '83 Bronco

Boy does that sound familiar! 😉

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