viven44

Sorry to hear there are gotchas with Leno's law. You'd think it would be as simple as "anything older than 25 years is exempt from emissions". That is how Texas is. The odds are most people (>99%) won't keep older vehicles. Baffles me that they would waste so much time (and for those) in the 1% camp. Some are worried that relaxing those laws will cause the 1% to become 10% (like this person).

Interesting, I thought LMC just re-sold Coverlay plastic..

Welcome to the forum ! We moved from TX to CA in 2017 or so and so fully understand the cultural shock aspect ! We nipped it in the bud and moved back to TX towards the end of 2018 as wife's parents weren't getting any younger, but we do miss the natural beauty of California and all the roadtrips we took there. Many pristine trucks in that area up for grabs, as California makes it a bit harder to own a classic with the emissions regulations. I think the Leno law has helped some though.

Wow, that's a nice truck. When I first looked at the pics, I thought "why did they run dual exhaust" and that the exhaust didn't look factory but the description says "Factory dual exhaust".... still believe the rear half of the exhaust past the cats may not be factory. Are those side mirrors factory ?

Yes, I agree it's not necessary, I've done fine in TX without AC. Having said that, I won't be buying another vehicle without an AC cab as the differences are too big to be able to add AC later. BB 2WD (non-AC cab). I wanted to do the AC conversion and maybe document the steps here since I had all the parts.... but BB 2WD is also perfect just the way it was made so I didn't like the thought of tearing into it. Well now this project will go on a hiatus maybe forever as the Broncos needs triumph needing AC. Besides, I already have 3 other vehicles with AC or AC-cab so I'm probably going to leave BB 2WD just the way it is for now.

The rain we have been having in TX lately has been crazy. I have the same cowl seal and can't seem to keep water out on top of the air cleaner and I just have given up (the water doesn't get close to the wing nut so there isn't any risk). My bronco is quite water tight, but this years ran has pushed water inside where I've never seen water before. The only other option to try is the garage door seal that Gary recommends https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/cowl-seal.html

Wow, that's great. I told Ronnie if he showed up with his "Big Blue" that he would have a good chance at winning something in the 90s class 😆

That's good, as my goal is to seek out the best parts truck possible with all the parts. A new radiator support comes bare there are so many little brackets that are unobtainable (Center support, hood latch, ac condenser mount) , the ones on mine are damaged and don't believe are reusable without needing to bang them up into shape again.

Guys, good news. Hagerty has approved an initial payment to commence the repairs, next steps per them is to take it to a shop and have the shop send a supplemental. But I'm not letting a shop do anything, except the frame straightening. Rest will be assembled by me. Hood repainted etc by me like last time, so honestly the amount allotted is more than enough in my opinion. The frame shop says they can pull to factory specs, but I'd feel comfortable if I can supply them with a radiator support first so they can lay it on and ensure it fits... shouldn't I moved back my appointment until a radiator support is sourced ? or do I just need to trust the shop that they will get it close to factory specs without a radiator support ?

Spent some time to get things running. Initially didn't want to move, Trans fluid was very low as the cooler lines up front were ruptured from impact, by almost a quart, after I added it moved just fine. So far water pump behaves, I might replace it just to be sure, but when I know the frame and everything is attended to. Just the fact that it runs and moves is a big relief, it can go into a little slumber for a while with periodic wake ups to keep the juices flowing. Next steps - next week sometime I should be taking it to the frame repair shop to get an estimate. If estimate is too high or has a "not fixable" result then long term goal would be to find another vehicle to move the drivetrain to. - But hoping it will coming in reasonably, and I'll probably commence the repairs when a good parts truck has been identified. My goal is to move the parts I need over and part out the rest to recoup as best as I can. IMG_9682.MP4

Yes the salvage to rebuilt title process is very easy in Texas.... The question on how Hagerty will insure a prior salvaged vehicle is interesting, I will need clarification from them that this won't be a reason to drop coverage. If that is the case, all of this would be a net loss... I would have to somehow find another carrier in order to be able to drive it...... 78 Bronco was supposed to be with Allstate. As much as I wanted to drive and drove the Bronco, reason why Bronco is with Hagerty and not Allstate (our daily driver carrier) is that Allstate couldn't find the VIN, they are used to 16 digit VINs. This is a big advantage of Bullnose truck (81 and on) that all the systems including Carfax likes them. I do think it would be fine, the page below shows Hagerty acknowledges salvage titles. A lot of times the vehicle is kept despite salvage-rebuilt as a "cherished vehicle" (if sentimental value was involved, etc) so I'd imagine Hagerty would take that into account. https://www.hagerty.com/insurance/classic-car-insurance/additional-coverages/cherished-salvage-coverage

Thanks Shaun and others for the motivation. I’ve sold vehicles and regretted again. I agree with you. The fact that it remains with you is consoling (strange how that works!). On this Bronco I’ve done too much to give it away to someone (that I don't know). I’d rather watch it getting scrapped haha after pulling all the good stuff I’m with you on that one. There are limits though if someone on Facebook makes me a ridiculous or even a fair offer that respects everything done to the truck, I won’t pass that up, but no one is going to do that. I think i would rather “not win” short term on the money front instead of having an eternal regret of giving it away As a matter of fact I’ve already begun remediation Spent a few hours today (until is started pouring outside) and got the radiator support out. Going to “hook up” my spare summit 3 row radiator just to drive up on trailers/moving the vehicle and what not. Damage observed so far to belt drive is just a bad fan clutch as the radiator jammed into it.. It has a lot of turning resistance at some rotational angles. Fan looks ok. Water pump seems alright but more to be seen as I get ready to run it again. I also got preliminary quotes for frame straightening for $1500 - $2500. Im confident this can be saved as of today. All it’s going to take is a good 2wd or 4x4 texas parts truck purchase with all the parts, however long it takes. At this point I’m wondering if I should take the money from Hagerty and retain vehicle with a salvage title (looks like i’ll only get $5-6k after salvage value deduction.. the other option is to decline the claim / payment and keep the clean title. Any value in retaining a clean title on this Bronco ?

Will do.... I think they will treat me very fairly. My issue is definitely the driving, I am driving these classics too much. Between all my trucks maybe 8K miles a year. That is probably too much for vehicles out of retirement... Hagerty has been very nice to me and their rates are extremely affordably, I feel guilty letting them take care of me here. I am also guilty for ruining something that has been original and good for over 45 years, I am afraid to take more of this in my record. I'm also by personality very much averse to accepting help of any kind, even if it is my employer (in the form of incentives or other help besides a salary-- yes this very weird, I'm wired wrong haha) and an insurance company. Self sufficiency is my goal. Where I grew up insurance isn't a thing, health or home or auto, everything is out of pocket. Anyway, I am reluctantly going to accept whatever Hagerty is going to offer me, if they raise my premiums that's ok, I probably owe them that back. I would then seriously weight it against what it would cost for me to buy it back. If that doesn't amount to much, I may refuse help. I'm not insured for much on this Bronco. It was ~5K value, last year I bumped it up to $9K as I put more money into it. I'm about $9K invested in this Bronco so far. This is intentional. I don't want more than what I've spent, in the case of my fault. This 78-79 Bronco is highly desired though (they made only 90,000 of these ever!!), there are many that are badly looking for even a damaged one. After I posted what happened on Facebook, I had several wanting to buy mine even with a salvage title after insurance payout..... I think I will regret selling it, but I am afraid to fix it and drive it again, as this isn't the first time I've spun out on a road making a turn when conditions were slick in the morning, not sure if its the torque applied on a short wheelbase that makes it worse + marginal driving habits. Maybe the best course of action is to get it somewhat drivable and go park it in our farm in Arkansas, just start it periodically to keep the juices flowing.... perhaps make a fresh start 5-10 years from now... Any thoughts and suggestions are welcome

That's true Matt, I still have Stripes and BB 2WD, positive in that regard. What hurts me most is the time spent on the Bronco, away from family. My wife had to tend to our young kids while I was away in the garage building this Bronco from almost nothing. I had also just dropped off my son at his daycare in the morning, just glad no one else was involved in this as well. Even the light pole was sturdily built. No damage to property or being. Police was called by someone and they arrived to check on things and didn't even file a report as there was no other damage. I do believe that things happen for a reason, and often a good one if one has earned good karma. Let's see where the roads lead me.

It can be fixed if the frame can be straighted out properly, not sure what kind of shop does that. The body panels are intact except the hood which I was never a fan of ever. It was another one off FB that I painted, not the best. I have a claim filed with Hagerty, the will either fix it or total it out and let me buy it back at some price point.