Nothing Special's '71 Bronco

[Gary Lewis]

.... And, it is stout....

.... They look really stout....

What's the line? If that's a compliment I thank you!

Seriously, I got the "great job" and "well done" in the replies, and I definitely thank you. But I've also received comments that these will lower my cg significantly! It is a little heavy (about 50 lbs by my calculations), but no heavier than the aftermarket rocker guards I bought a while back but couldn't use (they were intended to screw to the stock rockers, and mine were already too rusted away for that).

And yes, it is stout!

Yep, that was Dad's line. But he usually said it when he knew full well it wasn't intended as a compliment.

Anyway, I like stout, especially in something that's to protect the vehicle. And if you can get those bad boys solidly connected to the vehicle they'll certainly protect it.

Plus, you will have good jacking points.

[Nothing Special]

Yep, that was Dad's line. But he usually said it when he knew full well it wasn't intended as a compliment....

I've got that, and was jokingly taking the "stout" comments as if they weren't intended as compliments. But I didn't want the joking to cover the fact that in context there was nothing remotely derogatory in either your or Jim's post.

So all joking aside, thank you! And yes, I think it'll hold up well. (Now to get it attached and then do the other side )

[Nothing Special]

Yep, that was Dad's line. But he usually said it when he knew full well it wasn't intended as a compliment....

I've got that, and was jokingly taking the "stout" comments as if they weren't intended as compliments. But I didn't want the joking to cover the fact that in context there was nothing remotely derogatory in either your or Jim's post.

So all joking aside, thank you! And yes, I think it'll hold up well. (Now to get it attached and then do the other side )

It's attached! Today I drilled and plug-welded 69 holes. That went pretty well. The old sheetmetal burned through in a few places, but generally it worked really well to start the weld on the solid metal of the 4x4 in the center of the hole and play the puddle out to get the sheetmetal.

I also laid a bead along the edge of the door sill where it meets the new rocker. I don't expect a lot of strength out of that bead, but otherwise there was going to be a sharp sheet metal edge right where peoples legs bump it getting in and out.

I still need to grind the exposed welds smooth(er) and paint it. Hopefully that will get done tomorrow.

[Gary Lewis]

It's attached! Today I drilled and plug-welded 69 holes. That went pretty well. The old sheetmetal burned through in a few places, but generally it worked really well to start the weld on the solid metal of the 4x4 in the center of the hole and play the puddle out to get the sheetmetal.

I also laid a bead along the edge of the door sill where it meets the new rocker. I don't expect a lot of strength out of that bead, but otherwise there was going to be a sharp sheet metal edge right where peoples legs bump it getting in and out.

I still need to grind the exposed welds smooth(er) and paint it. Hopefully that will get done tomorrow.

Looks great! With all those welds it isn't going to go ANYWHERE! I think that's a winner.

[ArdWrknTrk]

It's attached! Today I drilled and plug-welded 69 holes. That went pretty well. The old sheetmetal burned through in a few places, but generally it worked really well to start the weld on the solid metal of the 4x4 in the center of the hole and play the puddle out to get the sheetmetal.

I also laid a bead along the edge of the door sill where it meets the new rocker. I don't expect a lot of strength out of that bead, but otherwise there was going to be a sharp sheet metal edge right where peoples legs bump it getting in and out.

I still need to grind the exposed welds smooth(er) and paint it. Hopefully that will get done tomorrow.

Awesome!

That bead will blend right in with a 24 or 36 grit flap disc.

I love those things. It's like taking a torch to a stick of butter.

 

[Nothing Special]

Awesome!

That bead will blend right in with a 24 or 36 grit flap disc.

I love those things. It's like taking a torch to a stick of butter.

Thanks!

Life is getting a little in the way right now. I did make time to grind out the welds last night, but not time for pictures or posting until now. And today I took a long lunch and hit it with some black spray paint. The plan this evening is to put it all back together and go to Dairy Queen! (trips to Dairy Queen are the main reason in my family for having a soft-top toy car)

[1986F150Six]

Thanks!

Life is getting a little in the way right now. I did make time to grind out the welds last night, but not time for pictures or posting until now. And today I took a long lunch and hit it with some black spray paint. The plan this evening is to put it all back together and go to Dairy Queen! (trips to Dairy Queen are the main reason in my family for having a soft-top toy car)

And, all should agree, family comes first!

[Gary Lewis]

And, all should agree, family comes first!

Is it family or ice cream that come first?

Seriously though, Bob, I gotta see it in the daylight! Show us some pics, maybe with ice cream?

[Nothing Special]

And, all should agree, family comes first!

Is it family or ice cream that come first?

Seriously though, Bob, I gotta see it in the daylight! Show us some pics, maybe with ice cream?

I gotta see it in the daylight too!

It's clouding up right now, so we'll have to see how good a picture I can get. But I definitely plan to get it out of the garage this evening

[Nothing Special]

I gotta see it in the daylight too!

It's clouding up right now, so we'll have to see how good a picture I can get. But I definitely plan to get it out of the garage this evening

So plans changed a bit. I thought it'd take me longer to get it on the road, so I figured we'd have eaten before it was ready, so we'd go to Dairy Queen for a later dessert. But it was ready before dinner, so instead we went to Zantigo for some Minnesota-Mex.

Nothing too obvious in that shot, which was a part of what I was going for. But here are some closer looks.

I think it turned out pretty well! Lesley even likes how it looks and, at least so far, isn't too annoyed with getting in and out over it (you do tend to bump the rash rail a bit getting in especially, but it doesn't really stick out far enough to be useful as a step).

This was also the maiden voyage for the hydroboost and rear drum brakes. The pedal is very high, which I don't think is a problem, but it does start to slow down noticeably (annoyingly so) as soon as your foot touches the brake. It doesn't seem to be dragging when your foot is off the pedal, but it'll at least take some getting used to.

Other than that the brakes have great feel. They are very firm, but it still takes a fair amount of pressure to stop hard. Not too much, but enough that there's no danger of kissing the windshield when you're only looking to slow down.

It was also the maiden voyage for my Father's Day gift: the Pluto hanging from the mirror (the magnet on the ash tray has been there a couple years already)