Need advice on winter project...

[Donziweasel]

I have kinda cleared my winter schedule of much work and have a great shop to restore something. Currently I am torn between a classic 1967-75 Bronco or 1970-1974 Firebird. Of course the Pinzguaer needs some TLC, but I am waiting till next year to do it.

I have body tools, painting capability, and every tool known to man. Which would be the easier resto as a first time project- the bird or the bronc? I have always wanted one of both and will have a lot of time to devote to the project from now until April.

[vonkamp]

I would think a bronco would be easier. with the price of gas, how bout an old motorcycle?

[TXDONZI]

Those are really cool, I leeared to drive in a 71. You can paint it the colors of your boat so it would make an awsome tow rig. There are alot of replacement body parts for them these days.

[BUIZILLA]

84-91 wagoneer woody

[zelatore]

While my girlfriend would agree with Buiz (she loves the old Wagoneers) I'd say go with a first gen Bronco.

They aren't exactly giving them away, but they're still probably cheaper than a firebird, and they are pretty basic vehichles to break down and put back togeher compared to a unibody car. Tons of support out there for them as well. Plus, you live up in the mountains where you could really find some cool places to play with it.

I wouldn't count on it being a great tow rig though for the same reason it's so popular off-road - short wheelbase. They aren't much bigger than a CJ.

[DonziFreak]

Firebird!!!! I have a 1974 Trans-Am, and I can personally say you will never regret owning or driving one of those cars!

[Donziweasel]

For my first resto, after doing some research, will probably be the Bronco. It is very simple, lots of aftermarket support and parts, can throw in a 400 cid beast. Just seems the easier of the two.

The Firebird will be next.

[BUIZILLA]

Bronco huh........

eBay looks good today...

[Donziweasel]

Happy Thanksgiving Jim. Got the turkey frier heating up as we speak.

Found some good candidates on ebay. Also found some good 351's for sale as well. Are you as knowledgable on the Ford sb's as you are the Chevy's? Might need a little help with the motor.:)

[BUIZILLA]

the only thing I know about Ford's is how many chain saws they haul when using tractor tires :hyper: :hyper: :cool!:

a EFI 347 crate motor with a C4 or AOD would be unstoppable, you could climb aspen tree's with it :cool: I like this project, keep me in the loop..

if you could find a 96-97 Explorer 5.0 engine and tranny and wiring harness, that would be a good choice

[Donziweasel]

I like the idea of efi at my altitude, as you know. Most of the broncs come with a three on the tree. I am not looking to make it perfect as it came off the showroom floor. Would like to change the tranny to a four on the floor. The rigs are inherently light, so any engine with 250 hp or more should make it move pretty nice. Would probably tow the 16 with no problem.

[Marlin275]

You can paint it the colors of your boat so it would make an awsome tow rig.
good idea ! :yes:


http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32896&d=1195760758

[Donziweasel]

Great Pic! I am thinking about a 351 Windsor around 350 hp, a Borg-Warner T-18 tranny with dana's. This will give me plenty of power, a granny 1st, and three up top. Won't be running it over 60 mph, so I am not too worried about the upper three gears. Plus, the T-18 is synchronized gears 2-4. Found a good donor rig and inexpensive 351 crate. Going to have to dress it up some, paint it the color of the Bronco, etc...Finding the T-18 might be harder as it is a popular choice for Jeep conversions.

Thinking a 2 inch lift, some 31 inch tires, a nice clean interior. Don't want it too "redneckie". I am going to put some thunder in the exhaust though. Made a bid on it on e-bay and have 3 days to wait. Hopefully I will win it. Now what color to paint it?

[BUIZILLA]

you bidding on the yellow one or the white one?? the champagne one has good features...

[Donziweasel]

This is the one, looks clean, not modified, etc.... Rear fenders are cut, but I was going to do that anyway. What do you think Jim?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-FORD-BRONCO-V8-302-3-SPEED-4x4-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ110196795828QQcmdZViewItem?hash=i tem110196795828

[BUIZILLA]

NC is a long way from home... check out the 2 Utah and 2 MS deals...

[Donziweasel]

Here's one in Boise that doesn't look too bad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Ford-Bronco-DEALER-TRADE-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ330191088430QQcmdZViewItem?hash=i tem330191088430

[Donziweasel]

Currently high bidder on this one in Boise-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Ford-Bronco-DEALER-TRADE-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ330191088430QQcmdZViewItem?hash=i tem330191088430

If I get out bid, which I probably will, going to go for this one-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-FORD-BRONCO-1-2-CAB-UNCUT_W0QQitemZ200175440382QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m200175440382

[DonziFreak]

I don't know much about the Bronco's, but keep us posted! thats something that I would definatly be intrested in learning something about!

P.S. Wait til you get to the Firebird project....its gonna kick ass :biggrin:

[McGary911]

I was doing some business travel in WestChester PA. After the day's work was done at the office, they asked me to stay behind for a few beers and a friday cookout, that this branch office liked to do from time to time. One of the guys went home and got his beautifully restored Bronco. IT was either green or purple, i kind of forget. Just a real nice Resto. About a 3" lift or so, and a nice stereo for cookout tunes.

Ever see the show Trucks! on Spike TV? They did a great resto on a pre 70s Bronco....called Crazy Horse. Check it out. I found a link. Some good ideas there.

http://www.gearztv.com/index.php?em2048=96290_-1__0_~0_-1_11_2007_0_0&content=projects&em2463=&ek=96290

Hope the link works....


Good luck, and keep us posted for sure.

[Donziweasel]

I think I saw the Crazy Horse episodes. I am still high bidder on the one in Boise. 2 days left. Hopefully the price won't skyrocket on me at the end of bidding.

[Donziweasel]

Price went up dramatically in the last hour of bidding, it finally sold for about 6,500.00, way more than I am willing to bid for a resto project. Still looking, bu tno good candidates close by. Hard to believe one would be so hard to find since the produced 250,000 of them. Oh well.

[vonkamp]

Here's another resource. There were some Bronco's but I don't think any good resto candidates but you never know what will pop up. :)

http://www.hemmings.com/