Andy Hough
Basic Member
Posts:455
 | | 05 Jan 2010 10:59 AM |
| I suppose I should start a resto/build thread for my new toy. So far I have purchased the Chilton's manual for it, ordered catalogs from LMC Truck and Jeff's Bronco Graveyard for parts, and purchased the new ignition lock + keys from the local Ford Dealer. Having a big Ford dealer with two locations close to me will be useful for this project. The first order of busniess is to drop the fuel tank and clean it, as well as clean the fuel lines and check the fuel pump for function. Next I plan to clean up the ignition system and spark plugs, replace battery cables, hose down each piston with some WD-40 or other spray lube, refill gas tank with some 102 octaine gas and attempt to start it. It hasn't been started in some time, so if anyone has tips on what should be done before starting it for the first time, please share! I will update this thread as things progress, but for now things will be slow, it's cold and wet outside and I can't fit this beast in my garage with enough space to work around it, so it's currently under a big metal frame tent thing. I'll get some photos posted as well. |
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Grant Mossman
Veteran Member
Posts:1410
| | 05 Jan 2010 11:40 AM |
| Andy, sweet! I think you are on the right track for the first start. May want to check out the coolant to see what you'll be circulating. If its an auto check your AT fluid. |
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Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
| | 05 Jan 2010 12:32 PM |
| Looking forward to the progress! Depending on how long it sat without being run, you may want to drop the oil pan and clean out any sludge and check the oil pump pickup for sludge as well. Just a thought..I would hate for you to fire it up and have low or no oil pressure adn fry the motor! If it didn't sit too long it might not be an issue. you could also add some Seafoam in your oil for a few miles to clean things out as well, as well as running some in your first tank of fuel just to make sure the fuel injectors are clean. That is assuming it is fuel injected...and I can't remember if an 87 is or not. Any way sorry for rambling! I hope this helps and I can't wait to see/hear about the progress!!!
Regards,
Scott |
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Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
| | 16 Feb 2010 10:17 PM |
| any updates? |
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Andy Hough
Basic Member
Posts:455
| | 17 Feb 2010 09:31 AM |
| Been busy, sorry for lack of updates.
I got my workbench setup and changed out some outlets in the garage from 15A double gang to 20A double gang (one prong is sideways) so I can plug in my huge power strip for the bench. Cleaned more junk out of the garage to make more space to work.
I pulled the air cleaner off and thankfully it truly is a carburated truck. Ford used a Holly carb on this so it should be easy to rebuild. I also pulled all the spark plugs out, the tips looked nearly new, but the motor is supposed to have very little time on it before it was parked. Oil pan is also extremely clean. I filled all the jugs up with Seafoam so it can work on any potential corrosion between the rings and bores. I need to go pickup a 1 inch 3/4 drive socket so I can turn the crank by hand. I want to ensure the motor is moving smoothly before I try and crank it with the starter motor.
I picked up the new ignition lock and removed the old battery. I started pulling cables off the starter solenoid and it broke up so I'll have to replace that. I also pulled out a bunch of radio gear, I have a HAM radio out of it and some other bits. If anyone is interested in this stuff let me know and I'll post some photos.
Scott: good tip on the seafoam in the oil, what I poured into the bores should seep down to the pan, so there will be a shy 2 pints in the pan when I do attempt to crank it over. Oil currently in it does not appear to have water in it.
Grant: Found radiator to be empty, but all freeze plugs appear to be intact. I will refill it with plain water before starting so it has something in it, then try to find the leak, if it wasn't just drained for some reason. The guy I got it from was going to part it out and may have drained the coolant. |
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Tom Thomas
Basic Member
Posts:194
| | 18 Feb 2010 08:08 AM |
| Hey Andy,
I don't know if you remember me, I was one of the guys interested in your D1. I finally found one btw.
Now, with your project. After the seafoam in the cyl's treatment, I would maybe consider pouring a little oil down there. It seems like the cyl's need a 'little' lube to keep from scoring. Also, I know with GM's you can pull the dizzy and turn the oil pump with a drill motor, don't remember if you can with Fords. I would at least pull the coil wire for the 1st couple of turns to make sure oil was where it's supposed to be. Hate to see your engine fire right off being bone dry. |
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Don Childers
New Member
Posts:94
| | 18 Feb 2010 09:14 AM |
| I always liked the fullsize Broncos. I'd rather they hadn't gone with the TTB in 1980 but I think they are good trucks.
So here's my question, because I'm trying to figure it out for myself. Do you think the fullsize "utility" vehicles like the Bronco, Blazer, Ramcharger, etc. are too wide for the overlanding you want to do? I'm leaning on doing what you are doing and just building out my 1990 fullsize Blazer.
Let us know what you find or decide on regarding a roof rack and other cool stuff for your Bronco. Can't wait to see some pictures. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 18 Feb 2010 12:01 PM |
| Don - we had a pretty in-depth discussion about Andy's choice a while back. He doesn't plan to do any traditional expediton style overlanding or run any 4x4 trails. In that case neither fuel economy (range) or dimensions (to fit through trails) really matter. Seems like it will work well for him.
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Isaac Fain
WARNING: Pot Stirrer
Advanced Member
Posts:517
| | 18 Feb 2010 03:37 PM |
| If I may reopen that discussion for a moment, undoubtedly, yes they can. even in WA state. you can rule out Elbe and most of Evans Creek ORV areas, aside from those two places there is plenty in WA state that you can fit down just fine. Once you get out of the trees in the Cascades, I reckon it's as fine of a choice as any. Steens / Alvord? wide open. Most of the places in california - Mohave road, Death Valley, truckhaven, hollister, Rubicon, dusy ershim - all plenty wide enough for a full-size vehicle. The toyota mini trucks with 14.5" wide tires and full-width axles are probably wider overall than a normal-size bronco or blazer. 2 Big Broncos |
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Isaac Fain
WARNING: Pot Stirrer
Advanced Member
Posts:517
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 18 Feb 2010 03:56 PM |
| Posted By Isaac Fain on 02/18/2010 3:37 PM
If I may reopen that discussion for a moment, undoubtedly, yes they can. even in WA state. you can rule out Elbe and most of Evans Creek ORV areas, aside from those two places there is plenty in WA state that you can fit down just fine. Once you get out of the trees in the Cascades, I reckon it's as fine of a choice as any. Steens / Alvord? wide open. Most of the places in california - Mohave road, Death Valley, truckhaven, hollister, Rubicon, dusy ershim - all plenty wide enough for a full-size vehicle. The toyota mini trucks with 14.5" wide tires and full-width axles are probably wider overall than a normal-size bronco or blazer. 2 Big Broncos
Yes, well this is the NW Overland Society where running 4x4 trails in the mountains is included.. and given the question the treed trails are exactly what was being asked about. I've seen the 2 Big Broncos website before, as well as watched several of them run through even easy ORV parks like Tahuya. In most every instance they've played pinball off the trees damaging both the truck and the trees. In the cases where they haven't, they ruined the trail by cutting trees down so they'd fit. There's a reason the NW4WDA has track-width requirements for their annual trail event around Manastash. The Big Bronco's don't fit under those requirements. Craig |
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Isaac Fain
WARNING: Pot Stirrer
Advanced Member
Posts:517
| | 18 Feb 2010 05:20 PM |
| I'm going to call you out on this, Craig :) If you're going to claim this, then you also need to back it up with an equal indictment due to size for vehicles like the Sportsmobile fullsize van, which is much larger. Not only that, I would argue that other modern vehicles -like Joe's 100 series Toyota is about the same size as a Bronco.
Much of Manastash, Naches, Liberty, and Rimrock can be accessed just fine without going down the tight trails. All of those areas are accessible with well maintained roads and are regularly used by hunters with vehicles much bigger than a Bronco or Blazer.
Finally, many of our popular hangouts are just fine for fullsize rigs. Places like Gallaher head lake and the mine trail, and all of the Quilomene and Collockum. I think the number of miles open on the dirt in WA state alone far outnumbers those racked up on the trail systems in the 2 or 3 areas in the trees. And again, as mentioned above, those trails are parallel to roads going to roughly the same places.
cheers
-ike
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Isaac Fain
WARNING: Pot Stirrer
Advanced Member
Posts:517
| | 18 Feb 2010 05:39 PM |
| some stats:
2004 Land Cruiser vs. 1987 Ford Bronco:
Length: 192in vs. 183 in (Def110 length: 181 inches. Disco II: 185 in - 2" longer than the bronco!)
Wheelbase: 112.20 vs. 104.70 (shorter than LWB rangie)
Width: 76.4in vs. 79in
Height: 73in (no lift) vs. 74.5in (no lift and able to run 33's)
Track front: 63.8 vs. 65.10
Track rear: 63.6 vs. 64.4
please note: I think the newer cruisers make an excellent platform for overlanding. Joe's truck is very impressive. Just using it for comparison purposes, not saying it's too big. |
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Isaac Fain
WARNING: Pot Stirrer
Advanced Member
Posts:517
| | 18 Feb 2010 05:48 PM |
| I found the PNW4WDA width restriction is 75 inches. if they go off the technical data, they could exclude LR LR3 and LR4 as they come in at 75.4" wide. The DII is just squeaking by at 74.4" wide. Clearly the Land Cruiser is disqualified at 76.4. Note to others that these requirements are for the Jambo group run and not a hard limit imposed by DNR. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 18 Feb 2010 08:00 PM |
| Ike, I stated I thought it would work fine for Andy's purposes which are USFS roads. Obviously it will fit down easy twin track in the Quilomene. I'm sure it will even fit down many 4x4 trails but I can list an equal number of trails that it won't fit down. 4W307 and 4W307.1 come to mind imediately. We turned around on 4W307.1 last summer because the 100 series wouldn't fit between a set of trees (the RRC barely made it through). Simply put, there are spots where the trees are closer together than the width of the truck. If you are an intrepid explorer who's never been on a trail before, how do you know before you go down it that the Bronco will fit? You don't. In contrast, if you are in a Jeep TJ/XJ, a Defender, a 4Runner, or a D1 you know it will be just fine.
FYI... I cleared the Gallagher Head lake trail for the vans. I did it by hand, but like I said, "Without a chainsaw..."
I think your stats are making my point for me. It's a wide truck w/ poor fuel economy that wasn't designed to go on PNW Jeep trails. In contrast the width of a Jeep Wrangler is 66 inches (compared to 76.4 and 79) above. Craig
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 18 Feb 2010 08:05 PM |
| Posted By Isaac Fain on 02/18/2010 5:48 PM
I found the PNW4WDA width restriction is 75 inches. if they go off the technical data, they could exclude LR LR3 and LR4 as they come in at 75.4" wide. The DII is just squeaking by at 74.4" wide. Clearly the Land Cruiser is disqualified at 76.4. Note to others that these requirements are for the Jambo group run and not a hard limit imposed by DNR.[/quote]
And the Bronco at 79" wide is also excluded.
[/quote] I know you'll want to reply to my posts first, but let's try and get back to Andy's buildup. The important thing in this thread is that the truck will work great for Andy, his family and the type of trips they want to go on. I for one am looking forward to seeing how he sets up this rig. I'm envious of all the room he has to carry gear. Craig |
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Andy Hough
Basic Member
Posts:455
| | 19 Feb 2010 10:03 AM |
| My intention with this truck is to travel the National Forests on more traditional logging roads and much less of the 4x4 trails. It is true that over most of the terrain in this state my truck should fit just fine, and the very tight technical trails are not really what I am interested in.
I want to do what I did as a kid when we would take our annual grouse hunting trip to the Okanagan National Forest. Often we were driving my dad's 1972 Ford F-150, or my uncles 1973 GMC Sierra Grande 3+3 truck. Both are 4x2 vehicles. There were places we wouldn't go on those trips because we did not have a 4x4, now I can go those places. I'm not much for the hunting part anymore (I don't really enjoy cleaning game), but I enjoyed the travel. With my intended hardware outfitting of the truck and possibly trailer, I should be overprepaired and overequipped. :)
Tom: Glad you found a truck! I think I can turn this oil pump with a drill motor as well, I need to check my manual. I have the electrical system apart enough that I can crank the engine with the starter and leave the ignition system powered off. I won't be doing that until it turns easy by hand however.
Craig/Issac: The Bronco is only 9 inches wider than a D1, they have about the same wheelbase and other deminsions. |
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Andy Hough
Basic Member
Posts:455
| | 19 Feb 2010 10:14 AM |
| Posted By Don Childers on 02/18/2010 9:14 AM
I always liked the fullsize Broncos. I'd rather they hadn't gone with the TTB in 1980 but I think they are good trucks.
So here's my question, because I'm trying to figure it out for myself. Do you think the fullsize "utility" vehicles like the Bronco, Blazer, Ramcharger, etc. are too wide for the overlanding you want to do? I'm leaning on doing what you are doing and just building out my 1990 fullsize Blazer.
Let us know what you find or decide on regarding a roof rack and other cool stuff for your Bronco. Can't wait to see some pictures. ================================================== I do not plan to run a roof rack since the roof is removable. If I end up needing the space I want to use a utility trailer. This way I can get a soft top for the bronco for summer. That will make the highway portions of our trips more bearable for the kids, and the offroad portions more fun. I do plan to install a rollcage though, but that will fit inside the hardtop. I like the space that the full size vehicle offers. My complaint about my D1 was how small the cargo area was. Based on my personal experience with the area's I have traveled in, there will be no size problems. Most of the roads are built for logging trucks, which are even bigger. I want to have the capability in the vehicle to handle some rough terrain, but not anything very tight in the trees. More so if I encounter a washed out road or a very muddy or snowy road, but I intend to travel on some kind of road.
It looks sad right now, but I will try and get some photos posted.
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Andy Hough
Basic Member
Posts:455
| | 19 Feb 2010 10:16 AM |
| Oh, and I got the 1 inch socket I needed. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 19 Feb 2010 01:04 PM |
| I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. To me 9" is a lot. |
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