Checkin out a donor in a few days, what should I look for?

[LittleBigFoot]

I found a 78 Bronco (Full Size) being sold as a parts truck.

No engine or tranny, but complete with the HP Dana44 and Ford 9" and all the suspension componets. Here's the gold, it has a 6" lift kit on it, drop brackets and all. (Yes, I know FSB lift coils would be a little stiff, but I'm sure some one some where wants to pay buy em from me)

He's asking 400 dollars, and I'd have to find a trailor to get it home.

Here's a pic:

I'm not committing to anything yet, but it sounds like a good deal to me. He's only selling this to finish off his other truck.

Wish me luck

 

[Apollo]

$400 is worth it just for the axles. do it to it.

 

[PaleBlue90]

+1 if its a removeable top u could sell it to some1. im shure some1 would need it cuz winters comeing quick

 

[86ford]

if scrap is anything like it is here you have atleast 150-200 in scrap after you pull everything you need. you have alot of fabrication ahead of you if you plan on using the entire suspension from the bronco. mite want to do some general research first to see how high that lift is going to take you. just do what planing you can now so you have less headaches later.

86

 

[LittleBigFoot]

if scrap is anything like it is here you have atleast 150-200 in scrap after you pull everything you need. you have alot of fabrication ahead of you if you plan on using the entire suspension from the bronco. mite want to do some general research first to see how high that lift is going to take you. just do what planing you can now so you have less headaches later.

86

A guy from my church used to work at Poison Spyder Customs and a neighbor of mine used to work at HighCountry 4x4 so I think I have the fab work taken care of.

From what I've read and figured, the swap shouldn't be tooooo hard. The coil buckets need to be moved about 2" on the axle itself. The IFS crossmember needs to be cut out, but everything else should bolt in nicely.

The pal from HighCountry swapped out the entire suspension from a 77 bronco (Stock suspension) to his exploder and the thing is a mechanically sound beast.

I'll let you know how it goes. The real trick will be stripping out what I want in the 3 days our home owners association allows. (Fricken neighborhood nazis)



Adam

PS. I called the guy back, I'm checking it out early this week and if all goes well it'll be on a trailor on it's way to my house next saturday.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I went up and checked out the rig today. She'll be in my garage by friday, gutted by saturday, parted by sunday, scrapped by monday.

Everything is in really good condition besides the shitty interrior and no engine and busted windows. This should be sweet.

 

[Legion]

i would of bought it the same day.

 

[86ford]

its worth the cash to borrow or buy tourches and an angle grinder if you shooting for a 3 day limit. keep in mind some things are easier bought and replaced than salvaged. i tend to cut leaf hangers if they arent being used, brake lines, driveshafts if they are being a pain, drop pitmans and a few others.

86

 

[fordwheelinman]

You Sir, have just made me very sick to my stomach.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

You Sir, have just made me very sick to my stomach.

Wait, me or 86?


The only reason I didn't pick it up today is because I have to borrow a car hauler to get it home. (Horray for friends!)

The guy is being really cool about it. He took the add down while I was there, and he assured me he wouldn't sell it to some one else.

And for the gone in 3 days plan, I have a "crew" helpin me out. I soaked everything in penetrating oil and we

 

[fordwheelinman]

I was talking to you LittleBig. Sorry, its just sickening to see these old beasts get ripped apart like this, no offense, but i wont be following a buildup thread.

 

[Sunk]

That looks like a deal. You should be able to make some $$ off the parts too. I know I will follow your build thread

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I was talking to you LittleBig. Sorry, its just sickening to see these old beasts get ripped apart like this, no offense, but i wont be following a buildup thread.

The actuall frame is shit, the engine and electrical have been pulled, the interrior looks like warewolves just got done having sex in it, the body is mostly bondo. The tranny had bits of metal floating in the fluid when he drained it, and he was about to part it.

At least it will live on in my Ranger.

Better then everything being scrapped.

And a thought ran through my mind today; what if the PO had installed aftermarket gears and or a locker? That would be a sweet find.

There's 35" meats on it, so I'm guessing theres a deeper gear. Maybe a spool in the rear too....

I'll have pics of the journey and tear down in my build thread.

 

[86ford]

I was talking to you LittleBig. Sorry, its just sickening to see these old beasts get ripped apart like this, no offense, but i wont be following a buildup thread.

if this guy wants to build a monster that dwarfs all others on the road and has to sacrafic a beaten and abused bronco then so be it. atleast he has some parts of the old beast living on he has my aproval. better to see it get parted out to save other broncos or upgrade his he is doing his part. as a final note isent scrap 7 or 8 cents a pound? who in there right mind wouldent scrap anything they couldent sell or use?

86

 

[LittleBigFoot]

if this guy wants to build a monster that dwarfs all others on the road and has to sacrafic a beaten and abused bronco then so be it. atleast he has some parts of the old beast living on he has my aproval. better to see it get parted out to save other broncos or upgrade his he is doing his part. as a final note isent scrap 7 or 8 cents a pound? who in there right mind wouldent scrap anything they couldent sell or use?

86

Well put 86