When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is just my opinion. I think you paid too much for the truck. If you had gotten it for less, maybe it would be worth fixing up. Unless you can do all the work yourself, or have a buddy, I'd look for something in better shape.
I completely agree that I overpaid. Frankly, I wouldn't own the vehicle or even a similar one if it hadn't been so convenient. My brother traded it for a wrecked four wheeler, then when I sold my 2004 F150 to him I took a couple grand off the price in exchange for the title on the '77.
All work will be done by myself. So far I've replaced plugs, wires, coil, passenger side exhaust manifold and gasket, starter, starter solenoid, battery cables, valve cover gaskets, air filter, and changed the oil.
On another note, can I get away with 37's on the factory 8-lug axles?
I don't know where you want to go with it. I enjoy a project truck, and you have a project. I hope you can get it dpendable for a reasonable amount. I've walked through a lot of junkyards looking for parts, which I really enjoy. If you can find some junkyard trucks, parts should be pretty cheap.
I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild that truck, unless you're talking about trashing it on the back trails. Then I'd just fix the necessities-steering, suspension, safety (brakes). These are my favorite body styles, so I'd personally restore it. That means a lot of money.
Fix the triple stack block before you drive it for the love of God. Find a machine shop to make you some blocks. That's 100 times safer than stacking.
I say fix the little things then use it and abuse it. The way it is now you don't have to worry about beating it up on the trail or scratching the paint. Old Ford trucks are designed for work and play not like new ones designed for mall parking lots. The trucks been around nearly 40 years and if you put a little money into it you'll get your 40 years out of it. You can find a good steering box at a junkyard and maybe if you're lucky you might find the correct lift parts there too. A 400M is a great motor for towing and the trails. All I did to my Bronco was changed to an RV cam, an aluminum 4bbl intake and a set of headers and it was a great torque motor with the only downside being horrible gas mileage but you could swap in a junkyard 460 if you wanted more parts availability. Just drive it and enjoy it. My Bronco is rusted to the ground but it's mine and it's different. It requires some maintenance to keep it on the road but so do new trucks and I don't have to take my stuff to the dealer for "check engine" lights or faulty junk sensors. I say invest in it now so you and future generations can enjoy it plus you'll never lose it in a parking lot among all the trucks that look identical.
A deal between brothers is a different story. You probably would have ended up knocking money off the price of your truck for him anyway.
I'd be looking at is that I got the thing for basically pretty much nothing, I'll put a little bit of time/money in to it then drive it some and see if I like it.
If I do, I'll fix it up properly and keep it. If I don't I'll sell it off and somebody else can build it.
But to your original question - 3/4 ton 4x4's have the potential to be very awesome indeed.
And you can improve it huge amounts without worrying about incredibly major changes to things.
You can drop in a 460 or even a 429, a better transmission, 1 ton axles, nicer interior parts, make it a really nice truck with used parts. Just shop around, don't be in a hurry and it won't break the bank.
I think the biggest deciding factor is the body. If it's not rusty and fairly straight you can do just about anything to the rest of it. I've seen some awfully nice looking ones.
That's a cool Bronco ll. If you're not really digging the '77 you could get it in good mechanical shape then sell it to someone looking for a 4x4 this winter. Then maybe take that money and use it on a 302 swap to give you that umph you're looking for in your Bronco ll. That way you'll have a vehicle you know and love with the extra power you need.
1. Burns oil
2. Leaks oil
3. Rear "lift" consists of triple-stacked blocks and maxed out old shocks and a close to tight brake line
4. Steering is loose as can be; about 1/3 of a steering wheel turn of play; steering box I presume?
5. Previous owner's solution to correcting steering geometry was to cut the pitman arm in half and weld a piece of metal to drop it.
6. 400ci engine... 'nough said about that.
7. Tires are bald... yes I know every vehicle does eventually, but when I factor in the other issues the thought of an additional ~$1000 in tires becomes unpleasant to say the least
1. & 2. Buy oil by the case.
3. Buy proper lifts for the rear, new brake lines.
4. Replace the flexible joint. Don't bother checking it then adjust the screw on the steering box about a full turn clockwise.
5. Buy a proper dropped arm.
6. Cool. Bet it sounds great.
7. Buy 4.
8. How's them brakes?
All in all another $1500 to make it good to go bouncin'.
It looks like the body is solid. Put some phosphoric acid on the rusty spots. Watch the paint, it'll soften it if you get wild with the stuff.
There's not a helluva lot to do other than throw some stuff in the back and go somewhere. If you want to restore the thing then you might want to start with a different truck, but if you want something that is made for a muddy trail you're set. It's already pre-dented so you don't even have to wince when you bump that first stupid tree.
09-29-2015, 03:34 PM
