BroncoII4x4.com

well, I got up early today to work on the EB and ended up just spinning in the mud.

started taking all the stuff off the BII to convert to duraspark, and get the electrical junk working. mounted most of it and figured out were I am going to wire everything in to make it look factory. robbed some of the brake fittings and got the brakes decent even though I have issues in the rear and have not even started on the disk conversion for the front. then started to clean all the serp and V pulleys which I now am thinking are junk because they set in the woods for too long and are kinda rotted in a few places.......

I just feel like I am moving no where.....

I figured y'all might want to see some progress pics so I got one for ya.

Doesn't sound like such a bad day. I spend a lot of time just looking at things trying to figure out what I want to do.

I did my duraspark conversion this weekend. Definately runs better. Very easy.

Yours appears to be duraspark I no duraspark II. You'll want to upgrade to duraspark II, as they have the large distributor cap and it's a better system.

Mount the module on the passenger side fender. Splice the run power into the green/red wire on the voltage regulator, and the start power to the S terminal of the starter solenoid. Use your existing coil power wire.

I also read that the later TFI coils are much better than the round canned coils. I'm going to switch, but I need a longer coil wire. I'm also doing gas mileage tests between changes.

I also read about using a GM module. I think I'll try that too.

Check this out.
http://www.carbdford.com/tech/HEI/hei.htm

I think I might switch to the passenger side like you did, I just put it there because that is where I have always seen them so it looked like a good idea at the time. it looks like it will cut down on the exposed wiring also.

honestly, I will probably look for a better upgrade later. I just don't know one thing about points and this system is just easier and dependable.

I will be the first to admit I am a slow worker but it just seemed like I was walking around scratching my head most the day. I think I am just trying to do everything at once and it is slowing me down instead of knocking one system out at a time.

the whole pulley thing is starting to bug me because I need to make a decision on what system I want to run before I can even bolt up the water pump. I have an HO pump and a standard pump laying here I just need to make up my mind, and find brackets. I have a feeling I am going to the old school Vbelts so I can keep the york compressor I have.

every time I start to think about it, I get to thinking about when my first drive around the block will be and it just seems like it will be snowing first. I should be used to it by now being as the BII was down all last year, but I am realy trying to get this done.

that GM mod looks cool. if you do decide to try that let me know what you come up with. I wonder if that gives better perfomance then the duraspark II?

The next time I go to the junk yard I'm going to pick the GM module and TFI coil. My Bronco II coil might be a TFI coil, I need to make sure.

The GM module gives a longer duration spark than the ford module, this also allows you to eliminate the resistor wire so you can put full power to the coil without burning it up. The TFI coils put out 1.5-2x more powerful spark.

For the high power spark, you'll need the large cap dizzy to prevent crossfire.

Yeah...work on one system at a time. Don't be afraid to run the stock stuff. I'm still collecting parts for my powersteering, hydroboost and disc brakes. In the meantime I drive every day with 4 wheel manual drum brakes and armstrong steering. Gets me to work and home just fine.

well, I am kind of in a weird spot. I have most of the hard stuff to find to upgrade and it would be close to the same price to upgrade as it would be to replace.

this is where it kinda gets hard for people to understand that I talk to around here. I want to do a resto rod kinda truck using mostly ford parts. upgradeing enough to get good performance but to stay enough factory looking to make people think it is.

like here is what I have(mostly gutting the BII):

powersteering - FS Bronco box and 2wd FS box and spare PS pump
I can swap the worm gear to make this box work.

disk front - FS Bronco knuckle out all I need is to fit steering and for the price of that I would spend double to redo the drum breaks

larger drums for the rear - still trying to figure out the issues I am having with this one......drums are hitting the backing plates.

4bbl weind intake - just need a carb but I can run the 2bbl for now.

OBA - rear bumper is an air tank just need to get the belt thing setup so I can hook up my York

I have been buying everything new as far as the motor goes......new starter, dizzy, alt., coil, brain box, planning to rebuid the carb, redo exhaust, new master cyc, redoing the brake lines, and the list goes on......

as soon as I get the drive train going and can move it on its own power I am going to start welding on the body to get it cleaned up enough so I can stock pile sheet metal and start redoing the tub in a year or two.

you have think too I am getting a truck back on the road that has been sitting in the weeds since 93. so it is going to take a while. I am hopping I have it going before it gets cold. at least driving by then. another winter without a 4x4 will suck.

My plan is to make my bronco as comfortable as possible for the least amount of money! My first priority is to make it go down the road like a dream, then I'll start in on making it look good. Fortunately I don't have to deal with rust. Just need to clean it up and paint / bedliner.

My method of progress is to keep a rig on the road, then plan for it to be down for specific upgrades/repairs. I see to many people get overwhelmed by trying to do it all at once.

Unfortunately, you have a lot of initial work. I would prioritize by the things that most prevent you from driving. Get it running, so you can go out and rev it up a few times a day!

My EB sat for like 10 years. The drum brakes sucked at first, but as I drove it, they got better within a few hundred miles. It's got the dana 30 in it, which I plan to swap for a 44, but that's low priority. I can't wait for power steering. I've pretty much got everything to do it, just need the lines. I need to do the chevy heater conversion too as winter rolls in....and the jeep wiper conversion.

You better be ready for winter....this is going to be the big one!

I see no reason to you shouldn't be on the road soon. All you need is an engine, transmission, axles steering and brakes. You're pretty much there.

yeah, I think I am getting there I just need to suck it up and make some decisions.

form what I can tell the tranny is good and everything looks to be good except the breaks and putting the motor back together. I think I am going to take tuesday and finish the wiring. if I got any time I might pull the gas tank so I can clean it, but that might be pushing it as far as time goes. once I get the electrical together I can hook up the batt and start to find out if I have anything that works.....like wipers, heater motor, lights.....you know the unimportant stuff

besides if I hook up the power and get fuel to the motor it will at least fire and can run for a minute so I will feel better about the yard art.....

I am going to run the 3 on the tree for a little while untill I can save some money to buy the adaptor for the NP435/D20.

3 on the tree is actually kinda cool...it's old school. I'm still going to convert to auto for cruising, but in the meantime the 3sp is kinda fun. I even have a floor shifter but I'm not going to install it.

I think I would advise against pulling the tank, that's just more work. You have a fuel filter, all the heavy stuff should go to the bottom. Get it running first, then think about buying an aftermarket 24gal tank. Do you have dual tanks?

What's with your wiring? Can't all be missing,

I even have a floor shifter but I'm not going to install it.

lucky, I am going to look for one when the cash frees up a bit.

man, I got wires that arn't connected. I am going to chase down as much as I can and see what happens. I got one wire comming from the voltage regulator that is just laying there. another comming from the fire wall that does the same. and I am kinda scared to look under the dash. there was alot of wiring for after market lights that I pulled and toggles that are on the dash so there is no telling what the parks service messed with. both batt. cables need replacing, the starter cable needs replaced(MIA), needs a selonoid(smashed), and the wiring for some of the stuff is put together with those cheap smash connectors(need to be soldered). basicly a can of worms I will be dealing with on thurs.

I was planning on pulling the tank to clean it because of fuel that has gone bad. I pulled the cap and about fell over when I smelled what was in the tank. I was hoping it was going to smell fresh but that stuff is long gone. I have seen gas turn to goo so I didn't want to do any more damage. I have already bought all new fuel line to replace everything. I was planning to put some of those clear filters both in front of the pump and in front of the carb. I thought about setting the fuel cell in the back just to get it going but that would only be a temp. thing.

really as individual things they are not a big deal but all combined it is a little frustrating.....

I got a single tank truck.....I have seen mostly dual tank trucks. I don't know if it makes it more or less valuable but it dosen't realy matter to me.

Here's another link you might be interested in.

http://users3.ev1.net/~bmarr/duraspark_ ... pgrade.htm

It looks like you can swap out your cap for a large diameter one.

I saw that link a while back, just didn't realy take any time to read it becaue I already got the stuff I have now. I probably will do that upgrade once I get this up and running.

I have been trying to get a water pump/belt system figured out right now. I think I am just going to use the V belt system from an 81 bronco with a york. this will get me going faster.

I might try to empty the tank and put some fresh in it to see if I can get gas to run threw the lines and go from there. I am going to blow out the hard part of the lines with my air compressor first though.

you are luck to have a rust free EB. I have debated just piecing it together for now and just going fiberglass in a few years, but I do like steel. it just impresses me more if you have a original piece thats in good shape. so I will probably end up worring about that later.

If you already have a v-belt setup, then that's what you should use for the short term.

I think you'll be fine draining the tank and dumping some good stuff in.

Lucky for you, you can pretty much buy every replacement body part. It's amazing some of the broncos that have been brought back from the dead. Just beware that it's probably cheaper to find one already restored, or in good original condition. It's not about the money for most of the folks restoring the dead ones.

The thing that gets me is the guys that buy them and let them sit. These broncos are supposed to be out on the road.

I was never a fan of that either. cars and trucks are ment to be driven. if you are not doing anything with it you need to get rid of it unless it just has some kind of personal value.

I can uderstand that a 30yr old car or truck with 20k on the odo being worth more but if you can't jump in and drive it everyday what do you have it for?

it's kinda like my falcon, it has set in the same condition I got it in for a while now (no rust). but I plan to give it to Luke when he turns 13 so I can help him have something cool so he can take it to the track. for the next 12.5 years I get to just gather parts for him. if he shows no interest in it or looses interest in it I will sell just so someone gets to build something cool.