Carlos83 1983 Bronco
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Hello all.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Carlos and I live in Tijuana Mexico.
My Bronco has been with my family since 1988. it has been mine since 1991. it is a 1983 custom that originally came with a powerful (not) 2bbl 302, auto trans, dealer installed A/C that never really blew cold air, and those low bucket seats with rubber mat.
Through the years it suffered several changes. some of them cosmetically only, others functional. (yes, in the 90s it had one of those idiot looking bug deflectors on the hood, an array of KC Hi lites, a Kraco stereo, and so on)
in 2004 I swapped the mustang 5.0 I had put five years earlier for a 351W 0.60. I also put a hi stall converter. got myself a Rancho 4" lift, had the car painted red, added a roof rack with Pro-Comp lights, and drove it like that for a while in the sand dunes.
here is a pic:
then i got bit by the go-fast bug.
I wanted a decent reliable 4X4 vehicle that I could drive around in the desert at a slightly higher speed than your average Bronco.
Unfortunately I had a bad experience with a local fabricator. ended up having my former drivable bronco put on pause for more than a year.
also because this stinky economy is not helping much.
After talks with a new to me fabricator, my project was restarted:
gotta have a good foundation
- I removed the carpet i put in 99.
- I sprayed bedliner to the floor and walls
- threw my rusted doors away, and got myself some 95's (hence late model mirrors)
- replaced the body mounts with poly.
widened the front end and putting 16" King CO:
a cage is in the works right now.
It is missing sections and gussets that will be put when i get my seats.
for the rear, I have Deaver F53's, and King 16" smoothies (trough the floor and attach the cage). Right now they are almost vertical (no stagger) and I am having second thoughts on this.
I had installed a 92-96 dashboard in 2002. i got rid of it and got a fiberglass dashboard.
right now it has no gauges or other items mounted
***Pending items***
Short Term:
-Install Winters shifter
-dual battery base
-figure out spare tire attachment
-limiting straps and bump stops
-extend/re-route brake lines
-fix the wiring spaghetti!!!
Long Term:
- Build a trussed, locked 9" to replace my current 8.8
- get some Autofab 80-86 fiberglass fenders! I made a temporary hack cut to the fenders while I save the coin for the fiberglass.
So as you can see this is a work in progress
I will update this thread as things happen.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Carlos and I live in Tijuana Mexico.
My Bronco has been with my family since 1988. it has been mine since 1991. it is a 1983 custom that originally came with a powerful (not) 2bbl 302, auto trans, dealer installed A/C that never really blew cold air, and those low bucket seats with rubber mat.
Through the years it suffered several changes. some of them cosmetically only, others functional. (yes, in the 90s it had one of those idiot looking bug deflectors on the hood, an array of KC Hi lites, a Kraco stereo, and so on)
in 2004 I swapped the mustang 5.0 I had put five years earlier for a 351W 0.60. I also put a hi stall converter. got myself a Rancho 4" lift, had the car painted red, added a roof rack with Pro-Comp lights, and drove it like that for a while in the sand dunes.
here is a pic:
then i got bit by the go-fast bug.
I wanted a decent reliable 4X4 vehicle that I could drive around in the desert at a slightly higher speed than your average Bronco.
Unfortunately I had a bad experience with a local fabricator. ended up having my former drivable bronco put on pause for more than a year.
also because this stinky economy is not helping much.
After talks with a new to me fabricator, my project was restarted:
gotta have a good foundation
- I removed the carpet i put in 99.
- I sprayed bedliner to the floor and walls
- threw my rusted doors away, and got myself some 95's (hence late model mirrors)
- replaced the body mounts with poly.
widened the front end and putting 16" King CO:
a cage is in the works right now.
It is missing sections and gussets that will be put when i get my seats.
for the rear, I have Deaver F53's, and King 16" smoothies (trough the floor and attach the cage). Right now they are almost vertical (no stagger) and I am having second thoughts on this.
I had installed a 92-96 dashboard in 2002. i got rid of it and got a fiberglass dashboard.
right now it has no gauges or other items mounted
***Pending items***
Short Term:
-Install Winters shifter
-dual battery base
-figure out spare tire attachment
-limiting straps and bump stops
-extend/re-route brake lines
-fix the wiring spaghetti!!!
Long Term:
- Build a trussed, locked 9" to replace my current 8.8
- get some Autofab 80-86 fiberglass fenders! I made a temporary hack cut to the fenders while I save the coin for the fiberglass.
So as you can see this is a work in progress
I will update this thread as things happen.
- yikes
- Founder
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- Bronco Info: 1996 with tires and stuff
- Location: Yucaipa, CA
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Great to finally see your Bronco Carlos!
- tcm glx
- Peanut Butter
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Carlos, bienvenido
- hobbyturnedobsession
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Way to go! Good looking bronco!
I'm just here for the views. It helps me feel wanted.
- Nick
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
It's about time Carlos. Nice looking ride!
"If at first you don't succeed, it may be cheaper to buy it."
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
nice prerunner! Would you please post up some pictures of your roof rack?
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Thank you all for your kind words!
I have been a lurker in this forum for a long time. Now that I actually got to the point of no return (the fine line where a modified car or truck ends with the right mods, or turns in to a hack nightmare) I will be more active on the forums. There is a ton of know here!
Needless to say, I am resisting the jump to the 92-96 clip. I know I could get 92+ fenders and hood for the price of the 80-86 fenders (maybe less). My friends are pushing me to switch to the newer clip. I have nothing against it. I just think you don't see many 80-86 in decent shape anymore.
I have been a lurker in this forum for a long time. Now that I actually got to the point of no return (the fine line where a modified car or truck ends with the right mods, or turns in to a hack nightmare) I will be more active on the forums. There is a ton of know here!
Needless to say, I am resisting the jump to the 92-96 clip. I know I could get 92+ fenders and hood for the price of the 80-86 fenders (maybe less). My friends are pushing me to switch to the newer clip. I have nothing against it. I just think you don't see many 80-86 in decent shape anymore.
- tcm glx
- Peanut Butter
- Posts: 7303
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:19 am
- Bronco Info: 93 Ford Bronco 5.8
- Location: Riverside Ca
- Contact:
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Carlos.... wait until Bajabronco13 posts here. He is a big advocate of keeping the 80-86 front clip, and honestly, I agree. Keeping your Bronco matching the year it belongs is big, and I am a fan of the 80-86 front clip (Would love a single cab 86 F150 myself!!)
Keep the pics coming, we love the pictures here.
Keep the pics coming, we love the pictures here.
- bajascott
- My belly is my best friend
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
welcome to the site! great build ,i like what you are doing and have planned.
if i could go backwards i would use the 88 front clip on mine but its too late. i like the older front ends keep it!!
keep the pics coming.
if i could go backwards i would use the 88 front clip on mine but its too late. i like the older front ends keep it!!
keep the pics coming.
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
tcm glx wrote:Carlos.... wait until Bajabronco13 posts here. He is a big advocate of keeping the 80-86 front clip, and honestly, I agree. Keeping your Bronco matching the year it belongs is big, and I am a fan of the 80-86 front clip (Would love a single cab 86 F150 myself!!)
Keep the pics coming, we love the pictures here.
Si señor!...gotta keep the 80-86's alive and kicking!!
I hope I can have this thing ready for the Baja 500..
I try to got to the Score races in Mx (B250, B500 and B1000)
I am a amateur photographer.
I really miss my bronco so i can drive to the middle of nowhere and shoot some photos..
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
bajascott wrote:welcome to the site! great build ,i like what you are doing and have planned.
if i could go backwards i would use the 88 front clip on mine but its too late. i like the older front ends keep it!!
keep the pics coming.
Thank you!
I remember when everybody started swapping front ends. first to the 88-91 and then to the 92-96 when they became available. I thought they looked funny in a 80-86 because the wheel opening shape is different.
Now, don't get me wrong. I think the 92-96 looks awesome. I am trying to get myself a 92-96 bronco or pick up truck now that they are cheap!
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Carlos,
Awesome Bronco and thanks for posting those pics. I agree you should keep that 80-86 front end. If you're interested in finding fiberglass for that front end check out my thread below:
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... f=5&t=1309
Chris
Awesome Bronco and thanks for posting those pics. I agree you should keep that 80-86 front end. If you're interested in finding fiberglass for that front end check out my thread below:
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... f=5&t=1309
Chris
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
sure will! Next time I go to the shop i will shoot some pictures of it.ryan B wrote:nice prerunner! Would you please post up some pictures of your roof rack?
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
BajaBronco13 wrote:Carlos,
Awesome Bronco and thanks for posting those pics. I agree you should keep that 80-86 front end. If you're interested in finding fiberglass for that front end check out my thread below:
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... f=5&t=1309
Chris
Yes! the Autofabs are the ones I am aiming at!
then, the flat fiberglass hodd would be next
It is my understanding that Autofab does not list them anymore on their website/catalogs, they are made on special orders.
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Last I spoke to John at Speed Unlimited he still has the molds of the 80-86 non flared and 3" flared fenders and yes he can make them to order. So definitely give him a buzz when you're ready to do your fenders.Carlos83 wrote:BajaBronco13 wrote:Carlos,
Awesome Bronco and thanks for posting those pics. I agree you should keep that 80-86 front end. If you're interested in finding fiberglass for that front end check out my thread below:
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... f=5&t=1309
Chris
Yes! the Autofabs are the ones I am aiming at!
then, the flat fiberglass hodd would be next
It is my understanding that Autofab does not list them anymore on their website/catalogs, they are made on special orders.
Chris
- tcm glx
- Peanut Butter
- Posts: 7303
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:19 am
- Bronco Info: 93 Ford Bronco 5.8
- Location: Riverside Ca
- Contact:
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
BajaBronco13 wrote:Last I spoke to John at Speed Unlimited he still has the molds of the 80-86 non flared and 3" flared fenders and yes he can make them to order. So definitely give him a buzz when you're ready to do your fenders.Carlos83 wrote:BajaBronco13 wrote:Carlos,
Awesome Bronco and thanks for posting those pics. I agree you should keep that 80-86 front end. If you're interested in finding fiberglass for that front end check out my thread below:
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... f=5&t=1309
Chris
Yes! the Autofabs are the ones I am aiming at!
then, the flat fiberglass hodd would be next
It is my understanding that Autofab does not list them anymore on their website/catalogs, they are made on special orders.
Chris
You mean John aty Autofab
- ChaseTruck754
- Spy/Ninja
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Yes he does.
But it shouldn't matter - you should be updating to 92-96 anyways
But it shouldn't matter - you should be updating to 92-96 anyways
Owner of only dead and forgotten projects
- navynuke
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Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
80-86 all the way. Worth the effort not to be like everyone else
"I reject your reality and substitute my own!" Adam Savage
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
thanks but no thanks.ChaseTruck754 wrote:Yes he does.
But it shouldn't matter - you should be updating to 92-96 anyways
with all respect sir
i'll try my best to keep this 83 with an 83 clip.
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
- Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"
Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco
Now we are talkin'navynuke wrote:80-86 all the way. Worth the effort not to be like everyone else
isn't there a "Dead Front Clip Society" around here?
j/k