Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

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:
Image


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:
Image
Image
Image

a cage is in the works right now.
Image
Image

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

Image



***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!!!
Image


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.
Image


So as you can see this is a work in progress
I will update this thread as things happen.
User avatar
yikes
Founder
Posts: 4138
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:51 am
Bronco Info: 1996 with tires and stuff
Location: Yucaipa, CA

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by yikes »

Great to finally see your Bronco Carlos!
User avatar
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

Post by tcm glx »

Carlos, bienvenido
User avatar
hobbyturnedobsession
Posts: 4564
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:34 am
Bronco Info: 96 c/o w/ 5.0
Location: High Desert CA

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by hobbyturnedobsession »

Way to go! Good looking bronco!
I'm just here for the views. It helps me feel wanted.
User avatar
Nick
Founder
Posts: 3965
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:36 pm
Bronco Info: 1995 bird poop target
Location: La Habra Ca.

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Nick »

It's about time Carlos. Nice looking ride!
"If at first you don't succeed, it may be cheaper to buy it."
ryan B
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:07 pm
Bronco Info: prerunner

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by ryan B »

nice prerunner! Would you please post up some pictures of your roof rack?
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

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.

Image
User avatar
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

Post by tcm glx »

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.
User avatar
bajascott
My belly is my best friend
Posts: 2006
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:29 pm
Bronco Info: its black, its fun to drive,and i dont have enough money to build it the way i want to!:)
Location: southern oregon
Contact:

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by bajascott »

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.
FRONT YARD FABRICATION
http://ssfab-n-offroad.com/
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

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.

Image

I really miss my bronco so i can drive to the middle of nowhere and shoot some photos..
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

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!
BajaBronco13
Bronco Broker
Posts: 2434
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:00 am
Bronco Info: Bronco AKA The Silver Bullet
Location: Orange County, California

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by BajaBronco13 »

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
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

ryan B wrote:nice prerunner! Would you please post up some pictures of your roof rack?
sure will! Next time I go to the shop i will shoot some pictures of it.
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

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.
BajaBronco13
Bronco Broker
Posts: 2434
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:00 am
Bronco Info: Bronco AKA The Silver Bullet
Location: Orange County, California

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by BajaBronco13 »

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.
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.

Chris
User avatar
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

Post by tcm glx »

BajaBronco13 wrote:
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.
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.

Chris

You mean John aty Autofab
User avatar
ChaseTruck754
Spy/Ninja
Posts: 9194
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:46 am
Bronco Info: Don't have one - just old Ford trucks
Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by ChaseTruck754 »

Yes he does.

But it shouldn't matter - you should be updating to 92-96 anyways :lol:
Owner of only dead and forgotten projects
User avatar
navynuke
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:24 pm
Bronco Info: 82 Bronco with some goodies
Location: Durham, NC
Contact:

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by navynuke »

80-86 all the way. Worth the effort not to be like everyone else
"I reject your reality and substitute my own!" Adam Savage
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

ChaseTruck754 wrote:Yes he does.

But it shouldn't matter - you should be updating to 92-96 anyways :lol:
thanks but no thanks.
with all respect sir
i'll try my best to keep this 83 with an 83 clip.
Carlos83
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm
Bronco Info: 83 351W GT40P 35BFG AT "Tijuana Special"

Re: Carlos83 1983 Bronco

Post by Carlos83 »

navynuke wrote:80-86 all the way. Worth the effort not to be like everyone else
Now we are talkin'

isn't there a "Dead Front Clip Society" around here?

j/k

Image
Post Reply