We did! Thank you for building such a great truck.
Thanks to Bondobob for letting such a gem go!
So the cat is out of the bag and Wilson will be in Baja for the 2019 Baja 1000, touring for tacos and helping provide communication tech support to anyone that needs it.
This is an impressive build that has seen countless Baja miles and adventure. Probably pulled more cars off race courses than a lot of other rigs out together? I've lusted over this truck for years and, now, my employer owns it and I get to play... uhhh, I mean WORK in it. Anyway, we did a very quick and dirty refresh of critical items and will get to the details later.
I wish I had time to give this truck the post it deserves, but there’s still packing to do and I hope to get a few hours of much-needed sleep tonight as we head out in the morning I’ll fill in the details later. Thanks for reading. Stay tuned!
Here’s a few pics to whet the appetite... stay tuned!
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My wife and I had a blast with Wilson..I proposed to her on a Playa north of Erenderia
I was glad to have the opportunity to enjoy this iconic Baja Rig. So “Wilson” is in her next chapter now... I still have my 1987 White One so I’m not without a Bronco and some of Wilson’s parts are being resurrected on my Bronco.....
I think I eyeballed that Blazer like 20 years ago. Random awesome truck parked in my neighborhood. Does it have quarter elliptical a in the rear with a coil on menzini arm in the rear?
cs_drums wrote:I think I eyeballed that Blazer like 20 years ago. Random awesome truck parked in my neighborhood. Does it have quarter elliptical a in the rear with a coil on menzini arm in the rear?
Mezi, has air shocks to add spring rate when needed.
Bondobob wrote:My wife and I had a blast with Wilson..I proposed to her on a Playa north of Erenderia...
I was glad to have the opportunity to enjoy this iconic Baja Rig. So “Wilson” is in her next chapter now... I still have my 1987 White One so I’m not without a Bronco and some of Wilson’s parts are being resurrected on my Bronco.....
Love this, Brother. So happy for the two of you and so happy that I get to play in Wilson now!
Before I expand more, I have to say, this is an INCREDIBLE truck. I've known about it for a long time and have always known it handled well. After taking it out and prerunning some ROUGH sections of the 1000, course... WOW! It exceeded my expectations in every single way. At one point, I ran down what had to be a $250,000 prerunner in Wilson. To say it was an absolute blast is an understatement. Bechard and I couldn't stop grinning after that run. Hell, we even hugged our boss when we stopped after that run!
Anyway, before it's maiden voyage (with us), we wanted to update a few things and just do a quick check to make sure it was good for a quick prerun and running around Baja before the 1000. It was a scramble toward the end, and we didn't think we were going to get it back together in time, but everyone kicked it into high-gear and we got a lot done in a few weeks. As is usual with off-roading, we were working on it right up until we loaded it on the trailer.
Updates so far are front and rear bumpers, lights (on bumpers), a quick chassis and suspension check that revealed a few cracks (which were repaired) and a rebuild of 6 shocks and 4 bump stops. All bumps and the rear shocks seem good to go, but the right front shock is still leaking at the front cap, despite being sealed and inspected twice. I'm guessing there's a crack we didn't catch. We also removed the interior fuel tank, installed a new radio, antenna cables/mounts, and intercom. Oh yeah, we also relocated the batteries. They used to be inside, at the very back of the cargo area. They're now, basically, in the same location, just under the floor.
The plan from here (in no particular order)
For the record, we love this truck just as it is. There are no plans to make any major cosmetic changes to it. Even the stock Alcoa wheels will stay. Anyone that knows me, knows I love the Ford Alcoas. We are considering having OMF add bead-locks, however... we'll see.
Replace cracked headers
Rebuild Exhaust
Replace front shocks with FOX to match the rear
Replace all aftermarket wiring with sPODS
Build center console with multiple radios, Magellan GPS, lighting controls, etc.
Replace instrument cluster and aftermarket gauges with AiM Sports digital dash
Possibly replace stock dash with a simple, custom-fabricated dash with lots of access panels for when we need to work on things
Replace seats with reclining seats, add folding seat feature (like the factory passenger seat) to both front seats
re-upholster rear seat
Add lots of Dynamat
Build a sliding rear floor so items stored in the cargo area can be easily accessed
Move spare to driver rear instead of passenger side to create a bit more visibility from the driver seat
Add ARB dual piston air compressor
Repair the diff skid-plate I broke lose when I tagged a rock
Replace the Transfer case skid plate Bechard banged up on a rock
Replace the speed sensor one of us damaged with a kicked up rock
... yeah, we played hard!
Replace A/C High-Pressure switch that is intermittently failing
Replace 5-point harnesses with camlock type instead of lever lock (for convenience)
Update rear amber light
Add back-up camera
Add complete communications test / service / work bench at tailgate area, including antenna tester, radio tester, test power cables, etc. Everything it takes to service race and chase cars in the field
Add inverter for AC power
****I know there's a lot I'm missing, but I wanted to update the GFB crew on what the plan is
All you want to do has always been on my to do list. Glad you had fun.Next to do for me since teh Bronco lived in Baja. Many of my Bronco wish list have been incorporated on my Jeep. All good things, but more limited.
Hillbilly Heaven wrote:Nice Bronco!! That is a long list of updates. Would love to see pics of how you mounted the batteries in the rear under the floor.
i second this. I plan in running a "house" battery in mine and would like to look at putting one or both underneath.
