1987 XLT "Bob's White One"

[Bondobob]

It's getting close to tear down time so I thought I would get the info that I have up on the GFB. Some History on the ride:
1987 Bronco XLT 5.0 AOD 3:55 LS rear. This Bronco was purchased by my Mom from Jim Burke Ford in Bakersfield in May of 1987( I have the Ford build sheet/window sticker and 20+ years of documentation on the Bronco). This was her first new 4 wheel drive and second brand new vehicle purchase in her lifetime. This rig was her daily driver until 2007. At that point we were going to give it to my son as a first car since he was turning sixteen....Well the kid got cut out it was too straight and too clean for a new driver.

So I began driving it and having a blast with it......fast forward to October of 2007 and I got plowed by drunk driver so now the Bronco was not cherry any more( it got popped in a big way).

I ended up getting parts off a 1988 with the same paint code fixed it and drove it. I got Rancho stuff for a lift and just as I was going to install I started talking to Steve G.....well from there its downhill with big wheels.

When I hung out at Pismo with the GFB folks I got a better idea as to the way I was going to execute the build on the rig( use good stuff, or good used stuff as much as possible- Stole the page from Nick's playbook ).

I started building my Pile'o Parts last year however I got sidetracked when my Mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and the last 10 months have been spent being with her thru radiation/chemo and ultimately hospice and her passing at home in her bed. She fought a good fight and lived life the way she wanted. She knew I was going to rebuild the Bronco and the idea was very appealing to her.

Soooo the 1987 is going to stay in the family for a long time and the tear down will begin in the next month or two.

[Bondobob]

More Stock Pics............

[Bondobob]

Some parts ready for install

[SteveG]

Looking good, Bob! Sorry to hear about mom. I'm sure she'll be smiling down while your trucking through the whoops!

[Bondobob]

Absolutely....

[Bondobob]

Ok more stuff for the pile....Thanks. Johnny from Fresno

[Jonny_Vico]

anytime just glad there going to a good home.

[Bondobob]

So Now the plan is for front:

Get rid of rivets and use Grade8
-Install of Autofab beams and arms
-Install Autofab motor mounts/tranny mount
-Install Buckets that I am getting from HTO-gotta build a cross brace
-Find some 10"x2.5 or 12"x2.5 front shocks(I'm gonna stay buckets and shocks for now)
-Install Springs and inserts (Kritter's old set)
-Install "ambulance" sleeved steering (again thanks to Kritter)
-Install rebuilt 1982 D44 pumpkin with new 4:56's(thanks PAP 50% off day)
-Install 1982 rebuilt knuckles and Calipers(dont have ABS and using Philos suggestion)
-Install "turned" rotors on 1982 D44 hubs( got whole ttb out of 1982 to rebuild since I was not
going to use the 1987 tophat stuff)
-Cycle and Strap it and use relocated OEM bumps
-Install used Autofab inner fender supports and revise inner fender structure and component mounting
-Install Foreman racing front bumper(again thx Kritter)
-and I'm sure a whole lot of punch list items that pop up while in tearing into it

Rear:
-Install New 3" National springs I got from John at Autofab
-Install Autofab shackles
-Install 9" housing I'm going to use Gunnit's old trussed housing with OEM drums until I step up to a F/F housing and disks
-Install Nodular 3rd member/4:56's on rebuilt trac-lok(got pumpkin at PAP during 50% off day)
-Install two link and upper shock mount
-Find some 12" rear shocks
-Cycle and Strap it use OEM bumps

In the future the AOD will go and I will install an E40d with a Bauman controller( I can use the signal generated from my transfer case pick-up to operate the E40d and lose the VSS in new 9") the output flange will get an airheart rotor 6" will fit under floor and aircraft tug mechanical caliper to act as E-brake when I go to rear disks

and lots more stuff as it moves forward



Driver friendly cage to stiffen up the body
Drive it- Break it-Fix it and Drive it some more........

[ChaseTruck754]

Sounds like a good plan - can't wait to see pics of it going together.

[SteveG]

Cleaned, sealed, valved and ready to roll.

[Nick]

Bob, i'm also very sorry for your loss!

You've done a great job gathering all those parts, it'll be worth the wait!

[Kenny's 94]

Bob, sorry to hear about your mom. Looking forward to seeing your build pictures.
Kenny

[ChaseTruck754]

the output flange will get an airheart rotor 6" will fit under floor and aircraft tug mechanical caliper to act as E-brake when I go to rear disks

Any more info/links/details on this would be great. I'm looking at a driveline brake for my crew cab.

Also there are 6 rims with your name on them hangin in the shop. You gonna be down this way any time soon? No rush if not, just figured I'd check in.

[Bondobob]

Steve we do need to get together so I can pickup the wheels, hopefully sometime in the next month.

Regarding the E-brake, I spoke to High Angle driveline http://www.highangledriveline.com/e_brake.html
and really like the design they use however they don't have anything for the 1356 case. My plan is to use either the Airheart MB1 mechanical caliper or the aircraft towing tug caliper fitted to the transfer case and orient it so that a rotor can be used on the output flange. The stock cable can be modified with a change of direction and connected to the caliper.

When I get to this I will post up details and may make up multiple sets of hardware for caliper and rotor mounting.

[ESHALLBETTER]

Super clean, I dig it!

[ChaseTruck754]

That works Bob. Just let me know if/when you'll be down this way.

Thanks for the high angle driveline link. Their stuff uses a 1350 U-joint which is actually SMALLER than what I would be using on the crew since it's a diesel. Based on that I'm thinking I'll continue with my looking into a setup like you mention with the mechanical caliper and maybe machining a spacer for the 1410 yoke to fit a rotor. A bracket off the thing to mount the caliper would be the easy part.

Where have you seen the aircraft towing tug calipers for sale - eBay?

[Bondobob]

They are similar to these
http://www.auscoproducts.com/mechcaliper.html

I will follow up with one of our aircraft mechanics and see what they say, We use a tug to move our fixed wing air attack plane and I can look at it and see if I can get some mfg info.

[BajaF250]

Hey Bob,
For some reason I've missed your posting... my most sincere and humble condolences with your loss.

Your build looks terrific. What a great way to approach it... aka Nick style! You've done a fantastic job in collecting all the right parts! I love the truck history, makes it that much more special.

I have a question, what are you thinking about your cage? Have you done any additional planning? Who is going to do the work? What design do you have in mind? How extensive and what elements do you want designed in? I know most folks would like a cage of some sort, but are stalled by the cost and I'm interested in the course you decide to go.

Looking GREAT!

[ChaseTruck754]

They are similar to these
http://www.auscoproducts.com/mechcaliper.html

I will follow up with one of our aircraft mechanics and see what they say, We use a tug to move our fixed wing air attack plane and I can look at it and see if I can get some mfg info.

Cool Bob - thanks for the new link, and please do let me know if you find out anything more. I'd like to figure out a parking brake that doesn't end up costing $300+ but who knows if I'll be able to.

My options right now are:

1) DSM (I think that's who) re-designed El Dorado calipers. These are said to work whereas the original El Dorado ones are a pain! These are $350 or so for the pair if I remember right.

2) A line lock type valve plumbed into the cab. This one is the cheapest it seems but my least favorite solution

3) A drive line brake like we are discussing. I'd like to do a mechanical caliper on the cheap, rather than a $350 or so "kit".

[Bondobob]

I checked the "tug" and it is an Airheart mechanical caliper like the MB1.

I also found these:

http://www.tsmmfg.com/7211.htm

This probably the caliper I'll use then find a rotor to fit the 1356 case hub

Thanks everyone for the well wishes after Mom's passing!