Wood's 92

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:11 pm

Time to start a thread for the Bronco.
I’ve been wanting to build something with 4 seats for a while now. With two kids, I was tired of not having a backseat in the Ranger. But I loved the TTB 4wd of the ranger, so it was either going to be a bronco or explorer…I think the bronco will be an easier project, especially since this one is well on its way.
The story goes that this bronco was built when it was brand new from the dealer, delivered straight to Spirit Racing. This is kind of cool to me, since this was right around the time I first got into offroad racing and attended my first Score race, the Fireworks 250 in Barstow. So while by today’s standards it is a little old school, it’s period appropriate for a 20 year old truck. This is also around the time I had my first car which, coincidentally, was a black bronco (an ‘81)…and I was so jealous of my best friend’s older brother who had white fenders and a cool prerunner bumper. Here’s what I know about the truck now, but the further I dig into the more I find out…

*351W with Vortech supercharger, CA smog legal.

*E4OD – I assume original trans. I don’t know of any modifications…who knows.

*Front suspension by Spirit Racing. Custom coil buckets, 3 bilstein 2.0 shocks per wheel, steel braided cable for limit straps.

*Rear suspension by Spirit Racing. 8.8 Trussed and tabbed by Spirit, 3.55 gears. 10 leaf spring pack, manufacturer unknown…my guess is National. 2-link traction bars. Two separate bolt on rear shock mounts. Front one mounts 2 shocks each side angled forward from axle. Rear mount supports gas tank and has upper mount for 2 shocks that mount on rear of axle and angle inboard (one each side).

*Front and Rear bumpers were done by a shop in Santa Cruz.

*Simple cage also done by the shop in Santa Cruz. It terminates to large plates on floor of cab. Bar behind front seats is removable for regular driving and easier access to backseat.

*2 Piaa lights and 2 Hella lights on a removable light bar attached to front bumper…Rear facing rectangular Hella light.

*Bumping Stereo. 12” sub in back, and amps/wires going everywhere. I doubt I’ll keep all of it in there, the sub is HUGE and not a priority. Hopefully I can figure out how to elimate some of the ridiculously complicated stereo while still keep it sound nice. Wiring is not my specialty.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:16 pm

PLANS:

Truck has been sitting for a long time, needs some love.

*Front Brakes and rotors are bad. DONE – replaced rotors/pads/seals, and repacked wheel bearings this weekend.

*General maintenance. Replace fluids, etc.

*Sort out wiring. Looks like it was wired for two batteries. Only one there now, will probably replace with a yellow top or 2…or something better (Philo?). Also lots of unused accessories that are not even connected right now. Jacobs ignition mounted to core support but not hooked up to anything. There is a module under the dash labled “J&S electronics”. There is a defunct old Clifford Alarm. Wiring on lights also needs to be sorted out. Appears to be done nicely, but just disconnected…was it off second battery? Some stuff to figure out here.

*Replace carpet and backseat. Black carpet has faded to hideous green color. Backseat is tan, doesn’t match and is rough. I think I found a craigslist parts bronco with gray carpet and gray rear seat. I want my wife to be happy to ride in this thing, and it needs some cosmetics.

*Freshen up shocks all around. They are not as easily serviceable as I was hoping, but I think it can be done…but there are TWELVE of them.

*Tires. It currently has 32” BFG AT’s. 3 are decent 20-25%, but one is wasted. Not sure what I’m gonna do here….probably just find one matching tire and run the 32’s until I can regear it and go bigger. I’m not sure if I’m a big fan of the AR23 wheels…and they appear to have a deep backspacing, inside of tires rubbing on rear wheel wells.

*Tie cage into frame. Would like to use bushings or even the cab mount/bushing mounts from Autofab.

*Install new antenna and my old race radio.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:42 pm

You said my name?

ckymacias · Post by **ckymacias** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:35 pm

Sweet find! Looking forward to seeing your updates!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:16 pm

Jaron, that is so cool! You're way ahead of the game, with something that was built by a legend in the sport. Have fun with it, really looking forward to seeing it.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:41 pm

philofab wrote:You said my name?

What do you recommend battery-wise? I had a yellow-top in the Ranger, after my red top quit, I replaced it with a yellow. My understanding was a yellow could be run all the way down without as much harm...unlike a starting battery. Kind of a compromise between deep cycle and starting battery...not sure if that is totally right.
As the Bronco, It appears that it WAS running dual batteries, but I'm not sure how they were wired...although there is some sort of isolator there. Lights/stereo may have been running off the second battery??? Now there is just one cheap starting battery in there.

Any advice on type of battery(s) to run?

Thanks

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:34 am

Here is the isolator by the battery. Middle post = 2 wires to alternator, top post = one cable to + battery terminal and one goes into cab (stereo, etc?), bottom post goes into tow wires that disappear into wire looms, haven't been able to trace.

Anybody just LOVE wiring? Wanna come over and help? I'll provide the Mountain Dew!

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:40 am

Does that have a 6 or 7 post trailer plug on the back? If so that isolator is for charging a trailer battery.

Optimas are still a good choice, just not as tough as they once were. Still the best bang for the buck price wise.

Anything better (Lifeline, Odyssey, Northstar, ect) will have twice the price tag. A group 65 Odyssey is about $300-$350 vs $200 or so for a yellowtop.

I do recommend the deep cycle Optimas over the starting. FYI, Red = starting, Yellow = deep cycle, Blue can be either (bottom color denotes deep or starting).

The top color should be ignored. Light grey = deep cycle. Dark grey = starting.

Phoenix0783 · Post by **Phoenix0783** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:38 pm

philofab wrote: Optimas are still a good choice, just not as tough as they once were.

What changed?

philofab wrote: I do recommend the deep cycle Optimas over the starting. FYI, Red = starting, Yellow = deep cycle, Blue can be either (bottom color denotes deep or starting).

The top color should be ignored. Light grey = deep cycle. Dark grey = starting.

What does the blue top mean? So, ignore the colors?

I have a red top optima that's probably 3.5 years old now and it still works great.

philofab · Post by **philofab** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:42 pm

Phoenix0783 wrote:
philofab wrote: Optimas are still a good choice, just not as tough as they once were.
What changed?

philofab wrote: I do recommend the deep cycle Optimas over the starting. FYI, Red = starting, Yellow = deep cycle, Blue can be either (bottom color denotes deep or starting).

The top color should be ignored. Light grey = deep cycle. Dark grey = starting.
What does the blue top mean? So, ignore the colors?

I have a red top optima that's probably 3.5 years old now and it still works great.

Blue top means Marine. Marine uses starting and deep cycle batteries. Biggest difference is an automotive terminal and a stud. Reds and Yellows have side posts and auto in 34/78.

Optima was acquired by JCI (Johnson Controls) and manufacturing was moved to Mexico a couple of years ago. Many people have voiced issues since this happened.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:43 pm

philofab wrote:Does that have a 6 or 7 post trailer plug on the back? If so that isolator is for charging a trailer battery.

hmmm...maybe, I'll have to look again. It was wired for winch front or rear also, and has a pretty elaborate stereo system. I figured those things might have been running off a second deep cycle battery.
Thanks
Jaron

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:58 pm

Man, upon tearing into this thing, it's crazy...I found the craziest alarm system wired into it. A custom box was built under the center console. I thought it just housed a 10 disc CD Changer. Turns out that's where the alarm was...an old clifford alarm, seperate remote start unit, and a separate Smart Windows unit. I guess someone wanted to go prerunning but still be able to disarm alarm, start the truck, open the windows, and crank the stereo all with the push of a button. This is going to be a pain in the butt to sort out....maybe I should just stuff it all back in there and forget I ever saw it!

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:29 am

Some general maintenance over the last few days. New cap/rotor, new spark plugs and wires, new belt, air filter...next to change all the fluids. I will tackle all that but I think I will take the transmission in for a proper flushing.
I also decided to remove the rats nest of alarm wires under center console...I was very careful to trace wires before hacking away. Then when I got it all out I still couldn't start the engine. After hours of following wires and staring and scratching my head I found out the fuel pump inertia switch was tripped... I must have triggered it when I was fighting the kick panel to get it out from behind a-pillar of cage. What a pain. Still need to clean up all the wiring, bundle everything back up nicely and wire power window and locks switches back up. They were relocated to center console because of custom speaker install in doors.
Oh yeah, I ripped the front carpet out. It was awful and needed to expose wiring anyway.

Silverslk · Post by **Silverslk** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:29 am

DAMN!! Sounds like you're going at it. Any progress is good progress.

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:26 pm

Extra parts

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:27 pm

Why I ripped out the carpet

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:32 pm

custom speaker install in door panels

Wood · Post by **Wood** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:36 pm

Momo steering wheel, with cruise control buttons.

Post by **SteveG** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:50 am

This truck has a some super cool features. I dig that steering wheel.

Post by **SteveG** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:55 pm

Well? Is this thing still sitting in the garage?

Wood's 92

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