Nothing special class3 pics
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Made some more progress the other day!
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- Out with the old to make way for the new!
- IMG215.jpg (235.15 KiB) Viewed 2072 times
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- Back when I was young and foolish, I welded all the rivets/crossmembers with out giving any thought to the fact they may need to someday come out. Damn!
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- Stupid frame rivets/misguided welds!
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- Now I just have some grinding and drilling to do. Once thats done, I can put in my new Autofab mounts and motor!
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 2:32 pm
- Bronco Info: Autofab C&T crossover steering 16"king co's&bumps 9"35spl 4link
- Location: Shickshinny PA
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Do you remember what size and count splines are on your steering box?
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
I would have to look. I know I had to buy two in order to get it right! I will try and look this weekend for you.
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Well, I finished up all my grinding and drilling and have the Autofab mounts in place now. The autofab mounts came drilled for 7/16th bolts (which I hate with the burning hot intensity of 1,000 suns) so I redrilled them all to 1/2" bolts. The holes in the frame were all about .530 diameter. The Autofab full race mounts are a very nice unit. I was a little worried about the motor fitting them properly since I took out some slop going to the 1/2" bolts, but everything lined up great.
The motor is in and now it is time to start the plumbing and wiring.
The motor is in and now it is time to start the plumbing and wiring.
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- motors in.jpg (291.49 KiB) Viewed 2002 times
- SteveG
- Admin
- Posts: 6142
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:25 am
- Bronco Info: Wilson: 96, Stretched 17.5", coil-overs / Bypasses, 4-link, a fridge and all the amenities :)
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
It looks good in there! I can't wait to hear it make vroom vroom sounds from under the hood!
Sho nuff,
SteveG
SteveG
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 2:32 pm
- Bronco Info: Autofab C&T crossover steering 16"king co's&bumps 9"35spl 4link
- Location: Shickshinny PA
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Thanks. I have same Autofab mounts & they are nice pieces.
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
OK, I have been spending my time getting my 76 bronco ready for summer cruising and wheeling. It's on the road/trail now so it is back to the race bronco!
Now that the motors in, I am moving on to steering while my business parter should be starting on plumbing and wiring. I am going with a single swinger set up. Once I have this welded in I will get the front of the frame painted. I will just be spray painting everything until I get some seat time and get any bugs worked out.
Anyway, here is what I have cut for the swingers. It's all 3/16" chromoly. It pivots on Pro-2 delrin lower arm bushings.
Now that the motors in, I am moving on to steering while my business parter should be starting on plumbing and wiring. I am going with a single swinger set up. Once I have this welded in I will get the front of the frame painted. I will just be spray painting everything until I get some seat time and get any bugs worked out.
Anyway, here is what I have cut for the swingers. It's all 3/16" chromoly. It pivots on Pro-2 delrin lower arm bushings.
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- swinger box.jpg (272.8 KiB) Viewed 1932 times
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
ESHALLBETTER wrote:OK, I have been spending my time getting my 76 bronco ready for summer cruising and wheeling. It's on the road/trail now so it is back to the race bronco!
Now that the motors in, I am moving on to steering while my business parter should be starting on plumbing and wiring. I am going with a single swinger set up. Once I have this welded in I will get the front of the frame painted. I will just be spray painting everything until I get some seat time and get any bugs worked out.
Anyway, here is what I have cut for the swingers. It's all 3/16" chromoly. It pivots on Pro-2 delrin lower arm bushings.
I like the way you boxed those in. Those arent going anywhere!
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
That's awesomely cleverMOSS2 wrote:ESHALLBETTER wrote:OK, I have been spending my time getting my 76 bronco ready for summer cruising and wheeling. It's on the road/trail now so it is back to the race bronco!
Now that the motors in, I am moving on to steering while my business parter should be starting on plumbing and wiring. I am going with a single swinger set up. Once I have this welded in I will get the front of the frame painted. I will just be spray painting everything until I get some seat time and get any bugs worked out.
Anyway, here is what I have cut for the swingers. It's all 3/16" chromoly. It pivots on Pro-2 delrin lower arm bushings.
I like the way you boxed those in. Those arent going anywhere!

- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Well....
We had another Pro-2 come in that needed some work so I have been spending my "free time" working on that a bit. It needed to be re-plumbed and it got new suspension front and rear. I was able to get the front of my frame painted and get the motor and shocks back in. For now I am just using a flat black that comes off with brake cleaner so I can tab it out and make changes easily. I should be mounting the PCV tank and steering fluid reservior this weekend.
I basically just wanted to add some pics so people knew I wasn't dead and I've been in the shop!
We had another Pro-2 come in that needed some work so I have been spending my "free time" working on that a bit. It needed to be re-plumbed and it got new suspension front and rear. I was able to get the front of my frame painted and get the motor and shocks back in. For now I am just using a flat black that comes off with brake cleaner so I can tab it out and make changes easily. I should be mounting the PCV tank and steering fluid reservior this weekend.
I basically just wanted to add some pics so people knew I wasn't dead and I've been in the shop!
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- IMG341.jpg (191.43 KiB) Viewed 1864 times
- fordf100amc
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:43 am
- Bronco Info: 91 bronco
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
The bronco is looking awesome. Hey can you send me or put up a picture of the radius arm ends and mounts that go to frame. Also what kind of end did you use?
Thanks
Thanks
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Yep, I'll try and grab some pics this weekend. I use a 1.25" heim joint to pivot from. They are welded to the beam. (NOTE: I will not do that again)
- fordf100amc
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:43 am
- Bronco Info: 91 bronco
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
I would love to see the pictures. So you said you wouldnt do it again. How would you do it now? I'm building a bronco right now. Cage is done I'm working on the suspension now. I was going to use a 1.25 hiem from ruff stuff for the radius arms.
- 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: Nothing special class3 pics
pretty sure he was saying he wouldn't weld the radius arms to the beams again.
Owner of only dead and forgotten projects
- fordf100amc
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:43 am
- Bronco Info: 91 bronco
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
I see that most race builds weld the radius arms to the beams. Why wouldn't you do that again?
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Steve is correct, I would not weld the radius arm to the beam again for several reasons. I like using the 1.25" heim.
1.) Installation - I did my best to keep things from moving as I welded, but the beam was difficult to install as a solid unit. If you had the radius arm pivot at the beam as it is designed, it will be easier to mount the radius arm at the frame.
2.) If the beam OR the radius arm gets severely damaged, I have to throw the whole thing away.
3.) I don't think bolting is a signaficant strength reduction. If it takes that hard of a hit, the bolt may be a good failure point.
I'll work on getting some more pics this weekend!
1.) Installation - I did my best to keep things from moving as I welded, but the beam was difficult to install as a solid unit. If you had the radius arm pivot at the beam as it is designed, it will be easier to mount the radius arm at the frame.
2.) If the beam OR the radius arm gets severely damaged, I have to throw the whole thing away.
3.) I don't think bolting is a signaficant strength reduction. If it takes that hard of a hit, the bolt may be a good failure point.
I'll work on getting some more pics this weekend!
- Joxracing
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:53 am
- Bronco Info: 1989 Ford F-150, 6" deaver in front...soon. 351w, 33" BFG MudTerrains
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Looks good. I was kinda hoping I'd see this thing this year, guess not. 

- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
You and me both....for multiple years.Joxracing wrote:Looks good. I was kinda hoping I'd see this thing this year, guess not.
I am flying out to Crandon Saturday with my old man. I'll come find you guys and say Hi. Keep a beer on ice for me!
- Joxracing
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:53 am
- Bronco Info: 1989 Ford F-150, 6" deaver in front...soon. 351w, 33" BFG MudTerrains
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
Hahaha. Will do, if you can find us in the mass insanity.ESHALLBETTER wrote:You and me both....for multiple years.Joxracing wrote:Looks good. I was kinda hoping I'd see this thing this year, guess not.
I am flying out to Crandon Saturday with my old man. I'll come find you guys and say Hi. Keep a beer on ice for me!
- ESHALLBETTER
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:49 am
- Bronco Info: 85 class 3, 70's somthing trail bronco.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Nothing special class3 pics
A little more progress but progress none the less!
I have decided to go with a single swinger setup and use .875 heims throughout. Also got the snouts and the hubs on the rear axle! I hope to get the new pitman arm tacked together tonight and get the swinger in the truck.
I have decided to go with a single swinger setup and use .875 heims throughout. Also got the snouts and the hubs on the rear axle! I hope to get the new pitman arm tacked together tonight and get the swinger in the truck.
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- FF REAR.jpg (279.04 KiB) Viewed 1596 times
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- CUT PITMAN.jpg (259.95 KiB) Viewed 1596 times
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- MACHINING PITMAN.jpg (216.88 KiB) Viewed 1596 times