69 Body Restoration

[Kerry]

I have purchased a 1969 Bronco which I am restoring. I am in need of advice on what to do to make sure the body is aligned properly before I start the disassembly/reassembly process. It looks like I will be replacing alot of sheet metal, floor pan, door posts and pillars, one quarter etc. The vehicle is not aligned currently due to the way it was transported, on a flatbed without all the body mounts installed. Can anyone give a plan to do this correctly?

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Kerry., welcome..

More info needed... RU saying the body is "racked" or twisted..?

OR, RU refering to the front end alignment..?

Is the frame true & square at this time..?

 

[Kerry]

I am not exactly sure where I stand with the body. I am not knowledgeable enough with Broncos to know if the body is actually out of alignment or not. I don't think it is too bad and would like to replace certain parts like both door posts, the whole floor pan, inner rocker panels and most of the front end pieces. Maybe what I need is someone who is familiar with Early Broncos to look at my vehicle and assess what should be done and a plan of attack. The frame and chassis all seem to be in pretty good condition. Do you know of someone in the Brighton Mi. area that can do this?

 

[Bronc76]

Maybe you can contact someone at Bronco Graveyard that can give you some insight or look at what you got. I think they're located in Brighton.

 

[Bully Bob]

"Maybe what I need is someone who is familiar with Early Broncos to look at my vehicle and assess what should be done and a plan of attack"

This may be a good idea.....76 is right...!! JBG is in Brighton 48116

248 437-5060

Maybe a complete fiberglass body would be an option as well.

 

[bigbluebronc]

Start of with a strait frame!

See what the grave yard has too say. I had a terribble time lining up my body and doors. I can only guess that my rig was leanned over hard once or twice or more because when I took out the two inch body lift everything went crazy. Keep count of your body shims. That will help.

If I where too do a body off I would rebolt body with new rubber/urathatne mounts and then align then jig the body together too keep it aligned and paint and strip and paint and such then bolt back together with same mounts at same places and tourqe body mounts till all fits too fine toon doors and lines.

Think of it like a convertible bug once you take the doors off and the top off there is not much keeping the body from flexing any way but good once its off the frame. \

Check the frame for square too no reason too start off with the base of the rig outta kilter!

BBB

 

[Kerry]

Are there other frame dimensions out there in addition to the ones from EBR. I don't see any reference to the body mounts. I am thinking knowing the measurements for the eight body mount points from some point of reference should be a good indicator of whether the frame is straight or not. If my frame is straight then like was mentioned by BBB, mounting the body down to the frame with the doors on and seeing how everything lines up would at least get me going. I am also aware of the measurement diagram in the JBG catalog and was wondering if any other body measurement information is available? I have a (2) inch lift kit along with a new set of Energy Suspension body mounts. Do you think it would be better to leave the lifts out while doing the aligning? I will need to use them eventually because of the larger tires I have for the vehicle. I am currently in the process of designing a jig to set inside the vehicle once everything is aligned to maintain alignment positions. Is anyone aware of a good design for something like this. Thanks for all the help!

 

[bigbluebronc]

The only thing I have seen is door jigs too keep the body strait.

Measure diagonally for frame squareness for up and down level have a level floor and hope its good or take it too a body shop and have them square it up perfect and then take it for its first ride on some rocks and then its not haha..

Good luck BBB