Another new guy...

[halter91]

Hey guys, I just got my Bronco out of the trans shop and i need some help.

I have some rust in the tailgate, imagine that. What's the best way to go about fixing it? Should i bondo it, or get a skin, or get a new OEM tailgate. Also, I have the normal rust about the wheels? I assume same thing, but it's not too bad yet.

The biggest concern I have is the ride. I ridden in a few, and mine handle liek crap. Every bump it feels like you it's going to fall apart? I have Rancho shocks on it, but I still think it's not just the shocks.

I was also considering putting a small lift on it, nothing big as it might be my daily driver if we decide to sell the expolorer.

last thing is the motor...302, with a lot of miles on it. I already did the little upgrades, K and N, Header, flowmasters, it's still a dog. Jasper or a Ford Crate motor or have one built? Or will a 351 fit? I just had the tranny done, 1300 bucks and I would like to be able to use it.

I love this truck, I can actually fit in it. Thanks in advance for the help. This is my truck.

 

[halter91]

Almost forgot, where is the best place for accessories, lights, bars, maybe a cowl induction hood? I want to paint it a drak shade of grey with black stripes down the front, like Eleanor from gone in 60 seconds.

 

[Grandpa's-Bronco]

Regarding your tailgate, get a replacement tailgate. I bought mine from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. A lot of salvage yards will sell new tailgates as well. I would not buy OEM, though. Aftermarket tailgates are much cheaper ($200 vs. $600).

Not a tough job to replace the tailgate, but it takes some investigation to figure out how to get the window track and motor assembly out. Some of your rollers and tracks may be rusted out as well. You can get these parts at the Graveyard.

Take precautions against the new one rusting. I replaced mine 5 years ago, and it is starting to rust again. I sprayed the bottom inside with the rust proofing, but it didn't work. You may want to have the tailgate pretreated against rust before you paint it.

Good luck!

 

[halter91]

thanks man, I'm going to undercoat the **** out of it.

 

[Bradt]

Unless you're just dead set on lightening the truck, don't get fiberglass for the tailgate. They work ok, but don't support anything near the weight an OEM tailgate would.

brad

 

[Justshootme84]

Hey guys, I just got my Bronco out of the trans shop and i need some help.
I have some rust in the tailgate, imagine that. What's the best way to go about fixing it?  Should i bondo it, or get a skin, or get a new OEM tailgate.  Also, I have the normal rust about the wheels? I assume same thing, but it's not too bad yet.

The biggest concern I have is the ride.  I ridden in a few, and mine handle liek crap.  Every bump it feels like you it's going to fall apart?  I have Rancho shocks on it, but I still think it's not just the shocks.

I was also considering putting a small lift on it, nothing big as it might be my daily driver if we decide to sell the expolorer. 

last thing is the motor...302, with a lot of miles on it.  I already did the little upgrades, K and N, Header, flowmasters, it's still a dog.  Jasper or a Ford Crate motor or have one built?  Or will a 351 fit?  I just had the tranny done, 1300 bucks and I would like to be able to use it. 

I love this truck, I can actually fit in it.  Thanks in advance for the help.  This is my truck.

20643[/snapback]

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Howdy & Welcome to Bronco Zone!!!

Tailgate: Common rust area on the Bronco. If it's limited to the bottom-center of the outer skin, you can possibly repair that or replace with a lower skin panel. I had mine repaired with hot lead, but that's an old school body technique. IF rust has spread to other areas, a replacement gate from a salveage yard is about $150. That's what I'll have to get for my 86, it's totally thrashed.

Ride quality: check all rubber bushings on the suspension and body mounts. If they are the originals, they're prolly cracked, dry rotted or totally gone. You can get polyurethane replacements for those if you plan to keep the Bronco for a while.

Check the shocks for worn bushings, too. You may still rattle all of the trim srews out while driving, as the Bronco has a rougher ride than most cars.

You can also find alot of good info by searching the forum topics.