We have it easy

those old Bronco's are indestructible ! I had a '71,'74 and a '94. the '71 was my grandfathers and not long ago I found the orig. receipt for $3995 ! boy I wish I still had it.....only thing wrong it was a 170ci 6 cylinder ☹️

This one has the 170. Another reason I am not going crazy with the lift and tires.
 
This one has the 170. Another reason I am not going crazy with the lift and tires.

I had 6in lift and ran 35's on mine but it had 4.56 gears in it and 3 speed manual. I was just out of high school and stupid chasing tail and traded it in on a Trans Am 🤬
 
One area where a 50 year old Bronco will be easier than a 50 year old TJ is the electronics. In order to keep TJs running well into the future the PCM, TCM, cluster, etc. have to be reverse engineered and open-sourced so anyone can make their own replacements.

For the last couple of years I have been working on doing just that for the Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection system, but it is really primitive compared to what the TJ has.

Andy
 
One area where a 50 year old Bronco will be easier than a 50 year old TJ is the electronics. In order to keep TJs running well into the future the PCM, TCM, cluster, etc. have to be reverse engineered and open-sourced so anyone can make their own replacements.

Andy
That's what @Wranglerfix is for. Mark's great grandkids will be taught well. 🇺🇸 :cool:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Wranglerfix
That's what @Wranglerfix is for. Mark's great grandkids will be taught well. 🇺🇸 :cool:

If I understand it correctly, Mark is taking PCMs of the same vintage but designed by Motorola (no heatsink) and programming them with the same firmware as in our Huntsville (has heatsink) PCMs. If so that means these are not brand new and will age over time as well. I am talking about a source for brand new electronics.

Andy
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Wranglerfix
If I understand it correctly, Mark is taking PCMs of the same vintage but designed by Motorola (no heatsink) and programming them with the same firmware as in our Honeywell (has heatsink) PCMs. If so that means these are not brand new and will age over time as well. I am talking about a source for brand new electronics.

Andy

You worry about the future too much. Brandon will make sure you don't have one. o_O
 
I'm not worrying. I am just pointing out the problems people will face in the future, people like @Chris who have said they want to keep their TJ for the rest of their lives. Andy

Looks like I’m the one eating my own words now 😆

In all seriousness though there’s no harm in this. It’s always interesting to sit and think about how difficult it will be in the future to keep more modern vehicles running. Unless of course there is an aftermarket that steps up to support them.
 
I am sure most of you are aware of this but we have it easy finding parts and accessories for our TJ’s. Same is true for most Wrangler models. For most mechanical stuff we can go to local auto parts store and we can accessorize in a million ways from tons of online sources. Prices are reasonable because of the number of us out there willing to do this.

I recently acquired a 1966 Ford Bronco and am starting to restore it. Although there are a few online suppliers…the parts are super expensive. Can’t go to the local O’Reilly’s for anything.

To top it off the 1966 had some unicorn stuff that was changed the next year. I am trying to keep it as “original” as possible but it has quickly become a much more expensive venture than my TJ will ever be.

For example the 1966 only Bronco hub caps (not wheels but hub caps only) can go for $1500-3000. I need to replace the manual steering box and it will be $500+.

Minderbender3

Bronco.webp


IMG_4489.webp


IMG_4492.webp
Nice project, good luck. After my 1st 2 Jeeps aI got a '66 Bronco. What a great vehicle, the ride and highway handling were so far above CJs, offroad it did all I asked, just a little tight on some trails.
 
Finding many parts for my '75 Oldsmoboat Cutlass is almost impossible. Old enough not to make them anymore, mid-70's enough for nobody to care and make re-pops. If anybody can find me a set of a/c refrigerant hoses, I'll owe ya!

If you have the old ones a hydraulic shop can crimp new rubber hoses onto the metal ends.

If you don’t have the originals, sign up here and post a wanted ad.

classicoldsmobile.com


This is my Olds .

And by the way I can buy most engine, suspension, steering, and suspension parts I need at the local auto parts store.


IMG_0003.jpeg
 
I've been in on classicolds for 10+ years (don't post much) and have a thread up now. Love your drop top. I wish my grandpa would have got one of those ('72 was the last good year IMHO). Unfortunately the lack of love for the 73-77s means nobody is reproducing much for them. Some stuff they is GM wide and carried over unchanged into the 80s and even 90s is easy to find. Model year specific stuff sucks though.

Are you saying the will cut off the current crimp fittings and attach hose right to the metal line?
 
That is my impression, although I have no direct experience with it. I recently read a thread on CO about someone having their lines rebuilt. Maybe that was in your thread?
 
Thanks. That’s is where I have been getting my stuff so far, along with Bronco Graveyard.

I do plan on converting to power steering. It will not be cheap but should be more comfortable to drive.

Power steering and power brakes are the two upgrade to make them driveable.