79Times 4 Door Bronco

[79time]

Suspect most members would like to know the history of Big Bronco. I refer to the 4 door as Big Bronco because I had a 79 Ford Bronco (2 door) when I purchased the 4 door and to distinguish the two one became Big Bronco and the other was Little Bronco.

My Bronco was built around 1998-1999 (Shortly after InfoFord built his) by a guy in Colorado, Dave Gardner. He stated out with a 76 Crew Cab and a 78 Ford Bronco.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1980/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_189139_5917.jpg

He keep it for 5-6 years then attempted to sale it. Here is a picture when hi finished it.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1980/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_189364_142.jpg

He ended up selling it on e-bay to a guy in Virgina. At the time it had about 5k of miles on it. That owner put approximately 10k of miles on it and kept it for about 3-4 years before putting it up on e-bay which is were I purchased it. Here is a picture of when I purchased it off E-bay.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1980/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_187685_9476.jpg

It was a no-reserve auction with a starting bid of $8,000 and the auction ended on 9 September 2007 with my winning bid of $8,535.77. Believe I paid another $775 for shipping from Virginia to Oklahoma.

Some of the Spec/Features of Big Bronco:

Drivetrain:
Ford 429 rebuilt engine
Ford C6 Automatic transmission
4-Wheel Drive (Spicer Hubs)
Edelbrock 800 cfm carburetor
4:11 Differential front and back
MSD Electronic Ignition
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Cruise Control

Interior:
Air Conditioning
Power Door Locks (I had installed an alarm to use the remote for locking and unlocking the Bronco)
Power Windows
Tilt steering
(4) Captains Chairs (blue/gray cloth)
Center console in front
Center console in rear
Full carpeting (a couple of small stains)
Heavy duty floor mats
Spare Tire in the Rear (Full size)

Exterior:
Beautiful 1997 Ford Thunderbird Portofino Blue paint
33x12, 5x15 BFG's on 5 hole chrome steel wheels
Bushwacker fender flares painted to match vehicle
Draw-Tite Activator II Electronic Brakes Kit
Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch

I've had it for about 16 months and it now has 11k more of miles. I dread to think about how much I've spent on gas since the beast uses premium.

I use Big Bronco for about everything. It's a tow vehicle for our travel trailer, attending black tie events, and anything else I need it for.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1980/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_187611_6060.jpg

[Ranger429]

Better sell that gas hog. I might even be able to help you out in these tough economic times.



8500, what a deal. I seen that when it was put up for sale prior to ebay and passed on it. I think you got a hell of a deal on it.

[79time]

Better sell that gas hog. I might even be able to help you out in these tough economic times.


Didn't I already propose a trade and you weren't interested.>M<:>M<: There is the one over at fourdoorbronco.com you could finish for the collection. :D

[68Mercury250Ranger]

I've only ever seen one of these that I like better but in this case second best is pretty damn good.

It is a very nice Big Bronco:D

Do you find it under braked when hauling that trailer? nice to see it in an action shot.

33s fill up the wheel wells nicely and the flares look awesome. I wish there were more of these built so I could decide on how I want mine put together.:confused:

cheers James

more action/towing pics please......

[Ranger429]

Didn't I already propose a trade and you weren't interested.>M<:>M<: There is the one over at fourdoorbronco.com you could finish for the collection. :D

I'm trying to find out where that one is at.

Oh and uh no trades for my Bronco.:cash

[79time]

Do you find it under braked when hauling that trailer? nice to see it in an action shot.

33s fill up the wheel wells nicely and the flares look awesome. I wish there were more of these built so I could decide on how I want mine put together.:confused:

cheers James

I've only towed trailers with electric brakes, so stopping wasn't a problem. The Bronco has an upgraded brake system, the builder used the F250 booster.

I'm not a fan of the wider tires, though the 33x12.5 do work well with the fender wells. I've thought about going to 35"s and a lift though have no reason to, I'll just keep looking for a 2 door to lift.

[427pantera]

I thought you had it longer than '07? Man, I remember seeing it from the original seller, it was priced higher than a '95 '96 C-350 Diesel.
Good buy, wish I'd have seen it. ?>:<?

Didn't you have video of it?
Post that...... u<>

[79time]

I thought you had it longer than '07? Man, I remember seeing it from the original seller, it was priced higher than a '95 '96 C-350 Diesel.
Good buy, wish I'd have seen it. ?>:<?

Didn't you have video of it?
Post that...... u<>

Good to see you at the site.

Believe the builder offered Big Bronco for sale after he built it (98-99) for $42k, he didn't have any bites and had sold it on e-bay for about 15,500. Believe that was in 03-04

When I bought it the seller had 4 videos of the bronco on his web site, and I though I had copied them, though unable to find them in the mess of files I have on the computer. I will have to make one.....one of these days.

[79time]

I managed to find an OEM brush guard and got in on today.

How it looked after painting.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209666_9200.jpg

The little rubber peices are from an inner tube that I cut up to avoid the metal to metal contact of the brush gurard and bumper.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209667_9559.jpg

The brush guard on, the straps were used to hold the bumper in place when I removed the bolts.
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209668_9927.jpg

Finished mod.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209669_303.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209670_676.jpg

I need to find some light brackets and get a set of fog/driving lights on the brush guard.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209671_1073.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2205/91/4/1476104609/n1476104609_209672_1434.jpg