The Baja Banditos Build

[BajaBronco13]

I've been on Class 3 Racing for sometime now and when I first signed on, my inital plan was to build a Ford Bronco prerunner. Since then my direction has changed from a mild prerunner to a full blown class 3.

Where did I find my project? While out of town working in San Francisco, I was surfing the net and came across a 1986 Ford Bronco on Ebay at the right price. And it was located in the City of Orange, just a short trip South of my home in Los Angeles. I waited until the last minute and put a bid in and won.

Stats:

Engine: 351W
Transmission: C6
Axles: 9" and Dana 44

The Build:

Front Suspension: Solo Motorsports Radius Arms and Beams, King Coilovers, Bypass shocks, Bumps and Beard Limiting Straps

Rear Suspension: Deavers 2.5 wide F150 springs on Solo Motorsports Shackles, King Bypass shocks, King bumps and Beard Limiting Straps

[Blanco]

Its about time you started this thread. :D

But whats up with the non-legal for class 3 Grill? :confused:

I'm looking forward to your finished product!
LOL! as if its ever finished. :o

[BajaBronco13]

Once I decided I was going to build a Class 3, I gave Bob Graham at Titan Off Road a call and we started to talk about my build. I had the truck towed over and the tear down started.

[Blanco]

Ok, but whats up with the late model grill? :confused:
I do appreciate the idea.
but I dont see that being legal? http://thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

[BajaBronco13]

During the tear down I had Titan Off Road install my Deavers Springs with Solo Motorsports Shackles. Once my frame is boxed, I'll have the Bump and Cans install, then the bypass shocks will go in once the interior cage is built.

[BajaBronco13]

Ok, but whats up with the late model grill? :confused:
I do appreciate the idea.
but I dont see that being legal? http://thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

Hey Cam,

That grille is long gone. It was installed by the last owner. I'm running an original 1986 grille.

[Blanco]

Hey Cam,

That grille is long gone. It was installed by the last owner. I'm running an original 1986 grille.

SWEET! :D

[BajaBronco13]

Well before the tear down started, I ordered my front fenders and hood from Autofab. I decided I wanted to stay with the old school 3rd generation Ford grille. The white Bronco is a rig I spotted online that had the front glass I was looking for and I was told they were Autofab's, so Titan gave John a call and ordered my set.

[BajaBronco13]

While waiting for my Solo radius arms and beams, I had Titan fab me up some mirrors for s--- and giggles.

[BajaBronco13]

I picked up this grille at Pick A Part to keep it Class 3 legal.

[Blanco]

I've been thinking about doing something like that myself. :)

But untill I go full race I'm keeping the stock Mirrors. http://thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

[BajaBronco13]

I will be boxing the frame and the body will be removed. I am sending the body over to Dee Day 1942 Hot Rods in LA. They'll be patching up the firewall, media blasting the entire body, priming and other odd and ends on the exterior and interior of the body.

[Yikes]

Awesome! Another project to steal ideas from. :D

[fj40]

Awesome, great job on your build.

[BajaBronco13]

I finally made it over to Solo Motorsports in Azusa to pick up my radius arms and beams. I had a chance to hang out at Solo with Bobby (the owner), these guys really make some killer parts and the radius arms definitely didn't disappoint. Nick (BrokenBronco) turned me on to Solo and I'm glad I went that route. Thanks Nick.

Oh course, now that my Class 3 will be taking sometime to finish, I started dreaming about building my 1995 daily driver Bronco into a nice little prerunner. I guess it doesn't hurt to dream, does it?

[chupakabras]

most of us, if not all, start it dreaming, and the dream never stops, because even if you have already your racer, race after race it takes a lot of effort to put it back on shape, so, you never stop working and dreaming on making it better, so, keep on working, the time goes so fast, hope to see yahh racing soon,

[BajaBronco13]

Thanks Chupa. The game plan is to have my Class 3 completed by the beginning of 2009. And the 1995 Bronco, hopefully I can work on it within the next few months. I think it would make a plush prerunner/chase truck. Damn, A/C is nice when you are out in the desert heat.

CP

[Blanco]

Any Updates? :confused:

[BajaBronco13]

Nothing lately. I had a minor surgery that took me away from the build for a couple of weeks Cam. She's now stripped completely down to just a tub. I'm trying to round up some of my friends for next weekend to help left the body off the frame. And then from there it's going to Speed Unlimited to box the frame. I had the truck at Titan Off Road to do the rear suspension. Once the frame is boxed and the front suspension is hung, we'll put the body back on the frame and work on the interior cage and engine cage. I'll keep you posted.

I have to say, since I've been driving my 1995 Bronco, it's so plush. Now I'm dreaming of building that into a killer Chase truck. A/C, leather interior and power everything. Can't go wrong. hmmm...... I could put my solo radius arms and beams on this one. :)

[locopny]

I'm trying to round up some of my friends for next weekend to help left the body off the frame.

How the heck did I miss this??? :eek:

I was/am close enough to have helped ya out here..
guess I need to check these threads a bit closer.

[BajaBronco13]

Hey Tom,

Body hasn't come off so I'll definitely call you when it's ready to go. I only have four body bolts holding it in place right now. I didn't have a place to put the body at my friend's shop so I was holding off on removing it. I'm going to remove the top and doors to lose a little more weight so we aren't busting a nut (LOL) on picking it up off the frame.

Chris

[locopny]

Hey Tom,

Body hasn't come off so I'll definitely call you when it's ready to go. I only have four body bolts holding it in place right now. I didn't have a place to put the body at my friend's shop so I was holding off on removing it. I'm going to remove the top and doors to loose a little more weight so we are busting a nut (LOL) on picking it up off the frame.

Chris

You have my #? Dont recall if I gave it to you or not...:confused:
Anyway..I think I'll be headed out to get that t-gate from ya..


I'll PM my # to ya just in case. We can work out a pick up time later.

[BajaBronco13]

With gunit and pig's builds continuing, it's motivated me to post some pics of the current status on my slow go build.

Last weekend I had a chance to make it over to the shop to finally get the body off the frame. Even with the doors and top off I was surprised at how heavy the body still is. Makes me think I should really consider cutting off the rear bed area.

I got the engine, tranny and transfer case all out in one full motion with the body off.

I called a media blaster in the City Commerce who will be sand blasting the frame for $120.00. Not too bad, this will leave me a nice clean surface to box the frame. While that's all for now folks.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/633444/fullsize/race-bronco-043.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/633448/fullsize/race-bronco-047.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/633443/fullsize/race-bronco-042.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/633446/fullsize/race-bronco-045.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/633440/fullsize/race-bronco-022.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/633441/fullsize/race-bronco-024.jpg

[locopny]

looks like you are making some progress Chris... I couldn't have helped ya lift this as I was headed home finally.

You planning to cut some off anyway for glass correct? I know that the rear bed floor section has plenty of weight all by itself. Happy building, no matter how slow.

I finally got back to see my Bronco last night. Looks like a tire repair is in order.....again.

[pigracing]

Man that's one greasy tranny and t-case!

Looks good though man. I can't wait to see some pics of that frame all boxed up.

[straightaxle]

Here in northern california, that's just rust preventative.

[BajaBronco13]

Man that's one greasy tranny and t-case!

Looks good though man. I can't wait to see some pics of that frame all boxed up.

My engine, tranny and transfer case has more oil on it then the Exxon Valdez. What a mess. Definitely won't go back in that way.

Chris

[BajaBronco13]

Headed over to Autofab the other day and picked up my quarter panels. Truck and frame are finally stripped down to a bare frame. Sending it off to the media blaster this weekend then over to Speed Unlimited for radius arms, beams and the start of the engine cage.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/670503/fullsize/img_0336.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/670504/fullsize/img_0335.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/670505/fullsize/img_0333.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/670506/fullsize/img_0334.jpg

[Blanco]

Cool dude!

Keep it up.

Hey I forget, whats your target 1st race?

[Yikes]

Hey I forget, whats your target 1st race?

I think Chris forgot too. Ha!

Hey Chris, you're going to have some competition here perty quick. Let's see who can finish first. ;)

[BajaBronco13]

I think you'll beat me Brian. I can only write checks, man I wish I had the skills to do it myself. I'm aiming for the end of next year to be up and running and ready to race. Not sure what will be my first race, most likely and MDR race. I'll keep you guys posted.