Chevy & GMC Vans

And maybe she is right...

OK, here is the history....

When I was 18 and living in Milton-Freewater (OR), I bought a beat up '72 Ford Bronco. It was my first 'car' as I'd owned a dual-sport and a street bike prior to that. It was dented, missing parts, had rusted floorboards, and etc., etc. But it was COOL in my book. That year I joined the Air Force and eventually landed in Valdosta, Georga, but without the Bronco. Within a year or so though, I managed to get the Bronco to GA by having my uncle and best friend drive it to Vegas, and I picked it up there and drove it back east. Once in GA, I thrashed it in the mud. That poor Bronco didn't have a chance. The problem was I was trying to feed two rigs on limited pay and I couldn't do it. My other truck was a 2wd '81 Toyota that I was wanting to build to look like a pre-runner. One of them had to go. Since the Toy was in much better shape, the Bronco lost.

But within a few months of selling it, I was regretting it. And I've regretted it ever since. (We are talking 25 years here!) And anyone who follows old Broncos knows the prices have climbed and the supply of good rigs is dwindling.

OK, so I hope you have figured out I bought a Bronco... Here it is, a 1974 model.

























Stats:

Stock 302 V-8 (2-bbl carb)
T-18 4-spd transmission (swapped in)
Dana 20 T-case (with twin stick conversion)
Power steering
Dana 44 front w/discs (converted from drums but not power assist)
9" rear (with aftermarket LSD... sadly both diffs house stock 3.54 gears)
Twin tanks (w/one being an aftermarket oversize version)
Custom bumpers (front set up for Warn 8274/rear w/2" receiver)

Issues.....:

Some body cancer (really noticable due to white paint)
Worn steering box
Bad radius arm bushings (front end is loose and clunks and I'm guessing this is why... new bushing included in sale)
Chattery clutch
No back seat/seat belts (and spare tire mount is in the way)
Just general unknown vehicle history/condition...

So there you have it. While this isn't the 'cherry' Bronco I'd love to own, it is a pretty straight example of the breed and one I'm not afraid to use. And it was in my price range with the right parts/modifications.

I'M PRETTY FREAKIN' HAPPY!!!

(My van is still my 'project'. This is a weekend toy and I'm not going to sink any significan time or money into it until the van is on the road again!)

Very nice! I like how you slipped in that "project" clause.

Matt, I'm envious. Love those first generation Broncos--Ford certainly knew how to make a truck look like a truck back then.

lockdoc wrote:I like how you slipped in that "project" clause.

I figured I'd better with this group! (And I still get excited thinking about my completed van. It's probably the first vehicle I've enjoyed every minute I've owned it. Can't say that about any of the rest...)

I'll say two things...

1, You have a very understanding wife
2, I hope we don't see her snowblowin in sneakers again!

o.k 3 things

Cool score

Very cool, Matty, very cool indeed. I have always liked those and there are only a few nice ones in Bellingham to speak of.

I thought I had you busted on the "project" clause, but should have known you cover your bases.

Lets hook up and link some green dots! I'll try to push to get my hitch carrier bike tray finished and we can do some in trucks and some on bikes/quads!

Congrats!

T.Low wrote: Lets hook up and link some green dots! I'll try to push to get my hitch carrier bike tray finished and we can do some in trucks and some on bikes/quads!

Yeah, this one will wheel the Green Dots better than my Super Duty. We'll make it happen. (After they put the fires out!!)

Oh, and Matt, this recent purchase (or two?) doesn't mean you are in mid life crisis; quite the contrary. It means you have arrived.

mdmead wrote:(My van is still my 'project'. This is a weekend toy and I'm not going to sink any significan time or money into it until the van is on the road again!)

famous last words.. LOL

I'm not allowed to start a new one until i finish my current list LOL

great find. i think those are very cool, i also don't think ANY still exist up here in my area

Very nice find, Matt. And it's in pretty darn good shape for it's age. We're all car guys, so we understand the project thing. A lot of us have more on our plate than we wish we had. My only serious project is Cherie's 1978 280Z. The "Smilie Van" was never intended to be a project and it really isn't. Most mods were done for practical reasons. You'll have a lot of fun in that Bronco.

Smiliesafari wrote:Very nice find, Matt. And it's in pretty darn good shape for it's age. We're all car guys, so we understand the project thing. A lot of us have more on our plate than we wish we had. My only serious project is Cherie's 1978 280Z. The "Smilie Van" was never intended to be a project and it really isn't. Most mods were done for practical reasons. You'll have a lot of fun in that Bronco.

Excellent justification! I must remember that line! ""for practical reasons"


I have about three 280's in my neighbor hood. The red one is absolutely gorgeous, with slighly larger, more modern sized wheels and tires. Mint condition. Its a knock out. I don't know the guy, but I stare everytime he drives by.

I gotta go rearrainge my garage now that I bought that dual sport. Cheers.

Matt, maybe you already stated and I missed it; how are the tires on the Bronco and what size?

Is it a turn key, does it need anything before you'll take it out on The Durr?

T.Low wrote:Matt, maybe you already stated and I missed it; how are the tires on the Bronco and what size?

Is it a turn key, does it need anything before you'll take it out on The Durr?

Tires are fair. 31x10.50s M/Ts.

It is road/trail ready if I keep it close by. Due to the looseness in the front end right now, I wouldn't want to roadtrip it just yet. (No shimmy, but the darting is scary as the speeds increase.) I'll be using it for all my local trips in the near future to make sure it is reliable.

I've got a line on a set of factory aluminum wheels off of a 90s era F-150 4x4 for about $200. If it works out, I hope to go get them tomorrow. It would be real tempting to take the brand new Pro Comp 31" MTs I have sitting in my dad's shop and put them on... But those tires are for the van, so I'm going to resist. Besides, I really need to find some 33s for the Bronco. (I'm guessing the wheels I'm looking at are 15x7 or 15x7.5. This means I'm going to need a 10.50 width on the 33s if I want to keep the new wheels. And there aren't too many options in that width...)

Sounds great.

I posted a "WTB" on Expedition Portal and ended up with a used set of Goodyear Wrangler MTR with 5k miles on them for $400 shipped from Ca. for the van. Since I have 11 of those Chevy 1/2 ton wheels that I like, now i have a set of ATs (255/75 16) with spare and a set of MTs (245/70 16) and three extra wheels with plans (1 for MT spare, and 2 for a trailer of some sort ).

My Uncle had a '68 Bronco back in '72 while living in Tucson. His CB handle was Bronco Kid and he used to go all up in the mountains around Tucson in it. I loved them ever since.

Congrats.

looks great Matt! I love utilitarian vehicles...used to be really fond of the old AMC Scouts. That Bronco is a dead ringer for one.