Project "Tronco"

[Chuck]

paulc said:

I would have to say Ford LTD.

PaulC

Very close -- formerly a 92 Crown Vic.

The 4.6L looks huge from the back, doesn't it? Same height and width as a 460, just four inches shorter on length -- and all that mass just for a measley 283 cubic inches ...

[Chuck]

Alriiiiiight. Actually been working on the Tronco again. Aiming to get it together enough to run the Annual -- I've at least wagered an entry fee on it. Goal isn't finished, just operable.

Finished cleaning up the cab, and got it undercoated. Paint comes later this week.



Got the fenders and hood painted (hood's off to the right out of image). Cowl is sanded and waiting to get shot with the cab.

[RuffRider]

Man, I thought you said fugetaboutit and sent it to the Bronco graveyard..lol Glad to see you gonna get this thing done.

[Chuck]

Nah, I just got stuck working a LOT of overtime earlier this year. Got that done, got a few other important things that had come up taken care of (like getting the bike back together so I'd have a second set of wheels actually working) ...

If all goes well, the cab roof gets painted tonight, and tomorrow night it'll be back upright so I can paint the rest of the cab.

[cduemig]

I'm really diggin this project. That's gonna be one sharp tronco... Nice to see someone actually winding down on the project, I've got two that seem to be in a perpetual state of "just starting" Keep up the good work!

[Chuck]

Was hoping to have pics of the cab, fenders, hood, and entire front end all painted up and on for good, but between the weather and a bad case of Mediterranean Lung Rot thanks to a friend last week, didn't get as much done as I wanted.

A teaser from a couple of weeks ago:




Bedliner in the cab (Herculiner) has been done since that shot, working on getting the dash and seats back together and in now. On the days I've been able to paint, either it's been too humid (already had paint craze on the core support a few weeks ago) or I've just felt lousy. Coughing in a charcoal mask -- no fun.

Not going to be together for the Annual this year, of course ... but I'm dang well going to be wheeling it somewhere this fall!

[87B2XLT]

It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be FUNCTIONAL! ;D Looking good, though. You'll have that thing done before I get my project going, I'm sure. If I had registered when I should have and blew off possible schedule conflicts (which I do have duty on the 22nd, so.... OH well), I'd be going to the annual and running my junk as is... although, I'd probably flat tow it out with my 'yota, just in case something went terribly awry Can't wait to see the finished product!

[4WDnRocksNmud]

no worries chuck. I plan on going lots of places this fall. you're welcome to accompany me.

[Chuck]

Cool! I have an interior. ;D




Now I just need doors. (Got 'em painted Saturday night, just don't have pics with paint yet. Hope to get 'em on this coming weekend.)




Well, maybe I don't really need doors, but hey, half doors are next year's project.

[87B2XLT]

Is that the "original" interior for the truck cab or a newer one? Lookin' pretty spiffy... although, it'll probably get all muddy eventually ;D

[PaulC]

Chuck,

Looks to pretty to take out wheeling. Are you going to make rocker skids for it so you don't beat it up to much?

I was thinking of making a roadster door for my Bronco, kind of like they make for the early Bronco's, those would look good on the Tronco.

PaulC

[Chuck]

Dave, the dash, seats, and console are all out of the Bronco, along with the A pillar trim, doors, and tim over the windshield. The back cab corners came with this cab, and the top and bottom pieces around the back window came out of two more trucks. Looked like a patchwork quilt until I got the trim painted a few weeks ago. ;D It'll get pretty muddy, but the floor and back cab wall are nothing but Herculiner, and I'll probably get a set of covers for the seats when I can ... then all I have to do is pull the front wheels up on ramps, pull out two plugs in the back corners of the cab, and carefully hose 'er out.

Paul, I'm definitely planning to make rock rails before I take her out, probably 2x4x3/16 or 1/4, mounted off the frame. Those rockers have giant targets painted on 'em, but they're the only thing that'll hang that low and vulnerable. The flatbed behind the cab will have smooth "tree rails" down the sides and dovetail behind the rear axle, so if I can get the cab past an obstacle, there won't be anything behind it I'd be concerned about hitting. Wayyyy less potential for damage than the original body.

One of the guys on FSB made a really nice set of half doors for his, and I'm basically looking to duplicate those (or very close) once this project's basically done. I disassembled and painted the hinges this past weekend when I did the doors, and they'll go back in with pins and hairclips, so removing or installing the doors should only take about five or ten minutes per side tops. I can throw on the half doors in the summer and to go play in the dirt, and keep the nice full doors for winter and street/DD duty.

[Chuck]

Let's see, for this weekend's installment we have:

Doors!



Frame reinforcement!




I typically expect winch bumper attachment strengths of at least 20K per side, so the factory mounting garbage wasn't going to cut it. The doubler plate is 1/4", and the original holes are also plug welded solid in the back, though that's not really necessary to achieve the required strength. Just gives me a flat surface for three Gr8 bolts top and bottom in new, better-arranged holes.

[PaulC]

Looks good. Dwarfs the tires a little though. Kind of like Christopher Obrien's CJ. Scott when are you going to put that picture up.

PaulC

[CORE 4WD]

Good to see you making headway Chuck!