Long Road Ahead

[predator]

Some back history. About the time I turned 16 I began looking for my dream vehicle. I found it. A 1993 C350. It was at one of those creepy roadside "dealerships". It had a blown rear and wouldn't start, and he wanted ten thousand dollars for it. From that day on, I searched for one.

Edit: I did not buy that one but got an 87 datsu which was more in my budget haha
Fast forward twelve years, I'm driving with my soon to be fiance (now husband) and I see a truck on the side of the road, thinking it's probably just another crew cab with a cap... it was not. I almost killed us making a U turn.

That truck became my daily driver. Right after I had our first kid two years later (we wasted no time haha), I was driving and heard an insane noise. I look in the side view mirror and see a tire iron flopping down the road. I pull over, thinking I hit it and also to get it off the road so no one else hit it. I had not hit it, it had fallen out of my completely rotted out wheel well.

I tore out all of the wooden centurion stuff and carpet in the rear and my wheel wells were gone, floor rotted through.

I had opened up a shop and had 2 babies within three years, so this truck sat at my shop, no time to work on it. After second baby I was able to sell the shop and stay home a few years, so the truck went to my parents' house and sat in the woods about a year.

We moved to a home I could keep the truck at, but the kids were still below 5 so I was home all day with them and so another year passes, then a friend thinks they can replace the tub and finds me a donor 2 door. But his life changed (for the better, luckily) so a year later he brings it back to me.

So now I begin!

[predator]

Yesterday I put it on jack stands, removed wheels. Replaced the batteries and changed oil to get it running for first time in a long time. Started up pretty easy, but discovered oil pan rotted through. Also confirmed trans is shot so made sure truck was high enough to clear it.

[predator]

Today I removed other fender/step, soft top, fiberglass tailgate, and transfer case, and the flex plate nuts

[1985 Bronco]

Cool project, a truck bed shares the same wheel wells with broncos, shouldn't be too hard to find a donor

[predator]

I already purchased a 2 door bronco rear shell (no frame, front fenders or tailgate)
I was going to ask about the floor and you just answered my next question thanks

[predator]

Also as I have kids in car seats does anyone know of bench seats with shoulder and lap belt built in to the seat?

[1985 Bronco]

Regular broncos and trucks had ribbed floors. When Centurion did the conversion, they changed it to a flat floor, so you won't be able to find a floor donor. I can't tell from your pictures, but do you have bucket seats or a bench in the second row? I personally am planning on converting to buckets in the second row, but here's a link to some seats: http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...-suburban.html

[obspsd]

Good project right there. I have a white 1995 C-350 7.3 powerstroke

[predator]

Found a donor truck from Texas for parts. Kind of in a holding pattern until the donors get here. I don't want to cut back off until I see donor parts
I got front fenders off

I am going to see how horrible the body mounts are and maybe do a small lift. Not for lift sake but more for ease of engine work
Have so much customer work have to do this in tiny steps

[obspsd]

I would not do a body lift, but if you do, 2in at the max.

[obspsd]

Any new progress?

[predator]

Progress yes and no. I have my 2 door donor, the pick up one I couldn't get transported up from Texas.

Anyway here is where I just stopped tonight.

I do not know where to go from here and would love some advice.

Should I cut mine just before the "cab corner" and fab in a new floor and use the inner and outer fenders from the 2 door donor truck?

Or just use the inner and outer 2 door fenders, use patch panels for the corners, and fab in a new floor?

I feel like I have everything I need to START except a plan!! So frustrating!!

I cannot get photos to load here so I'm slowly adding them, sorry!

[predator]

After reading a million build threads and asking a million annoying questions, I realized that there are no directions to follow for this. I asked myself what would Brian Boitano do (he'd make a plan and follow through).

The plan is to start by cutting off the rot and going from there

So last night I began cutting! The more I remove the more I feel like I'll be able to at least figure this out.

So far have removed driver side wall of tub. Have to do it in rough cuts for now then I'll be able to see where to cut closer.

[obspsd]

Looks like a mess.

Wish I could help. For the outside you can buy a new aftermarket Bronco (bed side) for lack of a better term. Inside is a little more difficult.

[Bronco Biff]

Your on a roll!! Keep it up!!

[predator]

Holy cow it has been a year. I need advice. Should I now purchase a floor (am thinking a thick piece of diamond plate) and build up from there?

[porkchop]

I think starting fresh on the floor and using donor parts for the wheel wells and fender will be best. Once you get the floor and wells done you will have something to move forward with. IMO it's better to just get going and gain some momentum than do nothing at all.

[Thele1997]

A dream car is not something you can buy at any local dealership. You may think about buying a dream car from time to time; however, this is only after you have saved enough money to give yourself some breathing room. Your dream car is the vehicle that you would like to own but cannot afford right now, but maybe someday, you can afford it. When I say dream car, I mean a luxurious car, a sports car. A dream car means your car has everything. check this number