The idea behind the Bronco began with Ford product manager Donald N. Frey in the early 1960s (who also conceived the Ford Mustang) and engineered by Ford engineer Paul G. Axelrad, with Lee Iacocca approving the final model for production in February 1964, after the first clay models were built in mid-1963. Developed as an off-road vehicle (ORV), the Bronco was intended as a competitor for the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. Today a compact SUV in terms of size, Ford marketing shows a very early example of promoting a civilian off-roader as a “Sports Utility” (the two-door pickup version).
Although many original parts were delivered by the owner, many were not suitable for a quality restoration. Below are pictures of a variety of parts used either for the restoration or as a basis for determining measurement and fit. If you are following along with this restoration project, you may find duplicates photos from previous posts.
-
- Have to remove control bezel nuts from the back side. Lots of contortion required.
-
- Work continues on the original dash. Found a set of keys under the dash lip.
-
- Measuring for door sill placement.
-
- Door sill placement is critical. Must be square to door support and properly spaced.
-
- Measuring for front cowling.
-
- 1966 Ford Bronco Fit Measurement
-
- Fenders and hood lined up perfectly with forecast measurements on passenger side and door hung on driver’s side.
-
- The project is slowly coming together.
-
- Inspiration heightened when front clip fits like a glove!
-
- Now Glen has input on why the Ford pictorial does not match what we have in the shop.
-
- Ty cannot understand why the Ford assembly pictorial does not agree with the carcass outside.
-
- We started off installing the bed not knowing the original delivered to us had the bed installed backwards. Confusion!
-
- Another decision to be made is what to do with the driver’s side door. Repair, replace, re-skin?
-
- Like this, or like this/
-
- Both fender wells have a convex bend towards the inside rear that helps identify proper placement in relationship to the bed.
-
- Like a jigsaw puzzle, Ty places the pieces together before any mechanical assembly.
-
- It was finally discovered that the delivered carcass had the cargo bed installed backwards.
-
- We keep taking photos of the original just outside the assembly area in the shop.
-
- We keep taking photos of the original just outside the assembly area in the shop.
-
- We keep taking photos of the original just outside the assembly area in the shop.
-
- We keep taking photos of the original just outside the assembly area in the shop.
-
- Is this the right or left? What does the label say?
-
- Terry claims he can straighten out this door skin.
-
- Towards the end of day’s work, we try to get an idea of what will come next.
