A buddy once told me that if you can't work for 8 hours, step back, look at what you built, decide you don't like it, and throw it in the trash then you shouldn't be a fabricator. I felt that in my soul..... 😪
That Bronco truck is really cool. Just a heads up- it’s a good idea to build rails that run down the length of the bed to help with the load of the headache rack. I’ve seen bedsides crack vertically right where a headache rack mounting arms stop.
I still remember the episode of Stacey David's show where he had the little Bronco and was off roading and the spare tire mount flew out of the bed with the tire on it
That's the idea when you build things. Sometimes they come out great, sometimes they need to be modified, but ultimately, you will come up with a design that works.
I hadn’t seen your RUclips in a longtime. Lucky Dirthead Dave told me where to find you. Thanks for the honest video. It helps seeing you go through it.
Fred look up the “defender 130 hcpu”. Best way to mount the spare without it being in the way all the time. Also as an Australian if you want the Aussie bed look your headache rack needs to be straight upright then bend in at about 75% of the total height.
Just one man talking, but I think the uprights on the headache rack need to lean in more, and the top bar needs to extend a little beyond the uprights and the caps on the ends of the top bar be a little longer so the form a hook/keeper for coats/stuff leaned on the rack.
Absolutly love this Bronco truck build. I am sure its crazy with the wiring, having to close those circuits and relays so the computer is happy. I want to build a CJ/YJ/TJ baby pickup conversion. Sucks the major manufactures don't have the variety they used to have, being able to order a straight utility worker that is bare bones but I get they make more in mass numbers.
Fred. Find a classic bumper to use as the top of the rack. One that has a flat surface so you can cut in and install taillights. Maybe an old Jeep bumper…. For the Bronco 😂
Look at your original inspiration. Look at Australian ute fabrications and take inspiration from what your original vision was. Many times after being away from a project for a long time, the original vision becomes lost. Love this concept!
I would have made it in tube bent like you see on seventies Yotas flush with the bedsides then dog legged to bolt inside the bed with angled tube to the top of the wheel wells and bolt with a sandwich plate as per the upright cage part.
I can’t believe this thing is back! This was one of my favorite builds you & Dave ever did. Huge fan of the Aussie build! What an ingenious way to “hide” the fuel filler neck. The bed mounted spare looks great.
I think the uprights should be moved in on each side. Shorten them, increase the angle of them. Possibly cut them short enough to add a second part that is angled in more where it meets the top bar. Add gusset bars made of the same material as the uprights. Make them so they go to the top of the uprights( where the angle changes. Add a piece of sheet metal where the hole is ( between gusset and upright ) with a Bronco horse cut out in it.
The original headache rack was close. The uprights need to be 15 degrees and the top cross piece needs a 5 or 6 inch radius. A little scroll effect under the gusset bar would have made you feel better about it.
One thing I would have recommended for weight balance would to put it on the passenger side. I had an old Toyota that had the gas tank on the driver side and after years there was noticeable sag on the driver side springs from years of carrying both the old (large guy) owner and the gas tank. Balance is always good.
Man I can relate to this process. You start with a cool idea but for whatever reason you can't make it work within the limits you set, be it budget or deadline or skill and creativity levels and you just gotta chop it up and salvage what you can. Keep on truckin Fred.
I have a longer term thought for the whole truck. Start by finishing this gambler trip. Figure out a top for it. I like what Rory (Trail Mater) did with the JK mini tow truck project for a roof (clear Lexan bolted to a flange on the roll cage) SAS the front, and possibly upgrade the rear. Test wheel it. See if the bed overhang causes problems, and solve if necessary. 2025 Unreal Adventure!
I would do angle down the topnof both sides as a bed protection. Then use 2x2 tube. The rectangle is not my favorite way. I like something more even. Maybe even round tube.
Nothing is going to look right until you take off the fugly soft top and cut the framework level with the top of the screen surround and make an alloy removeable top and rear panel.
Always enjoy your videos Fred, kinda of an unrelated question but how do you like those super log tires? I have a M715 (loved those episodes ) and have been debating on them or maybe Samson Traker Plus M+S ? If you get a chance to read this would like your opinion. Thanks
@ cool, thanks. I want to keep the tall skinny “stock” look on the Kaiser. But not the military tire. It currently still has the stick 1967 carcasses but with a retread I believe that we’re called Bendix or something like that .. there old and rather stiff . lol. I thought about putting a more modern tire on but being that the rim is so skinny wasn’t sure about that.
It would be great for you and Dave to appear on each other's channel.
Give it time, could happen. They both appear on UA.
A buddy once told me that if you can't work for 8 hours, step back, look at what you built, decide you don't like it, and throw it in the trash then you shouldn't be a fabricator. I felt that in my soul..... 😪
I really dig that thing. A lot more than the 4 door factory setup
Aussie spec bronco
This is the real stuff so many people need to see. Good job Fred!
That Bronco truck is really cool. Just a heads up- it’s a good idea to build rails that run down the length of the bed to help with the load of the headache rack. I’ve seen bedsides crack vertically right where a headache rack mounting arms stop.
boy that tells you how complicated modern vehicles are, without the back half they complain 😄
I still remember the episode of Stacey David's show where he had the little Bronco and was off roading and the spare tire mount flew out of the bed with the tire on it
That's the idea when you build things. Sometimes they come out great, sometimes they need to be modified, but ultimately, you will come up with a design that works.
I’m wondering how that tire would look on the left or right side in between the fender well and the cab, anyway love all your videos!
I have several different size power supplies.
Have come in handy during camping and power outages
I hadn’t seen your RUclips in a longtime. Lucky Dirthead Dave told me where to find you. Thanks for the honest video. It helps seeing you go through it.
Thanks Fred. Good to see your videos again. Nice ideas!
Fred look up the “defender 130 hcpu”. Best way to mount the spare without it being in the way all the time.
Also as an Australian if you want the Aussie bed look your headache rack needs to be straight upright then bend in at about 75% of the total height.
I'm so glad you have. That and that MT did just sell it off or destroy it. I love this thing and want to see more
Just one man talking, but I think the uprights on the headache rack need to lean in more, and the top bar needs to extend a little beyond the uprights and the caps on the ends of the top bar be a little longer so the form a hook/keeper for coats/stuff leaned on the rack.
I’d love to see a full shop tour and projects you have buried. Along with the dimensions of the shop
Absolutly love this Bronco truck build. I am sure its crazy with the wiring, having to close those circuits and relays so the computer is happy. I want to build a CJ/YJ/TJ baby pickup conversion. Sucks the major manufactures don't have the variety they used to have, being able to order a straight utility worker that is bare bones but I get they make more in mass numbers.
I do like the smaller tire mounting only version. If you are looking for input, I would still consider angling the exposed corner
Wow, I forgot this truck existed! Looking forward to seeing more of it.
Fred. Find a classic bumper to use as the top of the rack. One that has a flat surface so you can cut in and install taillights. Maybe an old Jeep bumper…. For the Bronco 😂
Perhaps use a tubing bender and use round tube for the headache rack? You could still use the same base you already have. I like the aluminum bed!
Try cleaning the mill scale off of the area that you are welding first, welds will be a lot cleaner!
Vertical should be taller. Then the horizontal in between. Allows you to have little stubs on the end to keep material from sliding off.
Look at your original inspiration. Look at Australian ute fabrications and take inspiration from what your original vision was. Many times after being away from a project for a long time, the original vision becomes lost. Love this concept!
I would have made it in tube bent like you see on seventies Yotas flush with the bedsides then dog legged to bolt inside the bed with angled tube to the top of the wheel wells and bolt with a sandwich plate as per the upright cage part.
The outloud metacgnitive thought process on this... spot on perfect.
Bring the top part down between the 2 side pieces by a few inches so they stick up like
I can’t believe this thing is back! This was one of my favorite builds you & Dave ever did. Huge fan of the Aussie build! What an ingenious way to “hide” the fuel filler neck. The bed mounted spare looks great.
this is the first time i like the gas fill in then truck bed , thank you for this !
I think the uprights should be moved in on each side. Shorten them, increase the angle of them. Possibly cut them short enough to add a second part that is angled in more where it meets the top bar. Add gusset bars made of the same material as the uprights. Make them so they go to the top of the uprights( where the angle changes. Add a piece of sheet metal where the hole is ( between gusset and upright ) with a Bronco horse cut out in it.
How have I missed the build! I can't wait to see more of this truck! Sick build
Flip it around and make the rails that are longer lay on the bed sides and maybe make the roll bar part out of tube ?
Fred I think the tire should sit inline, behind the driver. Longitudinally along the bedside. I think it would fit the vibe.
A roll bar with angled legs, spare tire mount opposite the jerry cans would look nice / appropriate.
Was always a fan of that build!
The bed rail is the style to emulate
The original headache rack was close. The uprights need to be 15 degrees and the top cross piece needs a 5 or 6 inch radius. A little scroll effect under the gusset bar would have made you feel better about it.
One thing I would have recommended for weight balance would to put it on the passenger side. I had an old Toyota that had the gas tank on the driver side and after years there was noticeable sag on the driver side springs from years of carrying both the old (large guy) owner and the gas tank. Balance is always good.
Man I can relate to this process. You start with a cool idea but for whatever reason you can't make it work within the limits you set, be it budget or deadline or skill and creativity levels and you just gotta chop it up and salvage what you can. Keep on truckin Fred.
This is where a tubing bender and round tube's are the way to go.
Fix it the way you like it, not everyone else, it's yours!
I have a longer term thought for the whole truck.
Start by finishing this gambler trip.
Figure out a top for it. I like what Rory (Trail Mater) did with the JK mini tow truck project for a roof (clear Lexan bolted to a flange on the roll cage)
SAS the front, and possibly upgrade the rear.
Test wheel it. See if the bed overhang causes problems, and solve if necessary.
2025 Unreal Adventure!
Old school 80's mushroom bar with a rack of kc's on top.
I would do angle down the topnof both sides as a bed protection. Then use 2x2 tube. The rectangle is not my favorite way. I like something more even. Maybe even round tube.
Nothing is going to look right until you take off the fugly soft top and cut the framework level with the top of the screen surround and make an alloy removeable top and rear panel.
oscillating tool with a blade is awesome for cutting rubber.
I think the missed opportunity is not tying the front bull bar tube style into the rear by adding a large tube headache rack there, mate!
Holly crap that thing looks cool
you can use round tube, like a roll bar😏
It’s pretty dang neat
45s on the top would definitely make a big visual difference
This is kind of episodes i missed!
Ford should build this. And pay you and Dirt Head Dave a Bazillion dollars.
Get rid of the headache rack. All you need is a tire mount!
Fred, will those thin spacers work with hub centric wheels?
Mount the tire towards the front long ways with the bed not up against the front of the bed
Dirthead Dave is supposed to be the welder
Maybe round pipe would look better.
Love the truck but the top is a little funky
Badass!
Always enjoy your videos Fred, kinda of an unrelated question but how do you like those super log tires? I have a M715 (loved those episodes ) and have been debating on them or maybe Samson Traker Plus M+S ? If you get a chance to read this would like your opinion. Thanks
the tires are cool looking and work ok, but probably not as good as modern tires
@ cool, thanks. I want to keep the tall skinny “stock” look on the Kaiser. But not the military tire. It currently still has the stick 1967 carcasses but with a retread I believe that we’re called Bendix or something like that .. there old and rather stiff . lol. I thought about putting a more modern tire on but being that the rim is so skinny wasn’t sure about that.
I like the way it looks, but I think it would look better if it was just squared to match the bed instead of trying to match the cab
How does this work. Did you have to buy it from MT? Or is it even yours?
Sometimes, you just have to admit that it looks crappy and redo it. It gives you more time for design. You'll come up with something awesome.
So what would that be? F-75?
30:31 LOL
I wish aqualue made tj tubs
Bronco truck needs to be sold axle swapped I believe Ford should have built them solid axle from factory
G’day from down under. Ps: Emu is pronounced “Emmyou”. Not Emoo 😂
I like it the other way
Im too early in the video to know what that means but still.
The other way Fred
The shape of the cloth top on each side makes it look kinda odd...........
Did not get what material the bed is made of 😂
A trucking bronco
Fred I wanna take bites out of the elephant that is my project truck, but I don't have a shop. I have a back yard and its pouring rain and cold.
those look like horse mats.
Ninth 😅