Death Of A Bronco (with later rebirth)

[Robb]

Well, my mom headed out yesterday to vote, and had a little incident on the way. It was her fault (apparently), but hey, after driving for +/-40 years, you're allowed to have your first wreck that is your fault. Everyone makes mistakes.

You know that ol' argument that SUV drivers are hazardous because they are so much taller, bigger, and heavier than all the cars on the road? You know what, when you against a big 'ol box truck, I bet you would wish you were in a SUV instead of a car!!! Glad my mom was!!

Injury report:
-my mom is recovering fine. A pretty good gash to the back of her head to the side (5 stitches), a bruised up shoulder, sore ribs, and a pretty good burn on one arm from the airbag. No broken bones, or internal bleeding.
-multiple victims in the box truck. All seemed to suffer minor injuries, although one had a decent limp. I believe they will all recover fine.

-the Bronco. TOAST!

Yea, I know, the pics suck. They have been from digital, to hard copy, back to digital. Wish I had a before shot, that rig was "Cherry" before this.

 

[IAmTodd]

Wow that thing took a hard hit! Glad to hear she's alrite though. Don't see too many nice Broncos around anymore.

How exactly did it happen?

 

[bmxking5]

Sorry to hear about that. Glad to her that she is recovery well.

 

[SVO]

Damn Robb!


Glad to hear she and the others are ok, WOW that truck took a hit.


Well there's your V-8 351 explorer conversion waiting to happen







Jeff - :navajo:

 

[james t]

Its still in good shape. Buy it from the insurance company, swap a 44 under the front, cut most of the body off and cage it.

 

[Robb]

This is how the situation "supposedly" happened. Mom just happen to miss the fact that the intersection that she was approaching had a red light (she goes through this intersection every working day of her life). She went straight through while a "Penske" box truck (size unknown) approached the same intersection to her left and had a green light. Of course the box truck was only going the posted speed limit, which is 35mph. The box truck slammed the brakes and tried to avoid her, but hit the rear 12" of the Bronco on the driver's side. This impact, from the 35mph box truck after slamming on the brakes, swung the Bronco around so quickly, that she impacted the box truck with the front end of the Bronco, with such force as to cause that much damage to the front end, and set off the airbag. The front hit hard enough from the front/side that the frame horns bent +/- 8" to the passenger side, and the bumper bracket welds actually broke.

At no point before, during, or after the impacts did my mom ever see the truck.

And um, DAMN YOU JEFF for poisoning my head with thoughts of yanking that EEC-IV controlled 5.0 EFI out of it. It would make a nice swap into the '95 X.

The owner of the station, where it is sitting now, knew my dad for many many years, and offered me any tools that I needed to get anything off I wanted. There really isn't anything left worth much outside of the engine/drivetrain, the like-new 31" Michs, and the brand spanking new Warn premium lock-outs that we just put on and have never used. But I do know a guy that may be interested in some parts of it for his '92 and maybe, just maybe, if the insurance company doesn't want much for it, it may be worth buying.

And Jimmy, the frame horns are MAJORLY bent throughout the whole front end, and there isn't a single piece of straight metal on it at this point............it is a bit too much of a project rig, for me at least, at this point. Good Luck to anyone who buys it at auction and tries it though!!

The pic below is my favorite. You can see where the rear of the body should be by way of the position of the rear bumper, which was never touched throughout the whole ordeal. It is still pristine.

 

[SVO]

Lock and load! Let's go!!!!!

 

[BeauJ]

^ Not really sure, but I think he's serious.....

 

[IAmTodd]

Lock and load! Let's go!!!!!

LMAO!! I'd say the tires and wheels would be worth a little? Those are pricey tires too!

 

[Crankcase]

Dang Robb...that is sad to hear......

What will your mom get to replace it?





Also, didn't she know about A.C. or O.J.?

Everybody know Broncos are meant to be driven about 20 mph with a 20 police car escort!

Somebody had to......

 

[X~FACTOR]

That must've been scary to learn that your mother was in an accident. We're all glad she's going to be okay.

Any plans yet on which truck to replace the Bronco with?

 

[Robb]

Short Term Replacement Options:
-'97 F150
-'96 Explorer
-'93 Nissan Quest (1/2 Ford kinda)
-(2) '93 Cadi Allantes
-(2) '95 Town Cars
-'60 SquareBird Conv

Yea, we aren't lacking in vehicles right now, and most of these are on the verge of being sold. But after this accident, I would like to see her in something BIG again. The F150 is probably either going to stay with her (just to have a pickup around), or I am going to buy it from her..........but, to be honest, neither of us like that truck as a DD. It is long (ext cab) and has a turning radius of about 1/10 mile. It just isn't very practicle in city parking, parking lots, etc.

In the long term, I would LOVE to see her in another Bronco. Big, heavy, great for carrying the dogs, and turns on a dime. Of course, they haven't made Broncs in eight years, and finding nice ones with low mileage is getting harder and harder. After we see what the ins company will give us for the Bronco, and after selling a couple of other vehicles, I will be on the hunt for a nice late Bronco as a replacement.

 

[RedEB]

I'm glad to hear she's OK! My dad got into a big wreck with his 87 Bronco, and I think he would attest to their strength. He was hit by a F250 from behind at a stop light...the F250 was going 64 mph!!! It killed the Bronco (and the guy who was driving the pickup, he wasn't wearing his seat belt) but my dad came out with a bruise shin. He got realllllyyyy lucky.
The Bronco is one tough mutha, I am glad she got out OK! That must have been a hell of hit judging by the pics.
Greg

 

[Robb]

She couldn't live without one!

 

[Blee1099]

Nice truck Robb.. Is that the one from Delaware?

 

[dman726749]

damn thats clean looking, you dont seem many clean lookin broncs like that too often...nice find

 

[JGAMBLE]

man your mom has good taste in vehicles That Bronco would be minus one engine/trans before the insurance company get her. Heck if I was closer it would be anyway

 

[james t]

Nice.

351?

 

[Robb]

Yep Ben, that was the reason for my trip to Dover. 3.5 hours up, 5.5 hours back. Gotta love DC traffic!

The truck is darn close to mint. There is, literally, one ding on the entire body, and that is on the top of the tail gate. The leather, and rest of the interior is perfect. 78K original miles. New 31s, and full detailing and undercoating.

Yep James, 351. The old one was a 302, and to be honest, a dog even after tuning it and CAI. The 351 is NICE in it, and accelerates great. I am just glad I won't be the one feeding it!!

Mechanically, all I think it needs is some front rotors. They are a little warped. The steering is also a little loose (not as bad as the older one though), so it may need a rag joint, or maybe box help.

The tailgate is rust free at this point, but the window stripping is cracked. This will be replaced ASAP, as I would replace it if it wasn't cracked. That, with some drilled holes in the gate, should keep it rust free in the future.

Then, the only thing that will be added is some SS nerf bars. Mom isn't the tallest person on earth, so some sort of step is needed. We put the "running board" style ones on the last one, but this one is getting nerf bars. I think some SS ones will match the wheels nicely!

Thanks for the compliments guys!!!

 

[Blee1099]

Yep Ben, that was the reason for my trip to Dover. 3.5 hours up, 5.5 hours back. Gotta love DC traffic!

DC Traffic isn't bad. Especially on Saturday & Sundays during offpeak hours. I always plan my work routes around rushhour. Screw sitting in the vehicle for more than a hour to go to a client's location.