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 Crazy Horse

The base truck is a '66 half-cab Bronco that was rotting away in a guy's garage. This thing had been "ridden hard and hung up wet" and was pretty rough all over; however, I knew it was perfect for what I had in mind. I actually wanted a truck this rough so I could use it to illustrate how to handle rusty sheet metal and how to reconstruct a body from basically a pile of junk. I also wanted to show how to deal with some of the messes you'll find when you are working on something that has been hacked on over the years by everybody and their dog. So, a deal was struck, some money changed hands (very little money) and project Crazy Horse was born.

Now, I mentioned the Bronco history, and a lot of people don't realize that the Bronco holds a special place in the record books that other similar vehicles don't. In the early '70's, legendary driver Parnelli Jones teamed up with Bill Stroppe. They took a Bronco, modified it, painted it like a big Olympia beer can, and went Baja racing. The truck was called "Big Oly" and it absolutely dominated Baja racing for the next 4 or 5 years, winning everything from the Baja 500 and 1000 to the Mint 400. Big Oly became so famous that it was voted one of the most well-known racing vehicles of the time. It and Parnelli even made an appearance in the original "Gone in Sixty Seconds" movie in 1973.

Being a fan and student of Parnelli and his "tough as nails" driving style, it's only fitting to pay tribute to Parnelli and Big Oly and recognize the pedigree of the Ford Bronco. Crazy Horse does this, but that's not all. The main purpose of the Crazy Horse project is to show how to take a clapped out piece of junk and bring it back to life so it not only looks good, but it will also be something that will handle anything you want to throw at it off-road. Mud, rocks, jumps and hills - whatever - it can handle it. The best part is, when you are all done beating the snot out of it, you drive it home because it is street legal and safe on the road. Now, that's what I call a multi-purpose vehicle!!

Specifications

VEHICLE: 1966 FORD, Half-Cab Bronco

ENGINE: Built by: Automotive Specialists - (704-786-0187) Crank, Rods, Pistons - Lunati 349 stroker kit Heads - Holley Avenger Carburetor - Holley truck Avenger Push rods, Lifters, Cam, Roller Rockers - Lunati Intake, Water Pump - Weiand Stealth Distributor, Coil - Mallory Unilite, Pro Master Coil Plug wires - Accell 9000 Valve Covers - Vintage Holley Headers - Wild Horses Oil pan, Windage tray, Main stud support - Canton Racing Products

TRANSMISSION: Advance Adapters (805-238-7000) NV 3550 - 5spd, Crossmembers, Linkage Centerforce Clutch, Pressure Plate, Throwout Bearing

TRANSFER CASE: Advance Adapters (805-238-7000) Atlas II - 3.8 ratio

SHIFTER: B&M Quick shifter for Jeep wrangler with NV3550 5spd tranny

DRIVESHAFTS: Hi-Angle Driveline (530-877-2875) Custom-made front and rear shafts for extreme angles

WINCH: Mile Marker (800-886-8647) 12,000 lbs electric winch

LIGHTS: Dick Cepek (888-398-7877)

ROLL BAR: Wild Horses (209-943-0991) Custom dual roll bar for half-cab Bronco SEATS: Wild Horses (209-943-0991) Procar Rally seats

BELTS/RESTRAINTS: Crow Enterprises (714-879-5970) Purple 5-point harnesses with 3" wide shoulder and lap belts and 2" anti-submarine belt

GAS CAP: Moon Equipment (Mooneyes) (800-547-5422) Polished Aluminum "Flip" cap

HEAT/AC UNIT: AutoKrafters (800-228-7346) Vintage air Heat and Air unit for Early Bronco

PAINT SRIPPING: Blast from the Past (615-453-3002)

UNDERCOATING: Line-X (800-831-3232) PAINT: Color scheme and layout by Stacey David and is similar in style to the two-tone on Parnelli Jones' gold and white Big Oly Applied by the Nashville Auto Diesel College Air Brushing of Horses Head, Flames, Graphics, and Lettering - Designed and painted by Johnny Watson

COLOR: House of Kolor - Designer Pearls (800-845-2500) Passion Pearl, Snow White Pearl

LIGHTS, TRIM, EMBLEMS: AutoKrafters (800-228-7346) Tom's Bronco Parts (541-779-1339) Jeff's Bronco Graveyard (248-437-5060)

ENGINE ACCESSORIES: Tuff Stuff (800-331-6562) Chrome starter, Hi-output Alternator, P/S pump

ENGINE PULLEYS AND BRACKETS: March Performance (734-729-9070) Polished pulleys and Brackets

FLOOR PANS: Wild Horses (209-943-0991)

BODY PARTS: Jeff's Bronco Graveyard (248-437-5060) Rockers, Striker panels, Doors, Tailgate, Grille, Inner fenders, Front fenders, Core support, Headlight trim, Half-cab bulkhead

SUSPENSION: James Duff Enterprises (360-683-2160) Front: 3 1/2" long travel suspension with extended radius arms and dual shocks Rear: Duff leaf springs and dual shock brackets and shocks

BODY LIFT: James Duff Enterprises 2" body lift

AXLES: Currie Enterprises (714-528-6957) Rear: Custom Hi-pinion 9" Ford with 35 spline axles, Detroit locker, Explorer disc brake kit, 4.56 gears Front: Custom Dana 44 with True-Trac limited slip posi and 4.56 gears

FRONT BRAKES & STEERING: James Duff Enterprises (360-683-2160) Front disc brake kit and steering knuckles, Steering box, Drag link, Tie rod and ends, Brake booster and bracket

BUMPERS, MOTOR MOUNTS, RADIATOR: James Duff Enterprises

WHEELS: Mickey Thompson Challengers (800-222-9092) 15x10

TIRES: Parnelli Jones Dirt Grip (800-334-5543) - 35x12.50

HOOD: Wild Horses (209-943-0991) Hi-Country fiberglass hood with hinges and pins and brackets

INTERIOR PARTS & HARDWARE: Tom's Bronco Parts (541-779-1339) Carpet, Door Panels, Door Handles, Windshield wiper kit, Windshield Glass, Door Glass, Weatherstriping

INTERIOR & BODY TRIM: AutoKrafters (800-228-7346) Dash Pad, Strikers, Hardware and body bolts, Shelby bullet side mirrors

WIRING HARNESS: AutoKrafters (800-228-7346) Centec wiring harness for Bronco, Ignition switch and dash knobs

STEERING WHEEL, COLUMN AND GAUGES: Wild Horses (209-943-0991) Chrome tilt column and LeCara steering wheel Digital Gauges with sending units and harness

TOP: AutoKrafters (800-228-7346) Original metal half-cab

SPARE TIRE CARRIER: RJR Products (800-632-9192)

BATTERIES: Optima yellow-top Deep cycle

DUAL BATTERY KIT: Wild Horses (209-943-0991)

BATTERY BOXES: Mr. Gasket

EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE & SHIFTER BOOTS: Lokar (865-966-2269)

ELECTRIC FAN: Spal (800-345-0327)