I finally found a bronco to make my own...
Nonsensical title aside, thought I'd try to capture the work I'm doing to my Bronco.
A few weeks ago I picked up a 1976 Bronco Ranger in Midnight Blue Metallic. It had all the "features" I wanted, with the exception of the cut rear fenders. Power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, '76-'77.
In what seems a first, I got a craigslist email notification within 20 minutes of the bronco being posted. I contacted the owner('s wife), made an appointment, viewed the truck, bought it.
After months of searching, test driving, pouring over the computer, I finally had one. I had to give up a few of my 'wants', I ignored my own mantra of buying the best I could afford, ignored the nagging feeling of doing something wrong... and bought a basket case.
Seeing the truck, everything leaked, radiator was half full, oil was low on the dipstick. Power steering fluid was oddly new, but it was leaking at a rapid clip.
I drove it on a test drive, around the block. Transmission shifted fine. Electrics were a little funky (brake light comes on if the key is turned too far clockwise)...lights a little slow, etc...
Body a bit rough, but no rust perforations & original floors. Some surface rust here & there & underneath. Solid inner fender wells, need wire brushed & cleaned up, but solid.
Dirty, very dirty...
I decided to purchase the vehicle, the owner felt sure it would make the 50 mile journey back to my house on it's own power. I had my doubts, in fact I didn't think it would make it at all. Throwing caution to the wind, I drove to the nearest gas station...sat and thought....then drove back to the seller's home and called a tow truck. While driving back from the station, the truck started vibrating...
(edited title, I hadn't realized that the title name was similar to a member who passed away last year)
Nonsensical title aside, thought I'd try to capture the work I'm doing to my Bronco.
A few weeks ago I picked up a 1976 Bronco Ranger in Midnight Blue Metallic. It had all the "features" I wanted, with the exception of the cut rear fenders. Power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, '76-'77.
In what seems a first, I got a craigslist email notification within 20 minutes of the bronco being posted. I contacted the owner('s wife), made an appointment, viewed the truck, bought it.
After months of searching, test driving, pouring over the computer, I finally had one. I had to give up a few of my 'wants', I ignored my own mantra of buying the best I could afford, ignored the nagging feeling of doing something wrong... and bought a basket case.
Seeing the truck, everything leaked, radiator was half full, oil was low on the dipstick. Power steering fluid was oddly new, but it was leaking at a rapid clip.
I drove it on a test drive, around the block. Transmission shifted fine. Electrics were a little funky (brake light comes on if the key is turned too far clockwise)...lights a little slow, etc...
Body a bit rough, but no rust perforations & original floors. Some surface rust here & there & underneath. Solid inner fender wells, need wire brushed & cleaned up, but solid.
Dirty, very dirty...
I decided to purchase the vehicle, the owner felt sure it would make the 50 mile journey back to my house on it's own power. I had my doubts, in fact I didn't think it would make it at all. Throwing caution to the wind, I drove to the nearest gas station...sat and thought....then drove back to the seller's home and called a tow truck. While driving back from the station, the truck started vibrating...
(edited title, I hadn't realized that the title name was similar to a member who passed away last year)
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