Looking to do Fame off Custom Bronco

[billpickle]

Hi,

New to the site and live in the SoCal area and I am looking to do a frame off custom bronco on the higher end side. Can anyone recommend a few places in the area that are reputable and do great work on not only the body but engine.

Looking for any other insight as this will be my first experience with this. In readers opinions which is the most sought after, 66-77? Anything I should or should not do to keep value and looks etc...What seems to be the best re-built engine for power, performance and fuel consumption?

I heard West Coast Broncos does nice work. Any others?

Not looking to do extensive off-roading in the Bronco but will use it on gravel roads in a beach town and use to pull my boat that is fairly heavy in and out of the water. Most importantly I want it to look good but last. Looking to find a frame with no rust if possible.

Like I said any insight would be much appreciated if anyone has been through the process or have a good handle on it.

I hope I get a few replies as I am at square one, thxs to everyone out here.


Willie

 

[SSDDBRONCO]

West Coast Bronco like you mentioned they do crazy work here is a link to kholding's build by WCB. Just go through all the pages very entertaining;D
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173540&highlight=kholding

 

[fetorino]

yea West Coast Broncos

Great guys. I had them build a rollcage and shock hoops and radius arms. Great work but save your $$ it ain't cheap.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187066

For paint and body there are a couple good shops in Huntington Beach.

 

[VT_Don]

re: "I am looking to do a frame off custom bronco on the higher end side."

If sending out the majority of the labor, in your wildest imagination, you'll never anticipate how much you'll be spending. Been there, done that.

 

[fetorino]

Don't be shy

re: "I am looking to do a frame off custom bronco on the higher end side."

If sending out the majority of the labor, in your wildest imagination, you'll never anticipate how much you'll be spending. Been there, done that.

Just tell him to plan on $50k if he isn't going to do any of the work himself.

 

[Heus33]

Just tell him to plan on $50k if he isn't going to do any of the work himself.

Yeah, then add another $25k on top.

Seriously though, you're looking at probably a year before you an enjoy it, and upwards of $60k.

Have you considered buying one that has already been built? You can get a kick ass Bronco for anywhere from $15k-35k depending on how wild you want to get.

And if you're planning on towing your boat anywhere other than in and out of the dock you'll want to find a bigger truck to do that. Broncos have short wheel bases and are not good at towing anything heavy.

 

[drmalpert]

I just went through buying my first EB. You can never anticipate all of the potential things that can wrong or not work properly.Throwing a big chunk of cash at it will not assure you will be free of issues. My suggestion would be buy a truck that someone needs to get rid of that is running good and has the look you want. You will save a bunch of $$. Then you can customize from there and put the details you want. I have seen a bunch of broncos locally in socal, there is a lot to choose from.
Good luck. The first day you take the bronco for a drive its all worth it.

 

[sprdv1]

Welcome aboard..!! Good to have ya.

 

[bluemonday]

Buy one already done and change a few things to your likes. I am learning the hard way. What ever your budget is, double it. Take advantage of someone who has $30k into one and buy it for $20. I have seen guys take a beating. If you build it to keep then whatever you want. Some guys buy new toys all the time, can't decide which one to work on and which one to sell. Take your time and look. You may have to travel to find the correct one for you. My 2 cents / opinion.

 

[billpickle]

Hey Everyone,

Thank-you for all the great insight.

I am ok with the approx 60k for the build.

I am not going to be able to be heavily involved with the build as some of you may be because of time restraints. I was wondering who you would recommend to put the project together and give me the options I have and the pros and cons to each so I can make decisions but also put the trust in who is developing my early Bronco.

Thanks again for all your help and insight.

Willie

 

[ilovemaui]

Why not just buy a really nice one for 30K and invest the other 30k?

 

[ken75ranger]

I would go with West Coast Broncos as well. Give them a call and see if what they can do for you. They might even have a lead on a rig to start with.

 

[fetorino]

Last time I was up there 2 months ago

I would go with West Coast Broncos as well. Give them a call and see if what they can do for you. They might even have a lead on a rig to start with.

They had a nice starter for sale with a lot of good parts.

I would look through some threads on options and maybe post exactly what you want o accomplish. A lot of people here have rebuilt their Bronco more than once cause they didn't choose the right option the first time.

If you are just looking for a nice daily driver the budget could be lower. At that point some mods would be just bling (which maybe you want).

I'd say must haves for a big budget daily driver would be (qualifier JMO, JMO JMO) EFI, front discs with hydroboost, OD auto trans,AC, lift of your visual liking 2.5 to 3.5 will get you 33 or 35s on 17" rims (since they are a modern standard of sorts) for the street and mild trail, and a whole lot of $$ for paint. body and powdercoating for bumpers, rollbars and such.

 

[kholding]

Bill, I was in your shoes roughly a year ago. Looked at a ton of Broncos and kept thinking of all the things I would end up changing on them to make it "how I wanted". I figured "why spend $$$ on things that I was ultimately going to change". I decided to build it one part at a time and ended up buying a frame to start with. Thankfully I got hooked up with the guys at West Coast Broncos. John/Don have really helped me in every way possible to get exactly what I want. Their attention to detail is amazing. My project has turned into so much more than I initially planned but I couldn't be happier. I would give John a call and tell him what you are looking for and the budget you are working with. Welcome and good luck!

 

[Cobra11]

I second what kenny (kholding) just said bill. I started with a pretty nice truck to begin with, but I've gone backwards here and there also. So it's gotten "sort of" (lol) expensive...mostly because I'm super particular with what and how i want everything. Talk to John and don over at WCB and they'll formulate a plan as to exactly what you're looking for. They'll find you the donor, or what level vehicle you looking to start from. And they will make it whatever type of bronco you want it to be! Trust us...you can't go wrong with those boys.