Chinese Bronco Bodies Are Now On Barrett-Jackson

[duffymahoney]

First I have seen of new chinese bronco bodies going on Barrett-Jackson. It's going to be interesting to watch what happens. Do stock ford bodies become more valuable? Does it devalue the whole market?

From the pictures the fit is not great, but not terrible. I have only seen a single new bronco body in person (no chinese) I could tell it wasn't stock, but it was sitting next to my stock steel ford bronco.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The fit is strictly based on how much time the body shop puts into dialing it in.
You can spend your time/money in rust/dent repair of an original. Or spend some of that money on a new body that just needs fit and finish done to it.
When you say an original body, is it still original after you have replaced the quarter, rockers, pillars, cowl, floors, tailgate, doors, fenders, grill, core support.... The sheetmetal that is often replaced anyway during a rebuild.

 

[duffymahoney]

The fit is strictly based on how much time the body shop puts into dialing it in.
You can spend your time/money in rust/dent repair of an original. Or spend some of that money on a new body that just needs fit and finish done to it.
When you say an original body, is it still original after you have replaced the quarter, rockers, pillars, cowl, floors, tailgate, doors, fenders, grill, core support.... The sheetmetal that is often replaced anyway during a rebuild.

I spent a ton of time and effort and money and replaced all exterior panels that were bad with NOS or good used. A few of the floor panels are re-pops. But nothing else.

Originally I had chinese front and rear fenders, both didn't look correct, the rears looked pregnant and the front's looked out of place.

The only new body I seen in person was a 200k build, it's gaps were nice, but the panels themselves weren't fully correct looking.

I haven't seen one of these chinese bodies in person. They are also doing the 240z body (my other car culture I am into)

Interesting time we live in. I do wish Ford would be doing this, ver China.

 

[Jetfixr320]

I saw a youtube video of one of the painted chinese bodies that they had stripped the paint/primer and seam sealer off. The welding wasn't very good barely tacked together. Then covered up.

 

[Dude 713]

I saw a youtube video of one of the painted chinese bodies that they had stripped the paint/primer and seam sealer off. The welding wasn't very good barely tacked together. Then covered up.

Did you ever really look at the welds that Ford did? I can't say that I ever examined the welds on a Ford body but I will say the factory welds on the frame of my Bronco look like a very fast flying bird flew over and shit on it.

 

[toddz69]

First I have seen of new chinese bronco bodies going on Barrett-Jackson. It's going to be interesting to watch what happens. Do stock ford bodies become more valuable? Does it devalue the whole market?

From the pictures the fit is not great, but not terrible. I have only seen a single new bronco body in person (no chinese) I could tell it wasn't stock, but it was sitting next to my stock steel ford bronco.

Looks like they at least put a Ford grille and tailgate on that one. The ones at SEMA the past few years don't have the Ford letters on them.

Todd Z.

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

Did you ever really look at the welds that Ford did? I can't say that I ever examined the welds on a Ford body but I will say the factory welds on the frame of my Bronco look like a very fast flying bird flew over and shit on it.

My factory ford frame and body welds both leave a lot to be desired

 

[1969]

The average person has no clue about anything you mentioned and probably doesn’t care. They see a cool Bronco they can hop in, turn the key and drive.

 

[AZ73]

Is there a

Looks like they at least put a Ford grille and tailgate on that one. The ones at SEMA the past few years don't have the Ford letters on them.

Todd Z.

The past few years didn't have Ford on them for copyright issues. I wouldn't be surprised if Ford sends a cease and desist. There's a reason Tom's Offroad changed their name. I have a buddy that had a 2 Mustang 428 SCJ and owned a machine shop. He would duplicate parts in his shop, and stamp "Ford" on them for restorer authenticity. He got a C&D saying to stop stamping Ford for their liability reasons, but to get him to stop they added copyright.


.

 

[PCB 4x4]

We just had one of these China bodies delivered to our shop. Our customer decided to go with them because of the price. It's going on our coilover chassis with a Gen 4. Unfortunately it came in with damage front to back. He had it painted black.

 

[duffymahoney]

We just had one of these China bodies delivered to our shop. Our customer decided to go with them because of the price. It's going on our coilover chassis with a Gen 4. Unfortunately it came in with damage front to back. He had it painted black.

The body came damaged? Or maybe damaged in freight?

 

[Grey owl]

EeldsDid you ever really look at the welds that Ford did? I can't say that I ever examined the welds on a Ford body but I will say the factory welds on the frame of my Bronco look like a very fast flying bird flew over and shit on it.

I have spent a lot of time taking those ford welds apart during restoration. I would respectfully suggest they are done right and there are lots of them. The Ford bodies are strong.

 

[duffymahoney]

I don't understand the assignment. Aftermarket sheet metal has been coming from China for years. (as well as the Other China)

Is the issue the spot welding, and assembly? Considering that many assemblers are plug welding, and "fitting" panels...I really don't know what defines a China body vs a body made from China parts and welded, vs a body made from Ford Tooled parts, vs a body made from NOS Ford replacement parts vs a Rusty original body. Is it the boat ride?

So I decided that the since the Warranty Tag on the 66 and 67 was attached to the driver's kick panel, that must be the important part. Which resulted in what you see in this pic.

Good point, I guess I should have thought that all the new bodies made in the past few years are 100% Chinese.

I personally believe they are worth less, then say a 75% ford body, that has been repaired with new panels. But that is the car nerd in me.

 

[PCB 4x4]

Most of all the Bronco parts are made in Taiwan, not China.

 

[PCB 4x4]

Check out the fit on this China body, that our customer had shipped to us.

 

[duffymahoney]

Check out the fit on this China body, that our customer had shipped to us.

Some of the chinese companies I buy from, export to tawain then they get repacked and shipped off, I assume it was for tarrif avoidance. I saw a post yesterday from the company owner, were they said they are made in china

Maybe we should call these broncos "kit cars" sort of like a Shelby Cobra?

Aren't these bronco bodies getting welded and fit in the US now? I seem to remember that one.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I think a lot of people don't know the different between attaching a part and fitting a part. Just because you bolted it on doesn't mean it has been fitted.

 

[PCB 4x4]

Some of the chinese companies I buy from, export to tawain then they get repacked and shipped off, I assume it was for tarrif avoidance. I saw a post yesterday from the company owner, were they said they are made in china

Maybe we should call these broncos "kit cars" sort of like a Shelby Cobra?

Aren't these bronco bodies getting welded and fit in the US now? I seem to remember that one.

Taiwan still has tarrif fees

 

[Broncobowsher]

I don't have the highest of standards for Barret Jackson stuff. When I saw a Cobra kit car with a small block chevy and 4-sheel drum brakes, that set a pretty low bar. I've seen plenty of polished turds roll through that auction. I remember seeing one with tire smoke rolling out of the wheel wells just getting back to the paddock after the auction because the tires rubbed so bad. Sure some nice stuff rolls through, but it isn't all nice stuff.

 

[Grey owl]

First I have seen of new chinese bronco bodies going on Barrett-Jackson. It's going to be interesting to watch what happens. Do stock ford bodies become more valuable? Does it devalue the whole market?

From the pictures the fit is not great, but not terrible. I have only seen a single new bronco body in person (no chinese) I could tell it wasn'ts stock, but it was sitting next to my stock steel ford bronco.

I am not so sure there are many stock Ford bodies left. I chose to buy and install the sheet metal i needed. Both pillars, rocker panels, front floors, both front fenders and inner fenders plus windshield frame. Yes it was a lot of work but that is part of the charm of the old vehicles. I took my time a did it all myself..yes driving is the fun but so is the sense of accomplishment.