considering buying a bronco

[pilotford]

Hey all, Looking at a couple of Broncos up here in Anchorage and started to look at a couple in particular. Both have 302 and c4, one is for $3500 (because it won't go into "D" only 1,2, and reverse) the other for $5900.

my question is, all other things aside would it be worth getting the cheaper one and rebuilding the trans. since then you would know what condition the trans is in, instead of getting the one for $5900 and rebuilding the trans in 200 miles? what cost would i be looking at for getting the trans rebuilt? i'm sure a lot of this has been discussed before so i don't mind links to old threads, just looking for a little advise. thanks, Brian.

 

[jpalmer]

You can find plenty of used C4s around if you wanted to chance it on a used one. Otherwise you can have a decent build done on a C4 for under 1K. Who knows, it could be something simple like linkage or something... What are the years of the them? The newer ones have a lot more upgrades which you will want/need to do to the older that might make the $5900 one cheaper in the long run. Be careful, it will become an addiction!

 

[Jeepster]

what one has the better body? Years? A good foundation is better, You can always bolt new stuff on to make it run.

 

[pilotford]

the one for $5900 is a 1975, the one for $3500 is 1967. Turns out they are both owned by the same guy, says the '75 has power steering, limited slip 9in and d44 up front. thats all i got so far. Dad had a bronco growin up, so i've always wanted one, looking like i'll finally be getting one hopefully. look foreward to the addiction

 

[jpalmer]

You can fix the tranny, install power steering and a D44 in the '67 for way less than the $2400 price difference. I would have to say it would come down to overall condition of the Bronco and what aftermarket parts it already has. If the '75 is in great shape for that money it might be worth it, but if the '67 is in decent shape it might be a better deal as long as you are willing to do a lot of the work yourself. Be sure to check the underbodies and lines for cancer, it can be well hidden and very costly to remove.

 

[TN1776]

Prices of old broncos tend to vary by geographic region. I don't know what they go for up where you are, but I paid a little over $5K for a very straight rig that ran decent but needed a little TLC. That little TLC has snowballed into a near frame-off resto but that's just the way I operate.

If the bodies are roughly the same, go with the cheaper one. C4s are easy and Ford engines and parts are abundant. Just check the floorpans and other rust-prone areas well first.

Good luck... and welcome to the addiction

 

[pilotford]

Thanks for the advise, I'll just have to look and see which body is in the better condition.

TN1776, I actually just started reading your build thread yesterday, you weren't kidding about that near frame-off restoration