Informed buyer looking for a value on a resto-modded, rusty 71 with pics!!

[Bronco Logic]

Hey guys. I sold my first 71 10 years ago almost and have regretted it sense (Same ol' story...I know). I've always had several fullsizes from stock to wild and very familiar with windors and ford drive trains. . Looking for another 1st gen to park in the stable.

I've found one that sorta fits my criteria although I haven't seen it in flesh yet. I've bought it but haven't paid for it yet if that makes sense. Will only pay cash in person upon inspection so no need for that concern. Just trying to get a value based on general consensus in its current state. I know the typical "its worth what someone is willing to pay" mantra but I appreciate the knowledge and expertise on this forum and feel you guys can put a real world number on it.

Seller didn't built it and doesn't "seem" to be mechanical. Likely got caught up in the rage and realized its not all its cracked up to be. He actually thinks it was used in MOAB for search & rescue. He can't really tell me anything other than it drives well for what it is and does not overheat. No funny noises or smells.

Details:


71 currently resides in NJ and is driven often...in the snow.
EFI 5.0 from mustang
NP435
Unknown basic lift
Aftermarket radius arms (looks like BroncoBobs/ALL4FUN Offroad?)
H-pipe
Warn 8274
WH lift kit

Thats all I can "for sure" see. He gave me this info:

WH 5.5" lift
Dual Shock Hoops
WH Front & Rear Bumpers
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Rampage Soft Top
35" worn MTR's
Looks like 15" wheels
"recent add along with updates to front and rear".....no clue what that means....gears, lockers, shafts, u joints?
New rear seat but fronts are trashed.
New aux fuel tank
New fuel lines
New electric harness and wiring pretty much across the board.
He also stated all lights work and is roadworthy. Says he's regularly drives at "significant speeds" and the Bronco "intimidates anyone who's at the redlight with him"

Dont know if its a D30 or 44. I can't quite tell. I know its a split year but it looks big enough to be a 44 to me. Looks like it has a Toyota steering gear box maybe?

My concerns are:

Booger welds on the bracket for steering gear box
Bent drag link
A/C compressor not hooked up but still has belt on it===KABOOM!
No obvious MAF meter on intake.

All things which are easily fixable. My main questions is based on the rusty body and the modifications, what is it worth?

My plans are a solid driver (street, hwy, light trails/camping) and all around user. Show queen is not what I'm after. Been down that road too many times and would just like to enjoy it and upgrade as needed. EFI is VERY HIGH on my "wants" list hence pulling the trigger on this one.

I know body work will be my biggest concern. It looks to be bondo'd all over. Tailgate is gone, rockers are rough. Hood needs to be completely taken down. Floor pans looks like they been possibly redone.

Did I miss something? What would you pay or would you pass? Does anyone recognize this truck? I will not entertain any body work. I know when I'm outside my skillset (and desire). I'm very interested in purchasing but just want to make sure I dont take a bath on it if I decide a year later I'm ready for something else.

On to the pics. Last one looks to be when it was first completed maybe?? Likely before current owner possessed it.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Front end is a Dana 30. Steering box is a ford two wheel drive that was popular back in the 90s.

Nothing special about the 5.0 injection. With the condition of the body and the basic upgrades, I'm thinking that's a $5,000 project.

 

[needabronco]

IMO it's a $3500 Bronco all day long. Body is full of rot and the bondo is popping out everywhere.

 

[Brent13]

No way, that is one big pile of mess right there. What is the asking price?

 

[Bronco Logic]

Front end is a Dana 30. Steering box is a ford two wheel drive that was popular back in the 90s.

Nothing special about the 5.0 injection. With the condition of the body and the basic upgrades, I'm thinking that's a $5,000 project.

After some searching, I did find that box. Thank you, I know EFI's are nothing special, however they are high on my list of wants. I'm not carb inclined. EFI's are my generation and preference. To my best estimation, these are what i thought $5k projects were... http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272379
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272044
I thought this one in question running and driving would bump up the value some. Perhaps not...

IMO it's a $3500 Bronco all day long. Body is full of rot and the bondo is popping out everywhere.

Boy, if I could find one for $3500 all day long with efi, lift, and ran well even with rot, I'd buy 10. Wish they'd show up on my radar. Thanks.

No way, that is one big pile of mess right there. What is the asking price?

I appreciate your candor. $8k was the negotiated price. I wasn't thrilled with that but its tough to find anything under $10k. I'm happy to spend $15k-$20k but even those still have rust, most are carb'd engines, and not the style or color I'm looking for.

I do appreciate everyone's feedback so quickly. Willing to listen to others criticisms or thoughts as well.

 

[surfer-b]

that rig needs lots of attention, no more than $2500, I don't even see the MAF sensor which is the least of the probs

 

[AZ73]

No disrespect meant with my comments, just honesty. You are confusing ASKING price with ACTUAL PAID price. I've seen people pay $3500 for Broncos that were listed for $10,000. There's absolutely no reason for anyone to not ASK for top dollar. Also, that's not a "restomod". The "resto" in "restomod" means "restored". It's also got drum rear brakes with 35 inch tires - a recipe for disaster. So let's look at auctions. Mecum just sold a half dozen Broncos. A rare Stroppe fully restored went for $80K ( a steal). A nice 351 restomod went for $50K. Most of the rest were nice, call it frame on restored trucks that went for $25K. A "worn" original Ford work truck went for $15K, and a nice ORIGINAL in great shape with just patina on the paint went for $25K. So to take your truck and turn it into one of the frame on restored $25,000 trucks would take about.....$25,000+. That makes your truck worth close to nothing from a BRONCO perspective. Call it $3,500 because its got a $1000 winch and about $1000 worth of tires, a beefed up trans, and it drives. MAYBE call it $5000 because YOU like it and will part with that kind of money for a 4 wheel "driver". But let's be honest here. EVERYTHING on that truck needs attention. I wouldn't drive that down the street let alone at speed. Because of the lift they had to do something with the steering to make the track bar and drag link line up. Instead of getting a drop pitman arm, they welded that mess together. As for EFI, you can make any carb Bronco into an EFI Bronco for $1000 using an FItech system so that shouldn't be much of deciding factor.

These prices INCLUDE the auction fee of 8% so they actually sold for less:

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272131&highlight=Mecum+results

 

[Bronco Logic]

No disrespect meant with my comments, just honesty. You are confusing ASKING price with ACTUAL PAID price. I've seen people pay $3500 for Broncos that were listed for $10,000. There's absolutely no reason for anyone to not ASK for top dollar. Also, that's not a "restomod". The "resto" in "restomod" means "restored". It's also got drum rear brakes with 35 inch tires - a recipe for disaster. So let's look at auctions. Mecum just sold a half dozen Broncos. A rare Stroppe fully restored went for $80K ( a steal). A nice 351 restomod went for $50K. Most of the rest were nice, call it frame on restored trucks that went for $25K. A "worn" original Ford work truck went for $15K, and a nice ORIGINAL in great shape with just patina on the paint went for $25K. So to take your truck and turn it into one of the frame on restored $25,000 trucks would take about.....$25,000+. That makes your truck worth close to nothing from a BRONCO perspective. Call it $3,500 because its got a $1000 winch and about $1000 worth of tires, a beefed up trans, and it drives. MAYBE call it $5000 because YOU like it and will part with that kind of money for a 4 wheel "driver". But let's be honest here. EVERYTHING on that truck needs attention. I wouldn't drive that down the street let alone at speed. Because of the lift they had to do something with the steering to make the track bar and drag link line up. Instead of getting a drop pitman arm, they welded that mess together. As for EFI, you can make any carb Bronco into an EFI Bronco for $1000 using an FItech system so that shouldn't be much of deciding factor.

These prices INCLUDE the auction fee of 8% so they actually sold for less:

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272131&highlight=Mecum+results

I see the flaws of the truck. I mentioned most of them in my first post. I've seen worse sell for more and thats where the discrepancy is coming from I suppose. Although I agree auctions are a good place to gauge market value, auctions are not an absolute. I'd guess that 80% of the public purchases of Bronco's are through private party deals and not through M or BJ. Auction prices are relative to the occupants in the room, number of Broncos available, etc. Not to mention the auction "environment" of not wanting to come home empty handed, cocktails, competition, etc.

But I certainly see your point and agree. I will pass on this one for sure. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[DirtDonk]

I was going to say that today most would be asking 10 grand for that, but agree that it's a 5-grander if the seller is not getting any nibbles.
But with even a moderate amount of success and the right buyer, I bet someone would have paid the ten grand. Especially one of the TV shows where they overpay for everything so they can justify to the next buyer why they're asking 40 to 60 for it.%)
A super nice restored '74 just sold at Mecum Kansas City today for $60k. Go figure.

So while I'm typically a low-baller here (just look at any of my previous estimates) I think that $8 grand, while still too much for this one, is in line with what people are willing to pay for the projects.
Are you in CT? If so that might be why you're looking at rusty EB's and not able to travel or ship across the country? Reason I ask is that at this point, you might just get one for similar dollars without quite as much rust.
As said though, this one does still have a lot of goodies bolted on to it that are usable. But ask for a tire code and have it interpreted so you know whether or not you can even use them. If it's not driven much, they could be 10 years old or more. Crappy road tires by then.

I'm with the others about the body. Given it's current location, age (and it is an EB after all) and the patch panel on the lower end of the tailgate, and the Bondo and other issues, I'm guessing it's got some pretty extensive hidden rot. If you have not purchased it already, and have the chance to look at it in person (or find someone to do it for you) poke around under the dash and see if you can find rusty bleed-through near the steering column and other parts of the cowl area. As well as the windhsield frame, door skins, fender skirts, kick panels and floors.
And ask for more pics.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

I hate seeing crooked flares too!
If you're willing to look farther westward, the extra shipping might just still be worth it to get a better one. Since you're willing to pay the 20 grand for a better one that at least doesn't need much work, you could do that more easily the farther west you go.
Well, semi-easily anyway.

The MUCH better ones are in the 30 grand range right now, but they're sweet compared to this one. If you're doing all of your own work, it might still pay off. But if you have to farm it out to a shop, it'd take all of anything you save and more to get a really rough one back to where you'd be happy with it.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[hyghlndr]

That truck is a mess, typical NJ rust bucket. Horrible body, look at the rusted out rockers from the underside picture, hood, etc. 5k would be too much...

 

[k13evin]

Are you just not wanting to ship one to you? Because there is alot of people that sell on here that are stand up people and not trying to get one over on you. Unlike eBay you just have to watch out.

 

[rydog1130]

these guys are right, you'll have 10-15k in the body alone if you want to get it looking good....explain everything on here to him and offer no more than 6 otherwise just wait and keep your eyes peeled

 

[Joe473]

I'm in Jersey if you find another one and want an opinion. Be careful even mine that appeared very rust free initially ended up getting a cowl, inner, outer rockers, inner fender and skirt and some small floor patches.

My take for NJ/NY area find a great original untouched body and make it what you want mechanically. Much cheaper to drop in a drivetrain than fix rust and repaint especially out here unless you are doing it yourself.

With the new TBI. Fuel injection kits you can go from carb to injection in a weekend.

Also there was a copper Ranger owned by a woman Kim out on long Island that was talking about selling. Looked like a very clean rust free truck.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[fatboy]

I'm in Jersey if you find another one and want an opinion. Be careful even mine that appeared very rust free initially ended up getting a cowl, inner, outer rockers, inner fender and skirt and some small floor patches.

My take for NJ/NY area find a great original untouched body and make it what you want mechanically. Much cheaper to drop in a drivetrain than fix rust and repaint especially out here unless you are doing it yourself.

With the new TBI. Fuel injection kits you can go from carb to injection in a weekend.

Also there was a copper Ranger owned by a woman Kim out on long Island that was talking about selling. Looked like a very clean rust free truck.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261365&highlight=ginger

 

[D ROCK]

If your willing to spend 20,000, pay more to get more. Expect more also...don't spend 20,000 and get a 7,000 bronco with a crap load of work left to be done.

 

[Bronco Logic]

I hate seeing crooked flares too!
If you're willing to look farther westward, the extra shipping might just still be worth it to get a better one. Since you're willing to pay the 20 grand for a better one that at least doesn't need much work, you could do that more easily the farther west you go.
Well, semi-easily anyway.

The MUCH better ones are in the 30 grand range right now, but they're sweet compared to this one. If you're doing all of your own work, it might still pay off. But if you have to farm it out to a shop, it'd take all of anything you save and more to get a really rough one back to where you'd be happy with it.

Good luck.

Paul

I'm willing to buy anywhere, just happened to find one that ran and drove and had some items that were on my checklist. I figured this Bronco would sell for $10k to the uniformed buyer. Obviously not to anyone on this board so I sought advice here about $8k range. Most wouldn't pay that here, because 1) they have one already 2) they know the true cost to restore these things and 3) not interested in reselling them in a few years, but rather working through issues to complete a particular build. I'll jump ship on one if I find one that suits my needs better. But I do respect everyone's input and have decided to past on this one

Are you just not wanting to ship one to you? Because there is alot of people that sell on here that are stand up people and not trying to get one over on you. Unlike eBay you just have to watch out.

Happy to ship one....but I must see it and put my hands on it first. Too many tricky ricky's capitalizing on the craze.

I'm in Jersey if you find another one and want an opinion. Be careful even mine that appeared very rust free initially ended up getting a cowl, inner, outer rockers, inner fender and skirt and some small floor patches.

My take for NJ/NY area find a great original untouched body and make it what you want mechanically. Much cheaper to drop in a drivetrain than fix rust and repaint especially out here unless you are doing it yourself.

With the new TBI. Fuel injection kits you can go from carb to injection in a weekend.

Also there was a copper Ranger owned by a woman Kim out on long Island that was talking about selling. Looked like a very clean rust free truck.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Agreed on the body work part. I surely appreciate the offer to look at one. I have family in Haddonfield and this one was in Montclair. So only about an 1h.5 away.

I saw Kim's truck listed. I even posted in the thread about a trade and contacted her with a cash offer with no response.

If your willing to spend 20,000, pay more to get more. Expect more also...don't spend 20,000 and get a 7,000 bronco with a crap load of work left to be done.

No worries there. I should have stated $20k is on my high end. It must meet all my wants/needs and style requirements at $20k. Ready to drive and enjoy at the price. But I also would pay half and put the work in myself to ensure all of my design/style requirements are met too.

 

[kyle]

Enthusiast hate high prices on what they collect...it's a weird phenomenon.

I would say in your area that is probably about what 8k gets you.

I wouldn't pay $8k for that but like you said I have a couple Broncos already so I don't have to.

 

[Bronco Logic]

Which I've never understood. It benefits all owners when values rise. Members on my fullsize site argue down prices all the time....makes no sense.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Which I've never understood. It benefits all owners when values rise. Members on my fullsize site argue down prices all the time....makes no sense.

Simple; most of us are more interested in buying them, selling them not so much.
Why would we argue that we should pay more?