need help purchasing 1st bronco 1972 sport, need to know known trouble areas to look4

[R0GU31]

this bronco looks amazing, its not a show truck but it is daily driver quality from pics, no rust, nice interior and drivetrain, but ive only seen pics,
has original hardtop with headliner, front disc brakes rear drums,

i have had tons of 4x4's cj7's etc, but i dont know the known problem areas on these broncos , ive always wanted one and im n the process of making a deal on this one now,

pls give me a hand here, im not some 16 yr old kid jerking you guys around im a fellow enthusiast who needs help,

im going to fly out and check it out,
if you could just give me a few of the places where are notorious problem areas it would help alot,
my friend who is a fj guy thinks the price is too low and somethings wrong but, if it checks out we ve settled on 9k,
i can post a few pics if needed,
i just dont want to get it home and find out i need 3-5k in repairs, i dont expect that but i want some advice from some bronco guys

 

[volnut77]

Go to the forum page and look under FAQ. Down the list is buying and selling tips. Here's the link. Cut and paste
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86541

 

[tortuga]

If this is a DD for 9K, it should be pretty cherry, pretty much original condition, but not necessarily restored.

For me, the main thing is body and frame. Look for rust in the floor pans and door posts first, then rockers, fenders, etc.. Actually floor pans are not a huge deal, but door posts are.

When I bought my '73 I couldn't even test drive it because either the crank or the balancer was busted. didn't care, it was jut another 302. All I cared about were the parts that are unique to an EB. Didn't really even care if it ran, as long as the body and frame were OK.

 

[73azbronco]

if you can't physically see the floors under any carpet or from below without undercoating, be very careful. I just arranged to have my no rust TX sent to have both floor panels replaced due to "well hidden" rust.

 

[tortuga]

BTW, if it is a 72 the front disc brakes are not stock. This should make you wonder what else has been changed. Not a bad thing, just be cautious.

 

[KennyB]

I would Start by looking for Rust,... after that, I would look for Rust.... Oh, and check and see if there's any Rust. rock it back and forth, listen for clunks.. Look for Urathane bushing replacements... (Normally, a Big Plus) Try to get a list of Parts Manufacturers, and double Check. Pop the Radiator Cap, dipsticks, etc... look for Neglect. Size up the seller... find out Why he's selling it. if he's broke, How Long has he been broke...? How long has he been driving the Bronco while Broke...? Talking him down a few bucks is L O N G Forgotten when paying to fix things.....

 

[bknbronco]

Take along a magnet! check under the doors on the rockers for lots of bondo. check bottom of doors, tailgates and windshield frames go first. And that price is not too bad. Thats what you should expect to pay for a very nice bronco that has undergona a frame up resto withen the last 10 years. But beware there will be 10 times more rust then you first find! A half-ass paint job will hide alot of rust. Dont rush into buying it. Im from minnesota and i see a new bronco for sale every few weeks on craigslist. The guys from the south-west probable see way more than i do for sale. I bought mine for $1,500.00 and it wasnt in too bad of shape and i drove it home.

 

[bknbronco]

Oh i forgot to mention one very important thing....if its a private party selling this bronco look around his garage and backyard for more broncos. I have found out that most bronco guys buy 2, 3 and maybe even 4 broncos and take the best parts out for there own bronco then sell the third one that is a bunch of crappy parts on it and then they end up cutting the forth up because there ant enough good parts to put that one up for sale. You want this guys first or second bronco!

 

[Heus33]

Welcome to the site - the only thing I'd add would be to spend a good amount of time under the truck. Check out everything from the frame to the body mounts to the coils/springs/shocks. Then check the engine and trans for leaks - check the exhaust - how is everything routed - does it look cobbled together or did some thought go into everything?

 

[Nightstick]

If you haven't bought the plane ticket yet tell us where the rig is and solicit a member here to check it out for you first. That happened a few months ago and saved a guy up in Canada a lotta time and money.

 

[myclsic69]

If the EB lives near the east coast, take a magnet and someone who knows there way around an EB. Paint and undercoating will hide alot of Misery, door and strike posts, floors,rockers,fender aprons,front grill section,etc. Good luck!