Need opinions on extent of rust before I buy this Bronco

[kholding]

I'm about to buy this bronco and it's a 500 mile trip to go get it (one way). The owner sent me a bunch of pictures and he assures me that it is all surface rust. I'm looking for opinions based off of the pictures as to how bad the rust looks to you. I know it could end up being a can of worms by time I start to do bodywork but looking for opinions based off of your experience and the amount of rust showing. Thanks in advance.

 

[kholding]

More,.....

 

[kholding]

And more,...

 

[kholding]

And I think this might be it,....

 

[kholding]

To me, it looks like the driver side inner fender and the driver floor pan would probably need to be replaced. Anything else you guys are catching in these tiny blurry pictures?

 

[needabronco]

Doesn't look bad? Where is it, maybe somebody could go take a look for you?

 

[kholding]

Sonora, California. That would be awesome if someone was close by.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

Huh, looks pretty normal to me...

Personally, having gone through a replacement of 12 body panels, door posts, flooring pieces, it is all in the perspective. Depending on the price it wouldn't bother me. But, someone else would have an issue I'm sure.

 

[bowhunter]

The most concerning photos to me are the first 2 that you posted in your thread. First one (inner fender, drivers side) is not surface rust, that is eaten through. Second is along the top of the cowl. If that is not just surface rust and it has eaten away at the cowl windshield support, you got a major restoration on your hands.

Personally, it would concern me that he has stated all the rust is "surface" rust based on these photos.

Depending on price, I would definitely want someone to look at for me first, or I would be prepared to turn around and walk away once you get there if it's not represented well.

The rest of it doesn't look too bad or as someone else already stated....it looks pretty "normal".

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[BRONCROB]

That doesn't look bad from the pictures.What about the drivetrain,engine and tranny?If the price is right and you have the skills to fix it up yourself,I would probably go for it.I do think it would be better to get someone close with some Bronco experence to verify everything you've been told before making the trip.

 

[BRONCROB]

What's up with the taped up marker lights?

 

[kholding]

Agreed. Getting someone close with bronco experience would be a huge help. If anyone is in the Sonora area, I would be willing to pay for their gas and a little extra spending $$ to have a peek at it and possibly snap a few more pictures. Would be well worth it for me. Otherwise I'm risking a 1000 mile roundtrip to decide not to buy it.

Broncrob, I have no idea on the marker lights, I was wondering the same thing.

 

[77bronco_ed]

You can only see the rust that has surfaced.. ha…

It's never just "surface rust"

just expect to replace a few panels.

You can see rust coming through the inner fender near the brake booster..

However we have seen much worse.

 

[Bferrari]

The pictures look very similar to how i started off. All in all, i am replacing the cowl, inner front fendes an floor pans. You can check my build thread to see what mine looked like before i tore it apart and what i've found once I got into it. Click here for my build

 

[kholding]

Wow bferrari, just looked at your build. That is what I'm trying to avoid! I have zero body skills and would like to find a bronco with minimal rust issues (is there ever such a thing?).

BTW, you are doing an incredible job! Can't wait to see it painted.

 

[Bferrari]

Here is one that is advertised locally (to me that is). Appears to be relatively rust free although the price is a little steep. http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4590351986.html

 

[kholding]

I saw that one on CL last week. I agree, the price is a little too steep for me as well. I need to stay around $8000. I'm not too worried about it running, I'm planning on doing a full rebuild and upgrading the drivetrain, interior, etc...

 

[77bronco_ed]

I saw that one on CL last week. I agree, the price is a little too steep for me as well. I need to stay around $8000. I'm not too worried about it running, I'm planning on doing a full rebuild and upgrading the drivetrain, interior, etc...

It is a difficult task to find a "rust free" Bronco… With a budget

 

[kholding]

^^^agreed! Not having much luck lately.