NV New guy here wanting advice...

[Hot chop shop]

First post here...

Hopefully I am in the right area to ask for advice... So I have been a long time lurker here and a lifetime fan of the early bronco and almost bought one on several occasions but the amount of rust and body work needed has always been my weakness... But I have been preparing my garage and practicing my welding skills in preparation for restoring an early bronco.... I still have so much to learn... But I have an elderly father who use to buy and sell cars as I was growing up and he is slowly losing his mind when he stays busy he is very sharp... So my plan is to restore a bronco with him... Anyways, locally there are two on Craigslist for sale I think they are both a little high for broncos that have been sitting but it's what I got at the moment...

Any thoughts on them and if they are priced right would be great.... I look forward to finding a bronco and sharing my journey here.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4075298236.html
Or
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4081886512.html

Any and all feedback is appreciated... Cooler months are ahead can't wait to be able to spend more time in the garage

 

[needabronco]

Both are non running and not complete. I'd say $3500 for either one. $5-6K should get you a decent complete running (or almost) rig.

 

[kholding]

I personally went an checked out the first one. The owner originally did not have a picture and made it sound like a peach. Said he had owned it since he was 17 I believe. I was excited to go check it out but when I got there it only took two seconds to realize that it was in terrible shape. TERRIBLE. I honestly wouldn't pay $500 for it. Barely any salvageable parts. He wants $6000!

The second one is hard to tell but I would say from the pictures alone, it is overpriced.

All I can say is be patient. They are out there. You will probably have to expand your search beyond Vegas because they don't seem to pop up here often enough. I'm always willing to help and even have a car trailer if you find the right one. Good luck, Kenny.

 

[needabronco]

There used to be a few out in Pahrump sitting in peoples back yards. Might be worth a Saturday cruise...

Also get with some of the local Bronco guys and have them go with you to check out a rig.

 

[kholding]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4041131340.html

This one has potential. The guy started collecting all the right stuff. Looks a little rough right now but has great potential (from the description, I have no first hand knowledge). If he is willing to go down on the price (to what the others were asking) it might be worth the trip to check out.

 

[Hot chop shop]

Hey thanks for all the help!!!

I figured AZ around Kingman and maybe Pahrump etc. Some of the surrounding areas might have some gems with limited rust...
This one looks good but a little out of my price range...
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4041131340.html
Hoping to find one around $2-$4k and turn it into my saving account every time I have a few extra bucks buy a part here and there to get it up and running...
Might be dreaming here but also hoping to find one that is at least complete so that I can buy a book and just start taking it apart and restoring it... Little easier for us noobs when you take it apart to figure out how to put it back together.... I was reeeeeeeeeal tempted to buy a rolling chassis with tub and it had boxes of parts that had been sand blasted and painted and just needed to be put back together, a few years back from mesquite UT, but I realized for a first time'r project I wouldn't have known if everything was really there to complete it and made sure I put it back together "correctly"...

I will keep my eyes open and definitely reach out to the members here that can direct me in the right location.

 

[sprdv1]

Just be patient, For sure the right one will come along that you're lookin for..

Good luck to ya

 

[swagner2]

Is there any good source for estimating the bodywork needed with these?

I have seen the 2-3 aftermarket sheet metal sources but haven't really seen too much commentary about the cost of replacing metal vs. repairing it?

Any good places to point me in? Or people's experience?

 

[Hot chop shop]

Is there any good source for estimating the bodywork needed with these?

I have seen the 2-3 aftermarket sheet metal sources but haven't really seen too much commentary about the cost of replacing metal vs. repairing it?

Any good places to point me in? Or people's experience?

I would also like know the answer to this... Spent several hours watching YouTube clips the other night on how to cut the floor pans out of a truck and put the new ones in and put in sheet screws then spot weld and grind down... Wow that was a lot of work and the floor pans are close to squares... Can't imagine how people patch the bottom of doors or tail gate places that are rounded... It's like an art form

 

[kholding]

There are replacement body parts (everything) that can be welded in place of your rusted metal. Bodywork is going to vary widely in price. I know when I was searching around, I got quotes that were several thousand dollars apart for the same work. You just have to shop around or get referrals. A lot of guys here do it themselves. I don't have the tools or the know how so I had to farm that part out. Good luck.

 

[Timmy390]

Finding someone that will do it and do it right is the problem. Most shops will not touch old rigs. Too much money in insurance jobs not to mention it's a can of warms once you start cutting rust out. You fine more and more and more as you cut. A simple rocker pannel replacement can turn ugly quick once you get the old one off. I'm living proof.

I've done almost all of my own welding. Bought a small 110 unit but also have access to a millermatic 250 which makes things nice.

Tim