Newbie here and I need some opinions on a bronco

[FordTruckGuyFX4]

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Here are some pics of a 77 Bronco I'm considering purchasing. I've wanted one forever but they are a major rarity were I live. I know of one show truck and one thats just beat all to hell from the mountains. I was planning on doing 7" and 37s on my F-150 w/ plenty of other nice mods to it but I found this little thing setting hidden on the way to go mudding a few months ago..been there for over a year. Apparently its in drive home shape, brakes feel good, 3 on the tree shifted fine, clutch felt good, gotta go sometime when the guy is there to start it and see how the old 5.0 sounds. It's completely original from the engine to the polyglas spare tire on the back. About as unmolested as they get. Body wise as you can see the front fender has a dent, the other has a couple places that are barely worth calling dents. It has some minor floorpan rust but the rest of it is as solid as a rock...even minimal surface rust on the body. Windows all roll good, wiring seemed in good shape overall, could use new tires and well...it could use a restoration..luckily i'd be a quicky to take to my friends bodyshop and get primed and painted and cost effective w/ me doin the work. Guy that has it at his place is selling it for a friend...he said his friend wants 4000 for it but when my '66 stang is sold I plan to offer the guy 3000 cash for it and just say 'look its been here for well over a year, needs restored, and some bodywork all of which isnt cheap(if i paid someone to do it) and this is what i'll give you for it" if he dont take it i might go up a little more but i'd be on about a 5000 budget including its restoration. Luckily I'm great at wheelin and dealin. Here's the plan if I get this little beast. Engine can stay how it is for now but I have an EFI 5.0 from a T-bird handy w/ only about 60k miles on it. Little cam and headwork and dump it in there. I probly could care less about the manual brakes, but power steering would be an addition. Take the body off the frame, strip the frame down and paint it and the axles and such. Clean the engine/tranny up and give all a refreshing. 33" BFG Mud Terrains which should use what, 3.5" lift and have full travel or do I need maybe a 1" body? Anyways rebuild the front suspension, strip the body, get it LineXed like Crazyhorse, interior, underside, front clip. Get it in paint, get all the new weatherseals in place. Maybe a 4pnt rollbar, high back seats, better restraint system, some type of system, prerunner bars front and rear, and just some other functional cosmetic changes, no hacking or cutting. And I'd probly drive it regularly..not every day but pretty regularly still..which comfort wise I've had 2 71s and a 66 stang so I'm very use to restoration and upkeep and habits. So what are your guys opinions on this...any suggestions from my currentl plan?

 

[tabascom16]

Looks good. My '76 was in that condition when I got it. The whole thing was solid but the floorpans were replaced. Go figure. It's definately worth going after. It even has the stock vinyl floor covering. Alot of us would hate to see you mod that stocker, but each to his own. If your going with 35"s I would definately suggest 5.5 inches of lift or more however you want to do it. Either with a 3.5" lift and 2" body lift or a 5.5" suspespension. You can get by with a 3.5 inch lift but you are gonna need some big fender flares and you might get some rubbing on extreme flex. Good find though! I am up where it snows and you cannot find anything worth a pot to piss in!!!!

 

[weps]

i think if you left as stock, did the rust repairs, and ensured it was mechanically sound enough to pass "inspection" if your state has that, you could sell it on the internet and easily make a 1000.00 or so if not more. and from the way you were talking, you have access to enough equipment and skill to wrap it up pretty quickly.

although they may be rare in your area, it seems to me there are already plenty of broncos out there with specs suitable and in the same range for what you are building. not so for this stock 77.

 

[FordTruckGuyFX4]

As far as its condition I figure probly most damaging mods I'd do would be bolt in rollbar and maybe screw holes hear and there for accessories and such as that. Something easily reversable...and in the mountains if i mess it up, no problem I'll fix it right back...I cant stand having a 4x4 that's nice slowly get eaten up w/ dents and such and I'd fix it asap if somethin did mess up.

 

[todcolvin]

Great find. At $5,000 that would not last a week in this town.

 

[73 bronc]

Looks pretty good. That thing would sell quick for 4,000 around here.

 

[77TexasBronc]

Looks pretty good. That thing would sell quick for 4,000 around here.

Same here...the ink wouldnt have time to dry on the for sale sign. Heck, I could use another one myself, wheres this one at? ;D ;D ;D

 

[FordTruckGuyFX4]

Well I figured I'd ressurect this post right quick. Still no update for sure on the Bronco...i've had no luck gettin in touch w/ the guy lately...but I had one other thought. On like Ebay or somethin what might be the maximum cash I could get for this thing If I decided to get it and resale it and wait till I found somethin I wouldnt feel bad about cutting on?

 

[todcolvin]

I can't understand why you would feel bad about cutting it. You can by new 1/4 panels and front fenders if you or someone else wants to return it to stock. Buy it and build it to make you happy--that's what Broncos are all about. The one you are looking at is not some pristine Bronco in perfect shape.

I can see thinking twice about an ultra clean show quality completely stock one, but even then I would probaly modify it.

In my opinion 56 Vettes and model A Fords should be restored to stock and Broncos should be built to play.

 

[FordTruckGuyFX4]

Well...I know where a few more are that have been cut on a little already...just in theory what might I get for that one?

 

[ky-resto]

I'd give you $3,000 for it;D but I'd be using the same flim-flam you're be using on the current owner

Good luck with it- who says you have to buy and sell it? If you know of something you may be more interested in, just post the seller info on this sight and you're sure to have some friends for life. Heck- I've got one you wouldn't have a problem cutting on!

 

[brewdude]

If I were you I would jump on it like a prom date.