Newbie Questions

[jmathews2u]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and Bronco's for that matter. I am looking to buy one and had some basic questions that might help steer me in the right direction.

1) Half Cabs?? Are those conversions or was that a factory option?

2) is there a better year to go with? I have heard that Mid 70's and beyond are better because of options. What options made those better?

3) Any common problems to look at when I am inspecting rigs to buy?

In high school, a buddy had a 1969 that I loved. I was thinking about buying a CJ5 or CJ7, but I have a family (wife and 2 kids) and would LOVE to take them out in it. I thought a Bronco would be more stable (safer) than a Jeep is, not to mention more room.

4) Do Broncos roll over as easy as Jeeps do (under normal driving conditions)? Obviously ANYTHING can roll over off road, but in general I'm asking..

5) How much lift is TOO MUCH!! I like the look of 35" or smaller...

6) Looking for a cut rear fender. Did they come from the factory like that or are ALL cut Bronco's done after market?

Looks like these Bronco's have a SUPER resale value and are VERY expensive compared to Jeeps of similar years and such..

Thanks in advance!!!

Jason

 

[half cab]

1 = factory
2 = you can make any year what ever you want....I like'em all
3 = rust -rust and more rust....
4 = depends on lifted -how high -or not
5 = 2.5---3.5 imoa is best lift range
6 = they did not come from the factory cut

welcome to the (cb.com)site and pleze vote everyday for this site top4x4 on the net!!

 

[siderbox]

Welcome Jason

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and Bronco's for that matter. I am looking to buy one and had some basic questions that might help steer me in the right direction.

1) Half Cabs?? Are those conversions or was that a factory option?
They were factory.
Some people convert them. The VIN will Tell you if it's a halfcab, wagon, or roadster.
2) is there a better year to go with? I have heard that Mid 70's and beyond are better because of options. What options made those better?
Mid 70's is good. But the options that they have are fairly easy to add.
You'll be doing mods to get it the way you want it anyway.
3) Any common problems to look at when I am inspecting rigs to buy?
Rust.
Previous owner mistakes.
In high school, a buddy had a 1969 that I loved. I was thinking about buying a CJ5 or CJ7, but I have a family (wife and 2 kids) and would LOVE to take them out in it. I thought a Bronco would be more stable (safer) than a Jeep is, not to mention more room.

4) Do Broncos roll over as easy as Jeeps do (under normal driving conditions)? Obviously ANYTHING can roll over off road, but in general I'm asking..
Pretty much as you stated.
5) How much lift is TOO MUCH!! I like the look of 35" or smaller...
5.5" is general rule.
6) Looking for a cut rear fender. Did they come from the factory like that or are ALL cut Bronco's done after market?
ALL cuts are done aftermarket.
Looks like these Bronco's have a SUPER resale value and are VERY expensive compared to Jeeps of similar years and such..

Thanks in advance!!!

Jason

 

[ObscureMachine]

2. Definitely rust. Look under and poke around to find hidden rust.

Buying from someone reputable helps. Learning everything you can on here and getting good advice (from the wise gurus on here) will save a lot of trouble from hidden problems.

Welcome!

 

[Doyle]

Welcome to the madness, lol.
1) Half Cabs?? Are those conversions or was that a factory option?
Could be either. There were half cabs from factory, as well as roadster and full top. Any configuration can be converted to another.
2) is there a better year to go with? I have heard that Mid 70's and beyond are better because of options. What options made those better?
Depends on your wants, Dana 44 replaced 30 in 71, power steering and auto was factory options after 73, power brakes and disks after 76. Any of the above may have been added to earlier models however as well as aftermarket upgrades.
3) Any common problems to look at when I am inspecting rigs to buy?
Rust, front floor pans, door posts, door jams, kick panels, tailgate are most common areas.
In high school, a buddy had a 1969 that I loved. I was thinking about buying a CJ5 or CJ7, but I have a family (wife and 2 kids) and would LOVE to take them out in it. I thought a Bronco would be more stable (safer) than a Jeep is, not to mention more room.
More room yes, stability and safety will depend on how it's equiped, lift, disks or drums, roll bar or cage, stock belts or harness, etc.....
4) Do Broncos roll over as easy as Jeeps do (under normal driving conditions)? Obviously ANYTHING can roll over off road, but in general I'm asking..
This can very much depend on the driver.
5) How much lift is TOO MUCH!! I like the look of 35" or smaller...
More than 3.5 suspension complicates things, if you need more room sawzall or body lift.
6) Looking for a cut rear fender. Did they come from the factory like that or are ALL cut Bronco's done after market?
All after they left factory, some were done by dealerships.

 

[jmathews2u]

Thanks for the quick responses. For the rust!!! Is there a specific spot that is common to rust first? Any other expensive problems to look out for? Crazy to see how many Bronco's are cut in the rear. Are uncut ones worth more? Or only to purists? I think they look better cut with some mild lift and fatty tires...

 

[ObscureMachine]

Some like cut, some uncut. My next one will be uncut. But that's just me.

Do a search on here for LUBR or LUBER

 

[tw322]

Hey Jason,
Welcome, I am fairly new to this site myself but am on my 2nd Bronco. I had owned for about 6 years and (regretfully) sold it about 4 years ago. I just bought my 2nd this past week. The one thing I would say, besides agreeing with all of the other good advice, is to find out about smog requirements where you live. I am in Calif. and decided to buy a 75 or older because they are smog exempt while 76 and 77s still have to be smogged in this ridiculous state. Not that it isn't doable but for me jumping through the hoops and dealing with the DMV and all of the air quality entities that set the standards. It is worth checking into. Good luck! Its an addiction that rivals any other and is just as expensive.

 

[jmathews2u]

Those are so bad!!!! Yep, That's the perfect size, I wouldn't want it any bigger. Are those 35"?? Also, I love the uncut look!! I guess I have never seen any lifted that are uncut. Both of those are AWESOME!!!! I would be afraid of rubbing the rear fenders on a hard bump though. I can't wait to buy one and I hope they look like those (above) do. Thanks ObscureMachine for sharing the picts, you opened my mind to allot more options...

 

[sprdv1]

Welcome aboard and good luck w/the search.. Key factor, Be Patient in your search

 

[Entourage]

Be patient and watch Craigslist like a hawk. Get an app that will enable you to look at larger areas. The classified ads on this site are really good as well, but they know what their trucks are worth. Best shot at a screamin' deal is CL. I wanted a cut Bronco, then added new un-cut rear fenders and that completely changed my mind. As for half-cabs, they are half as fun as wagons lmao.

Best of luck and welcome to the site.

P.S. Put your location in your signature.