Possible purchase - would like your thoughts!

[Fireball05]

Bronco Brothers - I am on the hunt for my first EB. Would love to get some opinions on this one. Looks to be in good shape, the owner did all the body and paint work and allegedly everything is in good running order.

http://owensboro.craigslist.org/cto/3371312009.html

I'm looking to spend $10-12k max, so this would leave me with a little money for repairs or upgrades. My ideal buy is a 76-77 uncut, unmolested close-to-stock example, but those seem to be pretty darn pricey.

This will just be a fun weekend toy. I can do minor work as needed, but am not interested in doing rust repair, body work, etc.

Thanks in advance for any opinions or insight!

 

[Bronco Junkie]

I always think it is funny when someone is selling a 4x4 and they mention NOTHING about the suspension. Just a bunch of nothing "upgrades" (racing seats...oh wow).

Because of that I am assuming the guy is a rookie and would be skeptical of any work he did on it. It LOOKS ok for $8,000....but without seeing it......

 

[Skiddy]

I always think it is funny when someone is selling a 4x4 and they mention NOTHING about the suspension. Just a bunch of nothing "upgrades" (racing seats...oh wow).

Because of that I am assuming the guy is a rookie and would be skeptical of any work he did on it. It LOOKS ok for $8,000....but without seeing it......

i agree, and just painted makes you wonder what is under the paint. still worth checking out in person of course

 

[BoureeOne]

Where is the spout for the front tank???? Is there a front tank?

 

[jlylec]

Like said already it certainly looks like it could be a good deal, but looks can be deceiving. You should drive it and make sure everything works as it should and get under it to check for rust. There are lots of threads on what to look for. I wish I had asked on here and seen those threads before I got ripped off!

 

[Heus33]

The others are right to be skeptical. $8,700 doesnt add up. Maybe he painted it in his garage. Not saying its not a good deal but if you want to build it to be a beautiful restored rig, you'll want to make sure you start wtih a VERY solid foundation.

 

[MyOriginal66]

Looks pretty rough to me... Look at the door alignment. Also, he patched and painted the rockers with diamond plate, what's that hiding! Also looks like the left corner is a different shade than the quarter panel, could just be the light. Doesn't look like he did any repairs in the engine bay. If he had the engine out, he could have easily taken the time to at least paint the engine bay unless there is just too much to repair in there. Compared to what ive seen for 8-10k, not worth it. Maybe a 1k paint job at best.

 

[bbow]

Looks like its gonna need a body lift, suspension lift or smaller tires.

 

[bad 68]

Did you see the way the bumpers are mounted to the frame? That's the worst idea I have ever seen. If the rest of the work is that crappy I would say beware. The front filler spout is missing so the front tank probably is too. The paint isn't glossy like it should be. The ad doesn't even say what transmission it has. In the picture of the steering wheel there is no column shifter so I'm guessing someone put a floor shifter on the stock 3sp. Probably a D30 front Axel with drum brakes. With tires that big it may need re geared. That's not cheap at all because it opens a can of worms as to traction devices and larger spline axles.

Rust is your biggest enemy.

Look it over good in the front inner fenders just in front of the fire wall,
drivers and passenger side floor boards,
The mid seam on the rear quarter panels
and of coarse the frame.

It does have power brakes and power steering. The steering is worth good money alone if its stock EB.

 

[Jeff76]

My opinion is that the guys on here are awesome, but notoriously tough on pricing for these rigs. $8700 is in the right range for a solid bronco with a new crate engine. I paid more for probably less. What you need to do is take a close look at it, drive it, and make a list of what you need to do to it. I paid more like I said, and spent about $7k in *driveline* only upgrades in the past year. If you want to be in the 12k range tops, make sure this bronco is solid because it's real easy to drop $3k on one, check out the vendor catalogs, and total it up.

Here's the bare min check list:
Brakes first, motor. Trans(clutch)
Body - they rust from the inside out. Front floor boards, rocker panels, under the cowl. Inner front fender wells.

My bronco looks great in pics, but it needs a new grill, and right front fender, as well as paint.

Other things to check: tanks and venting. Exhaust system. seals are notoriously expense to replace. How do the doors sit? Any play in the hinges. That's a pain to repair.

Keep your perspective, make your notes, and let the numbers guide your decision. There's a bunch out there, but it's easy to let your emotions drive your decisions. The numbers should be your gospel, and that's also what you should use in your negotiation.

Finally, I have a receipt for every part I have bought for my bronco. Make sure you see the receipt (date) for that new crate motor.

Good luck!

Jeff

 

[fatboy]

My thoughts, for the price and what it is I would go take a look. With that said, this is far from what you said you are looking for. I would wait and continue looking for an uncut original, as they can be had in your price range.

If this is what you want, go take a look and see if you can find a bronco brother on the board to go take a look with you. If you want an uncut, unmodified original, keep looking. I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in a nice looking truck in your price range and to run right out and get it, but resist the urge and be methodical about your purchase. ood luck.

 

[Fireball05]

Good points all, thanks for the quick replies. You make some very good points on things not adding up, so that probably means either it's a great deal, or there's something to hide!

I had a quick chat with the seller, he claims no rust and the engine was actually sent out for rebuild, not a new crate engine. That's a big strike right there. The last 2 photos of the engine bay suggest the comment about no rust might not be exactly correct.

They did the bodywork and paintwork themselves. Truth be told, I'm not too fussed about that and actually prefer one that doesn't have a fresh paint job. Been there, done that with other cars, and I spent more time being paranoid about catching a door ding, being caught in the rain or otherwise "ruining" a $4k paint job than I did enjoying the car!

I've sent him a message asking for more detailed photos and details on other parts of the build.

Bad68 - sorry to show my ignorance, but could you explain why the bumpers are so poorly done? I'm not keen on them, and would prefer to replace them with OEM units.

Also, anyone recognize that roll cage? Is it one of the units available from one of the online vendors, or does it look like a DIY job?

Thanks again all!

 

[Bundy]

Looks like a vendor cage to me. the bumpers, I think, should slide inside the frame rails and not just be bolted on top and bottom with plate steel as it wouldn't be very strong.

What do you want the Bronco for? when I bought mine I said I wanted 50/50 street and offroad but it ended up about 20/80 after I went my first time- I was hooked on wheelin! If you want to wheel, look for a bronco with drivetrain upgrades already done (gearing, axles, suspension, steering upgrades including linkage).

Otherwise keep looking for that uncut stocker and pass on this one.

Edit : Also, the dash looks like shit. Cutout for the radio and no radio, missing knobs...

 

[needabronco]

He paid good money for the 'brake booster pump', and he even added a 'dashboard'..... He has no idea what parts are called so I highly doubt any repairs were done correctly!

Diamond plate is covering up rust as always too.

I'd keep looking!

 

[half cab]

Them sure is come cheesy lookin bumps and that dash...kid could have beat that.

 

[tasker]

sorry fire......i'd keep looking as well. sucks to hear now but you'll be happier in the long run. Might try and contact Broncitis on here, he may know of something and he's in PA as well...and his throw away stuff is way nicer then my nice stuff ;D

 

[Bundy]

Fireball, go to a Bronco event where you can see 10+ Broncos so you can see the entire breadth of options you have. You'd be amazed at how different they can be and decide what you want them.

 

[needabronco]

http://www.classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2207047#post2207047

Here's what less than $3000 more will get you! AND you won't have to spend another $5-10K fixing what the PO did.... OR use it for comparative value.;D

 

[Fireball05]

That one is much more to my liking, I actually posted yesterday asking for more pics and just noticed he posted some up. Would have to ship that thing up here, and would need to get some help checking it out. Looks to be in good shape, you guys see anything on that rig that needs some attention?

Not that this is important, but just curious, were those OEM v8 emblems?

Any worry that a recent repair showing rust bubbles coming back would indicate more severe problems below the surface?

Thanks!

 

[tasker]

personal invite to come to both BYOB in May in central Mass and the MEB Round Up in June. You will see ratty trucks (mine) to very, very nice. Talk to people and get to see where they started to where they ended. The best advice i can give is that when it's the "right" one, you'll know. can't explain but you'll know, and don't be afraid to ask a local guy to check it out. nobody on here wants to see anyone get screwed over.....