Couldn't agree more with the getting inspection help. Once you narrow down your search, I bet there are plenty of members here that would pop over and help you run through a rig or two.
Friend of mine is well paid to go look at Corvettes around the country for folks looking to invest. The way things are going, it seemingly won't be long before Broncos are in the same category. But with even more need for protection against sellers with no concept of the concept of "rust free"!!!
Right now you're in a rapidly growing group that has the money, and is willing to spend it on a partially or fully restored Bronco. However, as is the case with many types of semi-custom products, even the highest prices don't always reflect the quality. As the others have said.
The shop in OR that's asking $40k to $45k for theirs is a good example.
And you're trying to accomplish this while avoiding the growing group that are just cashing in on their little investment, to take advantage of the current trend.
Anyway, you're probably already aware of all that and I'm just preaching to the choir. There's a good example right here in CHAT today, not of the "paying too much" category necessarily, but of the "you have no idea what you're getting yourself into" category. ;D
It's a gorgeous rig for sure. But read down to see what he found under the bedliner material.
In fact, that's probably a good lesson right there. Even in SoCal, if you see bedliner, run away! Unless you're sure you've determined that there's nothing hidden underneath.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224948
Hmm, side-scanning sonar/radar might be a handy tool when searching for a good EB!
So even in generally rust-free CA, Broncos rust. So keep a wary eye open for the little details and problem areas (which is probably what brought you here in the first place I"m guessing?) and look at them all.
In spite of their previous reputation too, I would even look to see what Rocky Roads has to offer, along with the other places mentioned. With any out there having the possibility of being a money pit, and still others having the chance of being the diamond we all hope for, I'd look at them all. Too many snagging the first one they come across and getting royally screwed, so don't limit yourself.
With the right eye for detail, it's pretty easy to discover hidden gems in Broncos.
And since from what you and others have said, it looks like you could find quite a few to check out right now in the major LA area, you could spend a day and a half just on the ones currently listed.
I'm just still being a Negative Nelly because my attitude is that they're not worth what they're being advertised for (maybe because I can't afford one and it's jealousy rearing it's ugly head), and because so many seemingly nice rigs are still in such rough shape that the new owners are getting stuck with full-blown project trucks instead of the Daily Driver they were hoping their families could enjoy.
So part sour grapes, part anger at people being taken advantage of.
Good luck for sure. Hope you find the diamond that's not still in the rough.
After all that, I will say this though. Concentrate more on private parties rather than people in it to make money on the work they've done. Unless you can get some kind of wickedly good warranty, someone who did it for themselves and is now just having to sell their rig is probably the better deal.
Paul
