Restore or run fast as i can!!!

[cbboatworks]

Hello first time post: I have been on here for sometime now, i have picked up a great deal of knowledge and would like to thank all of you who have contributed to all the info. now to a difficult question to answer, I just picked up two broncos that set in a field for more than 10 years, my question after looking at the pictures are they to rough to even consider restoring? both are in very bad shape. My son has fell in love with the classic broncos so i want to start a project with him and hope to give it to him for his first ride, by the way he is only 9 at this time so he may change his mind. i would love to hearing the pros and cons, Thanks in advance to any imput

 

[JGbronc]

Hard to tell from the pics, but they do need a lot. You could possibly use enough from both to build one. If you decide to sell/part out I'd be interested in the half cab.

 

[BRONCOchild]

Hello I have been on here for sometime now, i have picked up a great deal of knowledge and would like to thank all of you who have contributed to all the info. now to a difficult question to answer, I just picked up two broncos that set in a field for more than 10 years, my question after looking at the pictures are they to rough to even consider restoring? both are in very bad shape. My son has fell in love with the classic broncos so i want to start a project with him and hope to give it to him for his first ride, by the way he is only 9 at this time so he may change his mind. i would love to hearing the pros and cons, Thanks in advance to any imput

It's all about your finances, time and patience. Just about anything can be rebuilt. TV shows have given everyone a false sense or reality on how extensive these projects really are for the average person.

Just have fun with it.

At one time, I wanted to build a typical weekend warrior EB with the beefy tires and crazy suspension. Then, I tamed it down a bit a created a daily driver with smaller 33s, overhauled the engine and trans for more reliability. Now, I want something even more time, close to stock. Smaller wheels, 31s, stock bumpers, but EFIed.

 

[surfer-b]

I would keep them for parts, theres a lot of time and $ in those rigs to get them back on the road. I'm with BRONCOchild, TV has really got people thinking they can restore a Classic auto in very little time and not much $

 

[smokinjoe]

I've seen some of the rigs some of ya'll have brought back to life and I would've ran the other way.

Hard to say w/o seeing more. But there's certainly more here than a scuff n shoot and engine re-gasket.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

Man, you will need:
1) Time
2) Patience
3) Money
4) Repeat many, many times

 

[fatboy]

Sounds like you already own them. Taking them apart is free other than time and the opportunity to buy some specialized tools. ;D I would probably start by getting them cleaned up and inventorying what you actually have. If you can confirm a clean frame, start there and move forward. A lot of the early stuff on any of these projects is elbow grease and time. Find out what you actually have to work with and then it is easy enough to put together a list of what you need. Then you can decide if you have the pocketbook for it. If you were looking to buy and build, I would probably not start with these but it is hard to tell from the photos, but since you have them start taking them apart with your son. Looks like some decent beltway trim and a half cab, plus who knows what else.

 

[NicksTrix]

looks like that might be two or even a three episode tv project.

anything can be done. takes money first to make it happen. figure out what you want to build and what you are realistically thinking about spending. bringing them back from the dead is expensive and time consuming.
either way those are good organ donors if too far gone to build.

oh ya, welcome to the club!

 

[cbboatworks]

I paid $600 for the two with a ton of extras, just to name a few 4 sets of axles 3 transfer case, two tailgates, the list goes on. I want to thank each and everyone who has responded. as soon as i get a break from this long 9 month restoration project i am on now i will get them back to the shop clean them up and see what i have and go from there.

 

[cbboatworks]

I am so busy i do not even have time to watch those tv builds

 

[tasker]

LOCATION? might help to have a local guy maybe talk through some problem areas? I've seen worse...but it hasn't been cheap or fast! ;D

 

[cbboatworks]

I am located in Wilmington NC

LOCATION? might help to have a local guy maybe talk through some problem areas? I've seen worse...but it hasn't been cheap or fast! ;D

 

[okie4570]

I'm thinking if you get started on them this weekend, you could have them ready for Super Celebration..... Welcome by the way!

 

[sykanr0ng]

With the way prices have gone and that there were less than a quarter million made to begin with, it's hard to say that any Bronco is too far gone.

There is a recent thread on the forum where a member built up one he originally had for a parts Bronco.
Some builds start with a frame and a title.

With as little as you paid for them and all the extras you did not lose any money.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Man, you will need:
1) Time
2) Patience
3) Money
4) Repeat many, many times

I would put patience in the number one spot, but otherwise completely agree.

 

[rguest3]

What the others said. PATIENCE!!!

The 70-72 Half Cab is an interesting Truck, assuming its original.

The 69 Wagon could be nice too - 6-cylinder?

If it were me, I would pass or send it to Nick to restore. 1 vote for Nick.

 

[Timmy390]

Very long road ahead.

First step, tetanus shot...maybe double up on the dose.

Good luck....

Tim

 

[lonesouth]

My concern for your son, would be the amount of time invested in restoring one, with the payout being so far in the future. If you could get one driveable, even if not fully functioning, that would go very far toward keeping his interest while you restore the other.

 

[Past_Miner]

I agree with the others that time and money are required but I personally think that half cab looks pretty solid. In my experience, the inner fender just in front of the firewall is the first place to rust out on these old broncos. From what i can see in the picture, that looks pretty solid. Without much else to go on I would expect that the rest is probably pretty solid too.

I personally think that Eb's are about the easiest body tub ever built to rebuild. They just aren't very complicated and aren't very hard to work on. i just finished a 6 1/2 year build that started in much worse shape than either of these rigs and it turned out very nice. I also didn't spend anywhere near what people are getting for restorations of similar quality in my area.

from your posts it sounds like you are restoring something else now and know what that entails. If you have done some restoration work before and you have some fabrication tools I would vote for saving one of these.

Here is what I started and ended with:

 

[markw]

i have a few like that....Probably be for sale in the next few months. Finally getting one close to finished and I think that will be it. As said, patience, perseverance and cash are all good things to have on board. Welcome to the hobby!