Restoring a 1975 bronco

[Cstahl]

My bronco has been sitting around for a few years trying to decide what to do with it. I’m debating a restoration but not sure how much ball park it would cost if a legit shop was to do it? I’m basically bone stock rn with a swapped 351w in it. Overall shape is nice, paint job was rushed whoever did it maybe at one time was in a small front end accident but was straightened out. The clip at the bottom front fender is ripped from the fender. It was undercoated to hide surface rust but from what I can see only has two holes of rust around the size of the palm of your hand. Besides that not terrible everything runs and drives great. Has leaks in motor, trans, gearbox, etc

I would want
-disc brakes conversion in the front
-New wiring harness
-2.5 in lift, 1 inch body lift
-Slightly bigger tires like 32-33’s
-a/c
-motor & trans rebuild to make it a nice worry free driver
-and to address the paint, body issue and maybe the little rust spots.
-addressing any of the leaks too

Rough ideas in a resto price?
Would I be insane to think around the 20k mark? Or way more?

 

[NickMcAFP]

My bronco has been sitting around for a few years trying to decide what to do with it. I’m debating a restoration but not sure how much ball park it would cost if a legit shop was to do it? I’m basically bone stock rn with a swapped 351w in it. Overall shape is nice, paint job was rushed whoever did it maybe at one time was in a small front end accident but was straightened out. The clip at the bottom front fender is ripped from the fender. It was undercoated to hide surface rust but from what I can see only has two holes of rust around the size of the palm of your hand. Besides that not terrible everything runs and drives great. Has leaks in motor, trans, gearbox, etc

I would want
-disc brakes conversion in the front
-New wiring harness
-2.5 in lift, 1 inch body lift
-Slightly bigger tires like 32-33’s
-a/c
-motor & trans rebuild to make it a nice worry free driver
-and to address the paint, body issue and maybe the little rust spots.
-addressing any of the leaks too

Rough ideas in a resto price?
Would I be insane to think around the 20k mark? Or way more?

My younger brother was shopping around to get his "cleaned up". It's been sitting for somewhere near 20 years. Ran fine when parked. Needs to be gone through but nothing major (I don't feel). He was quoted 20k just to get it driving. I thought they were nuts but what do I know.

 

[BGBronco]

Tough call without knowing the details of your Bronco. Maybe start with estimating the cost of the actual parts required to get the functionality you have listed, estimate the labor, and start from there. Having someone do the work, even for what you have listed, is up there. Parts only would be ~2000 discs, ~1500 suspension, ~1500 tires, ~1600 vintage air, ~1000 harness, then all the unknowns. And then, you need to find someone to do the work.

 

[Cstahl]

Tough call without knowing the details of your Bronco. Maybe start with estimating the cost of the actual parts required to get the functionality you have listed, estimate the labor, and start from there. Having someone do the work, even for what you have listed, is up there. Parts only would be ~2000 discs, ~1500 suspension, ~1500 tires, ~1600 vintage air, ~1000 harness, then all the unknowns. And then, you need to find someone to do the work.

I was estimating about 8500 parts and add ons before addressing motor trans rebuild. Which I have no clue what that costs, then whatever body work to be needed

 

[904Bronco]

I was estimating about 8500 parts and add ons before addressing motor trans rebuild. Which I have no clue what that costs, then whatever body work to be needed

Just a thought here... what State do you live in? Hourly labor rate varies around the Country, an example is here the the SF Bay Area you are looking at $120-150 per hr. Specialty shops may charge more. I had a 1998 Explorer 5.0 rebuilt last December for $2,600.00 for a Long Block (Timing cover and oil pan installed) Took me 8 weeks, time to get in line and waiting for all the parts to show up.

 

[Cstahl]

Just a thought here... what State do you live in? Hourly labor rate varies around the Country, an example is here the the SF Bay Area you are looking at $120-150 per hr. Specialty shops may charge more. I had a 1998 Explorer 5.0 rebuilt last December for $2,600.00 for a Long Block (Timing cover and oil pan installed) Took me 8 weeks, time to get in line and waiting for all the parts to show up.

I live in upstate Ny, most shops labor rate around here are around the $100 per hour mark, specialty shops may be more

 

[Scoop]

Do you need to farm all the work out? Or can you do some it yourself? If you can do at least some of the work I think you can get most of it done with your $20K budget. I am in the process of installing disk brakes and a 2 1/2" suspension lift. I installed the WH 1" integrated body lift and body mounts a couple years ago. You can check out my patina Bronco build thread to get an idea on how much work is involved for some to the things you want to do. If you have to pay labor for everything you will blow through the 20 grand pretty quickly. Especially when you get into the engine/tranny rebuild and body and paint work.

 

[mebco09]

Unfortunately, $20k doesn't do much anymore. Inflation is really taking its toll on the cost of restorations. Here, if you want a full repaint, done correctly, with some body work, in a legitimate shop $20k is your number. There are guys who work out of their house who might be cheaper, but most of them are booked for a long time.

My Dad was trying to get a 79 Jimmy pickup painted, and the $20k number scared him off. The guy suggested a wrap instead. I don't know anything about them, but I have seen a few Broncos for sale with them- https://www.mainlymusclecars.com/copy-of-1969-bronco-1-2-cab-9

 

[stupidboy]

Do you need to farm all the work out? Or can you do some it yourself? If you can do at least some of the work I think you can get most of it done with your $20K budget. I am in the process of installing disk brakes and a 2 1/2" suspension lift. I installed the WH 1" integrated body lift and body mounts a couple years ago. You can check out my patina Bronco build thread to get an idea on how much work is involved for some to the things you want to do. If you have to pay labor for everything you will blow through the 20 grand pretty quickly. Especially when you get into the engine/tranny rebuild and body and paint work.

What He said is just about right.

 

[eb-nutt1]

You are going to blow thru the 20k doing just the engine/trans/paint for the most part...the body/paint will eat the most and take the longest...my advice, do mechanical first, get everything how you want, drive and enjoy for a bit before sending it into the body/paint abyss.

Brian

 

[gnsteam]

You are going to blow thru the 20k doing just the engine/trans/paint for the most part...the body/paint will eat the most and take the longest...my advice, do mechanical first, get everything how you want, drive and enjoy for a bit before sending it into the body/paint abyss.

Brian

I can attest to this. I have 25k into engine, transmission, transfer case, axles, suspension kit and frame restoration. No body work, paint or interior work. It all adds up quick.