Thinking about building instead of buying!

[Bronco1970man]

So I've been looking for a 1970 PROJECT Bronco for a little while now, and WOW! Even though I'm pretty familiar with EBs, how well they've come up in value, and how they have a very loyal following, I'm always surprised at how much money people are asking for! I've located one here in Arizona for around 5900, but it is pretty much in need of a full frame off with body panel replacements, motor and tranny rebuild or replace, new wiring, etc, etc, etc. No where near driveable for 5900! Seems high to me. But what do I know? Here is the link to that one if anyone is interested.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4731514118.html

Enough of my complaining! Feels good though.;D

I'm really chomping at the bit to start working on my next Bronco, so I'm thinking about starting to build one instead of buying one. That way I can build it how I want it and not have to redo a lot of the hacking that comes with so many EBs.%) I figure if I can locate a good frame or rolling chassis and I'll just start there. At some point I'll need to purchase some POS for the title, but I could figure that out later.

???? ?:? Okay, maybe someone on the forum can shed some light on a question for me...what are the advantages/disadvantages of going with full width axles versus factory width for both trail, street, and daily driver? I've found a couple chassis for sale with a full width set up already going. Links below. Thoughts?

There is this rolling chassis with full width '79 bronco axles.
http://tucson.craigslist.org/pts/4725224712.html

And this one here on the forum with full width axles.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245651

 

[AZ73]

Here's some advice. Do you want to be DRIVING or BUILDING a Bronco? I bought a drivable project 3 years ago and I'm only about 1/2 done and only drove it for 1 day. That being said, You can do both. Get one that's in reasonably good shape and work on it while you're enjoying it.

 

[bigdaddyof4]

I got mine for $5000 and drive it everyday which makes it hard to work on it. I just make sure I have everything needed before tearing into it on my down time. I think about selling it everyday but then I come to my senses and jump back on her.

 

[BRONCROB]

Man..I see what you mean,4 grand for a frame is nuts.I'm glad I bought mine when I did for the price I paid.If I were to sell it now I would make way more than I have in it.

 

[Bronco1970man]

Here's some advice. Do you want to be DRIVING or BUILDING a Bronco? I bought a drivable project 3 years ago and I'm only about 1/2 done and only drove it for 1 day. That being said, You can do both. Get one that's in reasonably good shape and work on it while you're enjoying it.

Actually, I don't mind being in the building phase for a little while. Been there before so it's no biggie.

Anyone have any thoughts on the full width vs stock axles, advantages/disadvantages?

 

[Cohammer]

I have a ford falcon in my garage I have been working on off and on for 5 years , just bought my 74 bronco and after 2 weeks I am driving it . Rather buy something ready to drive.

 

[broncodriver99]

Anyone have any thoughts on the full width vs stock axles, advantages/disadvantages?

Unless you are building a rock crawler I don't see any advantage to full width. They may not be legal in some states without some really wide fender flares.

 

[broncodriver99]

I have had several projects, from a rust bucket needing a full resto to something I worked on for a year or two. My latest I bought pretty much ready to go, or so I thought. Still ended up having to do a lot to it but it is nice to be able to drive it. I would find something close to what you are looking for that is drivable as is and make changes as time and money permits.

Also, don't think for one second you can build one cheaper than you can buy one. I ended up with more in my last project than I have in my driver. I parted the project, recouped about half of my money, and just enjoy my driver.

 

[Bronco1970man]

I have a commuter for the daily to and from work, so not in a hurry. As it's looking thus far in my search, I think I'm going to find a good chassis to start with and put the suspension components, motor and tranny I want on it. Eventually I'll find one with a good clean title to do a body swap with. I've built three EBs in the past, so this will be number four, and every one so far I've opted to take the body off the frame and start there, so I figure I'll just start there at the beginning this time around.

Or who knows, I may go with a fiberglass body kit. We'll see, for now I think I'll search for a good solid chassis to start.

Also, not looking to recoup any $$$ in the future. It goes without saying it's extremely difficult to get your money back on one of these, unless you put one of those crazy 100k price tags on it.%)

 

[jperry1290]

All depends on how much free time, skill, and money you have. I bought a decent '70 five years ago that was mechanically sound, but it needed a paint job. I have probably 200 plus hours in body and paint alone as I did ALL of it myself. Then I decided to do a disc brake swap, np435 swap, welded the cage, and lots of other small things. As the years have gone by ive spent less time on the EB due to kids, work, and getting tired working on it all the time. I maybe put 100miles on the rig since ive owned it, most of which was the drive home.

 

[Pa PITT]

.. Well I hate to say But I have one setting in my shop .. I too just ask 5000 for it. In a way it nicer than that one. But mine is not even a rolling chassis . As I looked at that one I thought I might rather have that one than mine for 5K.
... I don't want to sell mine but I would. So I got forced into putting a price on it. I did. $5000.00 .. I have a neat project uncut Bronco with lots of toys or items to go with it.
.. I had plans of putting all my parts on mine making it a rolling Bronco & making it easier to sell. Thus getting rid of an extra Bronco & a shop full of extra parts.But the older I get the less fun it do do more than check the air in the tires. Hell I even have to bend over to do that. Ok Check the oil in it's motor. I can still pop the hood & check the oil. But Man I just can't get down under these Bronco any longer.
....................................
.... So I guess I think that Bronco has $5000.00 worth of part to start with in today's market.

 

[Bronco1970man]

Awe come on guys! At least you have one to tinker with. I guess it all depends on how you look at it and what you want out of it. For me, it's not only the end vision of what the Bronco will be, but the journey of taking it from a Bronco that's no longer on the road to a driving machine! Get it back on road. When I see pictures of Broncos sitting in a salvage yard being picked apart it makes me sad. Makes me wish I could take them all home and get them back in circulation.

Hmm....that gives me an idea!

 

[TN1776]

Mine started in 2006 as a mostly stock 70 sport that had been cut. It was a driver but I did not trust it enough to drive it the 60 miles home so I towed it. It had fuel leaks and a worn out clutch. I spent a weekend tidying up loose ends and drove it for about a month, when I yanked the whole drivetrain and went through a 2 year period of having it totally unusable in the garage, picking away at it. I overpaid but it was one of the more solid EBs I'd looked at. I proceeded to dump a bunch of money into it replacing almost everything.

I don't regret it, but if I was to start over again I'd have bought one that was more built to my wants/needs. I don't mind working on a vehicle but starting with something closer to the desired result would have saved time and money.

 

[broncodriver99]

When I see pictures of Broncos sitting in a salvage yard being picked apart it makes me sad. Makes me wish I could take them all home and get them back in circulation.

Hmm....that gives me an idea!

Don't do it!!! I tried that. I did end up with a lot of spare parts and a nice chunk of change from the scrap yard. Not anywhere near what I spent on them though.

 

[Crush]

Buying one ready to go isn't always gonna be any better. My77 ran after I rebuilt the carb and cleaned the tank out. Drove it locally for a bit. Tried to drive to tn for sc and blew the engine. now it's three years later and still not driving. The snowball effect took over. And im just about ready to start the engine

 

[thepunisher]

If you have the means it's way cheaper to build than it is to buy, if you don't count your time. Then you know exactly how much rust and bondo you have. Which in my case, there is none..;D

 

[Unaweep]

There are still deals out there. I bought my Bronco for 2K. Body really rough, front inner fenders hacked off. Diveable but needed work. Hadn't been driven in 10 years. Tires from the 1980's.

Had some really nice stuff added. ARB locker, roll cage, NP435, 351W, 3 rd fuel tank, James Duff suspension lift, old 351w, BRAND NEW 351w from NAPA, spare axle and radiators, intake manifold, windshieldmframe, spare doors, etc...


I say look for a project that ran out of money or time or enthusiasm, those are the deals.

J.E.