Do I or Don't I?

[Rockwell]

I just came across a decent looking early Bronco in someone's yard with a "For Sale" sign . . . I called the number and, as it turns out, the guy has TWO Broncos that he wants to sell and does not want to split them up. The rougher of the two is a '66 (rust, missing metal around fenders) and the other is a '76. I have not seen these up close; I've just driven by a few times, but they both appear mostly stock, both have roll bars and uncut fenders. The owner says they both start and run fine but he already has a standing offer for them.

I asked him what he wanted for them and he said he was hoping to get $4,500 for the two. (yeah, for BOTH of them!) Sounds too good to pass up - I will go inspect them this weekend but I was hoping to get some feedback on what I should look out for in buying my first Bronco.

 

[wolf83]

if they run then go for it. seriously, those model years are hard to come by anymore. by the way, if he already has a standing offer, then why hasn't he sold them? hmmm... is he workin' ya?

 

[AdamDude04]

We saw an all orig. 67 Bronco down the street from me at a private owned shop. Orig tires on it too. Garage kept until the last year.

Chick came out and said "17-5"..my buddy went in and talked to the guy, and he offerd "16-5"..assuming %1,650.

Got there..guy wanted $16,000!!! I've always known these trucks to be expensive.. and with a little time and a little money, you can have a nice ride. I say, go for it! Then turn around n sell em!

 

[S_bolt19]

guy wanted $16,000!!! I've always known these trucks to be expensive..

Unless that thing is completely redone and is in near sparkling condition, I wouldn't touch it. Look at what other guys have and gauge the cost from them. You can use me for a baseline, so here is what I would rate mine & what I have into it:

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being pristine)

Body: 6.5 - 7

Top: 7

Drive train: 8 - 8.5

Body armor: 7

Items installed:

87 Mercury Grad Marquis Fuel injection system

87 Merc. upper half of the engine on rebuilt original block, roller rockers, cam

NP 435 Transmission

Big bearing 9" rear end with 31 spline Yukon axles

4.10/4.11 gear ratio (Yukon Gears)

Front & rear ARB Air lockers

On-board air (not A/C, but compressed air for lockers, etc.)

HD driveshafts both front & rear (Tom Wood Custom Driveshaft)

5" Front suspension lift (Cage)

4.5" Rear suspension (Wild Horses)

Power steering (74-76 Bronco)

Power (Hydro-boost) brakes (Astro-van Conversion)

4 corner disc brakes (Chevy conversion front & BC Bronco conversion rear)

HD steering linkage with heim joint knuckles (Stone Crusher Steering)

Rebuilt PS box (West Texas Offroad)

Newer electrical system (Centech)

Rock bumpers front & rear with swing away tire carrier & dual jerry can holder (D&C Extreme)

Full "family style" roll cage (Custom built)

33x12.5x15 tires with full size spare

15x10 wagon wheel rims

87 Acura seats

Lined interior tub & engine compartment (Sprayed Herculiner)

Cherokee windshield wiper conversion

Marine/waterproof amp & speakers for tunes

Custom fabricated booster seat "LATCH" system for both sides of rear seat

SPARCo 3-point harness seatbelt for rear seat

All told, I have pushing close to 20k in it, insured for a set value of $15k & if I were to sell it, I would probably be in the 12-14k price range. I would look around a bit more because you can get a much better deal than that. They either think they are sitting on a gold mine or they don't want to sell it. I know where the first Bronco ever sold in Colorado Springs, CO is (a 66 U15, originally paid for in November of 65, picked up in late December) and it is in immaculate condition. Garage kept from day 1, has less than 30k original miles, completely unmolested and the paint still shines like new. It isn't for sale, but on a bad day I couldn't touch it for anything less than 25k, but that is the exception to the rule. So unless this EB is something extraordinary, has a spec sheet better & longer than mine and is in good to excellent condition, those folks have been hittin' the wacky weed too often. Now one in the 7-9k range isn't too unheard of. Those are all over the place like Ebay & Craigslist, but there are the exceptions out there....I would like to see a picture of it to see what one would be getting for $17k.