Looking For My First Bronco

[JRopp]

Hello everyone. I recently saw a 69 Bronco and have been curious ever since. Here's a few questions for all you veterans out there:

If I buy a 69-77 and am looking to use the truck for everyday driving and weekend trips to the mountain (snow)...I am not looking for a significant time hobby but I am up for spending some time on the vehicle. I don't know squat about cars/trucks at this point but am willing and interested in learning.

What am I getting myself into?

Am I correct that 1968-77 are essentially the same model?

How much should I expect to pay...ideally under 5K?

What should I expect to find for that price (condition/equipment/miles/etc.)?

What am I looking to avoid?

What resources can you guys recommend to get me started?

Anything else you can think of....?

Thanks in advance. I envy all of you!

J

 

[Wildturkey]

Answer to your first question..Addiction.Ever drive one of these old trucks and you are hooked for life..68-77 are different in options started in 73 like power steering and auto trans but you can add that to a 66-68.Those are good trucks too,just slightly different on minor things such as door latches,front parking lights..ect..Things to look for are rust.Floorboards are the first place to look.Door post and rear striker posts need to be checked real close.Do the doors line up good?5K for a really solid Bronco..?Would be a steal depending on what part of the country you live in.76 and 77 are good ones to find since they have factory disc brakes and most have a auto trans not to mention are the newest models..As in less age.Look carefully before you buy and never buy without inspecting in person.Maybe someone else will kick in with more advise.Good luck!!Look around the Bronco websites for trucks for sale and dont get in a rush to buy..HTHs

 

[JRopp]

Wildturkey,

Great advice. The differences in models is a good start. Do you know a site that shows the model changes over time?

I've just stared looking and figure that I might have to travel a bit to find the right truck to bring home (I live in So Calif). No rush here. Rust seems to be everyone's top concern. Any thoughts on engines in particular?

Keep the advice coming guys...thanks.

JD

 

[Wildturkey]

In Socal 5,000. doesnt seem to go far with Broncos.Too much demand for them around there.Lots are there tho and I have seen posts on classicbronco.com by dozens of Bronco owners.You are in a good part of the country to find a good clean truck.Good luck in the search..

 

[Darrell Matlock]

JRopp, WildTurkey is right about that 5,000. It won't get you very far in So. Cal. But another consideration for you in California is smog. It can really slow you down and cause a mess if things don't get done right. The 73 is a decent compromise because you can find them with power steering and automatic transmission. They may have the charcoal canister still hooked up to the fuel line reservoir, but you can just cap off the emission lines from the gas tank and take if off completely.

Also, rust is still going to be a problem in California, even in So Cal. You'll need to take a real good look at the underside of the floorboards, inner rocker panels, and bottom of the tailgate.

As far as the info on the models and when options came available, go to broncograveyard.com and order a free catalog. They have a quick and easy breakdown in the back.

But for $5,000, you should be able to find one that runs. It may not look very good and the interior may not even exist, but it should run. But it will become an obsession. Fortunately, new and used replacement parts for the early broncos are very accesible. And there are a lot of us enthusiasts out there. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Past_Miner]

The price is all relative to your location and the sellers need to dump the truck. I got my '71 with a warmed 351W, power steering, power disk brakes and fresh paint in New Mexico for $3000. It had zero rust because the previous owner had taken it off of the frame and started over. Heck, the fenders weren't even cut. Admittedly, it had zero interior except for good seats. However, by the time I had $5000 in it it was a solid and comfortable daily driver. If you are patient (and willing to travel out of So Cal) you can find a great deal.

I have to agree about the emissions issues in California. You will need to find a truck that is exempt or you will fight it all the time. Fortunately, when I lived on the left coast my EB was exempt.

A good place to look for truck is at ClassicCarTraderOnline. You can get an idea what these things go for in different parts of the country. You can also find the occasional deal, that's where I found mine and it was only 50 miles away at the time.

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction!

 

[68sport]

What am I getting myself into?A great addiction!

Am I correct that 1968-77 are essentially the same model?1966-1977

How much should I expect to pay...ideally under 5K?5-7k for a good EB without rust

What should I expect to find for that price (condition/equipment/miles/etc.)?Should be good condition, PS,disk front min, around 100k miles, descent paint, no rust.

What am I looking to avoid?To add disc brakes and PS, did I say RUST

What resources can you guys recommend to get me started?Autotrader for prices, Jeff's Bronco Grave Yard for prices of parts, or Wild Horses. These have been very good resourses for me.

Anything else you can think of....?Check under side for major leaks, check for bondo, wet areas under dash, and near the back (tail gate and window).

 

When you find one let us know and we can give you an idea what you should pay.

 

Ron

 

[Tuck]

Before you do anything at all, research more EB info. The replies you get here certainly won't cover all the issues with early Broncos. Keep in mind also that these vehicles are 30 years old. If you are looking for a show-quality truck, forget it. They're out there, but they go for $20k+. Keep in mind your mechanical ability as you look at these trucks.

As any EB owner knows, it doesn't matter how much money you have in it or how good it looks, you still have to wrench on it. That's half the fun of having one. You will learn to work on it as you go. If your skills don't match up to a $5k Bronc, let it go. You'd be better off (biting my tongue) just getting a Heep.

Since you have emissions, you will have 1 of 2 problems. Either you'll get an older Bronco with a 3-speed, manual steering, & 4-wheel drum brakes, or you'll pay more money for one that is already modded. Everything with these trucks is a tradeoff.

Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT trying to discourage you from buying an EB. I think they are the absolute heat. I just don't want you to get discouraged if it ends up needing to be torn apart for repairs (saying you don't know squat about cars concerns me here).

Above all else, EDUCATE YOURSELF on EBs. Know what options & mods are out there. Do a search for early Broncos, & you'll get a wealth of knowledge. Don't stop at 1 website. Keep reading! Also, check out the Bronco vendors to see what parts/mods will cost. If you want to mod/repair one, you'll have an idea what the EB you're looking at will REALLY cost you. For example, 30 year old wiring is usually crap--a new harness will run you well over $400. It will also tell you something about how much a seller has invested.

Someone posted about classiccartraderonline. That is a good site, but be prepared for EBs you see there to already be gone when you call. They go fast, & the site doesn't keep up. Jeff's Bronco Graveyard has a small classified section that usually has a couple of EBs from Cali. Jeff's Bronco Graveyard It's also 1 of the most popular vendors. You can sometimes find an EB in your local trader paper (ours is Carolina Trader, might be something like Thrifty Nickel out there). Hope that helps. If you have anymore questions, or find a Bronco, let us know!

WOW! My 1st post here is a book!

 

[brinorquist]

Hello Everybody.... I am in the same boat as JRopp..

Live in San Diego, looking to buy a EB and fix it up.

Do not have a lot of wench turning experience, want to learn through.

Anyone out here working on a EB project wanting an extra pair of hands to help?

Want an EB in good mechanical shape to use as a daily, and then fix it up.

THKS...

 

[Seabronc]

Al I have to say is, good luck. Old trucks take a lot of tender loving care. I don't even hav an EB and around the house, they call it my girlfriend. Atleast my wife knows who I'm spending time with. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

>-

 

[Yellow 72]

Hey, I recently got an EB and started out with some of the main concerns you have, however i just kept on looking around and eventually found a good one.

I like this site very much for info but i also use the broncofix.com message borads.

Off topic... Tuck you mentioned that your magazine was Carolina Trader... do you live in N.C? I'm in winston salem.

 

[Broncoholics]

If its 5K it better have the Dana44 with discs, lift, nice paint and runs well.

 

[jmcallis]

Hello guys,

I just wanted to chim in with an example. I have moved to Flagstaff, AZ from Maine (Maine has almost no EBs anywhere thanks to salty roads). I have a lot of auto experience with many different 4x4s and I finally found an EB. 1966 EB no rust at all, uncut and with a 6 inch lift. The surface is primered and ready for paint. The truck has a N435 4 spd from advanced adapters but the 289 needs some love. Runs and starts great, just it has NO power. But for $1800 I would kick myself for not picking it up. I looked for a long time to find a Bronco in my price range and that was rust free. These guys are right, be honest with yourself about how much work you want to put into the truck and be prepaired to really pay if you want to run right out and get an EB that you can impress the chicks with.

Good luck in your search.

Jason

 

[Broncoholics]

The engine might be OK. I bet if it has a 6" lift it has 35" tires or so?

They probably never changed the gear ratio. Stock ratio will large tires will make the Bronco run like its got no power. Plus the NP435 shifts like a one ton truck. I know becasue I run a NP435/205. I run 38.5" tires with 5:89 gears. 35" tire should have 4:56 to 4:88. 33" tires go with 4:56. The NP435 is the best tranny out there for the bronco (for being cost effective) granny low is great to have. I can idle over most obstacles. Its funny I can put the tranny in granny low and the t-case in low range and jump out and walk around the truck faster than it drives. At 3000 RPM's I'm doing about 2 MPH.

 

[jmcallis]

Sorry but I'm about to post jack, hey Broncaholic you bring up a good point about gearing. I'm thinking I have the 3.50 gears because even with the N435 the 1st gear "granny" is nothing like my 1979 bronco in granny gear with only 31's. My 66 has 16" rims with about 33" tires. When I put my 66 in Granny I can go about 15mph which really surprised me. I guess I will switch out the tires to see if that affects performance. I just couldn't believe it would be that drastic of a difference. Wow, I hope you are right. If so I will have to look into new gears! It is a lot cheaper than a new engine /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Jason

 

[texar72broncoboy]

man your getting a 30-40 year old vehicle unless you pay a pretty penny for it its gunna need work

 

[texar72broncoboy]

if u get a bronco for yunder 5 its gunna need work to be a daily driver

 

[jayjay]

These guys are right! I just got one, paid 5500, but just put 5300 more into it! Got a couple pics in the gallery. Anyways, my car is a beaut, but had to rebuild the front, put headers on it, and new shocks and drive shafts. It probably be better if you looked for awhile and got yourself a 10,000 bronco with most everything done (ie headers, disc brakes, roll cage, looks good, and make sure the front is strong dana 44 with nice pitman arm and stablizers) Your gonna need to spend alteast 10K to get a nice car. I live in SD, and just last week a guy pulled me over and offered me 12K for my rig.....I had to say no cuz i just got it, but people do notice when you have a nice bronc.

 

[Warriner]

Good luck. I have three, all examples of, you get what you pay for.

74- The exception. Complete with top doors, fresh rebuit engine, Michelin tires. No lift, suspension fair. No power, no disks, standard transmission. Shot interior, replacement cheesy front seats, no rear. Rusted bed. Rusted Rockers and pan. Drove it home from Orlando- 200 miles. Price $850 bucks. Five grand later it's a dynomite hunting truck.

75- Cut but the rest 100% original. Good body, good paint, 0 rust. Everything works. Original seats. Eighty thousand miles. Problem in the rear end. Auto trans, power steer. Runs great. Tires shot. $6000 Getting frame off redo.

77- Cut, rusted, no top, no doors. Strong engine. Everything leaks. No interior. No dash. Rust. Lifted. Auto, power, disk brakes. $2500 and the next camp truck (to replace the no power steering 74.

Good luck. Unless you look long and hard there are no deals. Look out of state. You can have a good one trucked in for about $500. My 75 came from Texa