Need some advice on buying a '72

[SammyD]

Greetings all,

After lurking here for a few weeks, I'm finally close enough to picking up an Early Bronco ('72) that I thought I'd register and ask a few questions.

I took the truck to a mechanic to get it checked for safety and any serious issues that weren't obvious to my ***** eye. The vehicle is a beauty, 22k on a strong-running, rebuilt engine, really excellent body condition (or so I thought; more on this in a moment), solid tires and wheels, etc. However, when I took it to the mechanic, he looked hard at the undercarriage for any rust damage and found what he was looking for.

The rust is all under the floorboard, driver and passenger side of the vehicle. He says that the rust is evident on both the bottom and the top, but since it's covered with carpeting, you wouldn't see it unless underneath with a flashlight and a pretty good idea of what to look for.

Now, I'm a n00b in every sense of the word. I was going to do interior work on my own, but rust is something I wasn't remotely prepared to deal with, and I'm not entirely sure where to begin. For a newbie like me, is this a deal breaker?

He's asking $7k, but said he'd take $6k to make it all work. I'm wondering if I should go back with something lower.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Cheers,

SammyD

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Sammy., welcome....!

WOW..! that's a clean truck.! Unless it's ready to have a foot fall thru. the floor, I wouldn't worry 'bout it.

My floorboard had some rust damage (to where there are some pin-holes) The prev. owner cleaned & sealed them well, & rivited some galv. over the top.

THAT was over 20 yrs. ago. They still look good today.

Also., cutting & welding in new floor pans is not hard at all.

There's two spots under the hood that quite often bubble up.., where the cowl meets the inner fender.

Fr. the pic., it looks like a good deal..!! /

 

[Bronc76]

I'd go for it too and what Bob said I wouldn't worry about the rust either as it is fixable. By looking at the pic, I would say that it is also is a 'sport' package.

 

[Scodge]

Go back with 55 $100 and see if he bites. Tell him the floor boards are going to cost $500 to buy, and you'll pay the labor if he pays for the parts. Then don't worry about it, but make sure to pull up the carpet, or it will get worse.

 

[SammyD]

Guys,

Thanks so much for the advice. I knew I was in the right place!

I'm thinking of offering $5k flat because of all the leaks and things I'd need to get taken care of in addition to getting the rust figured out. Do you guys think that's fair? Or do you think he'll balk at such a low pricetag?

I certainly don't think the rust is bad enough that a foot is close to going through the floor, but again, I haven't really looked too closely at it. The mechanic was freakin' me out yesterday when he told me, "well, I don't like rust, and I wouldn't buy it." I'm glad to know that it's relatively easy to cut and re-weld some metal into those floorboards.

I'm pretty excited fellas! once I get everything hammered out, I'll be sure to let you know.

Thanks again! Hopefully driving my new dream ride real soon.

Cheers,

Sam

 

[Bully Bob]

Watch out..!!

If the phone # was in the window while at the mech. shop...he may have jotted down the # & try to out bid you.

That rig looks to be well worth $6K..! I would go up to him with wallet out, opened, & bills show'n ....., mention a few of the prob. found.., then say "what's your bottom line.?"

If it's $6K...buy it... /

 

[SammyD]

Bully Bob, thank you for your help.

It took $5750, but this baby is mine. Can't wait to take possession this weekend!

 

[Bronc76]

Congrats, you'll enjoy it.