After totaling a beautiful 2002 EB Explorer, I am in the market for another vehicle. I have wanted a Bronco for a few years now, and I definitely want the 5th generation (for the safety features). My buddy told me about a 1994 XLT 351 Bronco he had seen for sale on Facebook (Craigslist link at bottom of post). There are many problems with the condition of the vehicle, but if I can get it for $500-1000, I'll have a good project truck.

I don't know too much about cars so this will be a learning experience.

The noticeable problems are as follows:

1. Back window does not roll up. (Causes? Estimated cost of repair parts? Could it have just "fallen off the track"?)

2. Hood doesn't appear to latch all the way. (Once again, causes? Estimated cost of repair parts? Is this a common problem, because I saw it on another Bronco on AutoTrader?)

3. 4WD doesn't work. The girl selling it thinks it has something to do with the axle or wheel, but she had little to no idea what she was talking about.

4. Looks like a 3" lift kit was installed several years back. Looks old and rusted will probably need to be replaced.

5. Needs new tires and wheels. Looks like 35/12.50/R15 tires. I was going to get 4 BFG All Terrain K/O's, which I've priced at $745. When I decide to get new wheels, I want either ProComp 1069 series 15x10 or Mickey Thompson Sidebiter II 15x10 ($114 and $137 per wheel).

6. Needs filters and fluids replaced.

7. Needs painting.

I need something to get me to school and work (appx. 20-40 miles per day) and I want something I can take off-road on the weekend.

Is this truck worth the $800, I want to pay for it? Will it turn into a money pit? What should I ask the seller when I go to check it out tomorrow morning? What should I look for to be concerned about? Any other tips on buying a Bronco would be appreciated.

1994 Bronco

 

I would continue looking based on the information you provided. Too much of a project truck for the distance you have to drive each day. What's your budget for purchase?

 

From your info it does run and drive right? If so how many miles are on it? 4wd not working sounds like a shifter motor on the T-case if electric shift "easy fix and cheap", Rear window easy fix, tires most cars bought used will need tires within the first year of ownership, filters/fluids should always be replaced when buying a used car, hood maybe an easy fix "I've never messed with one", body lift you can replace cheap around 100 $, paint well that's not a running/ driving issue. All in all depends how well it was taken care of "mechanical wise", how many miles are on it, and how much time you want to spend working on the truck.

 

The girl selling it said it was her boyfriend's daily driver, and it had been pretty reliable. It has 230,000 miles on it. I'm gonna go with a buddy tomorrow morning to look at it, and if it looks like it's in good mechanical shape I'll make a lowball offer. If they take it, good. If not I'll go up $100-200 on Monday afternoon.

I have about $2000 to get into it immediately (this will go to purchase of vehicle, fluids & filters, tires, hood, and rear window), and will probably put another $1500 into it over the next few months (fixing 4wd, paint,wheels, mechanical fixes, etc.). If my expenses stay the same I should have about $300-600 per month to put into replacement parts and upgrades.

Currently, I am afforded the opportunity of having a backup vehicle I can borrow in case of emergency.

 

It's odd that the most important part of a sales description isn't there, like "runs and drives great" or something like that. Maybe it's been parked due to problems.

230k is a LOT of miles! That's 2+ design lifetimes for a vehicle of that vintage. My 75k miles '94 is just a baby in comparison.

If you were an experienced troubleshooter and repair person that would be one thing.

Or, if as a beginner, it was to be project vehicle that you learn on, that you get to when you have time, and you have another reliable daily transportation car. As a beginner, troubleshooting and fixing correctly is not going to be fast. And more things will go wrong.

Otherwise, I'm with ZombieSlayer' comment's.