i found a 1986 bronco with 130,000 miles (30,000 on rebuilt motor) auto for 500 dollars. I want to make a little trail rig out of it. nothing crazy.. maybe a little lift in the future and some bigger tires. The thing doesn't have a straight body panel on it.. and well, thats part of the reason it would make a good offroader as far as i see it.

I guess my question is what do you guys think? Is it a suitable (light-moderate) trail rig? I'm not into the mud bog thing, so thats not an issue. It'd be replacing my 2000 f150 so I don't have to beat on that anymore when i get the urge to go off the road. So.. Is the thing worth 500 bucks?

 

It'd be worth $500 to me if it ran good. A guy can never have too many beaters

 

it's worth $500 if you have it! i dont have $500 so nothing seems worth it to me right now.

before you buy a beater you should be going over in your head somewhat close to what you wanna do with the project vehicle in question. and then get some rounded figures (always make them higher) and then decide if it is worth it to you. if you find a military style truck (i wont say chevy ) and it has 1.25 ton drivetrain and all and the guy only wants $1000 you'd prolly have to be dumb or stupid not to take it! hell what more do you have to do to it at that point? get my drift?

anywho... off my soapbox, lol

-cutts-

 

Well.. i'm only 17.. and i'm just kinda looking for something to take the beating of offroading instead of my daily driver (school/work). I have the money.. and i've always liked broncos. I'm just wondering if this is a good platform to start with for trailriding trucks.

Thanks for the replies,
Paul

 

For a trail rider you might want to stick with the late 70's fords so you have a better platform. By this I mean, solid axle, 205 transfer case, generally better motor (unless the bronco has a 351).

 

I paid a little more ($700) for a beat F150. put $400 into it and ran it for 2 years until I sold it to my cousin. Not the world's best offroad truck in a package deal, but you can get many miles out of it.

 

Does it have any rust? If not, then go for it. If yes, then ... I don't know man, first see how much rust does it have and how bad it is.

 

yes broncos are awesome for starting a project truck! i am in a bronco club so i see all kinds of different ideas that go into one. best thing to do is to keep it for a while and not do much to it. i mean other than change the oil and get all the tires up to par just wheel it like it is. trust me... you might think *gee i need new axle joints for the front* but if you hold out long enough you may decide to swap axles, therefore it was a waste of time and money (not completely as you get the experience but why do it more than you have to?)

so anywho ya you have a great start and you dont have to immediately throw on 38" boggers... if you do dont expect it to live long. i have seen 35's do some pretty impressive things! and you can cram 35's VERY easily under a bronco

-cutts-

 

heck if it doesn't have a straight panel on it then you can shove 38s under it really easy cause it's no big deal to use a sawzall on the fenders. Someone mentioned the late 70s rigs bieng a better platform, yep thats true but your not likely to find one that runs for 500. And since it's gonna replace a 2000 for wheeling it's gonna be atleast as capable, and stout as it is and will more than likely save WWAAAYYY more than $500 worth of damage on the DD so I vote for going for it.

 

Thanks for the replies guys,

I think i'm going to pick it up tonight if the parents ok it.. i got him down to 400, and if it turns out not to be what i think it is or something, i can easily part it out and make up that money.


Thanks again,
-paul

Also, it has the 302-anything to look out for with this engine?

 

On a rig your gonna thrash on the trail? No. Just make sure it isnt making really scary noises.

-Matt

 

or that there isn't a bunch of oil in the water or vice versa.

 

I have to get this thing to pass inspection, anyone know what the laws in maryland are?

 

I have an 86 Beater Bronco - 351W-HO, Minispooled 9" rear w/33" Swampers for a stock rig it does pretty good... I have only broken 1 ujoint up front as it turns out they where just very old....

Granted - I stripped the hardtop, tailgate, doors all interior panels so with all that gone I am sure that freed up 500 pounds! Its fun for sure... when get home from this dump I am going to work on my D60 front and prep for a SAS.

 

that bronco has a dana 44 TTB independent front end.

that means it's long term reliablility will be great with and engine less than 700lbs (basicly anything but a FE) 2.5" lift and 33" tires that are 11" or narrower. It just won't break at that level.
4" lift or 12" wide 33" tires and tie rods start to fail, ALOT.
35" tires will snap outer shafts like twigs.


if you don't like that level. pass on the rig and get something with a solid axle or plan on spending mucho $$$ on a front axle swap. More lift and bigger tires WILL break it.