I have started to fiend for a 4x4, but I have a problem.
I can't seem to find what I am looking for. I want an older Bronco, something mid-70's early 80's, but everything I find is either grossly overpriced or a pile of garbage. And nobody seems to want to sell their Bronco; everything I've found is at dealerships, and they want way too much.
All I want to know is where you guys have had good luck finding these vehicles, and certain things I should be looking for so I don't get ripped off. Any help would be grand.
BDV

Note to moderator: If this thread is moved, please inform me where it's moved to so I can follow it. Thanks!

 

Hi BDV, I know where your coming from, I am usually suspicious of an older truck at a dealership because you just don't know the history of the truck.
I would watch the Trader type magazines, Wheeler Dealer etc.
the truck you are looking for is not going to show up in the newspaper classifieds too often.
I had a Small Bronco once (pre-78) and they are pretty utilitarian, a lot of them are 3 on the tree, avoid the 6 cyl, not enough power!! They are pretty popular and not many survivors around.
I would look for a 78-79 just because I liked the body style, I thought they cheapened up the bronco after 79.
You could watch e-Bay motors, try to find something southern away from the rust belt!
Have you checked the classifieds here, or concidered putting a wanted ad in the paper or on FTE?
The nice thing about a wanted ad is you have no competition over that vehicle, and can take your time and really check it out. I like to talk with the owner and find out as much as you can about where it has been and what it was used for.
Look for something that the owner had a genuine pride in, those type of people generally keep their truck in top shape, and maintain it religiously.


Good luck, Greg58

 

Where are you and what are your criteria for a truck? Color, options, engine, trans, modifications?

 

I kind of take a differn't route. I bought my current 85 Bronco for $600.00 from a tow truck company on a sheriff's title. It was a basket case with broken u-joints, the brake disks were literally broke off the spindles and the thing was a real mess inside. They didn't have a key, but I shunted the starter relay and it turned over and I saw a few new tune-up parts. The cash covered towing it home, too. I gave myself a $2000 budget for parts, knowing I wanted to replace the front end, U-joints, brakes, tires, shocks and intake gaskets, valve cover and dizzy gaskets, and timing chain-water pump. I only had to spend $1200.00, but then, I had to find "friends" in the parts jobber business to get parts at a discount. I stop at the wrecking yard sometimes, just to shoot the breeze. The guy at the tire store was telling me they don't make much of a profit on tires, while looking at his new truck outside. I don't care if your kids are starving, I'm not paying more than $85 a tire- with M&B. I spent about 3 weekends puttering on it.

I don't want to sell my Bronco. If I did, it would be grossly overpriced...

I did the same thing with my old 76 F100. And 2 cougars and 68 Torino fastback GT before that. (Although, I did put a 71 <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">351c </a>in the GT-not a bolt in job!) And that's just the on topic Ford products.

I find something with a decent motor, and a good frame and just plan on replacing a bunch of stuff at one time. They always steer like new and most of the time getting rid of air leaks and hooking the egr and vacuum back up makes the engine run. I also know my limitations and can guestimate a budget fairly close.

Good luck..

 

My criteria are as follows:
Runs dependably, good transmission, straight frame, 4wd works well, inexpensive, passes emissions.
I have a car, so I really just want something I can take off-road that's big enough to hold my girl, my dog, and my camping gear. I don't care what it looks like as long as it has floorboards and it's safe to drive.
I have 4-wheeled in a Bronco enough times to know that I like them...I want one!
BDV

 

It took me a year to find mine. Paid $1000. Put $500 into it soon as I got it home(starter, battery, rebuild carb, replace misc hoses, new ignition components).

<a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>were dryrotted and bare. Went to a local tire place and found four used 34" Dick Cepek MC with a 1/2" of tread. $130 mounted.

The guy I purchased it from got it to do exactly what you wanted but did not have the time and needed the money for home improvements.

I think getting a deal is a combination of patients and luck. Just ask everyone you know and meet. Someone knows someone with a treasure!

 

Took me about a year to find mine, too. One day I was just driving down the road and there it was. I've never had much luck checking the classified other than to see what's the going price. There are good deals there, but they're usually gone fast.

I picked up my first Cougar by just stopping every once in a while if I saw one that looked like it hadn't been driven. I just took the stance that if you want to save yourself some time and money, I'll take it as is. Left my number if no interest. One day, someone called..lol..couldn't remember where the car was or what it looked like! I got a good deal with a little sweat equity.

Some have an emotional thing going and are just looking for the right person. I sold a Harley I had, not to the highest bidder, but to the guy that already knew what he was going to do with it. Sent me a pic when he was done-too pretty to ride. He got a great deal on that bike.

Just keep your eye open, and ask others to keep their eye open. Even if it's just sitting in someone's yard, doesn't hurt to ask. It's how you find the deals before they hit the classifieds. Hmm..might even be someone from this board..

 

I'd sell ya mine, but it has NO emmissions stuff. (And you are kinda far away....) I am having trouble trying to figure out how much I should ask too.

 

For easy emissions, get EFI: '84-up 5.0Ls, '87-up everything else except 460s.

 

Yeah, I hate to say it, but unless I find a second job, it'll be a year before I find mine also.
I have a 72 F-250 that runs pretty good, but I really don't drive it that much and it needs some work. It's in restorable condition, though, so I am going to keep it around and offer it up as trade bait when it comes time to get my 4-by. That or just sell it when I buy my new one...I have seen them sell for a pretty good price in relation to what I paid for it ($400).
I realize that to get anything worth driving it'll cost me about $2500, whether I get one in great shape or buy one to fix up (I hate doing that though). So begins my long quest to obtain that which shall make my life more livable and my days more bearable.
Thanks for the input; anything else you can tell me would be greatly appreciated!
BDV

 

My advice is to search as many places as you can until you find the "right" one. Look in the AutoTrader mags, classifieds, Bronco websites' classifieds, and let your buddies know that you're looking for a Bronco. More than likely, one that's in great condition and has been taken care of can run from $2000 on up. I buy and sell a 4X4 every year or two, and this is how I do it. If you do a little research on the bluebook or NADA value of the model you want, you will be in a better position to bargain, especially with an individual. It may take a month or even longer to find it, but that's better than getting burned by a dealer with a pile of junk!

 

Go to your local 4x4 supply shop. They usually have bulletin boards with "for-sale" adds (you can usually leave a "wanted" add as well).

 

Yeah, there's a 4x4 place across the street from my work that always has Bronco's out front (not for sale, though)...I am thinking that I am gonna go in there after I secure some extra income.
BDV

 

Here's the one I just picked up, paid $750 plus $150 for 2 year tags till feb 05.

It was a pile when I got it but I took it home and checked the compression before buying. It was all over the road and had no power. So I had to tune it up(found a loose distributor), rotate the tires, replace starter and solinoid and rewire the power rear window.

Now I need two new tires, repack front wheel bearings and r&r rt. side lower ball joint add a real exhaust system.

Anyways here's the pics. Oh and it's for sale btw , asking $3000
1989 302,at,4x4,cd,new windshield,class 3 hitch,33x12.50x15,midnight metalic blue and blue top,tags till 2/05 130,000 miles





I patched the holes in lower panel with fiberglass and painted with undercoating.. Not shown in picks

 

That's a nice lookin' Bronco!
It's pretty amazing some of the deals that are out there. It's even more amazing how I can never find them!!
With all the work you put into it, and the $$ also, I bet you still stand to make a good profit off the deal.
Someday, when I can afford to and I have the space, I would like to do restore and resale as a hobby.
BDV