was driving by some auto dealers today in my town seeing if they had any vehicle id be intersted in..almost gave up, drove by the last one..and saw a nice specimine..

its a cherry red bronco-85-4x4, ALL red, newer paint job

called my 2nd cousin..hes a mechanic for teh shop..heres what he said

thought it had the 302..its got a manaul and he said 4 speed, he said they cut the vacuum lines and stuff in the engine..things of that nature, were kind of array, he also said there was alot of wiring that needed to be cleaned up..it was originally an EMS vehicle in TX, so the sirens..lights..etcs

he said it ran good..the hubs were locking but before i buy it, theyd fix that..or id just make em take off the extra nd get some warrens -their manuals

uh..the interior was painted to match the outside paint..but he asid they did a sloppy job..and there also is no rear tire carrier

also..is the 85 model diff in size compared to my 87? it looked shorter? in the back of it..storage space

also..it has the bench front seat..and bench back


they were asking 1495..i figured this would be something id be interested in..trade mine in and pay a few hundred more maybe to get it..it looks a lil "tougher" the body style..and it has no rust at all, where mine is rusting out..and it has STRAIGHT body panels..i plan on putting a lift/35 or 36 inch tires..and maybe swapping out the engine for at least a 351/460 later possibly..so this would be in my price range to start upgrading everything..cheaper vehicle to start

anyone have anything to add to look out for? esp about the engine/wiring? and..is this a good price? the tires are decent..cooper i think, maybe 50% tread, not a great tread


thanks in advance..sry for the length

 

Warn premiems are good mauels to go for.
The broncos were based off the f-150. The chassis are olmost identical to the F-150, but the bronco one is cut about 5 or so inches shorter, so it's the shortest wheelbase half ton truck ford made.
The back bench seat folds down and forward for more cargo room.
To fit 35s, you will need atleast 6" of lift, you can fit 33s stock tho.

Thats about it, That seems like a good price, maybe offer them less due too it being in not so fair shape, under hood I mean.
Other than that, I say go for it. I am on my 2nd bronco, and love
it.

BTW: how far away is kansas from San Anton.
Laterz

 

alright, and yea ive heard good things from teh warn premiums..i dont even know what are on my bronco right now

2nd..i meant, was the 85 bronco shorter or the same wheelbase and length as the 87 i haev?

me and my mom both agreed it "lokoed" shorter from the backseat to the tailgate..at least 6 inches..considering i have a big sub box in the back of mine and i haev almost as much room as that other one seemed to have..maybe it was just an illusion

we didntk now if they were shorter..or if the seats had just been moved back for more leg room..or the bench front seats made a diff?

thanks...and my bronco right now..i should get about a grand trade in..4x4..great condition 4x4..engine runs strong, good tranny..engine and tranny rebuilt 2 years ago..new manifolds..everythigns fixed and running-cept for the rust

and yes, i planned on adding about a 6 inch lift..according to
"http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/faq.html"

i can run 35s with a 3 inch lift?on an 85..so i figured a 4 or 6 would be fine..i also was thinking about a shackle flip then bigger springs in the front...dont know yet

 

ahh forgot..btw, san antonio is about..7 hours i think..8 hour drive..my cousin lives down there and my aunt goes down there every once in a while..actually looked at buying a bronco from a guy down in san antonio one time..just woulda hitched a ride with my aunt and gone down ther with her to pick it up!

why were u asking? jw

 

check the roof to see were or how the flashing lights were mounted.screw holes in the roof would be terrrible if they were not welded.i think the back seat is a little diff.i have an 85 parts truck an its seat is diff.also check were yours is rusted see how they fixed the other new panels or packed full of something.

 

i havent had a chance to look at the top of it..i will when i testdrive withint he next couple days..

the lights..MAY have been mounted on the back of the topper shell?

at the back of the bronco on the top there are sorta L brackets on the back..they werent tight so i spun it a lil..and they were instailled on the new paint job..a sparkley red..kinda sloppy, not a great job..but it looks good from a distance, and unless u really look..u never notice

at first glace i thought it was mounts for a "wing" on the back to keep the dirt off the back window..but this may have been where they motned the lights? i have no idea..just have to see

i really hope i can get this truck..it'll be a great project..my mom was even "contemplating" keeping my old bronco haha, man..talk abuot a DREAM come true..owner of 2 fullsize broncos at the age of 16-almost 17 haha, thatd be the life

hopefulyl i'll be able to get in there soon..i hope i dont work on tues so i can go down there..

thanks for the help..later

 

I shopped all last fall for mine..I would say that with no rust, and running, and everything on the drive train working, for under 1500...sounds like a good deal to me..

 

Joe Bob, it sounds like you found a nice Bronco. I have an 84 and an 88, I think they're the same size. The 88 has twice as much rust as the 84. Some places to look are the tailgate, fender wells, and especially along the roof where the seams are. If your current 87 is rusty, you know where to look on the 85. One other thing to look for concerning the "new" paint. If it's a quickie job just to sell it or hide some body filler, they usually don't take the time to paint the door jambs, or other tight areas, and often get some overspray on the frame or suspension. If you don't see anything wrong, it's a good deal for $1500.

 

it wasnt to cover up..i cehcked the isndie of the wheel wells first..-REALLY bad area on my 87 haha, just venting! (actually those power dryers in car washes blows rust off..so i have to go through this lightning fast lol) and..yea i'll look in those places, i plan on doing a FULL lookover tomororw, if its good..we may finish the sale in a day or 2..i have to pull my rear tire carrier off..and replace all teh stock audio/radio from my stuff..and pull my subs and wiring out..thats a pain haha

my 2nd cousin is a mechanic there..and he said it ran good, but that the hubs werent engaging..and that the transfer case and all the other 4wd works..so unless hes had it fixed since then..he said he was going to..id make them lower the cost 100 to help with the cost of some nice warens -id rather get the good warrens than what theyd stick on em anyways

and..thanks for the hlep..it seemed like a good deal to me..but i idnt know 4 sure, thanks for the help!

btw..i paid 1850 for my bronco..from a private dealer-friend of the family even..so i figured 1500 for a dealership one..was a good deal if it ran good