I just bought a 1974 Bronco off of ebay. The seller said clear title but I know the VIN is wrong. I cant locate a VIN on the vehicle anywhere. I have looked on the drivers door, the glove compartment, and on the frame on the drivers side. Am I missing something? Also the VIN begins with " U124AXXXXX". Don't all broncos start out as U13 (convertable) U14 (Half-Cab) or U15 (Utility)? Any help would be appreciated.

 

My source shows U13,14, and 15 also.Somebody told me a U12 was a military model but I can't verify that so it's a "maybe"Check on the frame on the passenger side top frame rail just behind the door.My 73 has the VIN stamped there.Have to look real good since not much room.Let us know what you find out about that U12 VIN.Maybe a rare one?

 

Thanks, It's worth a try. I have never heard of a military Bronco. It does have a very unique front bumper that i figured was homemade. The vehicle is bronze now but does have traces of green paint.

 

Check this link..http://www.broncofix.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=1009 If you have a military model this might help to read.

 

I'm certian mine is a 74 model. It had a C4 and power steering. It also has a ranger emblem on the glove compartmeint door.

 

A 74 has the VIN stamped on 2 places on the passenger side of the frame top rail.Right at the front of the door and just past where the frame bends up past the rear of the door.VIN should also be on glovebox door on the bottom and on drivers side door post.Don't go by emblems and equipment since 4 screws hold glovebox on and you can buy a title with a glovebox door pretty cheap. I have a bone stock 70 except I added P/S setup and it came from factory with manual.A/T only were used stock on 73 and up.Same with A/T but I am about to add an Auto to the 70.Until you come up with a VIN on the frame I would be careful about this truck.

 

How large is the vin 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch? I must have been in the wrong places. I looked yesterday, taking a wire brush to the frame. I got under the truck with a flashlight and mirror and looked hoping i could find the VIN.

The Dana 44 code on the front axel indicates its a 74 (D4) and the first 3 numbers were 3.54. Is 3.54 a common gear for broncos? I thought they were all 3.50, 4.11, and 4.56(in early 6cly models)

Oh by the way, the seller said he would buy it back. I paid $2,850 for it plus $400 shipping. He said he had another buyer who was going to pay him $3,500 for it. The body is mostly solid, door post, bed, and rockers are very good. The trans is out, the exhaust manifold is broken, and the transfercase won't shift. Did I pay too much?

 

I sure would keep that truck if I had it and not a bad buy pricewise for the A/T and power steering and a good body too.3.54 on the D-44 is real common also and Ford installed it with a 3.50 rear.That truck has to be a 74 with all those 74 parts.The VIN numbers are about 3/8" or so and are real hard to see with the body on.Sandpaper the top of the frame starting where the frame bends up behind the passenger door and about a foot or so to the rear.Good luck on finding it since it sounds like that truck is a keeper.If the transfer case wont shift try some grease inside the shifter cup"the cup shaped piece that the shifter rotates in,above the shift rails,real common problem on a J shifter.WD-40 will help for a while too.C-4 can be rebuilt around here for $300-$400 and exhaust manifolds are easy to find.

 

I noticed some numbers stamed into my frame on the passenger rail, between the fron t bumper and grille. I haven't gone back to look at what they actually are, but they are kind of hard to see, but you may look just the same.

 

Ok.. I just went through your VIN issue with my 74... Unfortunately it required removing the body to get good access to the top of the frame. The VIN#s were located between the passenger side front shock mount and the vapor recovery canister (I think that is what it was). It required a lot of careful grinding and chemical treatments.. Check out the classicbronco.com web site for the explination of the VIN#s. I would reccomend that you take the title to your local police department to have them look up the VIN. They will be able to verify the make, year, and location of original sale.

 

Thanks. I looked at the numbers between the bumper and the grill and I think those are the for the frame itself. Im still looking. I have read on varoius web sites that the last year for the half cab was 72? Is it even possible to have an authenic 74 halfcab?

 

72 was indeed the last year for the half-cab option. If you are not happy with that setup, and would rather go with the full top, I'm sure you could find someone willing to make a deal. For the most part, if a half-cab and the steel bulkhead underneath it, are in good shape, it can fetch a good price. I took a wire wheel on a drill to my frame to find the VIN there. It was pretty awkward to get in on top of the frame rail with the body on, but I managed. Another thing that can help, is after you strip it down for a bit, run a piece of chalk over the frame and wipe off the excess. This can help the numbers standout a bit.

Some good sites to do VIN decoding are Broncohio.com, and Broncograveyard.com.

 

Whats it worth? I paid $2850 and its fairly solid. The tailgate, bed, door post, frame, grill, doors, hood and inner fenders are very good. The floor under the seat needs replaced. needs major fender work. The previous owner welded on funky metal flares and they need replaced with bolt on flares. The trans works sort of.

I think I just found a better deal. I just bought an uncut 73 U15 with 57k original miles(PS, C4, 302, single gas tank---UGGG). Its a one owner and the body has slighty more must for $2,100 (no kidding) so if anyone wants the halfcab make me an offer.