Ok, I'll attempt to keep this simple.
Since my teens when I knew several people who had old Broncos, I have always considered having one myself.
I am at a point in life now (sucessful career, wife, kids, house, reliable everyday cars, etc.) to seriously consider tracking down something that I can have some fun tooling around in when I'm in the mood. I also am considering an old Jeep, although there's something about the old Broncos. Problem with me is this- I don't have the time, patience, and know-how required to restore something myself. I could just pay someone else to do it, but that seems like a cop out. So, ideally, I would love to find something that is in good/excellent shape to start with, and if it should need a little tweaking here and there, so be it.
Any ideas, suggestions, or other input on where to start would be extremely helpful. I am specifically intersted on any suggestions on what to steer clear of, (Certain model years, engines, etc.) as I don't know a whole lot about the Broncos overall.
I am beginning to search what may be available in my area of the east coast (VA Beach), but don't want to get too involvd until I'm armed with som more info.
THANKS!

 

How old are you talking about going? The 66-77 models are small and very simple vehicles to work on and maintain as well as modify. The 78-79 models are the first of the big Bronco and while they are part of this forum they retained quite a bit from their smaller counterparts from previous years. 81-96 have a whole lot in common and the major systems didn't see a lot of change other than fuel injection in the late 80's and some changes in styling and ignition systems. If you want somethng that will remain fairly reliable, my recommendation would be to stick with 86 or later fuel injected models just for the sake of not having lots of carburator adjustments to make. Otherwise, take your pick. ALL big Broncos suffer from typical Ford fullsize truck "cancer" at some point in their lives... RUST! Over the rear wheels and along the bottom of the tailgate and it rusts from the inside out (design flaw if you ask me). The power plants were all fairly good runners and hold reasonable performance records. The 351M is probably the least common. The transmissions are all pretty good. The worst track record is probably the E4OD fully electronic auto but 93 or later saw some good improvements in driveability and reliablility. There are a host of common problems as with any model. Most are simple maintnenance items that are easily remedied. If this won't be your daily driver, the fact that they comsume their GVW in fuel in a month's time shouldn't be too much of a concern. One last thing I simply MUST include here. Don't EVER let ANYONE tell you the top won't come off or that it will leak forever more if you do remove it once. Its just simply not true.

 

Good advice, GS92. One place I always look for vehicles is the AutoTrader magazines (or online if you prefer). You will find something from stock to wild, near-new to beat-up, and it will give you a ballpark figure of what folks in your area are asking for a particular year model. I would suspect that it will be hard to find a Bronco without any rust in your area, so don't go by a picture alone. The Early Bronco's (66-77) go for $5,000 and up in good condition here, which is quite high for a play vehicle. You can get a 90's model Bronco in great shape for that price. Either way, I would not buy a Jeep. The parts are 2-3 times more expensive and break more often!!!

 

Thanks- all good helpful info.
Yeah- I know about the Jeeps as I have a friend up in DC who is a Jeep fanatic, but always talks about what a pain they are on several levels.
I grabbed a Truck Trader on the way home yesterday and there are quite a few broncs for sale in this area. Several that specifically mention no rust. I have to say, I like the look of the older models. There's a '73 in the Truck Trader that looks (and seller claims) to be in great shape with lots of new parts and upgrades. He's asking $12, 500 though, which is more than I'll probably want to plunk down, even if I bargain with him a bit.
My wife, on the other hand, favors the big bronco era- which I like as well- and there are many for sale in this area.
One more ?- any thoughts/input on the "Nite"? Is it just a stock bronco that's all black? I don't know anything about them. There's a '92 for sale that looks really cool.
Thanks again for the help.

 

Did some poking around online today and wow! The 12k for that '73 aint looking too bad. Some of the early era models nicely restored are going for 25k-30k. Granted, they are NICE. The other thing with me is that I try to keep my cars clean, and I wanted something that I wouldn't be quite as picky about. Having something that's too nice would just be an added stress in worrying about it's condition, which is one of the things I'm trying to avoid.

 

Helloooo? Anyone else? Guess not.
Well, thanks Greystreak and Justshootme.
Hopefully I'll be looking at a few later today.

 

I agree with Grey. Electronic Fuel Injection is the way to go (1986 and up) as well as the manual transmisson, virtually bullet proof. If you have the loot to spend, I would locate a vehicle from a non-rust belt state and then have that thing rhino-lined around the edges (where Grey stated they rust) and maybe interior as well (sound deadening and anti-rust preventative). $12,000...man I could do alot to my vehicle with that kind of cash!

Another thing...no matter what Bronco you decide upon....you will find that modifying it is alot of fun (rims, lifts, bars, electronics, etc)...stick to this forum for any help! Lots of help from alotta good guys Also...get a good manual for whatever year you decide upon!