Need help fast on deciding purchase
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 3
From: Tornado USA
Need help fast on deciding purchase
Need something to drive, and I found an 86 Bronco for $750. The guy says that it only has 53,000 miles on it, and by the looks of the interior and body, I almost agree with him. But he said the front end need alignment because they just put new coil springs on. I can't figure out if it had that low mileage on it, why would it need coil springs?
The other thing...the front wheels are both laying WAY in at the top. The guy says that it's because they put on new coil springs. Is this true? Would that make the front wheels lay in before getting it aligned?
I'm going to still check it out. Has a 302 in it, and he says the 4WD works fine. How did the 4WD on these work? Do you have to lock the hubs manually? From what I can see, the front hubs have a cap and I think it says automatic 4WD.
Sorry, I don't know a whole lot about the Broncos. I'm more into old trucks and Mustangs.
Thanks!
The other thing...the front wheels are both laying WAY in at the top. The guy says that it's because they put on new coil springs. Is this true? Would that make the front wheels lay in before getting it aligned?
I'm going to still check it out. Has a 302 in it, and he says the 4WD works fine. How did the 4WD on these work? Do you have to lock the hubs manually? From what I can see, the front hubs have a cap and I think it says automatic 4WD.
Sorry, I don't know a whole lot about the Broncos. I'm more into old trucks and Mustangs.
Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Its is quite possible that new coils will affect the alignment just as you described. The Twin Traction beam front axle will have this issue if the springs haven't "settled" yet. I'd be curious as to why it needed new coils with that little mileage as well. Unless it was used as a plow truck which would have caused premature sagging in them if heavy-duty springs were not installed with the plow.
Before you buy, I would ask to take it to an alignment shop and make sure it can be properly aligned. If the wrong coils were installed it will be impossble to get the alignment right. But then @ $750 if the rest of the truck is in good shape you are getting a good deal anyway. I mean its a full-size 4WD after all.
You may or may not have to lock the hubs manually. If there is no provision for locking manually it has the automatic hubs. (Personally, I'd go out and get a set of manual hubs for it if it DOES have the autos because the autos just don't have all that great a service record.)
Before you buy, I would ask to take it to an alignment shop and make sure it can be properly aligned. If the wrong coils were installed it will be impossble to get the alignment right. But then @ $750 if the rest of the truck is in good shape you are getting a good deal anyway. I mean its a full-size 4WD after all.
You may or may not have to lock the hubs manually. If there is no provision for locking manually it has the automatic hubs. (Personally, I'd go out and get a set of manual hubs for it if it DOES have the autos because the autos just don't have all that great a service record.)
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 3
From: Tornado USA
Ok, thanks for the advice. The body is really really good. All the chrome on the grill and bumpers is great, what I could see of the interior is good as well. I'm really interested to see what it sounds like and what it looks like on the inside.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
The coils sag after awhile .Any truck I get with over 80000 (Like mine have any less) I swap in new coils . Even did a 94 with 28000 for a guy and it lifted the front . (he wanted the 32's and wheel wells to look even . Later sounds like a niceride.
