Buying a Bronco 2 for my dad and need advice

[Spencer448]

Hi there, I am a 21 year old college student looking to buy a project car for my dad and I to work on while I complete school. He is extremely knowledgeable about cars and engines, much more than I am, and I want to buy this bronco I found online as a suprise. However it seems possibly to cheap and to good to be true. Can anyone give advice on these cars and if this seems like a good idea based on the listing? Also any estimates on how much to replace the windows and taillights just so it is functional and I will not get pulled over.

1985 ford bronco 2, has a 2.8l with 5 speed manual transmission, currently runs and drives under its own power, has new oil and filter, new carburetor, gas tank and fuel pump and filter, new spark plugs, plug wires and new distributor cap and rotor, new crank seal, all 4 new shocks, pulled carpet and sprayed bed liner spray on entire floor board, missing front windshield, back glass and left back side glass, has both front windows and back right side glass, 4wd works but currently has front drive shaft out.

I think the original idea was for the car to be off roading rig, but I would build it to be a ranch car. Thank you all for the help!

 

[broncc]

The biggest time sink on all auto projects is more or less dealing with corrosion. Engines are really no big deal considering summit even has "kits" to put a 302 in if you care.

The most annoying failure of the platform comes from rust in the wiper cowl. If your feet get wet its too late. Pull back the carpet against the firewall and feel for dampness. Look for rust streaking on either side. You may be able to shine a light in the cowl vents and look if the seam sealer is cracking. Catching it early enough to dump some sealant in with the fenders off is no big deal. Also check the drip rails. Other than that... just check for rust in the normal car places and look for mechanical problems in the normal fashion.

I always suggest buying the nicest example of a car you can afford. You will often spend more money to bring a cheap one close to a nice example but nothing will be exactly factory.

 

[Spencer448]

Thank you! All of the carpet has been stripped and replaced with bedliner. I asked about rust and he told me that are "two holes in the floor, but neither bigger than a palm" Does that seem like a concerning amount?

 

[Spencer448]

I will check for all of those things aswell

The biggest time sink on all auto projects is more or less dealing with corrosion. Engines are really no big deal considering summit even has "kits" to put a 302 in if you care.

The most annoying failure of the platform comes from rust in the wiper cowl. If your feet get wet its too late. Pull back the carpet against the firewall and feel for dampness. Look for rust streaking on either side. You may be able to shine a light in the cowl vents and look if the seam sealer is cracking. Catching it early enough to dump some sealant in with the fenders off is no big deal. Also check the drip rails. Other than that... just check for rust in the normal car places and look for mechanical problems in the normal fashion.

I always suggest buying the nicest example of a car you can afford. You will often spend more money to bring a cheap one close to a nice example but nothing will be exactly factory.

 

[broncc]

If you're uncomfortable enough to ask if its too large of a project for you to deal with, I'd consider passing. Consult with your father about his comfort level with rust repair.

I guess also its worth considering the price and use of the vehicle. If its not going to return to public road duty and you're getting it for less than 1k go for it.



TRS has one of the best forum wikis I have seen and I would consider referencing it for lots of good info.

 

[Spencer448]

Yeah that is a great point. Upon seeing the car in person I am going to inspect for rust and water damage. Are there any other tips when going to look at a car like this?

 

[gaz]

@Spencer448
I am openly skewed on this particular platform, meaning that I really like Bronco II's, especially the XLS model but buying all that glass for a 2.8l with an oil change, tune up and fresh, no doubt cheapo shocks with a rhino liner sprayed floorboard featuring 2 palm sized holes???

Even if you had an angle on all that glass, this chassis looks like it was rolled...I'm do not believe I could bring myself to take it for free.

If your father has an intimate knowledge of this 2.8l and you love how they are to drive, that's a little different. That sounds like a metric ton of donut hole to need to eat!!

 

[Spencer448]

Ok this was good to know, I think I should pass on it and wait for something better to come by. Thank you for the help!

@Spencer448
I am openly skewed on this particular platform, meaning that I really like Bronco II's, especially the XLS model but buying all that glass for a 2.8l with an oil change, tune up and fresh, no doubt cheapo shocks with a rhino liner sprayed floorboard featuring 2 palm sized holes???

Even if you had an angle on all that glass, this chassis looks like it was rolled...I'm do not believe I could bring myself to take it for free.

If your father has an intimate knowledge of this 2.8l and you love how they are to drive, that's a little different. That sounds like a metric ton of donut hole to need to eat!!

 

[bobbywalter]

price is a bigger issue for something that has been rolled or somehow damaged from something falling on it....judging by that picture. maybe it survived a west tejas tornader or something...

may not be possible to fit a windshield properly. but any window is better than no window,

for your stated use, a less then ideal specimen might be the way to go as well.


so if it is cheap, i would consider it.


i would say its a perfect ranch rig and occasional wheelin toy.. something you are going to work and beat up....not giving a fat rats ass as long as my feet only get wet when it rains..


i know i would not have as much fun beating the shit out of a solid b2.

 

[gaz]

@Spencer448
I may have misinterpreted your closing statement of intent. I believe that @bobbywalter make 2 great comments:
1) it my present specific and unfavorable windshield installation challenges
2) if you don't care about having wet feet inside the cab, it doesn't matter.

I felt a use it on the road vib from your "original idea" statement. If you are going to bash it about in an off road, unregulated existence, it's worth as an investment rises sharply

 

[Spencer448]

@Spencer448
I may have misinterpreted your closing statement of intent. I believe that @bobbywalter make 2 great comments:
1) it my present specific and unfavorable windshield installation challenges
2) if you don't care about having wet feet inside the cab, it doesn't matter.

I felt a use it on the road vib from your "original idea" statement. If you are going to bash it about in an off road, unregulated existence, it's worth as an investment rises sharply

I questioned seller about the frame and he said it was rolled onto its top from the driver side, ie the reason there is no windshield. But, he also said the frame is not bent.

If I wanted to make it road legal, and not just for ranch purposes, do you think it would be worth the investment? It would be cool to drive in college, but I have a car so I wouldnt have to rely on it.

I have a family friend who installs windshields and likely have an edge on prices.

I appreciate all of the input I am still unsure if I will buy it. Right now at the top of the checklist is:
1)Rust and corrosion
2) Finding out if a windshield could be installed
3) My dads skill level of rust repair
@bobbywalter @gaz

price is a bigger issue for something that has been rolled or somehow damaged from something falling on it....judging by that picture. maybe it survived a west tejas tornader or something...

may not be possible to fit a windshield properly. but any window is better than no window,

for your stated use, a less then ideal specimen might be the way to go as well.


so if it is cheap, i would consider it.


i would say its a perfect ranch rig and occasional wheelin toy.. something you are going to work and beat up....not giving a fat rats ass as long as my feet only get wet when it rains..


i know i would not have as much fun beating the shit out of a solid b2.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'd buy it if the price is right.

I would basically just use it as a cheap JD Gater though.

To fix up as a decent looking vehicle for the street... hard pass.

That rear side window is next to impossible to find loose, you will probably have to pull it from another car. And while you are there in the JY doing that note that the donor vehicle probably looks better than this one.

 

[Shran]

So what's the price? Does he have a clean title for it? Does he still have the seats?

If the doors close and have a somewhat even gap around them, and the roof isn't kinked in where the glass meets it, putting a windshield in it shouldn't be a problem. However if the door gap is way off or the roof is messed up, you may have to do a lot of straightening to get it back to where the glass will fit right.

I would not spend more than about $500 on it if it's got a good title and he has all the seats. Maybe $300 if there's no seats... I would not buy it at all if there is no title.

From your second pic I would be really concerned about how much rust in the floors he covered up. "sprayed bedliner on entire floorboard" could mean the floor is paper thin and he just polished a turd because it looked terrible... you'd have to grind that crap off to fix it the right way. It looks like there is quite a bit of rust pitting and pin holes behind where the rear seats were... not good.

I'd be really tempted to make a pickup out of it rather than put the rear glass back in.

 

[bobbywalter]

my feet get wet when it rains......


my bronco may as well be a tire.

and my ranger has been on its roof twice.....and i dont know how many times on its sides....

so...

believe me when i say i would drive that thing down the road..

 

[Curious Hound]

Looks great from here. Would be fun to build that up as a hardcore trail rig.