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Helping a buddy look at a 2nd gen Bronco...

shima

shima

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Hey guys, happy Friday.

As the title states, I'm cruising down to Colorado Springs tomorrow morning with a buddy to look at a 2nd gen Bronco. We're going to check out this thing because he is interested in buying it for his first project truck:
https://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/colorado-springs-1979-ford-bronco/6935500588.html

He asked me to come along to look the truck over with him. I read through the K5 buyer's checklist that is stickied here, and I feel confident that I've got a pretty good list of stuff to check out to ensure he makes an informed decision.

I just want to know if any of you guys know of anything Bronco-specific that we should be looking for? For example, if it were a K5, I'd check out the frame by the steering box to make sure it isn't cracked. Stuff like that.

Thanks for any and all input, I appreciate you guys as always!
 
Price seems pretty high to me, for a truck that has obvious rust. Maybe I’m totally off base here, but I didn’t think the later broncos has spiked in price as much as the early ones. For that price, I dont think I would give it a look unless the seller is extremely negotiable. Again, i could be off base.

That being said, I think your logic is reasonable to use the blazer list. Certainly tailgate hinge area and the floor, wheel wells, steering box mounting area, etc.

Have you check any bronco forums?
 
muddybuddy said:
Price seems pretty high to me, for a truck that has obvious rust. Maybe I’m totally off base here, but I didn’t think the later broncos has spiked in price as much as the early ones. For that price, I dont think I would give it a look unless the seller is extremely negotiable. Again, i could be off base.

That being said, I think your logic is reasonable to use the blazer list. Certainly tailgate hinge area and the floor, wheel wells, steering box mounting area, etc.

Have you check any bronco forums?
Click to expand...

Just starting to look at some Bronco forums. Did some research on the 460 engine, C6 trans etc. And yeah man I totally agree - this looks like a $5000 to $6000 truck in my eyes. Maybe $6500. I will be vocal about that to my buddy but in the end it's up to him I guess.
 
I know 2nd gen Broncos are as desired as 1st Gen, thou only 2 year model. So fewer available. They have some 78 79 only parts not shared with F 150.
 
Only thing I gotta say is too much dinero for a rusty truck with "needs tires" and not a single under hood pic.

For 8 grand he could have my (wife's) 2000 XJ with a brand new engine, 6.5" long arm kit, 4.56 gears, plus lots more....

20190809_201550.jpg
 
Probably too late now, especially since the posting has been deleted. Either your friend bought it, or you showed him so much wrong he decided to not try to sell it. But, 1979 was the last year for "good" F150s. Not sure about Broncos. In '79, 150s had cast iron or heavy steel radius arms, C6 transmissions, NP205 transfer cases, Ford 9inch rear ends, and were many times tougher than the 1980 150s.
When I replaced my '79 150 in 1989, I had to go with a 250 to get the equivalent truck.
 
You left out the obvious...solid axle w/ coils. ‘80 went to the TTB front
 
Thanks for all the responses guys. He ended up buying it for $6300. It came with some replacement body panels, a few extra tailgate window motors, and some odds and ends. Funny enough the seller said that the fuel injection system was taken off of a 454 and adapted for the 460 - I didn't know that was common or an option but it makes sense I suppose.

It ran great and was fast as s***. He has some leaks to address and some TLC to give it but for right now it's a solid vehicle.
 
Howell paved the way for swapping GM TBI units on just about any engine other than the small and big block Chevy engine. Most likely that what they used to put EFI on the 460.
 
Bad news for my buddy, the Bronco failed Denver emissions. He took a risk buying it because the seller resided in Colorado Springs and thus didn't have proof that it would pass emissions. Luckily he can return it to the seller by Wednesday and get his money back legally, but it's a pretty big bummer because he was really loving the truck.

I sort of let him down because I didn't do adequate research - I knew he would be subjected to a two-speed idle test, but I didn't investigate other things like required emissions equipment. The Bronco doesn't have catalytic converters or an air injection system, both of which are required. I am sort of surprised that said equipment is required on a vehicle that old, but it is what it is I guess.
 
How is he going to get his money back? Legally?

Why not just retrofit what’s needed? Emissions bullshit is no reason to bail on a vehicle.
 
Emission devices go back to 1976 in Calif for smog test passed. It is against federal law to remove Emission system parts.
 
Abusfullofnuns said:
How is he going to get his money back? Legally? Why not just retrofit what’s needed? Emissions bullshit is no reason to bail on a vehicle.
Click to expand...

We're going off of #13 from the AirCare Colorado FAQ (https://aircarecolorado.com/faq):
13. If a newly-purchased used vehicle fails its inspection, consumers have three business days (beginning the day after taking possession of the vehicle) to return it to the dealer/seller for repairs or repurchase. A business day is defined as Monday through Saturday with exceptions for state holidays. The dealer/seller is required by state law to either repair, pay a third party to repair or to repurchase the failed vehicle. If you purchased the vehicle from a dealer, he/she must choose an option within three business days after the vehicle has been returned. If the failed vehicle is not returned within the initial three-day period, the dealer/seller is relieved of any legal responsibility to repair or repurchase the vehicle.

For your second question, he needs catalytic converters and an air injection system, and I just don't know if I am ready / skilled enough to help him get through that. Neither of us know how to weld, for example - which makes the cats a bit more expensive. And I don't know much of anything about the air injection system... would have to look into it. If he is down then I am definitely down to help him as much as I can, but I think he's hesitant when he has the option of getting his $$$ back.
 
frankin5 said:
Emission devices go back to 1976 in Calif for smog test passed. It is against federal law to remove Emission system parts.
Click to expand...

Lesson learned, the hard way. If he really does return this Bronco then we won't be making that mistake again.
 
I'm surprised that having a 460 in there didn't fail it as soon as they opened the hood, it would have in commiefornia. By 1978 all American cars had cats, and most gas trucks and RVs. Even imports, the only exception I remember would be the Honda 3 valve pre- combustion Civic motors, they got cats in1980. Cali's bi annual emmions test go back to 76, 1st year most cars had cats.
Air injection started in 1966, egrs in 1973 along with electronic ignition.
In the mid 70's I was installing NOx retrofit devices on cars , required to pass inspection.
 
Has he contacted the seller and the seller has agreed to give money back and take car back? If i was seller i would say you saw it and knew what you were buying. I assume seller made no guarantee or mention of passing emissions (since it didnt have equipment on it). He didnt have issues in his jurisdiction so seems like an uphill battle to me given how old the truck is.

Curious to see how this plays out.
 
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