Buyer Beware

[2horsegarage]

Hello all. This is my first post, and I would like to get some opinions on what potential problems I should be looking for when purchasing my first Bronco. I have looked at five or six, and think I found I like. It is a 1973, 302. The body looks very straight, from what I could see of the inside and underside looked good. The current owners rinolined the floor and under body. Is there anyway to tell if they just covered rust? Some of the "common" rust areas looked good. The inside of the front fenders in the engine compartment, the top of the fenders where the hood sits around the bolts, and the tail gate. Mechanically the engine sounded good. What kinds of things should I look for before I throw down my cash? Also, I have never a bougth a car from a private seller. What should I do to protect myself? Thanks in advance.

 

[S_bolt19]

If you are suspicious there is rust covered up by the bed liner, look at it real good. If there is any bubbly areas, push on them and see if they give. Rust under a liner is trouble...I have that going on right now that I am trying to fix. Make sure all the electrical is working, turn every **** on and off to make sure it is operational. Pop the hood and look for bad oil leaks, pull the dipstick and see if the oil is in good shape or has water in it. Listen to it, some folks never listen to the engine other than the initial roar at start up. Let it sit and idle for a few minutes then take it for a test run. Be sure to run it through all the gears. Check the transfer case and make sure it is correctly shifting. Turn the hubs in and out, drive it in 4-hi & lo to be sure. Just go over it with a fine tooth comb, the thing is almost 35 years old. You have to expect some troubles, but if it is advertised as in good shape, then to protect yourself, you can take it to a competent mechanic to look over. If the seller has any troubles with that, then I would keep looking because he might be trying to hide something. Another bit of protection for you, is that you could give them 25% and tell them that you are going to take it to a mechanic to have it looked at. Write out a simple note saying what you are doing and how much you have giving him as a hold/down and that after the vehicle checks out, you will be back with the remainder of the cash. But be prepared for him to ask for something in return as well, like the keys to your car in exchange for taking his. I have been asked that before when I sold a car and never had a problem with it.

 

[muladesigns1]

try to see the factory welds. it must be hard with the lining but try. Im going to venture to say it had rust, 99% of them do, or did. Theres nothing wrong with that as long as you know all of it was cut out. ask to see some build pics. As long as all the cancer was removed the truck should be fine.