Hello at last...

[johnnyreb]

Well, you certainly showed devotion to your vehicle. Glad you didn't get hurt worse. That's a pretty comical picture you paint, standing there in undies and one sock only, burnt beard and burnt skin. It's only funny when you don't think about your injuries, but you could put a caption under that and it would be appreciated by Bronco lovers everywhere.

You can draw the caption.

 

[johnnyreb]

You can draw the caption.

Its about as funny as what I saw in Viet Nam. Where the guy was shot out of the toilet.With his pants down around his ankle. That was a funny sight.

 

[Popoagie6]

Well I have one 78 .That I have been replaceing all the wore out parts on it and it needs some body work and interior. About all the running gear and parts that make it run.Has been replaced and I wouldn,t sale it less then $7,000--if I was to sale it now. I have another 78 I,m getting ready to start working on it soon. Don,t let them tell you sad tales of what it needs and they don,t have that much. They THINK someone should give it to them. They don,t sale cheap.Miensk can help you their of the value.Good luck. Look on the internet and you,ll be surprised at what some are saleing high then othersand notice the area of where they are and what they are saling for in your area. Good luck

Thanks, JohnnyReb. I agree with all you've said. Saw that a similar vehicle, but a little more shined up superficially, went for $32K at an online auction the other day. And, I don't think it was the more rare manual transmission like mine is.

I get a bit annoyed at people trying to dupe me into practically giving them my Bronco, and they are approaching me randomly in public, telling me they'd be doing me a favor taking it off my hands. Those are the flippers.

The hobbyists never do that. They offer a much higher dollar amount, always in cash, and are open to higher amounts upon inspection. Since it's been hidden out of sight most of the time for the past several years, it would be interesting to see what those offers would look like now.

One thing that's changed over the years is that young men and sometimes young women flip out over it. Usually, they are in the 28-34yo range and seem to be single or at least without kids and are living an outdoors lifestyle. So, it's not fixed up to be flashy or even refurbished, but I think it's what the Bronco can do and where it can take them that excites them.

 

[johnnyreb]

Thanks, JohnnyReb. I agree with all you've said. Saw that a similar vehicle, but a little more shined up superficially, went for $32K at an online auction the other day. And, I don't think it was the more rare manual transmission like mine is.

I get a bit annoyed at people trying to dupe me into practically giving them my Bronco, and they are approaching me randomly in public, telling me they'd be doing me a favor taking it off my hands. Those are the flippers.

The hobbyists never do that. They offer a much higher dollar amount, always in cash, and are open to higher amounts upon inspection. Since it's been hidden out of sight most of the time for the past several years, it would be interesting to see what those offers would look like now.

One thing that's changed over the years is that young men and sometimes young women flip out over it. Usually, they are in the 28-34yo range and seem to be single or at least without kids and are living an outdoors lifestyle. So, it's not fixed up to be flashy or even refurbished, but I think it's what the Bronco can do and where it can take them that excites them.

I agree with you 100%. I remeber after I had (the one I done alot of work to) Tow guys stopped buy and heard I had it for sale and asked me. What I wanted? I told them $2,600. They said we,ll give you $400 what you paid for it. I told them forget it. I have over $1,500 just under the hood. They keep messin around and finally. I got mad. I had a old army camoflauge shiter on.I put my hands on my hips and told them to get in the truck and leave. This ones eyes got great big and said ok man we are leaving.I nopticed they had looked down,but I never paid any mind.Until they were backing out. I looked down and had my hands right above my pistol. hahaha I wear it because of starnge dogs were in the neighbor hood at the time and 2 pit bulls put me in the house. I got a good laugh out of that.haha

 

[johnnyreb]

Yes, I guess it was. Good thing I had under shorts on that day.hahahaha

Oh how rude of me. Welcome to the club. You,ll meet some nice people hear.That will help you out.If you have any problems. They are good people. I think Miensk lives in California and he,ll help you alot .

 

[johnnyreb]

Well I have one 78 .That I have been replaceing all the wore out parts on it and it needs some body work and interior. About all the running gear and parts that make it run.Has been replaced and I wouldn,t sale it less then $7,000--if I was to sale it now. I have another 78 I,m getting ready to start working on it soon. Don,t let them tell you sad tales of what it needs and they don,t have that much. They THINK someone should give it to them. They don,t sale cheap.Miensk can help you their of the value.Good luck. Look on the internet and you,ll be surprised at what some are saleing high then othersand notice the area of where they are and what they are saling for in your area. Good luck

Since you live in California .Most of the vehicles their don,t have any rust. Would raise the price up a good bit.

 

[johnnyreb]

Go on EDMUNDS AND FILL OUT THE QUESTIONER AND IT WILL GIVE YOU THE VALUE OF YOUR TRUCK.

 

[johnnyreb]

Well I have one 78 .That I have been replaceing all the wore out parts on it and it needs some body work and interior. About all the running gear and parts that make it run.Has been replaced and I wouldn,t sale it less then $7,000--if I was to sale it now. I have another 78 I,m getting ready to start working on it soon. Don,t let them tell you sad tales of what it needs and they don,t have that much. They THINK someone should give it to them. They don,t sale cheap.Miensk can help you their of the value.Good luck. Look on the internet and you,ll be surprised at what some are saleing high then othersand notice the area of where they are and what they are saling for in your area. Good luck

One thing about it------you,ll miss it. I thought of the car shows I have gone to and heard people say. I had one just like that. I wished a thousand times I had kept it. Alot of memorys you have their in 20 years.

 

[Popoagie6]

I agree with you 100%. I remeber after I had (the one I done alot of work to) Tow guys stopped buy and heard I had it for sale and asked me. What I wanted? I told them $2,600. They said we,ll give you $400 what you paid for it. I told them forget it. I have over $1,500 just under the hood. They keep messin around and finally. I got mad. I had a old army camoflauge shiter on.I put my hands on my hips and told them to get in the truck and leave. This ones eyes got great big and said ok man we are leaving.I nopticed they had looked down,but I never paid any mind.Until they were backing out. I looked down and had my hands right above my pistol. hahaha I wear it because of starnge dogs were in the neighbor hood at the time and 2 pit bulls put me in the house. I got a good laugh out of that.haha

Well, I'm not much for macho stunts, but as those guys were jerks and you didn't mean to threaten them, I kind of enjoyed that story. You've inspired me, not to carry a gun, but to be ready to take a pose and tell them in a low, haunting voice, "Get in the truck!" while swinging my head in that direction like a wizened old cowgirl. Hope I remember to squint and scowl.

 

[johnnyreb]

Well, I'm not much for macho stunts, but as those guys were jerks and you didn't mean to threaten them, I kind of enjoyed that story. You've inspired me, not to carry a gun, but to be ready to take a pose and tell them in a low, haunting voice, "Get in the truck!" while swinging my head in that direction like a wizened old cowgirl. Hope I remember to squint and scowl.

The biggest protection I have now. Is a big rattler. i DON,T worry about people sneaking around wanting to steal anything. It doesn,t cost anything and he DOES mean business. I call him Ralph. After a friend I used to run around with.

 

[johnnyreb]

After many years of being content with lurking and reading I have been asked by the site's fearless leader to introduce myself. After 14 years I guess it's time. This will be a long and boring post. ****, I’m making up for lost time. You have been warned.


Like most of you I love Broncos (and other 4x4s, motorcycles and old cars). I've spent most of my life wrenching on old cars and trucks in my spare time with family and friends. I did it for a living for a few years before I got wise and decided not to mix my hobbies with my job. I’m much happier for it.


I can’t count the number of vehicles I’ve bought, beat up, fixed and sold over the years but I’ve owned three Broncos: a 70’, 78’ and 79’. I don’t own any at the moment though I came close to scoring one recently and I’m always looking for the next toy. I looked around but I couldn’t find pictures of any of them. I’ll check with the wife and see if she has any I can upload. There are bound to be some in a drawer or on some random digital camera in the attic.


I’ll stick to the Bronco stuff since this is a Bronco board after all. My first was a 78’ that I bought in 1989. It was copper with a white top. I paid $1750 for it from the original owner. It had well used interior that smelled like an ashtray, a very tired 351M with 130k miles on the clock and an automatic. The body was solid except for the floor pans and over the rear wheel wells. I replaced the rotted front floor pans, gave it a tune up, put a 4” lift on it, some 35” Super Swampers and a Detroit locker in the rear. I used it to camp, run trails, beach trips and ride power lines (That was a thing at one time). It was cool but after a few years I was getting more into two wheel stuff so I sold it and bought a second motorcycle.


My second Bronco was a 1st gen 70’ that I bought for $3500 in 93’. It had a C4 and a 302. It had been owned by a family of cave explorers (seriously). Nice folks who cared about who was buying their “baby”. They used it like a Bronco should be used so it already had fender flares, chrome wagon wheels and some kind of mild lift. The motor had been recently rebuilt and sounded solid but the transmission was slipping and making odd noise so I knew it would need attention soon. They were actually using a pair of vice grips to shift it in and out of gear when I bought it. The body had been prepped for paint but was in dark gray primer. Over the next 6 months or so I rebuilt the trans, installed a real floor shifter and traded a buddy some other work for him to give it a Ford Dark Blue Metallic paint job. I also found some bumpers that were in better shape than the ones that were on it. What a cool vehicle. It wouldn’t wheel like the 78’ but was a much better all-a-rounder. It was a conversation starter everywhere I went. I kept it for three years as a semi-daily driver. Then I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse, while I was getting gas if you can believe that, and sold it to "gas station guy" later that week. I cringe when I think of what I could get for a 1st gen in that kind of shape today. Oh well.


I bought my 3rd Bronco, a 79” in 96’ not too long after I sold the 70’. This one was black with a 460 and a C6. I paid $3000 for this one. The interior was solid, the engine compression was good and trans shifted smoothly. Other than a little bit of rot above both rear wheel wells it was good to go. Over the next 10 years that I had this one there was a laundry list of things I did. Most of the time I had it this was my daily driver too. We did a mild performance build on the motor that totally transformed it, rebuilt the trans, repaired all of the rust and minor dents and gave it a fresh coat of black paint and added several interior improvements. I again went with a 4” lift but used all-terrains instead of the Super Swampers. I used this Bronco for everything you can think of, even towing. I sold it in 06’ when we needed more money for a down payment on our current house. The selling price was fair but there are still times when I think I should have just lived in the Bronco. This Bronco was the one. It had the best combination of everything IMO. After I finished the drive-train rebuilds I didn’t do anything but regular maintenance. It was an absolute rock. It was nice but wasn't so nice I felt bad using it like a 4x4 should be used. I have a CJ5 now that I use as a fun vehicle but it's really small, rides like an empty dump truck and it's not very versatile. It's good for wheeling, but getting there is always a bit of a pain...and don't expect to bring much with you.


Anyway, I would love to have another Bronco. Finding the “right” one to start working on has become a lot harder though. I would only really be interested in a 2nd gen but they aren’t a secret to anyone anymore. Prices are getting a little silly. The 1st gens have been out of reach, at least to me, for a while now. It’s hard to imagine someone hammering a 1st gen through the woods anymore because it doesn't make a lot of sense to wheel a $50k+ Bronco. That's kind of a shame since they are very capable. I haven't seen one on the trails around here in years. I have some fun money set aside from the sale of another project and the CJ could go away with out too much persuasion, so I’m looking. I just haven’t found the right one for the right price yet.


I’ll do my best to chime in a little more than I have in the last 14 years if I can add something, no promises though. Happy wheeling all.

I agree with you on the prices---rediculious especially when they are rust buckets that need alot of work. I have one . The one you see. I been thinking about saleing,but I have put a good bit in it.New tires,carb,radiator(4) row copper and brass.33 gal tank. etc It does need paint and interior work.

 

[johnnyreb]

Well, I'm not much for macho stunts, but as those guys were jerks and you didn't mean to threaten them, I kind of enjoyed that story. You've inspired me, not to carry a gun, but to be ready to take a pose and tell them in a low, haunting voice, "Get in the truck!" while swinging my head in that direction like a wizened old cowgirl. Hope I remember to squint and scowl.

Well I believe anyone should be able to protect themself--any way you can. I started carrying because one day I steeped out the door and 2 pits put me in the house. Its not gonna happen again.

 

[johnnyreb]

You can draw the caption.

Yeah its always funny when you look back,but taught me how dangereous gas can exploe--just a small back fire.

 

[Jimbo26]

Yeah its always funny when you look back,but taught me how dangereous gas can exploe--just a small back fire.

(<g>, that brings back a interesting memoryor 2)

I can almost see it- you with the sock in one hand and a sign in the other sayin
'I won!'
Welcome to the Clayman.
When the El-Supremo compells, one must follow.

 

[johnnyreb]

After many years of being content with lurking and reading I have been asked by the site's fearless leader to introduce myself. After 14 years I guess it's time. This will be a long and boring post. ****, I’m making up for lost time. You have been warned.


Like most of you I love Broncos (and other 4x4s, motorcycles and old cars). I've spent most of my life wrenching on old cars and trucks in my spare time with family and friends. I did it for a living for a few years before I got wise and decided not to mix my hobbies with my job. I’m much happier for it.


I can’t count the number of vehicles I’ve bought, beat up, fixed and sold over the years but I’ve owned three Broncos: a 70’, 78’ and 79’. I don’t own any at the moment though I came close to scoring one recently and I’m always looking for the next toy. I looked around but I couldn’t find pictures of any of them. I’ll check with the wife and see if she has any I can upload. There are bound to be some in a drawer or on some random digital camera in the attic.


I’ll stick to the Bronco stuff since this is a Bronco board after all. My first was a 78’ that I bought in 1989. It was copper with a white top. I paid $1750 for it from the original owner. It had well used interior that smelled like an ashtray, a very tired 351M with 130k miles on the clock and an automatic. The body was solid except for the floor pans and over the rear wheel wells. I replaced the rotted front floor pans, gave it a tune up, put a 4” lift on it, some 35” Super Swampers and a Detroit locker in the rear. I used it to camp, run trails, beach trips and ride power lines (That was a thing at one time). It was cool but after a few years I was getting more into two wheel stuff so I sold it and bought a second motorcycle.


My second Bronco was a 1st gen 70’ that I bought for $3500 in 93’. It had a C4 and a 302. It had been owned by a family of cave explorers (seriously). Nice folks who cared about who was buying their “baby”. They used it like a Bronco should be used so it already had fender flares, chrome wagon wheels and some kind of mild lift. The motor had been recently rebuilt and sounded solid but the transmission was slipping and making odd noise so I knew it would need attention soon. They were actually using a pair of vice grips to shift it in and out of gear when I bought it. The body had been prepped for paint but was in dark gray primer. Over the next 6 months or so I rebuilt the trans, installed a real floor shifter and traded a buddy some other work for him to give it a Ford Dark Blue Metallic paint job. I also found some bumpers that were in better shape than the ones that were on it. What a cool vehicle. It wouldn’t wheel like the 78’ but was a much better all-a-rounder. It was a conversation starter everywhere I went. I kept it for three years as a semi-daily driver. Then I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse, while I was getting gas if you can believe that, and sold it to "gas station guy" later that week. I cringe when I think of what I could get for a 1st gen in that kind of shape today. Oh well.


I bought my 3rd Bronco, a 79” in 96’ not too long after I sold the 70’. This one was black with a 460 and a C6. I paid $3000 for this one. The interior was solid, the engine compression was good and trans shifted smoothly. Other than a little bit of rot above both rear wheel wells it was good to go. Over the next 10 years that I had this one there was a laundry list of things I did. Most of the time I had it this was my daily driver too. We did a mild performance build on the motor that totally transformed it, rebuilt the trans, repaired all of the rust and minor dents and gave it a fresh coat of black paint and added several interior improvements. I again went with a 4” lift but used all-terrains instead of the Super Swampers. I used this Bronco for everything you can think of, even towing. I sold it in 06’ when we needed more money for a down payment on our current house. The selling price was fair but there are still times when I think I should have just lived in the Bronco. This Bronco was the one. It had the best combination of everything IMO. After I finished the drive-train rebuilds I didn’t do anything but regular maintenance. It was an absolute rock. It was nice but wasn't so nice I felt bad using it like a 4x4 should be used. I have a CJ5 now that I use as a fun vehicle but it's really small, rides like an empty dump truck and it's not very versatile. It's good for wheeling, but getting there is always a bit of a pain...and don't expect to bring much with you.


Anyway, I would love to have another Bronco. Finding the “right” one to start working on has become a lot harder though. I would only really be interested in a 2nd gen but they aren’t a secret to anyone anymore. Prices are getting a little silly. The 1st gens have been out of reach, at least to me, for a while now. It’s hard to imagine someone hammering a 1st gen through the woods anymore because it doesn't make a lot of sense to wheel a $50k+ Bronco. That's kind of a shame since they are very capable. I haven't seen one on the trails around here in years. I have some fun money set aside from the sale of another project and the CJ could go away with out too much persuasion, so I’m looking. I just haven’t found the right one for the right price yet.


I’ll do my best to chime in a little more than I have in the last 14 years if I can add something, no promises though. Happy wheeling all.

Well I have been thinkin about saleing one of mine. I live in W.Va and have alot ove the mechanical parts on it. . I have some pictures on my profile.

 

[L\Bronco]

Hi Clayman, awesome history! I share your love for gen2 Broncos. I've had a few through the years and had to sell my 79 to pay the bills in the early 90's (when my kids were little)
They bought me a 79 project last year and have been working with me to get her on the road. (I've got a bit of a build thread running on it)
Good luck on the hunt, I hope you find one! They are what trucks are all about! (in my opinion)
Cheers

 

[johnnyreb]

Wow, not worth getting 3rd degree burns for, but atleast everyone and everything is ok!

Have you posted pic of your 78 yet in a thread of yours somewhere?

I posted some,yes

 

[johnnyreb]

I posted some,yes

Well I told my insurance agent. If it happened again---It could go--I wouldn,t risk it again.