1972 Ford Bronco

SPORT Wagon

8 - Cyl.

Manual

U15GLP89300

Gasoline

I bought this Bronco a few days ago off Ebay for the back seat (turned out to be a van seat) and the running gear for another project. It was a non-running Bronco that had been sitting in a dry shed since 2001. After I got it home and began to look it over closely, I realized this Bronco was much to good to part out. It don't look like much but there's more there than meets the eye. Some years ago, the interior was coated with some type of bed lining, and some kind of insulation and then a black indoor/outdoor carpet was put in. I guess you could say it was a nice job if that's your thing. What I'm trying to say it was seamed nicely and edge trim put in place where it looked really good. I can only assume that this, along with the top and being in a dry building, protected the floors and kept them from rusting out as is the case so often. While there is plenty of surface rust, the floors are all sound, even in the seam where it turns up behind the pedals. The door posts are all solid, the rockers are solid. Even the inner fenders next to the firewall under the hood are solid. The doors open and close good. The windows roll up and down pretty good. There's no rust in the bottom of the doors as is often the case. All the glass is good. I decided to see if it would run. It looks like someone had tried to get it running in the recent past since the points, condenser and rotor were new. I took the gas line loose and hooked up a temporary tank and had it running in fairly short order. It idled good and there's no smoke once all the moisture had dried out of the exhaust system. I think its an overall good engine. I put gas in the front tank and hooked the fuel lines back up only to find the fuel pump was bad. I replaced it and she cranked right up. I put 3-4 gals in each tank and so far I see no leaks. I drove it about 4 miles down the road and back and other than being stiff from sitting so long performed really good. There's only one brake the right rear so that made things interesting. No overheating or temperature issues. Manual steering and brakes. 11/17/11 I was able to get the ignition switch hooked up today (not installed in the dash though). The oil, temp and alternator gauges work. Not sure about the gas gauge since there's not that much gas in it. It would be a miracle if the gas gauge worked as most of you know. The engine is holding 40+ psi as shown in the picture I added. The front hubs lock and unlock as they should, and it shifts in and out of 4 wheel drive as it should. It difficult again I believe because it has been sitting so long. 4 wheel drive functions as it should. Now for the bad. You knew there had to be some bad didn't you? Body Parts: the hood is trash, period. Bent, front edge is rusted, no hope for it. The lower left corner of the windshield frame has a separation in it. I think it can be fixed but I'm not sure. The passenger door window frame is broke loose at the front edge. It looks like someone tried to weld it in the past and did a really poor job. The top is interesting. It's not rusty around the seams and is really a good top but, there's always a but, right. Someone screwed a CB radio mount to the top by driving sheet metal screws through the top. Yep, along with several others through the top bracing stick up into the world. There's also a hole where and antenna was mounted. All can be fixed but they're there. The latches are missing on the lift gate. The tail gate has some dents in it, but its not rusted out at the bottom like most so I think its quite restorable. The rear fenders have been cut and it looks like it had flares at one time, so I'm saying no big deal there. The lips of the front fenders have been cut to clear tires I'm sure. The worse part to me is the bumpers have been welded to the frame. I've looked it over pretty good and with care and good cutoff wheels and grinding, they can be removed. It looks like a lot of elbow grease and taking your time, it can be done. I've done it to two or three in the past and its not a lot of fun but you can get there. There are some dents here and there, nothing major. I'm not sure if the grille can be saved. There's been a battery tray cobbled into place and its pretty junky. THE OPTIMA BATTERY IS MINE AND DOES NOT GO WITH THE BRONCO!!! As I said the engine starts and runs really good. When you take into account how long its been sitting, its amazing. The engine does have a stuck lifter and it clicking pretty good. It may free up over time or replace it and call it done. I don't know about oil pressure and all that since at this time the gauges don't work. The ignition switch was bad and as usual someone had wrecked the bezel. I've got a new switch and key set for it and as I get time, I'll hook it up and check it out and update this ad with the findings. Wheels are rusty and tires are junk, but at least it can be driven on a trailer now. I had to ratchet it on. I think for someone on a budget, this is a great Bronco to start with. It has a sound body. Its a running driving Bronco once the brake issues are addressed. Its has the better Dana 44 in front. I've started with much worse in the past. I have many more pictures and will be glad to send you anything you need if you will forward me your email address. It will probably have to be multiple emails since the pics are high res. Now for the tacky parts. If you have zero or negative feedback, don't bid, I will cancel your bid, NO EXCEPTIONS. I will need a $500 non-refundable deposit within 48 hours and total payment within 7 days. Bronco does not have to be removed immediately but I cannot be held responsible for damage to it should something happen. I will assist with loading if you decide to have a shipper pick it up. Shipping and pick up is at buyer's expense. First contact should be made through Ebay messaging and we'll work from there. Thanks for looking and bidding.