71 Bronco???

[Sloan]

My wife wants a 71 Bronco and I found one up the street that is bone stock, asking $7,000. I am however a Landcruiser guy so I know absolutely nothing about these, so my question is what are the pros and cons of the 71? She wants a bone stock one for driving on the weekends and to tinker on. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[Bronken]

Ask this question over at classicbroncos.com and you will get all the info you want. I don't think the 71 had power steering or automatic. Both are nice for a wifes driver. Probably want power disc brakes also (not available until 76 & 77). Check for rust in the front floor boards & the inner fender wells in the engine compartment. If it is a california bronco it should have minimal rust.

[lttlbddy]

71 1/2 came with a Dana 44 front end, earlier had the Dana 30 front end.

he PS PB previously mentioned are onlly found in the last couple of years of production. Much harder to find.

Steve G

Edit: If she is not going to wheel it, buy the bitch, slap a bikini top on it and join the club!!

[Oatmeal]

PS and automatic were first offered from the factory in '73 (Stroppe Baja Broncos had them earlier but, that's a whole other subject). Discs and power discs (I have heard that discs were available without the power option but, not very common)...'76 and '77........Hans

[Rockcrusher]

If it's bone stock be prepared to rebuild the shift selector arms and bushings at the base of the steering column . . . Or to replace the whole shift mechanism with an aftermarket floor shifter. The transmission itself was a 3.03 3 speed. Plenty strong but sometimes balky.

The main fuel tank was advertisd as 14½ gallons but in reality it held less than 13 because of evaporative emission stuff. Same with the aux tank under the seat . . . advertised as 11½ gallons but actually held closer to 8 gallons. Carry extra gas.

Like lttlbddy said, the first couple of thousand units off the assembly line for the '71 model year had a Dana 30 front axle. After about Jan '71 all had Dana 44's.

I think the production run for '71 was around 18,500 units.

[F0rdFre@k]

1971 = 18,700 units. Came in Base/Half-Cab/Sport or Strope Baja models. If it's a V8, it's a 302. If it's a 6cyl, it's the 170. Came with points. 3 speed on the column, T shift D20 transfer case, D30 or D44 split year. Ford 9" rear. No power steering or power brakes or disk brakes. Front tank (if applicable) is advertised @ 10.3 gallons, rear tank is advertised @ 12.7 gallons. Front brakes are 11x2" while the rear are 10x2.5" for small bearing or 11x1.75 if it's a big bearing. 5.3 turns Lock to lock. Electric Windshield Wipers.

Thats about all the "important" stock build info.

If I were you, I'd be convincing her to wait for an early 73. You can get a 73 with a C4 automatic and possibly power steering (first year it's an option). That way you also avoid emmissions.

Best case scenario... Find a 77 with a 302 Dura Spark ignition, Power steering, Power Disk Brakes, Automatic and best bet for a big bearing 9". Then find someone who's parting out a pre-emmissions bronco and buy the title and glove box door from them.

For a stocker driver not a wheeler. The 71 is a good ride even with the D30. But, I'd be searching for power steering conversions and power disk brake conversions as well. Plenty of C4 and C6s out there for an automatic tranny swap.

HTH

[otterjohn]

Any Bronco is a great deal - the older and stock the more it will be worth in years to come! I would say that all stock Broncos are better 4 wheelers than all the other stock rigs. If it has a six in it it'll give good fuel milage too!