The cabin rattle is definitely something to watch. Mine started at 15K, and the dealer covered it under warranty. Definitely get that checked before warranty expires.
Five years though? Even with delays, there should have been milestones reached. Frame work alone shouldn’t take more than a year. The shop clearly failed to manage this project professionally.
I’m genuinely excited for this auction. No reserve on an E46 ZHP 6-speed manual convertible is rare. The market conditions are perfect right now for enthusiasts to actually find reasonably priced cars. This is going to be a good one.
The truck bed improvements are what I’m most interested in. Current design is functional but could use more features like integrated storage or better tie-down points.
The maintenance costs on these old trucks can add up quickly. Budget for new seals, gaskets, and potentially a rebuild if the engine hasn’t been serviced recently. I spent about $3,500 last year just on preventative maintenance for my ’76.
Don’t forget about the brakes. These older Broncos had pretty weak stopping power by modern standards. Many owners upgrade to power disc brakes for safety. That could be another $1,500-2,000 if you want to do it right.
