Ford Bronco Advice?

Anybody on the forum have experience with late model Ford Broncos? My wife's family has ranch land and a decent 4x4 is definitely required to help out around the place. I'd rather not get a nice, new truck for the work, and I've wanted to do a Bronco project for awhile.

Right now looking at mid-late 90s trucks. I have a 96 Ranger that's 2WD and doesn't have A/C. Need something that fixes both of those problems, will be nice and streetable and relatively comfortable over a 3-hour drive up north. Not looking to do any wacky/extreme lifts or any of that stuff. Need a solid workhorse.

Also - what are the good Bronco/Ford forums (if any?)

Thanks!

The Ford truck forms are OK for trouble shooting. You're better off here. There's plenty of us with broncos and f150s. Keep in mind there mileage on those are atrocious. I get about 12 mpg on my 150. The 302 is pretty easy to work on. I believe the bronco has a 351 available. The bronco ii may be a smaller option. 2.9l v6.

The Eddie Bauer is two inches higher stock andi suggest removing the snow catchers.

they're basically a short bed f150 of the same vintage underneath. most people will tell you to go with a 351 or bust, but i bet they're just fine with the 302. earlier models were available with the 300 i6 and 4 speed, but would probably suck for a 3 hour drive.

look out for rust in the lower part of the tailgate, and if the top has ever been removed and put back, it'll likely leak.

Tailgates are expensive and rust badly.

Rust. Watch for rust. The tailgates with the motorized windows will often crap out. Of course most of the SUV type vehicles with the motorized back window sucked... at least of the older ones... Blazer, 4runners,...

maybe watch the rear wheel arches for rust too? brother in law just got one with a 351, has rusty tailgate and rusty wheel arches. He got it primarily for towing/hauling stuff.

in before "The Juice" jokes...

Here's a nice one from Craigslist:

300/6, all the way.

I would love to try to make a bronco out of the new eco boost F150

The newer the Bronco the better road sofa it makes. My Dad owned an 86 with the 300 I6 and a 4spd. He also owned a 93 w/ the 302 and Auto.

The 86 was a very heavy duty truck. That 4 spd was a 3spd with a low "granny" gear for towing just about anything even with that wheezy inline 6. MPG was barely in the teens. It was wound up on the interstate and probably turning 4k rpm anywhere over 70mph. He sold it with 300k on the clock. It ran like a watch at that point too. It had the usual rust by that time. Also, it had a completely plastic and rubber interior. We used to hose it out if it got dirty.

The 93 was much more civil. It road well. Sat 5 comfortably and hauled their luggage. It had overdrive so the highway cruising was much more sedate. The HVAC worked well. It had a cloth interior with actual carpet. MPG was no better than the 86 truck but it was much more refined. When dad sold that one with over 200k on it the rust was making an appearance in the usual places of the tailgate and rear wheel arches.

Good luck finding one that hasn't been lifted at least 3 inches.

Old school and OJ school broncos

Also have a1988 ish dodge ram charger sell you all 3 and throw in some tacos and burritos

The full size are very cheap. The Bronco 2's are as well but most of them have been left to turn to dust. The originals are crazy money. That said I would love to have an orginal!

Definitely looking for OJ school. I know a guy that has an immaculately-restored 70s model...not quite what i'm after. More fill with firewood and do donuts in the forest than show winning paint job.

I'm sure with the current gas prices you should be able to find a nice example relatively cheap.

The E4OD responds well to a shift kit, and you will already have the 4X4 pan for additional fluid. The heads can be swapped for GT40 ones (take a look on a Lightning Board for used ones)

Majorly off topic....there was a pic in the hotlink thread of a 4WD Excursion that was shortened into a modern Bronco...now that would be the coolness.

JFX001 wrote: I'm sure with the current gas prices you should be able to find a nice example relatively cheap. The E4OD responds well to a shift kit, and you will already have the 4X4 pan for additional fluid. The heads can be swapped for GT40 ones (take a look on a Lightning Board for used ones) Majorly off topic....there was a pic in the hotlink thread of a 4WD Excursion that was shortened into a modern Bronco...now that would be the coolness.

Gas prices - good call. Maybe I should wait for the summer and the inevitable hike? Prices hit $4.70 here not too long ago (Premium) but are back down in the $4.30 range.

Karl La Follette wrote: Old school and OJ school broncos Also have a1988 ish dodge ram charger sell you all 3 and throw in some tacos and burritos

Love burritos. Where are you located? I'm assuming not Northern CA?