Can anyone give me the towing facts for a 1989 full size Bronco 4x4 with a 351 ci engine, auto, limited slip front & rear. I need to know the trucks capacity for towing with a class 3 hitch, thanks

 

I believe the 351-powered Broncos were given a maximum tow rating of 7,200 pounds for the 1989 model year.

 

Thanks,

I was looking to buy a F250 or like and found there either expensive or beat! I need a vehicle that can pull a 7000 pound boat & trailer. Seems there are a lot of older Bronco's out there for cheap $$$ and if its rated at 7200, thats perfect. I have my eye on a 1989 with 105K miles one owner, for 3K what should I be aware of?

Seems, gas tank, rear end, rust, drive shaft are a few items I have already picked up on as common issues.

 

An '89 with only 105,000 miles on it for $3,000 seems low.On Broncos,rust around the rear wheelwells is a common problem,and rust on the lower part of the tailgate is also common.These areas can be fixed,however.The rear window motors are good to burn out after a lot of use,but other than that,Broncos hold up well over time,if taken care of.I'd find out from its original owner if that '89 was used for a lot of towing.If this is the case,you might want to ask for some service records,to see if the tranny was serviced on a routine basis,and if the engine oil&filter were changed often.On a vehicle that was used for towing duty a lot,if not serviced,the tranny could have been exposed to a lot of heat,which isn't good,and the rear axle,and U-joints might have some wear on them.

 

If you get a Bronco to tow with...you might want to increase the rear springs or have a leaf added to each side....also towing a heavy boat just be sure your trailer brakes are hooked up properly too. The downside of towing with the Bronco is the brakes. The 3/4 tons have a better braking system (surface area).

Bob

 

Would the tow limit be considerably less if I had the 302 instead of the 351?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-May-02 AT 05:25 PM (EST)]It all depends on the factory axle ratio(s).In the late '80s-early '90s Ford offered 4.10:1 gears with the 302/AOD combination in a special towing/heavy service package.With the 302/AOD/4.10:1 option,they rated the 302 Bronco's towing capacity between 7,700-7,900 pounds over the different years offered.A 302 Bronco fitted with an automatic,and 3.55:1 gears was rated to tow between 6,600-6,800 pounds.If you get a Bronco that has factory 3.55:1 gears,you can always swap them out in favor of 4.10:1s.The 351 has more torque than the 302,but when fitted with the 4.10:1 cogs,the 302's trailer weight towing rating was actually higher-7,700-7,900 lbs. vs. 7,100-7,200 lbs. You could always buy a Bronco with the 351,and swap out the stock 3.55:1 gears,for some 4.10:1s.I had a pickup with the 351/E4OD/4.10:1 combination that was a real puller.The 351&4.10:1 gears are well matched.Hope this helps.

 

Wow, now I'm really confused, but it sound like there is about 1000 pound diferance.

 

Here’s my dilemma. I have a boat I pull periodically a few miles in my town to launch & pull and would like to pull it as much as 50 miles on occasion. The total package for boat, motor, gear, fuel and trailer is probably 6500 Max, with half fuel more like 6000 pounds. I have been looking a Bronco with a 351 thinking I had to have that to do the job. It sounds like the worst case set up 302 and small gears might still be okay, is that true? There seems to be more 302 out there than 351’s but I have been staying away. Let me know your thoughts, thanks….

 

I'd go for a 351-powered model,because a 351 has more torque than a 302.If you can find a Bronco with the 302/AOD/4.10:1 combination,that would be okay,too.When checking out to see what axle ratio the truck was built with via the factory,check out the data decal located inside the driver's side door jam.It will list an axle code.To make it easier to decode here are the axle codes for the Bronco:18=3.08:1 ratio(s),19=3.55:1,25=4.10:1.These are non-limited-slip versions.The codes for a limited-slip rear axle are :H8=3.08:1,H9=3.55:1,and H5=4.10:1.The 3.08s were only offered with the 351 engine,but Ford doesn't recommend this combination for heavy towing,or performance use.(This according to the 1989 Truck Specification Book.)The 3.55s were offered with both engines,but the 4.10s required the 302&AOD transmission,and manual locking hubs.If you are towing 6,500 pounds,a 302/automatic/3.55:1 gears can handle it,but you'd be awfully close to the maxium rating given to this combination from the factory.A 351 would be able to pull better on steep grades,because of its extra torque.The performance would be better,too.

 

That is very helpful, thanks. Now just to confirm if I was to buy a 302 this is what I should look for:

trans: 3 speed auto with over drive
rear end: code #25 (4.10:1)

I hope this is a common set up. Is there a code on that plate for the transmision in question? Most people I talk to don't know what they have, just auto or std.

 

Ford dropped the 4.10:1 gearing option after '91,or '92.In order for a Bronco to have factory 4.10:1 axle gears it must have the AOD automatic trans.The code for this transmission is T.This also can be found by looking on that data decal I mentioned in an earlier post.The axle codes to look for for factory 4.10s are 25(non-limited-slip),or H5 (limited-slip).I'm looking for a second '87-'91 year Bronco with factory 4.10s,so I'm hoping this combination is easy to find,too.Keep me posted on your search for one.Take care&good luck.

 

You say Ford dropped the 4.10 after 1992 or so. Well, what should I be looking for if looking @ 93/94 Bronco's with a 302? Or, should I go with the 351 in those cases? Also what does the tow package do for me in regards to all this we have been talking about? Thanks for all your help.

bill.mark@analog.com

 

For '93 and later Broncos,Ford offered either the 3.55:1,or the 3.55:1 with optional rear limited-slip for both the 302&351 engines.In the 1994 Ford Bronco brochure,it lists the contents of the Trailer Towing Package as the following:trailer wiring harness,heavy-duty turn signal flasher,rear stabilizer bar(front stabilizer bar standard),quad front shocks&heavy-duty rear shocks,heavy-duty battery(84 amp-hr.),and super engine cooling.That means an engine oil cooler is included.Tow ratings for 1994 model year Broncos(3.55:1 gearing):5.0L=6,600 pounds max.&351=7,000 pounds max. Horsepower&torque ratings for '94 engines:5.0L:205@4,000rpm&275 lbs./ft.@3,000rpm,5.8L:210@3,600rpm&325@2,800rpm.Hope this helps.

 

Looks like the older models are rated to pull a little more, right?