After twelve years of ownership I have sold my 1990 XLT. I couldn't get it through Colorado's tough new emissions laws; and I got to the point where I just gave up. I'm going to buy a new, or most likely a nearly new, 4WD pickup truck. I just want to say thanks to all of the people in this forum who have helped me over the years; and for those who I was able to help, that it was my pleasure to do so. I will not be getting another Bronco. I don't need more emissions problems. Besides, I'm looking at about 2003 and up. And it must have a current emissions pass form and a Carfax or I walk.

Goodbye to my Bronco, and goodbye to all of you Bronco drivers. I hope you get everything out of life that you want from it.

JBronco

 

I'm a bit curious, where in the emissions were you not able to pass? Worn out motor throwing out too much NoX or CO2?

 

Have a great life. Thanks for all your help.

 

Thank you very much. I appreciate the thoughts.

I could not get the CO2 low enough. The emissions testing in Colorado went from nothing to a highly Draconian test where they can actually make you pass or fail. When they put the trucks's wheels on the rollers, if they make sudden starts and stops it will spike the emissions and that is what they are doing. They had my truck on the rollers for 15-20 minutes every time, and I watched them slamming on the brakes and doing jackrabbit starts and I could see their monitor spiking. It's as if they get a bonus to fail you. I think the state trained them in these methods, not that they would say they are trying to make people fail, but just by training the people to do it like that. And they're rude too. It's a bad experience. The state has made it very clear that they want these vehicles off the road, and I am just one of thousands of people who have been slammed by this. I sold a cherry, rust-free Bronco with over $2,500 in wheels and stereo alone and that needed NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING, for $1,500 because it failed six times and I had to give up. Like a bad marriage where one day you just say "this ain't working" and you give up and get a divorce. I tried every trick suggested at various places and made some repairs but it simply would not pass. It's the system, not the vehicles. It's designed that way.

F*** you, Colorado.

 

I know your Bronco is gone now, but could you have gone back with new plugs, MSD box, upgraded ignition to pass the test? Or is it 6 times and it's done, forever?

 

JBronco,

Don't be a total stranger... you will miss us. Mark my words. Thanks for everything over the years.

GS92

 

I had an MSD box, it had all new tune up parts plus lots more. Yeah, six times and out. Six times of going through this nonsense is enough for me. If I didn't sell it soon, at the end of the month I'd have a big lump of metal in my driveway that wasn't going to be going anywhere except but to be parted out and then junked. It's sad that such a nice vehicle comes to this fate because of a bureaucratic
nightmare, but unfortunately that's the way that it is. You cannot fight this system. It does what it wants to do with the power of the law behind it.

Maybe the guy who bought it can get it to pass. He was a young kid with his father, and his family was all mechanics. Both were very nice people. It will be a father and son project for them. I am glad that it went to someone like that, it was cherry and all it needed was a better paint job to be practically mint. So I wish the best for them - just because I lost this one doesn't mean I'm not happy for the new owners. They got a great deal and they'll have the chance to work together. I wish the best for them.

Now I must say this to you and your 2 posts - I don't much care for your tone. In ten or so years here I've helped a countless amount of people. I've written page long replies with follow ups to explain a problem to someone and how to fix it, more than once, more than a few times, but anytime I could help. I've stood out in the cold snow to take pictures of my engine for people so they could see how this part or that part is supposed to look. I've crawled around under the truck, I've scanned and posted wiring diagrams and Ford service manual pages. I've sent parts to people for free. I've gone way out of my way to help. I do it because I enjoy helping people if I can. No other reason. Look at my feedback if you don't believe me. So I don't need to take this from someone with two posts. I may be a bit sensitive right now, or maybe your post doesn't read how you meant it; and I'm certainly not Saint JBronco. There are a lot of good people on this board who have done this. You will probably need their help some day so don't start out on a negative footing. Post again when you have close to 3,000 of them under your belt; then maybe I'll respect your opinion. When I say it wasn't ever going to pass, that means it wasn't ever going to pass and I was under pressure to remove it from the driveway before it became legally undrivable.

This is my last post on this forum, forever. So don't bother to reply with another questionable comment because I won't see it. Once again, thank you and goodbye to the good people of this forum. You know who you are and so does everyone else.

 

I really do hope you don't become a stranger, I really hoped you were able to keep the old girl home, but it seems like it went to a nice place. I wish you the best and hope to see you around, don't let a newcomer sour you and deprive others of your useful knowledge (also, i'm sure he didn't mean to bother you, his posts look rather neutral).

 

Well i don't think i knew you and i don't know if you will read this but sorry to hear the bronco is gone. Emissions can be a crew mistress. I did have a question but i will save it i spose, anyways hope you enjoy whatever truck you get and make the best of life brother.


Goodbye from both me and TGM

 

OK I lied - I am making another post!! I just wanted to let you all know that I kept it in the family - I just purchased a very clean, one owner 2004 Explorer 4X4. Carfax clean, passed emissions, etc. So I'll still be in the Ford family and consequently, around here somewhere. I'm very happy with my acquisition, it has all the toys, the 4.0 six cylinder engine, under 100k miles, 4 wheel discs etc. I crawled under the truck and it looked like a new one. So I entered the modern world! I was never a rock climber or mudder so an Explorer suits me fine for my snow and rain driving and my moderate trail use. I also like how I can easily fold the seats down and that the spare tire is stowed under the vehicle and out of the way. Perfect for my business.

To ksfords: nothing personal about your post, and I'm not the sort to hold a grudge, but if you want to make friends around here then making snide comments is not the way to do it.

JB

 

Thats good to hear man, those things are comfy for driving. Any pics for us? I know it's a bronco forum but i won't tell if you don't

BTW my question was what is the last year for emissions there? Over here in Washington is is 25 years so that would put it about 1988 as the last year.

 

Good luck with the new to you truck.

Maybe I missed something but I see nothing in the mentioned posts meant to irritate anyone.....

 

I'll post a few pics. It's bone stock, one owner. I'm not planning on doing anything to except for a new set of Michelins (I strongly prefer Michelins as they ride the smoothest) and a different stereo, it has a cd player etc. but I want one with satellite and that I can plug an iPod etc. into. Other than that - no plans.

As for the year, it's thirty years here on CO. and I had nowhere to keep the Bronco while it waited it out. Believe me if I did then I would have kept it.

 

Maybe I'm a being a bit sensitive at the moment, I did lose a lot of money on the Bronco and I did like it, but the way he said "Or is it 6 times and it's done, forever?" rubbed me the wrong way.

 

I can't blame ya, losing something like that really sucks. Anyways, sounds like you got a bangin deal on the explorer, I would have done Michelin had they had these Kevlar 35s i got But these are Goodyear tires. How does it ride on like the freeway or town streets? The few i have driven had pretty soft suspension but kind of felt like a van more or less. Seems like a road trip vehicle.