How do Bronco's do towing?
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Junior User
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From: DFW
How do Bronco's do towing?
May sound odd or even rediculous and it probably is, but thinking of retiring my 00' F250 2wd SD and getting a Bronco for work.
I do have a work trailer I tow every day, it's a 6x12 cargo, approx 5-5,500lbs. Not real sure on that.
There's a 96' Bronco locally that looks clean. Has the 351 and also a minor lift kit.
Besides getting bad gas mileage, how do the Bronco's do towing wise? We plan on moving out of the city and kind of want a 4WD and always liked the Bronco.
It's either the Bronco or a nice 92'-96' F150 4wd, but they are about double the price here. And hard to find with the 351's.
Any input, opinions, suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!
I do have a work trailer I tow every day, it's a 6x12 cargo, approx 5-5,500lbs. Not real sure on that.
There's a 96' Bronco locally that looks clean. Has the 351 and also a minor lift kit.
Besides getting bad gas mileage, how do the Bronco's do towing wise? We plan on moving out of the city and kind of want a 4WD and always liked the Bronco.
It's either the Bronco or a nice 92'-96' F150 4wd, but they are about double the price here. And hard to find with the 351's.
Any input, opinions, suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Panama City, Fl
Short wheelbases always make towing a bit more trying but the size of your trailer sounds like it should be good. Issue comes from to much tongue weight and driving to fast. I have towed some large loads with Broncos and never had issues.....but I was careful too.
Anything with a lift has a bit of a difference when towing but again, be smart about it and all will be good.
Short wheelbase pickups can have the same issues. I would get the Bronco and not worry....
Anything with a lift has a bit of a difference when towing but again, be smart about it and all will be good.
Short wheelbase pickups can have the same issues. I would get the Bronco and not worry....
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From: DFW
Another question: I know most 4wd's sag to no end when any kind of trailer is attached. Which makes towing more unstable.
Does someone make overload springs for the Bronco's or will a set of F150 overload springs fit/work?
Does someone make overload springs for the Bronco's or will a set of F150 overload springs fit/work?
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From: DFW
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
I love broncos but i think your going the wrong direction here. Towing occasionally for camping is one thing but towing daily in my opinion isnt what the bronco is good for. You would want to get the EZ lift hitch system to distribute the wait properly, get a brake controler for the bronco is a MUST.
I towed a travel trailer that weight in at 5500lbs with all of our gear and with the above mentioned stuff it was ok but still white knuckles at times also.
what size tires and lift does the bronco have? people lift and put tires under them all the time and then leave the stock gears in place which will hurt your drive train with normal driving let alone towing.
I would keep the f250 for work and the bronco for other driving needs if you must have one.
I towed a travel trailer that weight in at 5500lbs with all of our gear and with the above mentioned stuff it was ok but still white knuckles at times also.
what size tires and lift does the bronco have? people lift and put tires under them all the time and then leave the stock gears in place which will hurt your drive train with normal driving let alone towing.
I would keep the f250 for work and the bronco for other driving needs if you must have one.
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From: DFW
I appreciate the input and info. Yeah I may just do that, use the F250 for work and Bronco for running into town.
I would definitely like a 4wd, and always have liked the Bronco's and honestly haven't heard really any bad about them.
Here's a pic of the Bronco I'm interested. As far as the lift I'm not sure, here's what the owner states in the ad:
I would definitely like a 4wd, and always have liked the Bronco's and honestly haven't heard really any bad about them.
Here's a pic of the Bronco I'm interested. As far as the lift I'm not sure, here's what the owner states in the ad:
Nice 4X4 already lifted and ready to go rock climbing. Has 166k miles, has the larger 5.8L (351) engine, cold a/c, new tires and is fun to drive. Tow package.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
hardly a rock crawler.
you need to ask what size tires and if the gears have been upgraded to what???? I am running 4.88's with 35's and this was a must to tow my trailer resonably down the hwy and maintain 55mph even with the 5.8.
i ran dual AAL's for some time which increased the load capacity out back and i still had a pretty significant sag. the ez lift hitch system reduces this but for a work setup you will spend time just hooking the trailer up vs just droping on the hitch and going.
i run those tame tires and like them. they wheel good in most all conditions and do well on the pavement. mine are sipped also which helps in wet,icy,snowy conditions
you need to ask what size tires and if the gears have been upgraded to what???? I am running 4.88's with 35's and this was a must to tow my trailer resonably down the hwy and maintain 55mph even with the 5.8.
i ran dual AAL's for some time which increased the load capacity out back and i still had a pretty significant sag. the ez lift hitch system reduces this but for a work setup you will spend time just hooking the trailer up vs just droping on the hitch and going.
i run those tame tires and like them. they wheel good in most all conditions and do well on the pavement. mine are sipped also which helps in wet,icy,snowy conditions
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From: DFW
Talked with the owner, he's only owned it for 2 months so makes me wonder. Says he thinks the tires are 31's and needs brake work and alignment. And missing a few interior pieces (bezel around the a/c controls and little plastic dealio around the tow ****). Seats are ripped and dash has some cracks and holes.
He doesn't know the lift, says it was already on there when he bought it.
I'm guessing the skull door lock caps were there by the previous owner as well.
He doesn't know the extent of the work needed on brakes, which could be just pads (minor) or pads, rotors, and master (major).
Anyone know what to take off the price for this and alignment if I were to go and negotiate? He's asking $3,990 for the truck.
He doesn't know the lift, says it was already on there when he bought it.
I'm guessing the skull door lock caps were there by the previous owner as well.
He doesn't know the extent of the work needed on brakes, which could be just pads (minor) or pads, rotors, and master (major).
Anyone know what to take off the price for this and alignment if I were to go and negotiate? He's asking $3,990 for the truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
i would recommend taking it to a reputible mechanic and let them go over it for an hours worth of labor. would be worth its weight in gold.
i just spent $80 doing brakes on passenger side front. that was pads, rotor turned and thats it. i reused my bearings and did the labor myself. so i would figure $200-$400 depending on the shop.
alignments for that rig in my area range from $150-$300 depending on the shop.
i just spent $80 doing brakes on passenger side front. that was pads, rotor turned and thats it. i reused my bearings and did the labor myself. so i would figure $200-$400 depending on the shop.
alignments for that rig in my area range from $150-$300 depending on the shop.
Posting Guru
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From: Panama City, Fl
On my '93 EB, a local shop did the front pads, new rotors, and packed wheel bearings for $225.00. Alignments here are about $150 too. I would offer about $3200. You will spend a few hundred fixing the seats and dash plus the brake issue......
But......selling it after two months ownership......I might try to find out why....or see if you can contact the previous owner about the lift and see what is going on.
The mechanic check is worth it too.
But......selling it after two months ownership......I might try to find out why....or see if you can contact the previous owner about the lift and see what is going on.
The mechanic check is worth it too.
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From: DFW
He said he was selling it due to changing his mind and not wanting to put the work in it. May be an impulse buy, which I'm trying not to do. lol
He gave me the vin# so may be I can get the history of it. It looks like a pretty nice Bronco.
One here just went for $3,500 in less than a day, but it was mint inside and out with fairly low miles. I was 3rd in line, but sold about 5min. after I texted the guy. It was the 96' monocromatic all black with grey interior and all stock with new tires. The one that got away. haha
He gave me the vin# so may be I can get the history of it. It looks like a pretty nice Bronco.
One here just went for $3,500 in less than a day, but it was mint inside and out with fairly low miles. I was 3rd in line, but sold about 5min. after I texted the guy. It was the 96' monocromatic all black with grey interior and all stock with new tires. The one that got away. haha