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Old Mar 25, 2013 | 09:02 PM
  #1  
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First Vehicle?

Hello, First off I'm new here, so I hope to find a lot of good info about Ford's. I am looking into getting a 1990-1996 Bronco for my first vehicle. I live in Ohio, So I need something 4x4.. I have always loved Fords. But I didn't find it necessary to get a truck with a huge bed, but then I stumbled across the Bronco, and instantly liked it, I get the power of a truck but the size and seating of an SUV. With that being said, is there any reason that a Bronco would make a bad first vehicle. Ex: engine problems or frequent breakdowns.

Thanks,
Patrick
 
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Old Mar 26, 2013 | 08:09 AM
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Just the fact that even a 1996 is going to be 17 years old means it will need some routine maintenance to be a reliable vehicle. If you know cars and like to tinker you can make one reliable.
Safety first get a good drive train, brakes, tires, steering, and lights working. Then get all your mechanical items working like windows, heat, air. Then you can start spending money on body work and appearance.
I personally use my 88 as a daily driver. I know it will start every morning, get me to work and any where else I need to go and get me home safely.
Hope this helps.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2013 | 03:20 PM
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If deff does.. Is the 351 Windsor a good engine.. My dad and I have a shop and love working on cars.. So I think that would be good. I'm not really concerned about the year because my dad has an 89 f-150 and it runs flawlessly!
Thanks,
Patrick
 
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Old Mar 26, 2013 | 05:46 PM
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The 351=5.8 and the 302=5.0, both are good strong and reliable motors. Some will prefer one over the other but both are popular.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2013 | 09:47 PM
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I think the Bronco is a great first vehicle. If you're young, it keeps you from going too fast and getting in trouble BUT it isn't weak, it can handle the abuse a kid (I used that loosely) can give it. My brother has a bad history of beating every vehicle he drives, speeding, hitting bumps fast, just generally being mean and his 84 bronco (long gone) put up with all of it. It broke a few times but fixing it was easy since everything is big and easy to get to. It had the 351W in it and he rarely changed the oil. There was about 3 quarts of flowing oil, the rest was sludge and it still ran good enough to drive and not break down. The wiring was trashed but the thing never quit.

Basically I'm saying it's good for safety and not getting into trouble, but it's also good for learning how to fix vehicles. My own bronco is a 78 and always has an issue but hasn't let me down too much. Only time it died on the road was either loose coil wires or no gas left.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2013 | 09:49 PM
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...and 300 = 4.9. Don't miss out on the potential in the lowly 300 I6. Two fewer cubic inches and two fewer cylinders than the smallest V8 and it will out pull both the 5.0 and the 5.8. Notice I said out pull, not necessarily outrun. If you are a speed demon, it won't be what you want. If you want to haul, pull, or crawl over things, its a match made in heaven. They weren't OEM after 1992 but they will run beautifully well beyond the 200K mile mark.

If you want more details about common issues including troubleshooting and ideas about the Bronco model, check the Red Link in my signature or right here.
 
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Old Mar 27, 2013 | 10:22 AM
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X2 on that 4.9, one of the best motors out there !
 
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Old Mar 27, 2013 | 02:28 PM
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Thanks for all the input guys.. I'm glad the bronco can take a beating. I am gonna use it to go in the woods and down 4x4 required hunting trails.. But it's not gonna be a mud truck either! I want to keep it in nice mechanical shape, but I could care less how dirty it gets lol. One question I do have is can I take the top off of a 1990-1996 Bronco?
Thanks,
Patrick
 
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Old Mar 27, 2013 | 03:01 PM
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Awesome, and hells yes you can take the top off. Every bronco made has a removable top.
My 95 with no top, when I was making that cover, to cover the back.
If its never been removed there are about 15 bolts that require I think the T40 or T45 torx bit to remove. You should replace them with some new bolts if they dont have them already
 
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 07:06 PM
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300 is a good motor for torque and durability... IMO I have owned 3 broncos with a. 5.8 and they all had 150k+ on them.. Can't kill the damn thing..!!!
 
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