Hey All, I'm the new guy on the block. Just bought myself a 1990 XLT, with the 5.8. I got the beast for 2500$. She's got about 260000 miles on her but I got a list of all the recipts(sp) on the work that was done It had 2 owners thefirst was a guy who had a long drive to and from work, the secound was a kid who only had it for a few months and got something else (rich parents). Drove it home 60 miles and it runs well. Right now she's in the shop getting the A/C repaires and charged (I live in Palm Springs). Anything I should be looking out for on the 90 bronco??? The first progect will be getting the back door to open I think the cables are shot. I see some Info on this on this form but if anyone has any heads up on what goes wrong with this girl I'd be thankful. Also if anyone is in the desert area knows where is a good mech. Thanks Steve

 

First of all, welcome and congrats. on the acquisition.

Depending on what part of the country she called home, watch for cancer over the rear wheel arches and along the lower edge of the tailgate. The vinyl coating on the stop cables for the T-gate gets old, brittle and the cables rust and eventually snap. The rear window and latching mechanism in the T-gate tends to be a bone of contention for many but there are plenty of links and articles here to get you through any dilemas with those components. Watch for excessive blow-by in an engine with that many ticks on the counter. Usually manifests itself in rapid deterioration of the breather filter (under the air filter in the airbox). If you intend to actually use your 4WD (which I assume you do) make sure you use it at least once a month to keep everything lubed and moving freely and REPLACE AUTO LOCKING HUBS! You will get that advice from EVERYONE. If the hubs are automatics, toss 'em 'cause they WILL fail when you least want them to.

Ok, I think I've scared you enough...no, seriously, treat it right and the Bronco will do you proud for a long time. My '92 is the FIRST vehicle I have owned that HASN'T nickel and dimed me so badly that I couldn't do anything but try to afford to fix what went wrong. As a result, I have been able to do some mild modifications and performance upgrades and made it truly my own. Enjoy your truck and keep in touch here because chances are, if something has gone wrong with one of these trucks, one of us has dealt with it at some point in time.

 

You might have ignition module problems, but you have the first year for the good fuel system. When this site goes back online, look at these pics - they'll explain the t/g mechanism.

 

Thanks, She's got the manual hubs, cancer at the lower tailgate, and EFI. I've been reading the site and finding great info, it makes me feel more at ease with buying this rig. She was a beach baby, but now the desert is home so the rust will slow some. This is a great site I feel like I can ask dumb questions and not worry...

 

Just use the search function a few times before asking the "dumb questions".

 

You've probably already found these using the search, but here they are:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=108695
The problem of the switch not centering won't be an issue on your '90, but there's some good info in this thread.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=120066