I have a friend who has a 92-96 body style Bronco. I think it's a 94. Anyways it has been sitting outside for the last year. Prior to that it has sat in his garage for 3 years. He drove it out of his garage and now it will not run. I feel it's a fuel pump issue. The Bronco has an older 302 (had 302 in it originally), Automatic trans, auto hubs. As far as I can tell everything is there. He has been kicking around the idea of selling it. Now I need another "project" like I need a hole in the head.

Do you guys think it would be wise to buy this for a trail only rig?? I am having my insurance company look into if I can insure it as a trail only rig. I want to be covered in case I flip it and injure someone. I see it as a cheaper alternative than to get another atv. This way the wife and I can go out together and join another buddy who has a Blazer.

I do not intend to lift this Bronco or put a crap ton of money into it. I know my way around these trucks but never thought of having a trail rig till now.

Pros and cons of doing this. Also what would be a fair price. It has your typical rust but I believe it is complete. On a side note for extra parts I have a 1980 F100 5.0L 4spd 2wd 1993 F250 5.8L auto 2wd and a spare roller block 5.0L. I feel I have some spare parts if I need them. If tranny ever went bad I would convert it to manual and the local JY has a few Broncos in it.

 

I own a 94, and if your not going to lift it i would pass. these broncos are big and you need the tire clearance to help from getting hung up, not to mention the stock suspension sucks and your ol lady wont like bouncing around.

i would do at least a 4" lift and run 35's with some fender triming. this is the route i would go if i was to do it all over again. also be aware that model the computer controls the tranny as well so the Rear diff must stay the 8.8 or upgrading to a 1 ton 10.25 so the tone ring is kept. this also talks to the tranny/computer.

keep us posted, you should probably try and pull codes as well.

 

Let's say I was to get rid of the computer controlled tranny. Convert to a manual trans, could I keep efi? I really prefer manual over auto, but I also understand the auto might be better on the trails.

Thanks for the input on lifting it. I will check into how much that would cost. Like I said I have other things to spend money on but a trail rig would be fun.

 

What types or trails are you trying to run? If there pretty easy trails I say cut the fenders put on some bigger tires and skip the lift all together "if you don't care about looks" A little skinny pedal with go along way, you just have to know when to use it. Another way you can lift it a little bit is with a body lift cheap and easy..

 

Trails I plan on going are I would call moderate. The place is called Badlands in Attica Indiana. It's the closest to where I live and I'm not a hard core trail person. Mainly because there just aren't many around.

Here is a YouTube video of kinda what the are is like. It's mainly woodsy, some mud holes and a little area to do light rock crawling. It's nothing to adventures in my mind. Just a fun day trip.

 

the bronco may be a challenge if the trails get to tight. something the body of my 94 hates me for due to following jeepers around. another thing to consider is cost to get to and from due to mpg.

you might consider a broncoII with a v6/5speed. they are very nimble in stock form and you wont spend a fortune on fuel costs. I have been throwing this idea around as well now that my bronco is up for sale locally.

 

Fuel cost to transport back and forth is no worry. I live about an hour from the trails and will be using my 7.3 idi to pull it. I imagine I'll get 13 mpg while towing it. I guess I just want something the wife and I can both enjoy. This seems like a cheap alternative. Just not sure if the Bronco is a worthy trail rig. Not even going to worry about body damage.

 

Be careful if it has been sitting for about 4 years!! Prepare yourself to spend a "crap ton" of $$$!!! I bought one that has sat for about 3 years......just read my posts! I knew I was going to have to drop some $$$ in it....it is now on jack stands in my garage waiting for a tranny! Some repairs I was prepared for....some NOT!!! The tranny...NOT!!
As far as a trail rig....4" lift and 35's at least. Down here in Florida we surely need more lift and more tires!! The TTB front end obviously has more moving parts...so there's more to wear out.
I love the Fords and the Broncos......but I would think hard about one that has been sitting like that! I only paid $600 for mine. I've put almost triple that back into it....and still counting!! Good Luck!!

 

Thanks for the advice MadMatt. Yes I figure on brakes and possibly cleaning the fuel tank. I guess if I can pick it up cheap then it maybe worth it. The wife is about 75% on board with this idea. Just I need to sell some other stuff to fund this. Well at least the initial purchase. If I do get it I will post up in here. If I don't buy it I'm going to try and persuaded him into getting it going. It's sad to see it just sitting there.

 

My Bronco has stock suspension and stock tires and I have taken it on trails with no issue, except because it is wider than the Jeeps, the paint on the sides gets scratched a lot. However, that just adds to the patina. Mine was given to me so I cannot complain, but if I were to buy one for the trail I would choose the Bronco II. Still I love my Bronco and have taken it to Pismo twice, and the desert twice.

Jim

 

I have thought about the Bronco II but can they handle any abuse? I like the full size Bronco due to the fact the junk yard has plenty of them and F150s for when it comes time to get parts. I guess I better do some more research on the little Bronco.

 

the 2.9v6 in the BII's does well, get the 5speed. they handle great, seats are more comfy stock then the full size bronco's and make great DD's.

lots of aftermarket for them and most hardware from a Ranger will transfer. simlar to f150 for a bronco.

 

Or you can go hog wild and do a solid axle swap, 9" rear, Fuel injected 351, c-6, np 205 off road bear bronco II

 

I talked to my friend this weekend. He said the Bronco probably needs a fuel filter, tank leaked at one time but he used that tank repair kit at it seems to have held up. The auto hubs should be changed out for manual hubs and it's electric shift T-case. He started out at $300 for it but decided to go $200. Said I could drag it home and check it over before I buy it if I wanted.

Now comes time to start cleaning up some stuff and try to make a little money to buy this thing. I really don't think I can go to wrong. Just I want to make sure I have the extra cash and don't strap myself to tight. Also need to find a place to store it.

Any of you guys have tips on this? I don't plan on lifting it. I feel it will do fine at stock height. I'm not going to try and tackle big rocks or deep mud holes. Just ride the trails and I'll always go with a lifted Blazer that has a winch. If I get stuck he'll get me out.

 

I was alone when I drove over a stump. Took half a day to get it loose. Another time I dropped both front tires in separate holes simultaneously and got pulled out by a bowtie after shoveling half a day.. Now I drive a Honda Pioneer Four side by side in the woods.