What year Bronco/model/engine would you get for a DD. Gives decent gas mileage, 4X4, cruise, power windows/mirrors, auto, etc.
My needs: Mostly DD but will take it to the mountains (Rocky) in dirt, mud, snow, rocks. I will tow a 2 machine atv trailer (with elk/deer/lopes hopefully). I like comforts like cruise, auto tranny, power windows/mirrors/etc.

 

I'd get a 92-96 XLT for the electric goodies, and because it's my favorite grille. I'd get a 4.9 Six with a 5 speed for torque and MPG.

 

Well best year for bronco and best daily driver bronco are very different questions. Best years for broncos were hands down 1st gens. Best years full size all around I would be inclined to say 4th generations (87-91) but for sure anything but the 92-96s. But best daily driver? yep any 5th gen with the 351 and AOD transmissions (I hear they actually get better mileage than the smaller engines). But if you ever plan on doing anything more extreme than just driving I would warn against that generation.

 

This is a risky question, a lot of people have vastly different opinions. For instance, I personally think the 1978-9 era bronco's were and always will be the best BUT, someone with a 96 may say otherwise. In terms of Fuel efficiency, they are all not very good... Last recorded, my 351M with a poor tune, big tires, bad gears, and an intake leak was getting 4mpg highway... If you happen to find a bronco with a ZF5 5 speed manual paired to a 300 I6 motor, you could get some MPG's out of that. Plus the torque those little guys have are pretty nice. The 5.0 motors are ok I suppose, I'm not sure on the MPG's though. You could get crazy and put a diesel motor in it. I'm not a fan of them but others are.

My DD is currently an 87 Mustang but my 78 bronco gets to see a little road time here and there.

 

Yeah personally I'm with you GJ, my favorite full size are the 78-79s which is why I bought mine (Not the other way around like some people) But as an all around vehicle I think the 4th gens are best because of the TTB, Fuel injection, and various improvements on long running problems. But like you said opinions vary wildly and that's just mine.
Hmmm I think I need a different picture mine looks too much like yours GJ... I guess that angle just makes our trucks look good XP

 

My '95 stock gets about 18-19 MPG highway with a fresh tune and new fluids. Around town I don't pay attention

 

My 96 gets 8-10 around town (For reasons unknown ... ) Highway I get about 15-18, but I only do 55-60mph. Like most guys are saying I agree that the 78/79 are one the best for playing in the mud, 1st gen is probably the best for trail riding since they are so small the turning radius is amazing. But for a DD I'd go with what everyone is saying and probably a 300 with a ZF-5 trans, they get great economy (buddies cousin gets like high 20s on the highway) and it's got enough torque to rip down a house.

 

Well, I've had a '74 Bronco, a '78 Bronco, and still have a '96 Bronco!

1974 - 4 barrel carb on top of the V8, headers and dual exhaust, 4:11 gears, automatic transmission, and a really nice green paint job. This truck was a living joy to drive and play with. Best friend wrecked it bad, fortunately he was hurt (although I did want to kill him at first).

1978 - another great paint job on a real truck. Had the 400 motor and just couldn't pass a gas pump. Thought I didn't need it, posted it for one day and the man wrote the check when I told him what I wanted for it! I KNEW I had made a huge mistake when I saw the tail lights going out of the driveway.

1996 - Saw it on the dealer's lot on the way home from work one day. Decided I would take a look at it, but had no intention of buying. It is the 372nd unit for the year (assembled 7/1995) and is the Eddie Bauer edition. Has the 5.8L engine, E4OD transmission, and every option except the directional mirrors. Love to drive this truck and not scared to "turn left" at any time. It has 262,000+ miles on the original motor with only minor problems (water system pinhole leak and a very aggravating vacuum leak in the EGR system). This time I may have the engine rebuilt (.010 over) before painting.

BTW - I REALLY got sucked in on the "2016 Bronco" April Fool's joke yesterday. Hell, I was already visualizing driving down the road in a six cylinder diesel!

 

We all did Richard.. we all did..

 

My opinion probably the 92-96 Bronc's. By the sounds of it you need an Eddie Bauer edition (Fully Loaded). That's what I have in a 95'. I will honestly say one of my favorite features is the electronic dimming rear view mirror. I've got the 5.8l with about 125k miles. Before I did the lift and oversized tires (on stock 3.55 gears) I gout about 14 mpg. With lift and tires I get 10 with the lead foot. Otherwise about 11 - 12.

 

I absolutely love my 96.

All the latest and greatest tech but still is a Bronco. That I get nearly 18 mpg at it's best helps a lot!

 

As nice as EFI is, for a simple minded person such as myself, it's too complicated. My 87 Mustang GT has EFI and runs with a Speed Density setup. Very basic from my knowledge and I know nothing about it. Yet, I know why my 78 runs bad, how to fix it, and I know what's stopping me. I'm lazy . I don't like pulling intakes and resealing them

I can't see mine on this app but IIRC it's from the passenger corner, that was in the ditch on the side of my house. I decided to see baby flex for me.

 

I have no idea what you're talking about, computer stuff is very simple. You simply get a tuner, get the programs on your lap top, pass it to you tech savvy friend and relax while he breaks it for you.

 

I don't have a laptop :P, I'm already behind a step.

 

Well, my "soccer mom's truck" has been to a lot of difficult off-roading places, all while being more comfortable and reliable than any 78-79 will ever be (and while having the "car" 302 engine and "unreliable" E4OD trans). I haven't been once left in a trail stuck by a failure. So basically what I'm saying is that your comment is just BS and nothing else, get your facts straight before posting these kind of comments. And btw, it doesn't take much money to make these trucks hardcore offroaders.