I'm considering one of two Broncos for purchase and would like some opinions. '87 with 302 and non-working A/C, 4 speed with granny low. Less than 100k original miles and pretty clean.

'96 xl with 302 and 5 speed and 140k or so miles. Very clean.

Both are manual windows. I intend to use it for light 4x4ing, camping, etc. I much prefer the looks of the '96, but it's also quite a bit more $s. What 4 speed was used in the '87, a NP or BW? Should be plenty stout for my needs.

Haven't had a TTB setup before, so how durable are these? What are the typical issues with these, e.g., frequent alignments, accelerated tire wear, etc?

Any other issues?

Thanks!

 

Go with the 96.
The 5 speed is the way to go.

 

How many miles a year will you drive it?

I'd prolly go with the 87 if you like to tinker... Put manual locking hubs on it. With money saved from the 96, I'd put posi in the rear and have a real go anywhere 4x4.

The TTB is very durable and will out turn other 4x4's and ride better too

 

Annual mileage will be less than 5k. How durable is the 5 speed? I'm guessing it's a light-duty tranny? I know it doesn't have a low 1st gear.

I'm a decent tinkerer and enjoy that. They both have manual locking hubs.

 

The 5 speed is the Mazda M5OD-R2. It's a light duty transmission. It has a rather decent first gear (3.9 vs. the 3.34 of the other) but it doesn't have the deep 6.69 low.
The plus is that it has overdrive and is nicer to drive around on a daily basis. The downside is that it's light duty, and they had a tendency to leak and burn up. A problem that's easily fixed, but if it wasn't dealt with, it might not be in great shape.

The 4 speed is the NP-435, T18, or T19 (probably the NP-435). Either of the three will be a cast iron heavy duty tank of a transmission with a deep low gear. The downside is that they'll have 3 regular driving gears instead of 5 (you usually won't be using the granny low in daily driving), and no overdrive.


Like brocluno said, the TTB is very durable and makes for a very comfortable ride both on and off the road. The common complaints about it are from people who want to lift their truck and use it for extreme stuff. It doesn't articulate quite as well as a straight axle.
Also, it costs more to lift and starts to have alignment and wear problems when it's not lifted correctly. Generally, you only see issues with this with big tires.

 

For mostly offroading the 4 speed will be much better suited to it gearing-wise than the 5 speed, and tougher as well. You'll be using the granny 1st much more often than the OD

 

Personally I would go with the 87,,, better trans, lower miles, more cool factor!

 

As stated the 4 speed will have a lower 1st gear for crawling off road. The '96 will be MAF vs speed density and be easier to add/change for power mods later if desired. You didn't say what type of hubs the '87 has but if manual from the factory they are a one year only misfit and very expensive to change out to the more common style if they break. The auto locking hubs from '87 use the same spindle/outer axle shaft, wheel hub that was used for years.

My '87 has had alignment issues with camber since the day I bought it but the other two TTB trucks I've owned ('89 F150, '94 Bronco) have been spot on and do not have any tire wear problems.

I slightly prefer the last body style but overall I like my '87 better. I seems more truck like to me. Mine were both 302/automatic Eddie Bauers so I'm comparing apples to apples here - the '94 seemed to have more sound deadening and weighed down/underpowered.

 

The 96 is almost a full 10 years newer, and you already stated it looks in very good condition, that would be my choice. The 5-speed is quite durable, even if on the light-duty side (we barely if never read about any issues with them here), and the transfer case will take care of your crawling needs. Having no A/C to repair/update is also a big plus, depending on your area of residence.

 

Great info! What problems is the 5 speed transmission prone to?

 

My 5 speed (M5OD-R2) case leaks and I have replaced the shifter bushings once a year or so ago but the slop has come back. I would like a lower first gear ratio but it works good enough for the street. I would suggest, if you haven't already done so, searching the 1987- '96 pickup forum for theads about it. There is a lot of information over there on problems they have had with the Mazda transmission.

 

I would go with the 96, but that is just a personal preference with looks. I haven't abused mine or taken it mudding, crawling, etc, but I have taken it off road a lot and never had any durability issues.

 

Did you buy one of the Broncos?

 

The '87 sold, but still considering the '96.