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John - Yes, I like the 9" as opposed to the 8.8, especially if we build an engine. But, it looks like from 1983 on you could get either.
As for the roof rack, good point. Thanks!
before I bought my present van for this summer's camping, I had made plans for a roof-top tent, and 270 degree awning. all of which would work fine with a thule rack system...
If overlanding is the goal (where you carry everything with you all the time so you can camp wherever the mood strikes you) a receiver rack won't work. They will have to take it off before driving any trails. But it is a good option if they'll have a base camp to leave it at whenever they're hitting a trail.
Another thought I had that you might not like so much, being the carb guru that you are. But when driving from low elevation (like St. Louis?) to high elevation (like 14,000' plus on some Colorado trails) EFI is your friend. I've done most of that kind of thing with a carb, and it can be done. But it can be really hard to get a carbed engine started above 12,000 feet if you don't rejet it, and it's not great driving a rejetted carb across the plains either, so I ended up rejetting the carb in camp at each end of the trip. EFI just works.
All steel, short front end, and short tailend. All weight is between the axles. The roof is steel and ladders are mounted to access a roof rack. Gas and diesel models.
I have seen a few with lifts and tires. They look really functional.
You can mount a generator and add a fridge and stove.
I have had a Bronco for years, use it as a daily driver to work and any where else I want to go. Camped in them. Never been stuck. Will probably always have one.
Finding a good one is getting harder since so many people modify them for extreme off road.
People tell me all the time "I use to have one, wish I had never sold it".
Good Luck
1988 Bronco Xlt 5.0EFI auto trans, elec 4wd with manual hubs
People tell me all the time "I use to have one, wish I had never sold it".
Good Luck
1988 Bronco Xlt 5.0EFI auto trans, elec 4wd with manual hubs
A good friend of mine had a Bronco of the same body style as this nice 88 of OldGrayMare, and it performed very nicely on logging roads and trails. It was comfy inside, felt just right in size, and had good visibility too. But I do recall as others have pointed out, there wasn't much storage room back there behind the rear bench seat.
I'll be that guy...
I would go with a 90's 80 series, it's essentially Toyotas 1 ton, full floating rear and all, they can be had with factory selectable lockers in both ends, and the power issue is solved by finding one that someone already put the Toyota supercharger on.
I'm a Ford guy for the most part, but for overlanding the closer to stock you stay the better, and the Yota is a good package.
Kyle - Hadn't thought about a van. Did they come 4x4 or were they converted? Hmmm.
They are built. Search "pathfinder, quigley and or quadravan". In a van you get choices..length and also a raised top...for comfort the ultimate land-rover for the Ford enthusiast. AND, you get to choose your drive-train of choice. and very cheaply.
I mentioned it briefly before, but another way to add to the storage capacity is an appropriate trailer. The catch is that the trailer needs to be capable of going over all of the trails you intend to drive the Bronco. There are companies making trailers like this, but I built my own a couple decades ago and used it on one overlanding trip (with my wife and our 2 year old son, in a Jeep CJ5, from Minnesota to Colorado, camping in CO for about a week).
The trailer worked really well. I designed it so I could jack-knife it past 90 degrees without hitting anything. It has 30" tires, more ground clearance than the Jeep, and every part on it can take a hit. I used a pintle hitch for more strength and articulation than a ball, but a ball wouldn't be terrible either.
I only made the one trip like that, but it wasn't due to any problem with the trailer. We just decided that we didn't want to drive a CJ5 2000 miles ever again, and wanted a better camper at a base camp instead of overlanding. Although you can put a "car top" tent on top of a trailer and get at least part of the way there.
Gary I am not sure. The two I see look like older 90's style e250's.
One in particular has 33 inch bfg all terrains with a small lift. It has flat black paint with tinted windows. The rack runs the entire roof with light bars all around.
The bumpers are aftermarket diamond plated.
It is quite intimidating and very streetable. I used to see it at home depot quite a bit, but not now since I started my new job.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
