BroncoNube here, never had a Bronco. My wife doesn't want to drive an F250 so I thought a Bronco might be good for her. I read the Infogalactic page on Broncos and see that there were many changes over the years... I read the FAQ here too.

My question is which year is the best Bronco? given that I want that manual transfer case lever on the floor but nice comfort stuff for my wife? Is this the right forum to ask in? I read that the AOD can be beefed well for about $3k. The E4OD is spendier to beef. I'd rather have the big Windsor block, but a crate motor would fix any weak motor issues. Good lift kits are still out there.

We drove a 90 today that was a steaming pile. Hoping for better finds soon.

What do you think? Which is the best year?

 

My 92 is the only one I've owned. I like it, gets up and goes pretty good with the 351.

My wife drives our 1998 K2500 Suburban. About the only option I can think of that it doesn't have is leather seats. It's a beast, a lead sled. But boy she cruises.

She doesn't like the Bronco near as much. A little squirrelly with the short wheelbase. Some may disagree. To me it's kind of like a real bronco, you fight it, it'll fight back. Relax and let it do it's thing and it seems better to me.

Mine has the auto hubs and transfer case, the only 4WD I normally drive that has had auto 4WD. A lot of people complain that they don't work in cold weather after they slobbered them full of grease. I cleaned my hubs and serviced them per the manual and they have been fine. Others may have more insight.

I like the way the long wheelbase trucks ride and drive, but this Bronco is like a sports car to me, easy to park and maneuver. Also big enough that I can get my crippled old self in and out easier. I traded a 1987 4Runner for my F250 because of that.

Just some thoughts.

Saw your post on the test drive, I bought my Bronco when gas prices were still up, 5-6 years ago, for $2000. Had around 150K on it. And a cold start problem,which was the coil. Man some people want a lot for these sometimes!

 

I just got to thinking about that steering column. A woman, shorter than men on average, is likely to yank on the steering wheel in order to get into a lifted Bronco. And we know what that does to the early steering columns...

So a 1992 or later has a big plus there.