Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

OPINIONS PLEASE!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 02:13 PM
  #1  
wjeffs89's Avatar
wjeffs89
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
OPINIONS PLEASE!!!

Okay just looking for opinions. I’ve been wanting a bronco pretty bad. I have a trade in the works trading my ‘94 F-250 in pretty good shape with 150,000 miles with the 460 engine and auto trans for an ‘88 bronco that has 116,000 miles that also appears to be in excellent shape. It has the 302 V8 engine with a 5 speed manual trans. Is that a fair trade? What are y’all opinions?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 02:24 PM
  #2  
joey2fords's Avatar
joey2fords
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 8
condition is everything.
also, after having a 460 will you be ok with a 302 ?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 02:42 PM
  #3  
wjeffs89's Avatar
wjeffs89
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I guess that would be a question I would have for you who have driven both. I have not driven a Ford with the 302. I understand it’s substantially less power but not as big of a gas guzzler so weighing options. Is the 302 a dud to drive?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 02:50 PM
  #4  
marksman76's Avatar
marksman76
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 84
From: San Diego
Due to all issues with M5OD shifting, firewall flex, clutch safety switch, I would pass on a manual.
Trust me I have experienced it for the past year.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 03:16 PM
  #5  
Flamin5.0's Avatar
Flamin5.0
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by marksman76
Due to all issues with M5OD shifting, firewall flex, clutch safety switch, I would pass on a manual.
Trust me I have experienced it for the past year.
My m50d doesn't give me any issues with shifting and never grinds but you can fix the firewall flex by reinforcing it. I don't know about the clutch safety switch giving issues, it may just be the brick nose fords only.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 03:29 PM
  #6  
sloopdog1's Avatar
sloopdog1
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 397
Likes: 2
Keep what you have, with it you are sure of what it is.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 03:30 PM
  #7  
EllieMae94's Avatar
EllieMae94
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 854
Likes: 39
From: Mid Missouri
I’d stick with the F250 you currently have over the Bronco w/ 302. It’s a dog, and mileage will only be slightly better (they’re both bad honestly).

What are some of the other factors. Do you tow much? Do you have more use for the bed or would you utilize the enclosed cargo area more?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
wjeffs89's Avatar
wjeffs89
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by EllieMae94
I’d stick with the F250 you currently have over the Bronco w/ 302. It’s a dog, and mileage will only be slightly better (they’re both bad honestly).

What are some of the other factors. Do you tow much? Do you have more use for the bed or would you utilize the enclosed cargo area more?
I don’t really need a large truck. I kinda want a vehicle that is easier to take to the mountains and get around the back roads, camp with, go fishing, hiking, etc
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 03:52 PM
  #9  
EllieMae94's Avatar
EllieMae94
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 854
Likes: 39
From: Mid Missouri
With that said, then I think you might be happier with the Bronco. One with a 351 is more preferable. You could roll with the 302 and see how you like it. If you end up loving that vehicle, but want a bit more pep, you can always swap a 351 in, It’a a very easy swap.

I hate to go too far off topic, but when I lived in Colorado and went to the mountains a lot for camping/fishing whatnot, I had a ‘97 4Runner, 5 speed and loved it! Just a thought of course.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 04:08 PM
  #10  
wjeffs89's Avatar
wjeffs89
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by EllieMae94
With that said, then I think you might be happier with the Bronco. One with a 351 is more preferable. You could roll with the 302 and see how you like it. If you end up loving that vehicle, but want a bit more pep, you can always swap a 351 in, It’a a very easy swap.

I hate to go too far off topic, but when I lived in Colorado and went to the mountains a lot for camping/fishing whatnot, I had a ‘97 4Runner, 5 speed and loved it! Just a thought of course.
That’s really excellent input. I’ve also read that you can do a lot to the 302 to beef it up, get more power out of it. I will see how it feels when I go drive it tomorrow. That’s awesome about when you were in Colorado. Nothing more exciting than a quiet weekend in the mountains.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 04:09 PM
  #11  
wjeffs89's Avatar
wjeffs89
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by marksman76
Due to all issues with M5OD shifting, firewall flex, clutch safety switch, I would pass on a manual.
Trust me I have experienced it for the past year.
Is the shifting a problem in this transmission?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 04:20 PM
  #12  
EllieMae94's Avatar
EllieMae94
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 854
Likes: 39
From: Mid Missouri
That’s true what you said about building up the 302. But keep in mind, short of stroking it, all the extra power will be in the high end of the RPM range, which you rarely use for a daily driver. One thing you could do is install lower gears. That helped a lot with my 302, but I still didn’t achieve the desired results until I swapped in the 351. The 351 creates in power and torque in lower RPM’s. As an added benefit, I didn’t get a decrease in fuel consumption with the larger engine. It doesn’t have to work as hard as the 302. These are heavy vehicles...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 04:27 PM
  #13  
wjeffs89's Avatar
wjeffs89
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by EllieMae94
That’s true what you said about building up the 302. But keep in mind, short of stroking it, all the extra power will be in the high end of the RPM range, which you rarely use for a daily driver. One thing you could do is install lower gears. That helped a lot with my 302, but I still didn’t achieve the desired results until I swapped in the 351. The 351 creates in power and torque in lower RPM’s. As an added benefit, I didn’t get a decrease in fuel consumption with the larger engine. It doesn’t have to work as hard as the 302. These are heavy vehicles...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Awesome input. Thanks a million!
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 05:09 PM
  #14  
marksman76's Avatar
marksman76
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 84
From: San Diego
The shifting issues are related to firewall flex, stroke of clutch linkage, when pressing down on pedal, heim joint area.
Look up Heim joint repair on this site.
spelling
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 08:00 PM
  #15  
torq'ta 5 8's Avatar
torq'ta 5 8
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,070
Likes: 863
From: N.W. Alabama
keep 250 put camper shell or snug top on it
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:22 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE