4-Wheel ABS Years
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4-Wheel ABS Years
Hey Guys-
I was thinking about picking up a new Bronco. I was wondering what years had 4-wheel ABS? Was it the 92-96 or 94-96 Broncos?
You guys with 4-wheel ABS how well does it work on snow/ice?
I was thinking about picking up a new Bronco. I was wondering what years had 4-wheel ABS? Was it the 92-96 or 94-96 Broncos?
You guys with 4-wheel ABS how well does it work on snow/ice?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
well, my 94 has it, i think 93 or 94 were first years. Having just had our first snow storm this year in jersey, the ABS SUCKS!!! as soon as it got at all slipper the peddle jammed back at me and the truck just did what it wanted. in the rain/andyhitng else i have had no issues with it, but i didnt not like it in the icy snow cause i just slid anyway, and iw asnt in control as much, the truck could do what it wanted. next snow i'll prolly go pull the fuse so it doesnt work. its easy enough to put a toggle switch to the fuse and u can shut it off when wheeling/in snow. I wouldnt let that alone discourage you from the newer broncos if thats what you want.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Dallas
Ford Dealer wanted 1200.00!!
I would take it to a side shop were the quality is just as high and half as expensive. I work at a dealership and unless what I am having repaired is still under warranty I take it somewhere else despite my employee discount.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Missoula, Montana
My 94 has it.
It works great.
I live in Montana, we get ALOT of snow & ice here.
Personally, I like it. But this is my third big Bronco, my 83 and 87 did not have it. If you know what you are doing, either ABS or non ABS will stop the same. The key is driving skill plus good tires.
Note to the guy whose Bronco slid with ABS: you were driving too fast for conditions. Even ABS cannot correct for that.
It is important to note that accident rates for ABS and non-ABS vehicles are virtually the same. Speed relative to road conditions is the determining factor. Ice is ice, and if you are going too fast, you are going to wreck.
Many people forget the importance of tires in winter. I normally run BFG A/T's, which are less than ideal for packed snow and ice. I also have a set of Michelin Artic Alpin tires. The difference is nothing short of incredible. After speed, having the correct tire for the conditions is the number two factor. Unfortunately, tires usually end up being a compromise between several different conditions.
It works great.
I live in Montana, we get ALOT of snow & ice here.
Personally, I like it. But this is my third big Bronco, my 83 and 87 did not have it. If you know what you are doing, either ABS or non ABS will stop the same. The key is driving skill plus good tires.
Note to the guy whose Bronco slid with ABS: you were driving too fast for conditions. Even ABS cannot correct for that.
It is important to note that accident rates for ABS and non-ABS vehicles are virtually the same. Speed relative to road conditions is the determining factor. Ice is ice, and if you are going too fast, you are going to wreck.
Many people forget the importance of tires in winter. I normally run BFG A/T's, which are less than ideal for packed snow and ice. I also have a set of Michelin Artic Alpin tires. The difference is nothing short of incredible. After speed, having the correct tire for the conditions is the number two factor. Unfortunately, tires usually end up being a compromise between several different conditions.
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Thanks guys-
Seems like some mixed reviews about the ABS. It isn't something that I need, but wouldn't mind having. My '90 isn't so great on the hard packed snow and ice, so I just drive slower
I think the 32X11.50's are not helping the cause either..... but I am too cheap to buy a set of snow tires.
Seems like some mixed reviews about the ABS. It isn't something that I need, but wouldn't mind having. My '90 isn't so great on the hard packed snow and ice, so I just drive slower
I think the 32X11.50's are not helping the cause either..... but I am too cheap to buy a set of snow tires.
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From: Missoula, Montana
Originally posted by christop43
Thanks guys-
My '90 isn't so great on the hard packed snow and ice, so I just drive slower I think the 32X11.50's are not helping the cause either..... .
Thanks guys-
My '90 isn't so great on the hard packed snow and ice, so I just drive slower
I think the 32X11.50's are not helping the cause either..... .
First: "so I just drive slower": Having ABS will not enable you to drive any faster. A very common misconception about ABS is the belief that it enables you to drive faster in slick conditions. It does not.
Second: "32x11.50's are not helping": Good observation. Like you, I run flotation-size tires on my Bronco. Plus the A/T tread pattern is less than ideal. But it is a choice I make, and I adjust my driving accordingly.
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From: New Jersey
I have a quick ABS question too, for my 1991. I'm in Jersey too, I dont' have to much of a problem in snow. I think this might be my ABS working or maybe not working, I don't know for sure. I don't drive to fast in the snow, but if i hit my brakes a little to hard I feel like a jerk, it almost feels and sounds like I neutral dropped it. it makes a thud sound and it slides forward a little like the brakes locked up. If I am slow with the brakes i don't get that jerk. it seemed to only do it two when the snow was fresh the next day going over it it wouldn't do it, and it never does it anyother time.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SE Michigan
take on a gravel road or grassy area. jam on brakes and keep foot on pedal hard. if you feel feedback in your foot, your abs is working. you'll probably 'hear' the motor cycling the abs valves too.
is your abs lamp on solid? (if so, then NO abs) does it initialize on key-on, then go off? (if so, then abs)
there are many unfortunate misconceptions for abs. one fact is that it can actually require longer stopping distance, but vehicle can STEER thru the braking event. that's what abs is all about, control!!)
is your abs lamp on solid? (if so, then NO abs) does it initialize on key-on, then go off? (if so, then abs)
there are many unfortunate misconceptions for abs. one fact is that it can actually require longer stopping distance, but vehicle can STEER thru the braking event. that's what abs is all about, control!!
)
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From: SE Michigan
NH, can u imagine if u didn't have ABS on that downhill w/ snow and ice??? abs is great.
RV, i'm not positive about the 'older' units, (but would tend to think it to be the same), i think the 'tool' to which you refer is the electronic thing that they use the 'cycle' the valves during the initial bleed of system after install of new HCU -- well, what you could do is the following:
1. R&R the HCU.
2. perform a 'standard' bleed procedure (just like non-abs car), like when we were kids in the driveway.
3. take car out and perform a few abs stops/events (take to gravel/grass, run the pump, cycle valves, etc..,.) -- [this essentially will push 'any' trapped air behind valves DOWNSTREAM into the brake system].
4. re-perform another standard bleed procedure.
good luck.
RV, i'm not positive about the 'older' units, (but would tend to think it to be the same), i think the 'tool' to which you refer is the electronic thing that they use the 'cycle' the valves during the initial bleed of system after install of new HCU -- well, what you could do is the following:
1. R&R the HCU.
2. perform a 'standard' bleed procedure (just like non-abs car), like when we were kids in the driveway.
3. take car out and perform a few abs stops/events (take to gravel/grass, run the pump, cycle valves, etc..,.) -- [this essentially will push 'any' trapped air behind valves DOWNSTREAM into the brake system].
4. re-perform another standard bleed procedure.
good luck.
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Montana Bronco
I agree with you, actually in my opinion you can stop faster than ABS equipped vehicles using "threshold braking". At the same time though it is nice being able to steer in case you brake hard as dinebito pointed out. I must say that the front braking action in my Bronco is poor at best, the front tires lock up way to easily. I am still trying to chase down the problem.... lets just say that I have owned my Bronco for seven years and haven’t had to replace the rear brakes, while the fronts have been replaced three/four (can't remember) times.
I agree with you, actually in my opinion you can stop faster than ABS equipped vehicles using "threshold braking". At the same time though it is nice being able to steer in case you brake hard as dinebito pointed out. I must say that the front braking action in my Bronco is poor at best, the front tires lock up way to easily. I am still trying to chase down the problem.... lets just say that I have owned my Bronco for seven years and haven’t had to replace the rear brakes, while the fronts have been replaced three/four (can't remember) times.
Last edited by christop43; Dec 13, 2003 at 02:11 AM.