My father recently gave me his 1983 4x4 4.9l. and along with it a nice hefty fuel bill :P. I am amazed at this Bronco, It has 491k miles on the frame and about 380 on the engine. Yet it looks like its only a year or 2 old.. Frame is still solid, I need to replace the fueltank skid guard, and a portion of the floorboard near the drivers door needs to be patched. The engine doesn't sound like it has anything wrong with it(well after i whack the carb a few times and it warms up a bit) it doesn't burn oil.


I have one question to begin with, The engine that was swapped in was originally EFI but they dropped a crap no-name carb onto it. It runs ok, but the carb is giving me a lot of problems(I had to explain to the nice officer exactly why my bronco was spewing flames from its tailpipe while driving down main st.)
I dont feel like trying to rebuild this PoS so I am looking for a replacement.
Is it worth trying to get an EFI system, or should I just look into a better carb?

I know a a bit about cars, enough that I can Change oil, spark plugs, wires, ect but i dont know how to spot this type of engine or that type of tranny.

On the sticker it says the trans code is E or B (its a 3speed with an overdrive) and axle code is 18, thats about all I can make out,the rest is faded to much to read.

So do you guys think i got a lemon, or does this bronco still have some life in it?

 

Other problems include a leaking rear end, tranny and Transfercase.
Needs a new tailgate, (inside is totally rusted out)
Could use some seat covers. The dashboard needs replaced as well(giant hole in it)
Tires are probably good for another 20k.
I think the biggest thing i need to do is get under it and scrape all the road grime and old undercoating off, sand it down a bit then reapply a fresh coat.

The skid plate on the fuel tank needs replaced(we managed to whack it good on a rock and its rusting out on one side)

Frame looks to be solid, body has a few rust holes on the underside not big and mostly where water drains down.

One more thing, how can you tell a dealer installed AC from a factory installed AC?

 

Welcome to the forum, Jasper. The first question I would ask myself is "What do I want from this truck?" If you want a vehicle that looks new and gets great mileage without investing much then the truck you describe is probably not for you (it sounds like it would take some $$$ to get it to looking great). If you are willing to put some time and money in it, then you could turn it into a real head-turner. Or, if you just want something to play with, then it sounds like your off to a great start. Will it be your primary vehicle? Also, going with a better carb would probably be your best option, as EFI conversion is quite costly (but worth it if you have the money). Getting a fresh carb that is right for the truck would make all the difference. The 4.9's have a good deal of power (especially torque) to be a six banger. Bronco's are great vehicles that have personality, you just have to decide if it matches you! Let us know what your plans are!

 

Did you read the decal on the driver's side door jamb, or have you checked the VIN on the dash up against the windshield?

 

just the decal

 

Sometimes the VIN emboss on the dash is so close to the bottom of the windshield, you have to get it by taking a rubbing with a sheet of thin paper and a lead pencil.

 

Uploaded some stuff to my gallery...

 

ok, stick with carb efi is complicated but can be done. Get rid of those running boards, you take it off road once and they will get damaged quick. that ac looks factory. check out www.cliffordperformance.com they have tons of goodies for your 300-6 i would start there. might even look to the junkyard for a new motor with less miles. you said it runs good but that was being driven by your father not you. but definatlly start with the motor and running gear. get those leaks stoped soon. do these things and your set , the body stuff will come as time goes on. but if it aint running well then your not going anywhere . get a haynes manual , great book that will help alot. now is that tranny manual or auto??

 

Well if you had the experience I would tell you to just rebuild the engine, 380k is guite some time on an engine. Atleast then it would run 100% again. Then you can start installing performance goodies and not have to worry about the motor taking a DUMP on you

First thing i would do is going to a carwash and clean everything, engine...underneath.....everything mechanical...then you know what is leaking and what needs to be repaired. With 380k on the engine, im sure it has just a FEW oil leaks

And just like Daddydcs asked, what is it that you want this truck to do for you? You want it to just get you to work, want it to turn heads, want it to roast 35" rubbers, want it to just break down on you in the boonies? (of course not)

But Its obvious the body needs some goooooooood TLC to turn my head JK

 

Oh... its not the engine itself thats leaking, its coming from the tranny, The gasket between the tranny and the Transfer case is almost totally gone. The rear pumpkin ball was leaking badly but that was taken care off.

Its a manual 3spd with OD. (transmission is original) The air conditioner doesnt work. Period. Never has. Never will since I will not plunk down 700 bucks to get it working. Dont really need it with floor vents and vent windows :P

Actually I found out the mechanic had taken a look at the engine internals about a year ago(only about 3000 miles ago) he said there was very little wear.

Something to be said about only using pennsoil or quaker state, STP and using Exxon gas whenever posible. Allmost all of these miles are highway miles
staying at one constant speed, No real abuse on this engine other than running it for so long

I'm looking to go slogging through snow during the winter for the most part.(fyi it gets totally rinsed off once a day, totally washed every 4 days in the winter Undercarrige and all in the winter) Not planning on doing much off roading persay, Although it has to stand up to some badly maintained back fire access trails.

IMO I think this bronco looks pretty good for how old it is and how many miles it has.

 

i would then find a motor that you can start pieceing together on stand by. Because you never know. and if it died in winter time you would be sol.

good luck

 

Well I have access to other 4wd vehicles so at most it would be a bit inconvenient. Like i said i think the engine is still in very good condition 90% of those miles are highway and pretty much constant RPM.