ok i need a little help I have a chance to get either a 84 bronco or a 87 bronco. so here is what I know about them

84 4.9l il6 has manual hubs 4speed and the 87 5.8l type m auto with auto hubs.
they both have about the same miles on them and been repainted. so is on better than the other. what do you guys think is on better than the other . please let me know what you guys. thanks

 

The 84 is going to be easy to work on with the six.
The 87 will have more power but eat more gas.
The 87 with the automatic will need more upkeep.
How many miles ??
Do you do your own work ?
I would take the 84 if it was me had a 85 with the six and loved it the truck was unbreakable.
The rust got to it or I would still have it today.
I think theres some issues with the front rotors being one piece and expensive to replace on the 87 but not sure.
If you got to have power and can fix stuff go with the 87.
If your not that handy or dont like to work on stuff or want the truck less likely to break go with the 84.

 

In general - the 84's drivetrain will most likely last about twice as long as the 87's. The I6 is bulletproof, as are most manual trannys. But it also depends on how they were maintained.

I would base my decision on the following factors -

1. Do you like automatic or manual trans. better?
2. Which one seems to have been maintained better?
3. Take them both for a ride. Which one drives better? Does one vibrate and shake and pull when braking, while the other ones drives straight and smooth?
4. Look underneath the trucks. Is one dry, while the other is coated with oil?
5. Does one have options that you want, such as AC, compared to the other?

Also - does the 87 have a manual or an electric t-case? If you buy the 87, just figure that you will be replacing the auto hubs. If they work now, they won't when you really need them. Trust me. Trust almost everyone on this board on that one. Fortunately it will cost you less than $100 to put manuals on. But the electric t-case, while somewhat more reliable than the auto hubs, is still unreliable and is more work to switch to manual then the hubs are.

As far as gas mileage, the I6 manual trans will get better mileage. But not enough to base a buying decision on. It's still going to use a lot of gas. It might get 2-3 mpg more than the V8 auto, which helps, but I still wouldn't base my decision solely on that.

 

they both have about 130,000 on them . the guy with the 84 says that the motor only has 100,000 but know paper work. from what I can tell the have been taken care of . neither of them have paper work so its just off what they say. but from looking at them they both dont have any leaks. the 87 has the manual t-case .I dont care so much about the gas (dont get me wrong better gas mil is beter) but I drive a f250 with a 5.8 l v8 now. also my friends that know about motors say the the 5.8 m is a car motor that was for the fords cars is this true. They also said the il6 is a truck motor and is the better of the two.

 

The 87 dosent have a m motor its a windsor unless someone
swaped it.
JBronco is Right about the auto hubs the will have to go.
You just have to decide whats important for you to pick the right truck.

 

well I got the 87 it was the better of the two when i was able to get drive them both and it needs very little work just its carb tuned. I do plan on getting the warn manual hubs. I think my girlfriend might get them for me for christmas. the guy keeps saying its the m motor but claims it was the stock motor. he is only the second owner. so it would have to be done by the first guy who owned it. thanks for the help