Capt,
I have 238,000 miles on my F250. My Bronco had 152,000 when I sold it. Read through the forum, maintenance is the crucial factor in longevity and self performed maintenance is a key to cost reduction. The Bronco platform is a very utilitarian unit; it can be a pickup with the shell off; or it can very comfortable accomidate 5 people and gear. It has a 37' truning radius which even some of the smaller trucks cannot match, stock with the right tires and a competant driver it will go places that other stock trucks will not. Visability is exceptional. Owner loyalty on the scale it achieved makes you scratch your head as to why in the world Ford ever stopped making it. Going back to '66 with the original style and updated in '78 to the Big Bronco we know and love it was the first SUV by any account. Gas will cost more, you get what you pay for. Insurance is on a scale with your record and age, can't say what it'll cost you. If, in my business and personal needs I had to accept one vehicle to drive, it would be a '92 to '96 Bronco, preferrably '96. I see the one I sold at least three times a week and she is still in immaculate shape. A builder who could be driving pretty much anything bought her and stays with her. Admittedly the Eddie Bauer was the top of the line in amenities and comfort, it still had the heart. Choose the vehicle which most suits your needs and is still a pleasure to turn the key on. Reliability will be baselined on the kind of maintenance and harshness of use the vehicle received prior to your ownership and the effort you make to improve even a gold standard of maintenance. Make a list of specifics to check prior to selecting your next vehicle, check every item carefully and don't compromise. I have been looking on and off for another Bronco for 1 1/2 years and know exactly what I want. When I find it I will keep it just like my F250. Good luck and good hunting.

Tex

 

Well i was also told my ranger would last 250,000+ and well.. its dead. Thanks for all the info, i'll let you know what happens when i finally decide what to do.


-paul

 

Okay, I'll bite, who told you a Ranger was good for a quarter million miles? I happen to like the little trucks and we have one on the farm, a 1996 stepside SWB with an injected 2.3l 5 speed in it. At times it's a hoot to drive and quite frankly it's a speedy little thing. Longevity is what you make it. You can blow an F350 with the right type of abuse and neglect. If I were in the inner city it would be a good choice and still have some utility availability. You can park them anywhere! I hope you'll take all factors of your particular need into consideration when you choose your next truck, it's got to suit you and no one else.
Tex

 

Well, maybe i exagerated a little bit, but if you go and look over on the 'how many miles does your ranger have?' in the ranger and b series forum you'll see many have quite a bit over 100,000. I've only had one oil change in my truck, as i only had it for about 5000 of the 70somethin on it, i think the problem was the previous owners of my truck as it was a fleet truck and then in new york for 2 years before it finally made it to me so i'm sure it wasn't taken care of very well. Its the 3.0l ext cab with the stepside, i think its a nice looking truck, just lacking on power. I realise longevity is directly related to the maintanence and care you take with it. Anyway, i'll stop rambling now.

paul

 

Jerk that motor out and drop ya a 302 with a C4 and make a scream demon out of it. I see guys all the time on web sites talkin about puttin V8 in those little trucks, hell 1 guy dropped a 351C in it.

 

haha, i wish. I'm not that mechanically inclined. Well, i could probably do it, i just don't have the proper tools and such.

 

Paul,
You haven't rambled, you answered your question logically. I'm betting it was pretty much ragged on before you got it. I have seen some really nice looking Rangers, well maintained and very able. Go to the Dairy Queen any Saturday night in Cleveland, Georgia and you can see the kids out with their 4x4's. One young man made his Ranger (extended cab w/step side short bed) a shop project and it has a 289 out of an old Mustang shoe horned in with tube axle front from some kind of older 4x4. It's lifted about 6" which puts it about an inch or two shorter than my F250HD and he is running 31" tires (not too much, not too little). He is meticulous about the truck and I have seen him driving by on trails too narrow for my truck while pursuing trout. He has duals with the Cherry Bomb Oval turbo mufflers, it sounds really sweet. he has pulled out way too many Jeeps, Blazers, and Jap stuff to mention. Enjoy what is left of the weekend.
Tex