Ok, my 99 3.0l xlt ranger engine blew up a couple days ago and after i get it fixed i'm going probably going to trade it in. I'm thinking i want to go to a v8 bronco in these years. I love the body style and the looks of the trucks/suvs from that time.

So my question is which engine do you reccomend and what years did it come in? (5.0/5.8?)
What are some main things i should look for when test driving these things? (problem areas..)
What do you guys think the insurance difference will be, less or more?
And do you think its worth going back in years if the vehicle has less miles on it
(>70,000) than my ranger?
How many miles are these trucks good for?



thanks,
paul

 

You're correct on the engines that came in them. Mine is a 96 with a 5.8, and has almost 167,000 miles on it, with nearly zero signs of age. It runs and looks like new, but the ball joints and front brake system need work. Everything else on it works great, and it does not leak or burn a drop of oil. I prefer the 96 to any of them, just because all the bugs had been worked out by then. lol The 96's are mass air and OBD II. Be prepared to buy some gas. I've gotten 11 to 14.5 mpg, depending on how much of it was highway miles. My insurance went up $120 a year, when I swapped coverage from a 65 F100, to a 96 Bronco.

 

Try going for a '96 (has MAF all over the board) with 351, or 302 if you want stick. They're fairly reliable; aside from the usual checks the few specific things you should pay attention to are: functional hub (if auto), driveline vibrations, belt squeling, tailgate rust. Since you're in FL, don't get anything older than '93 as the AC on the older ones use a different refrigerant.

 

The body style from 87-91 was the large square headlamps and grille. 92-96 had the more swept look with the trapeziodal headlamps. Most people will recommend the 5.8 but I personally have never had any incident with either of the 5.0's I've had. The mileage between the two is nearly identical however the 5.8 owners are often heard carrying on about how much more torque the 5.8 seems to have in stock form.

Rust along the bottom of the t-gate and over the rear wheels (hey its a Ford after all) is always a concern.

Watch for odd anomolies in shift pattern. The E4OD prior to 93 has a less-than-admirable service record.

Make sure the electronic 4WD shift works both in 4 HI and 4 LO and make sure it works repeatedly.

Open the airbox and check the bottom of it (under the air filter) for motor oil. If its soaked or there is evidence it has been cleaned and the breather replaced recently, be wary. 5.0's AND 5.8's that have higher mileage or have been neglected show the early signs of ring and valve seal deterioration this way.

If the tailgate glass doesn't work, don't sweat it...the answers on how to fix that problem are nearly a daily occurance in this forum.

Insurance will most probably be a bit more or about even with your Ranger's current cost since you are moving up to a full-size 4WD from what the insurance industry still considers a small truck. Again this depends on just how far back you go, mileage, etc.

As with any vehicle, how long it will last depends upon the combination of use/abuse and care/neglect it sees. Engines will see 150-175K or more before overhaul if cared for. The E4OD is slightly more touchy particularly prior to 93.

If nothing else this gives you reading material. Good luck in your search.

 

thanks for the info so far, keep it comin! lol.


-paul

 

I sure like mine a lot and I use it hard. However I am on top of maintainance using the best oils and lubes Mobile 1, Royal Purple, Mega Power grease etc. You should immediately service the Transmission and put a shift kit and large cooler on it reguardless of the year then it will be bullit proof. These tasks are no longer expensive or hard with some basic knowledge. Because your transgo shift kits come with a how to video. If you decide to take it to a transmission shop to have it done they will try to have you rebuild it because there will be some metal in the pan, "DON'T DO IT!!!" Mine had metal in the pan @ 176,000 and I did these things above and have had no problems. I now have 238,000 miles on it. These transmissions feel shot when they are new because they slip during shifts don't worry again this is typical of the E4-OD and 4R-100 transmission. Don't let that fool you this transmission is very stout and can be beefed up to easily handle over a 1000hp, I've read.
I have had a lift on mine since 1999 and huge tires with 5.14:1 gears 38.5 to 40" tires. You will occasionally need to replace sensors I have replaced like 4 they are fairly inexpensive $20. Make sure to buy a code reader approx. $35. the code reader will pay for itself 5 fold the very first time you use it. The average dealer will charge you $160+ to diagnose and replace one.
If you have any other questions post them. feel free to look at my small gallery. P.S. enjoy your new ride

 

Adamk1974- that friggin Bronco is off the hook!

CaptainP4- I have a 1991 Silver Anniversary 5.0L A4OD. It has 164,000 on it and it runs fine. The 302 is ready for a rebuild, oil in the airbox and blue smoke out the tailpipe when I first start it up, but thats expected. Just rebuilt the tranny for $1,800. and shifts great now. Unfortunatly the person who owned before me didn't take care of it mechanically, but the body and interior are in excellant shape. Once you drive one of these babys you'll wonder why you ever bought a ranger . I got mine for a song so the added repairs are not a big concern with me anyways. This way I can build it the way I want it to perform, like Adamk1974 did. Theres 2 ways you can do it, buy a really cheap Bronco that looks great but with high milage and do the re-builds yourself and have a great Bronco, or buy one with really low milage and pay the extra bucks and take really good care of it. I wish you luck in your adventure and post a pic of it, whatever you buy.

 

Depending on what you are using it for, a couple things to think about:
-The 5.8L has a lot more torque than the 5.0L, but only came with 3.55 diff.
-The 5.0L had the 4.10 diffs and front limited slip available up to 1993, although they are rare find, especially together.
-Strange, but the 5.0L in 0-60 tests were quicker than the 5.8L. (Probably because they weren't as biased toward low end torque) Of course if you are towing with it, I would go with the 5.8L *because* of the bias toward low end torque.

 

Duh, the 302 was quicker in 0-60 sprints because it has a shorter stroke but same bore as the 351. Conversely, the 351 has a better torque range because it has a longer stroke. Sorry, I knew there was a reason for that.

 

I'd recommend the '96 5.8L for all the obvious reasons, and I can't think of any reason not to. The '96 had the best the Bronco's had to offer. The OBDII makes troubleshooting pretty easy. The 5.8L motors offered the most power and the heavy duty E4AOD (same as today's R100) tranny. The '96 body's are least likely to have corrosion problems. They're pretty easy to find in stock form on the car lots or Auto Trader. Get one that's stock and hasn't been used for towing and you'll have a good truck for a long while.



Mike
'96 EB 5.8L

 

Had a '96 with a 5.8/E4OD. It was super and I shouldn't have sold it. Going to look at another one in the morning, Midnight Blue/Tan Eddie Bauer w/ 31's on can you believe it, Wagon Wheels. It's at a transmission shop with a fresh, warranteed E4OD and has 126,000 on the rest of it. Once you get one you'll never want to get rid of it (and if you do you'll keep kicking yourself). Hope this one works out, want $5,900.00 for it. $2,000.00 it to cover the complete rebuild as the former owner ran out on the bill and the shop filed a mechanic's lein for the title to recover losses. All the best with whatever Bronco you decide on.
Tex

 

I found a '95 with the 5.8 and about 80,000 miles on it. They want 5800 for it i think. As of now i'm going to get the ranger fixed and maybe get the 95 to play with, but i'm not sure right now, as i'm in high school and don't have much money to work with. Thanks for the info guys.

paul

 

Well, once you move from the Ranger to the Bronco, there will be no turning back. Looked at one today, pulled the air box cover off and looked under the filter, 'bout a 1/4" of oil with a little condensation evidence. Nope, not this one.

Tex

 

I'm just concerned about the reliability of a gas truck with that many miles on it, i'm also considering a superduty, still weighing out my options, ya know?


paul

 

I went from a 98 ranger to a 90 Bronco with the 5.0 EFI and my insurance went down about 80 bucks. Not much but it's 80 less than I was paying, of course I have made it up and more in gas money. However, I wouldn't go back. I love my Bronco even though it has had a few problems of late, nothing tthat can't be fixed though.