possible future bronco owner
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From: salem now then boxford
possible future bronco owner
I'm thinking of replacing my current ride for a full size bronco. It would become my daily driver. I'm wondering what i might be getting myself into? Any years i should avoid? What engine would suit me best..i like lots of power but i need to get decent gas milage(high teens) and what is best to mod because theres no way this is going to remain stock. So far heres what i'm thinking of a 1990+ with a 302 i'm hoping to find one for no more than $5,000
I'm looking for a reliable ride here so any advice would be great.
Thanks
I'm looking for a reliable ride here so any advice would be great.
Thanks
Last edited by SasquatchF-250; Mar 29, 2006 at 10:18 PM.
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From: Houston
I don't think any Bronco gets mileage in the high teens. I have a 1995 with a 302 and get 14-15 at most. I would only get a 1995 or 1996 if you are getting and E4OD transmission. I bought mine with 54,000 miles on it for $7000 off of Ebay.
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From: Gateway to the West
Check out the FAQ's at the top of the forum or in my signature. Don't let 'em scare you, they are just very common questions around here so we put 'em all together to help alleviate repeated questions and answers. The 302 and the 351 get about equal fuel mileage but 351 owners swear they get more power from them. I personally have never had a problem getting the 302 to "walk the line" as needed. I think I got 16-17 one day with a good tailwind on the highway. For fuel mileage, I'd look for a 300 myself. 1993 was the last year it was available in the Bronco. Otherwise, the Bronco is pretty much the same animal as the F-series 1/2 tons of the same years just a LOT shorter. The E4OD has a questionable service record in the early years of its production. It was intro'd in the Bronco in 1991 and underwent some major improvements in 93-94. When buying....well just read through the FAQ's.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Moscow ID
I just bought a 1992 with the 302 and the manual transmission. It has 144,400+ miles on it and I paid $3200 from a local car lot. I've got about 13-15 mpg out of it from just city driving. So far it has been a soild rig but what would you expect from Ford.
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From: salem now then boxford
this is kinda what i'm looking for ebay:4626151120
its got a 351...i'm playing around with the mileage.(i'll be moving from a 4 cyc honda to atleast a 6 or most likely an 8 cyc.) It probably has that questionable tranny though but for now i', in no position to buy. I want this to be my daily driver...with a little custom work (roll cage. soft top, dual exhaust.light..some home made stuff)
The 300 sixes...i hear lots of good things about them but would one fill my power hungry appitite? Also what year did they stop putting manuel locks on the hubs?
Thanks for the responses
its got a 351...i'm playing around with the mileage.(i'll be moving from a 4 cyc honda to atleast a 6 or most likely an 8 cyc.) It probably has that questionable tranny though but for now i', in no position to buy. I want this to be my daily driver...with a little custom work (roll cage. soft top, dual exhaust.light..some home made stuff)
The 300 sixes...i hear lots of good things about them but would one fill my power hungry appitite? Also what year did they stop putting manuel locks on the hubs?
Thanks for the responses
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
the didnt stop just some had some didnt. the 300-6 is an awesome motor and last for ever. there are some performance goodies for them as well and with the proper gearing will rock anywhere you go. plus get decent mileage and can pull a great deal as well.
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From: Gateway to the West
Find a Bronco with a 300 I6 and a manual tranny and T-case and I'll trade you mine for it sight unseen!
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From: Houston
I bought mine for $3600 off ebay. it is an 89 she had only 97,000 miles 351 c6, 410's with air lockers front and rear. 3" lift 33" tires and soft and hard top (this is how it came). I wouldn't trade her for anything. check out my gallory and tell me this isn't what your looking for.
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From: salem now then boxford
i gots me an idea
alrighty then,
as of now my daily driver..is in..ummm driveable shape and i think i can maintain it for a few more months. So heres what i'm thinkikng...why not buy a rebuilt 5.0 crate for about 2,000...mod it to deliver decent preformance and economy in mind. Then try and located a bronco late 80s -90s with a good body and drop the engine in. I'll be going all out on the body mods too....if i can create what i have in my head...it should be amazing.
also what was the last year for manuel locking hubs?
Quick question..what 5.0 can go in a bronco...any if them?
thanks
as of now my daily driver..is in..ummm driveable shape and i think i can maintain it for a few more months. So heres what i'm thinkikng...why not buy a rebuilt 5.0 crate for about 2,000...mod it to deliver decent preformance and economy in mind. Then try and located a bronco late 80s -90s with a good body and drop the engine in. I'll be going all out on the body mods too....if i can create what i have in my head...it should be amazing.
also what was the last year for manuel locking hubs?
Quick question..what 5.0 can go in a bronco...any if them?
thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
You could get manual locking hubs right up until 1996.
Personally, I would avoid the 302 in the Bronco. Yes, it's a great engine, but it doesn't have enough low end for me. We test drove a bunch of Broncos when we were shopping and the 302 didn't impress us much. We found a 1990 EB with a 351 and an E4OD ('91 wasn't the first year, Joe) in mint condition and it has been a great vehicle to us so far.
We paid about $3500 for it. It's all stock, and loaded with every option except the crappy electronic t-case and auto hubs.
As for your idea about dropping a 302 in - why? Most vehicles with worn out engines are worn out all over. Just find a good vehicle in good shape and then do what you want with it later. If you're going to spend the time and money for a new motor, drop a 460 in it.
Oh - fuel mileage. High teens? Bwahahahahahahaha!
Personally, I would avoid the 302 in the Bronco. Yes, it's a great engine, but it doesn't have enough low end for me. We test drove a bunch of Broncos when we were shopping and the 302 didn't impress us much. We found a 1990 EB with a 351 and an E4OD ('91 wasn't the first year, Joe) in mint condition and it has been a great vehicle to us so far.
We paid about $3500 for it. It's all stock, and loaded with every option except the crappy electronic t-case and auto hubs.
As for your idea about dropping a 302 in - why? Most vehicles with worn out engines are worn out all over. Just find a good vehicle in good shape and then do what you want with it later. If you're going to spend the time and money for a new motor, drop a 460 in it.
Oh - fuel mileage. High teens? Bwahahahahahahaha!
Lead Driver
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From: Gateway to the West
Originally Posted by andym
We found a 1990 EB with a 351 and an E4OD ('91 wasn't the first year, Joe) in mint condition and it has been a great vehicle to us so far.
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From: Milpitas, CA; Tyler, TX
I got a '92 with 302 and Automatic for $3800. Had 115k miles on it. I was actually impressed with the 302, as I was coming out of a '68 Mustang with a 302, and found that it pulled far better than I had been led to believe. It can conceiveably live its entire life under 2000rpm. Naturally, given that the 351 has that extra displacement and power for comparable gas mileage, I would get one of those if I did it over again. But don't let these guys talk you out of the 302, as it's a fine engine in its own right in here, and I really can't find fault with mine.
I drove it 1900 miles just 2 weeks after buying it from California to Texas. No flaws appeared whatsoever, my gas mileage was around 17.5-18, with a 15 low and 18.8 high for the trip, carrying about 1000lbs in the back. My current commute is all in town and country roads, I'm getting about 14 even. Gas mileage, EFI (hey, I'm a carb guy), and the el-cheapo (but good-looking and easy-to-use) interior aside, it's a pretty good DD.
I drove it 1900 miles just 2 weeks after buying it from California to Texas. No flaws appeared whatsoever, my gas mileage was around 17.5-18, with a 15 low and 18.8 high for the trip, carrying about 1000lbs in the back. My current commute is all in town and country roads, I'm getting about 14 even. Gas mileage, EFI (hey, I'm a carb guy), and the el-cheapo (but good-looking and easy-to-use) interior aside, it's a pretty good DD.