Sorry to hear about your bad Ford experiences. Everything I've replaced so far has just simply worn out - no lemons here.

Boy, if I had your money, I'd burn mine.

 

I have finally gave up also. I bought this thing with the intention of replacing the motor and possibly the trans. I had 2000.00 set aside after the purchase price of 4000.00. I then replaced upper and lower ball joints, front axle u-joints, all 6 shocks, gas tank, fuel pump and sending unit, radiator, all hoses and belt, rear driveshaft and rear u-joints, tires and had the front auto hubs rebuilt. Needless to say my 2000.00 engine money is gone and I am still left with a truck that is very pretty to look at but still leaks coolant from the overflow tank, drives all over the road, (common response is they all do that) has an exhaust leak at the rear A.I.R tube, has developed a leak at the left front axle seal, has 149000 miles on her and now the oil pressure is dropping below the N in normal. So instead of spending 2000.00 to repower and then have the tranny fail so I can spend another 2000.00, 800.00 or so to have the front axle seal changed, not to mention any speed above 75 mph and she shakes like a wet dog, so I went out and bought a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I am selling this piece of crap to the first poor clown that comes along. I have owned 3 5.0 Mustangs that were bullet proof but this Bronco stuff is for the birds.

 

My opinion about vehicles is unless you buy it new don't complain. There are lemons out there, but people sell used vehicles for a reason. I bought my 90 Bronco used and it turned out to be a VERY reliable truck, but that is "somewhat" of the luck of the draw.

 

"Boy, if I had your money, I'd burn mine. "


What money? I bought a 1995 F150XL new for $12,600. The only option was A/C. I took perfect care of it but got tired of problems with it, and traded it in on a new 1999 Dodge Ram SL (no power windows, locks, etc. like an XL). But it looked real nice. Then a kid in a stolen care smashed into it. It was repaired but I didn't want it anymore, and leased a Chevy for 2 years and got out.

So now I am trying to avoid car payments with the Bronco, it was ok for a while but it's costing me more than car payments lately. However once the warm weather comes, I mostly ride the Harley and then the lack of car payments is a good thing. I can't afford the Harley payment and a car payment, and I'd rather have the Harley. I may end up like this guy I work with, he only gets old Dodge Darts with slant sixes in them. Except I would get an old pickup with a straight six. No sensors, computers, miles of wire or vacuum lines, and no smog equipment. sounds really nice right now...


As far as the comment about not complaining about used vehicles; and things wearing out, I see your point, but the on the Bronco things seem to wear out much sooner than on other vehicles. It only had 89K when I got it and was garage kept for most of its life and not off roaded, so I had reason to think that it would be more reliable than it has been. I honestly think that Ford, at least in the last 20 years, uses substandard parts to make their vehicles.

 

It's not substandard parts, because my whole truck is built from junkyard parts, and it's more reliable than many NEW vehicles!
http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos...&smi=1&a=13217
One of the worst things an owner can do to a 4WD is NOT use it - the oil needs to be sloshed around and heated up every once in a while to lube everything and drive the moisture out. Even the owner's manual says the same, and that's in ANY brand of vehicle.

 

I've hade my 85 Bronco for a couple of years now and it's been a good rig. Of course, I've replaced the front end parts: ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Pretty much ANY used 4x4 you buy needs new front end parts and that's a GOOD thing. When you go to buy, look to see if the tires are leaning in. Great way to bring the price down. Just assume you have to replace the parts. Never fails, replace one tie rod end and the next one goes bad.
I put new gaskets on the intake, (took care of the oil and vacuum leak), and put in a new set of timing gears and water pump.
Then, there was the new brakes, u-joints, radiator, plus all the misc.
Word of caution. Having this stuff done by someone else can be hazarous to your wallet.
Compared to my 76 F100, (which got about the same repair treatment), the Bronco will never go the places that pickup will. The balance just isn't the same. But the Bronco is a whole lot smoother and the family will fit. It's just about as durable. I drive pretty hard. They like to be driven hard.
Seems funny that the radiator fluid leaks like that. You tried popping the radiator cap and checking for bubbles or gush? When it's cold, of course, waiting for the themostat to wake up. Might be leaky head gasket or engine water passages are all clogged up.

 

"One of the worst things an owner can do to a 4WD is NOT use it - the oil needs to be sloshed around and heated up every once in a while to lube everything and drive the moisture out. Even the owner's manual says the same, and that's in ANY brand of vehicle."

Knock on wood - I haven't had any problems with the drivetrain. That would be the last straw for me.