I'm looking for a used Bronco, seems my $ range (3-5K) keeps me in the 1990-1994 year range. Some of these have as much as 170K miles, should I not even consider these high mileage trucks or can a Ford really have an extended life if maintained properly? Looking at a 1993 Eddie Bauer tonight 165K miles, new tailgate, second owner no rust for $4600 said to be clean ????

 

For $4,000-5,000,you should be able to find a lower mileage '87-'92 year Bronco.I would stay away from anything with much more than 150,000 miles on it,unless you can buy it for $3,000,or under.That said,you could pay more for a used vehicle,with less mileage on it,and have problems.It all depends on who owned the vehicle,and how they drove it,and serviced it.Part of it is luck.A used vehicle is just that-used.It will cost you money here&there,but it beats paying $400(or more...)a month for a new vehicle.If you look at a vehicle that says it had the engine and/or transmission rebuilt,ask to see the receipts for the work done.Many "rebuilds" aren't complete rebuilds.If a vehicle that has 150,000+ miles on it,had a total rebuild,and the price was reasonable,you might look at it.I bought my 1990 Bronco XLT,back in August of 2000,with 92,670 miles on it,for $5,000.For that amount,I got a clean,V-8(302)-powered Bronco that runs great,and basically the only thing I had to replace was a $100 battery.Since I bought it,I've put 24,000 miles on it,with no problems.Just change the oil&filter every 3,000 miles,and it runs really well.Good luck in your Bronco search.

 

I bought my 93 Bronco 5.8 L for about $5500 with 100,000 miles on it and the guy had every receipt for everything he had done to the truck since it was bought new off the Ford lot. One thing I would do is sign up for carfax (carfax.com) and run the vehicle VIN number. I found five broncos that had either had the odometer changed or rolled back. You can get a good idea from this if the vehicle has passed smog in the past and how many owners the vehicle has been through. I found that most of the cars with roll backs had gone through some type of auto auction or car wholesale outlet which will be reflected on the report. Do your home work so you don't get burned. People will tell you what you want to hear to sell you the car. Good luck. Let us know what you get.

Greg

 

In August on 2000 I found a 94 Bronco with 160,000 miles on it and althought this is a bunch of miles it had a 4 inch lift kit, K&N intake, nice side steps and a 1 month old transmission rebuild. The owner had tons of receipts and I felt very good about paying 6,000 for it. the only money I have HAD to put in this truck has been a battery and an A/C pressure switch. I love this truck and wold not dream of ever selling it or banging it up off road. I recently acquired a ch@#$ for the scratch and dent work that must be done.

 

Usually, I shy away from anything with high miles-over 150,000. If it's later model, w/high miles, it's probably seen alot of freeway use which isn't too bad on the engine. However, there are other things to look at:
Brakes, steering and suspendion. All the tie rod ends, radius arm bushings, ball joints, sagging springs, rotors, bearings, u-joints, ect.
Also, the gaskets on the intake and valve covers start to get brittle and leak on high milers. Plus the oil seals start to harden. Like the front oil seal and the rear transfer case.
The body can have some problems. Like sagging doors, wore out electrical switches, window seals. The drivers seat will probably have a dent where the prior owner sat for months.
Most of these problems are not major; however, they do take time and money. I kind of enjoy this kind of thing, to the amazement of my friends and family. I have to keep a small fleet going at work, my Bronco and F100, my wifes car, the kids cars, and their friends cars sometimes.
My Bronco was a high miler. 170k miles,(hard). I've replaced everything mentioned, plus. It's still not done, but to the point that it's just oil changes and "special projects" now. I've probably spent 80-100 of my own labor hours on it, but it only cost $600 originally, I get parts cheap, and right now I'd get in and drive 3000 miles cross country.
If it was me with 4 grand and I wanted a Bronco that was dependable, but needed a little work, I'd spend 50 hours or more just finding a good deal on something. The State and Fed auctions are fairly decent places to look. They don't usually have jury rigged repairs, haven't been stump jumped, and get oil changes and stuff regular. And they tend to get rid of they with lower miles.

 

Looked at a 1993 E.B. with 351 ci with 183K on it today. Was in pretty good shape for the most part, needed a windshield. Woman wanted $4K but said make me any offer, want to get rid of here daily driver, I walked, to many miles for me.

Talked with another guy has 1992 with 189K great shape $4K...

 

A good guage is 12-15k per year is about average. That being said a ten year old truck should be in the 120-150k range. I got lucky last year and got my Bronco, '93 XLT 5.8l 46k orig miles. It was in mint shape but I paid for it $12,700. Kind of high but I traded a $500 Ramcharger for it and they gave me $2000 for it.

 

$8500 for a 1994 XLT in very nice shape with 58,500 miles from a dealer in Ohio.