Want a Bronco
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Want a Bronco
Hey all, i wanna get a bronco but kinda doing some research before i go out and buy one, what are some better years, Biggest tires it gonna see are 33's, whats some common problems with them, and what kind of mileage can i except to see out of a stock one, and which motors are the better ones as in 302, 351 W, 351M, the 351C, thanks guys in advance.
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Capac MI
All years are the best ones 
The ones that really stand out are the 78 or 79 Thats my two cents tho. I have a 95 which has been a pretty good truck. Good on the road, feels safe and stable, off road is where it shines. Mine is equiped with the 351W and it gets about 15 to 16 on the highway, worse in the city. Problems i had with mine is ABS and Cruise, very common among the 80-90's broncos. Some Rear windows dont work, mine still does knock on wood. Auto hubs not enguaging, Lockouts fix that. My motor is very dry so i break most bolts i try to take off (not sure if anyone else has the same problem) Electrolisis. The normal stuff to go wrong. They rust easy to lol. But hey they make one hell of a trail rig with the short wheel base! Good luck!
The ones that really stand out are the 78 or 79 Thats my two cents tho. I have a 95 which has been a pretty good truck. Good on the road, feels safe and stable, off road is where it shines. Mine is equiped with the 351W and it gets about 15 to 16 on the highway, worse in the city. Problems i had with mine is ABS and Cruise, very common among the 80-90's broncos. Some Rear windows dont work, mine still does knock on wood. Auto hubs not enguaging, Lockouts fix that. My motor is very dry so i break most bolts i try to take off (not sure if anyone else has the same problem) Electrolisis. The normal stuff to go wrong. They rust easy to lol. But hey they make one hell of a trail rig with the short wheel base! Good luck!
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Altus,AR
That depends what you want to do with it. I had my '79 with the 351M for 13 years, until the rear body mounts rusted out.I bought it when it was 10 years old. Never liked the stock carb, but it never let me down. It climbed into the CO mountains both on and off road. Had the body wgt to withstand blizzards, but the fuel mileage stunk.6-8mpg. We also have a '70 bronco with a stock 302 and a 3 OTT, that we set up for rock climbing and it did that well. Also the smaller profile enabled us to take trails my '79 couldn't fit. My recommendation is to stay away from northern vehicles due to the rust factor. I now have a '96 5.8L E4OD and the fuel mileage is much better. However the whole 'puter thing can be a major pain when trying to diagnose a problem.
Which ever Bronco you choose I think you will be hooked for life as I am. I just wish they hadn't stopped making them.
Which ever Bronco you choose I think you will be hooked for life as I am. I just wish they hadn't stopped making them.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
EFI is good with the later trucks. My 96 has a rear main seal leak and that is about it.
NO AUTO HUBS PLEASE.
GET A 5.8 if possible
BE AWARE of the lower portion of the tailgate - MOST show signs of rust - especially in locations were there is alot of rain.
Water gets trapped when rain runs down the glass. I try to park in covered locations as much as possible.
78-79 FSBs are my favorite - better running gear - classic styling.
NO AUTO HUBS PLEASE.
GET A 5.8 if possible
BE AWARE of the lower portion of the tailgate - MOST show signs of rust - especially in locations were there is alot of rain.
Water gets trapped when rain runs down the glass. I try to park in covered locations as much as possible.
78-79 FSBs are my favorite - better running gear - classic styling.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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do you know what kind of mileage you are getting just so i have a basic idea what i'm getting into, ya i hate auto hubs that would be the first to go, thanks guys guess imma have to keep a look out for one now
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From: Upstate NY
want a Bronco
Originally Posted by Mr.Plow
Hey all, i wanna get a bronco but kinda doing some research before i go out and buy one, what are some better years, Biggest tires it gonna see are 33's, whats some common problems with them, and what kind of mileage can i except to see out of a stock one, and which motors are the better ones as in 302, 351 W, 351M, the 351C, thanks guys in advance.
Depending on what year you get will determine what engine package you'll get. I like the 302 (5.0) and the 351W (5.8). On adv. I get about 389 miles to a tank full of fuel on my 89 with a 5.0 EFI. That's not to bad considering it's full size with a V-8, I think the overdrive helps. The only draw back that I don't care for is the "on the fly" push button 4x4. If you can look for a manual shift T-case. And yes manual hubs are the way to go as well. If you pull a trailer or a boat, You'll love the short wheel bace, you can stab a trailer real easy. Besides the fact that 4 people can ride with comfort and not be pinched up. (full size) Early Bronco, Full size, or Bronco II, they all have a nitch that will fill a use. 96 being the last year of the full size Bronco, as popular as they are. I feel Ford should look at bringing back the Bronco. what ever year or size you get just have fun with it.
Keep Em' Twistin'! Bob B.
Bronco Stables: 89 thru 96 / XLT / Eddie B / BR II
http://www.supermot<WBR>ors.net/vehicles<WBR>/registry/<WBR>15608
Last edited by Twistin; Nov 12, 2007 at 01:15 PM. Reason: left something out
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Carpenter Local 745
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i really like my 4.9l straight six's im partial to the mid 80s trucks myself. my single barrel carb 4.9l with np435 tranny gets 20mpg dont ask me how. it gets the same mileage that my all stock ca emissions 89 gets with fuel injection and a 5speed.
87-91 are probably going to be the most common thing you see for sale.
dont ask me how. it gets the same mileage that my all stock ca emissions 89 gets with fuel injection and a 5speed.87-91 are probably going to be the most common thing you see for sale.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
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From: Central PA
Had 4 broncos 89-95
351 auto (in anything for that matter ) Got 12 MPG
had 2 302 broncos the aod got 14-15 MPG and I hauled trailers with it.
the 5 sd got 17 MPG out west course I was draftin sum.
90 300 -6 bronco 5 spd Got 14-18 MPG and was best out of bunch .
All had 3:55 rears
351 auto (in anything for that matter ) Got 12 MPG
had 2 302 broncos the aod got 14-15 MPG and I hauled trailers with it.
the 5 sd got 17 MPG out west course I was draftin sum.
90 300 -6 bronco 5 spd Got 14-18 MPG and was best out of bunch .
All had 3:55 rears
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 436
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From: North Carolina
Check the B-pillars for cracks since they are prone to having problems. Check wheel wells and the tailgate for rust. It would be best to find a Bronco with a 351w and a manual transfer case, not the electric push button one because the motors in the transfer case will fail. If the Bronco has automatic hubs replace the hubs with manaul hubs before you go 4x4ing. Having a computer has it's good sides you just have to know how to make the most of it. Plan on getting a code reader if you get an EFI Bronco so its easy for the computer to tell you whats wrong with your truck instead of messing with paper clips, etc to get codes. The fiberglass tops can leak if the weatherstripping is shot or if the top is not placed back correctly on the truck. You might want to run 4.10 gears if you plan on running 33" tires. It's nice to have a transmission with overdrive for interstate driving, etc.
There are endless amounts of resources here on the forums so you will most likely have plenty of help to make trouble-shooting and repairs easier.
There are endless amounts of resources here on the forums so you will most likely have plenty of help to make trouble-shooting and repairs easier.
