My better half was driving 99 Toyota Solara and at the end of last year we got her a Ford Edge, but we kept the car. I started using it as a DD to keep the miles off my truck and it gets 2x the gas milage. Car has high milage but has all the bells and whistles is in great shape and runs great. Recently replaced both valve cover gaskets, timing belt, and new pads and rotars all the way around. I did the work myself so not too much money tied up in it.

Getting to the point, my neighbor asked me to let him know if we ever wanted to get rid of it to let him know. We had no intent of letting it go but I thought about it for a while and knowing he had a Bronco II I considered asking him if was interested in a trade (or some sort of deal). Finally got around to asking him and he is all for it. I have not yet gotten all the details of the Bronco, but its visually in great shape at a distance and only has 80,XXX miles on it. They only use it as needed and knowing them for quite some time now they maintain all their vehicles religiously. He was the original owner sold it, and eventually bought it back, however now they have several other vehicles along with a motor home with pull behind and travel a lot so no longer have a need for it. He only wants the car (solara) for a younger family member who is going to college. He told me I can get it any time I want and take it out (even over to my hunting club) and see what I think. I do not have a lot of information on it yet, but I can easily get it. For me in thought its perfect because I can use it as a DD and do things I normally have to use my truck for that the car can not do.

Anyways, does anyone have input on Bronco II, years or models to avoid? Good features, bad features, things to look out for? I am pretty excited about the deal as its going to be straight up, and I can already think about some sweet upgrades for it. I can get pics and other information easily let me know what yall need me to provide info on...

 

Never was impressed with the Bronco II. And they do not seem to hold up that well as I never see one on the road. Have heard of engine problems, but do not remember what they were. Also seemed to have corrosion problems.

 

Ill inspect for corrosion, but one good thing about the south is mild winters and no salt on roads. Mechanically are most of my concerns and this is the input I am looking for thanks!!

 

Might look at this wiki article. It has some info on the engine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Bronco_II

 

If you think you can get more use out of the Bronco II then it's at least worth looking into. I had an Explorer ~10 years ago and there were a lot of Bronco II guy's mixed in with the Explorers on message boards I used to frequent.

From what I'm remembering, in stock form the Bronco II had some weak points that if not abused could last long enough for DD use. The main reason the Bronco II had a following at all was because the first generation Explorer's parts were almost all bolt in upgrades(4.0 V6 was a huge improvement over the Bronco II V6, the Explorer also came with the 8.8 rear end and Dana 35TTB front axle). People were swapping in 5.0 V8's commonly enough.

If the Bronco II is in good shape now, you could get plenty of use out of it. It will still be a gamble because even though it has low mileage compared to the Toyota, it's still 10-15 years older and can have many other items needing repair because of that.

It all depends on what you are wanting to do with it.

 

I don't know enough about them to give you an honest opinion. I can say that a brother in law once owned a pristine one. Lifted on 35's and it was unstoppable. Some of my first experiences going off road was in a bronco 2. Blew me away the stuff we went through.
It drove nice on the road and nothing could stop it off road.

If I were to drive one today I would probably have a different opinion. Back then, it was almost new.

 

Thanks guys for all the information so far. I will be able to get more use out of it, but I dont want a maintenance nightmare at the same time.

I always have the option of selling the car and putting that money towards another vehicle.

 

Might want to peruse some Bronco II forums.

http://www.broncoii.org/

http://www.broncoii4x4.com/forum/

http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...splay.php?f=91

http://www.broncoii-ranger.com/forum/

Also found this site which seems interesting.

http://www.broncoiicorral.com/

 

I have looked at a few, thanks for these.

 

stay away from the 2.9 v6. Cylinder head problems.

 

When I get a moment I will see what year it and the heads, they did revamp the heads on the late models.

 

Yes, but per wiki (if accurate), those heads were never used on production Bronco IIs.

 

I can't even remember the last time I saw a Bronco II on the road.....

 

Thanks for all the imput so far. I have been out of town all week so as soon as I get back I am going to try and get some pictures and more information.

From everything so far, I am starting to shy away from this trade, but hopefully with some more information we can make some additional discoveries. Thanks again.

 

had a 1986 Bronco ll.....Eddie Bauer edition...2.9 v6 auto

at 120k couldn't even get a good compression test due piston slap...tranny went at 140k rebuilt it 3 times...finally got a low mileage motor+tranny out of a wrecked one....then I traded her off...bye bye....