Hello all, as the title suggest, I am thinking of getting rid of my '92 Toyota 4Runner and getting back into the full size SUV. I've owned numerous Blazer's and Jimmy's, but since I've been converted to FOMOCO now, thought I'd look for a full size Bronco. Anyone offer any suggestions on what year(s) to look for, any specific year(s) to avoid, and any other tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would LOVE to find a match to my '02 King Ranch, Chestnut/Arizona Beige, but know that's not possible, but the Eddie Bauer edition was similar.
Being in SouthEast Kansas, I doubt if there are many "Nice" ones down here, but have looked on CraigsList in the Kansas City area and found some nicer ones. Just want to go in with some knowledge beforehand.

All help is appreciated!

Thanks

 

I drove full size Broncos for close to 15 years prior to buying this truck in Nov of 07. I had an 89 with the 302. I bought it with 50 some k on the clock and sold it with 250k on the clock. Then bought a 96 with the 302 and traded it for this truck. It only had right over 100k when I traded it. Both were Eddie Bauers and both with leather. Both drivers seat wore out long before the truck. The 302s were pretty much bullet proof motors but always pretty gutless. Gas mileage absolutely sucked too. I would get MAYBE 8 mpg pulling a 6.x10 enclosed trailer at 60-65 mph. BUT, I loved the old Broncos. Kids are just getting too old for a 2 door SUV so I had to step up to a SCREW truck. Lower mileage ones are out there. I looked for a long time before finding that 96. It only had 59k when I bought it. Found it in St Joe Missouri. If I were you I would find one with the 351 though. Especially if you're planning on towing

anything. For around town, hunting etc the 302 is fine.

I never had to do any mechanical work or had any mechanical failures with either of those 302s. Just maintained on schedule. brakes fluids etc.

Things to look for ask about are power rear windows working or not. And they rust out on the bottom of the rear gate and upper rear fenders. the 89 rusted in both places the 96 had no rust.

Body style changed in 92 I believe and went to more rounded front end.

Here's a couple nice ones on CS:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1120509886.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1117269839.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1115995279.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1109970049.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1095117941.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/1122440302.html



Here's a pic of my 96, behind the bike.

 

I drove an 80 model for 11 years and a 92 model for 9 years. They're great trucks. One area prone to rust are at the end of the roof drip moldings toward the rear of the doors. If you see cracked paint in that area, you can bet it's rusting under the paint. I really liked the 92 up body styles. The 1996 had mass air computer systems (some 95 302s), which were better than the speed density systems used from 1988 to 1995. The 351W is a better performer than the 302s.

 

Try and get a 96' Last model year with all the best parts.

 

Before '90, the fuel pump system sucked, so not older than that.

'87-91 are butt-ugly, so avoid them.

Before '93 has a crappy cruise control & RABS only, so avoid them.

Before '94 has no airbag, RKE, or MAF. Your choice.

Before '95, the E4OD transmission had problems. But if it has been rebuilt since then, it's OK.

Before '96, you can pull codes with a paperclip. Your choice.

All '96 have MAF, and some have turn signals in the side mirrors. Your choice.

Personally, I'd look for a '95-96 EB or XLT Sport with the overhead console, dual visors, rear cargo cover & net, cruise, & rear defrost. I doubt you'll find a manual t-case, so just plan on fixing the ESOF motor. You'll probably find the front hub locks have been swapped to manuals, and that's OK.

 

Thanks guys for your help. I was leaning toward an Eddie Bauer in the later years, but will see what I can find??? I would have no problems going back to a '91 or older full size Blazer or Jimmy either, those are what I started with in the 4X ranks, and I love them. I wasn't aware that the newer ('95 - 96) had an overhead console, I love that in my KR!

Thanks again, I'll post when I get one...don't hold your breath, as I want to find one that still has some life in it!

 

If you want to go REALLY big, check the classifieds on 4DB.

 

I've located a pristine '94 Eddie Bauer Bronco for $4,000, (negotiable), that the kid NEEDS to sell badly. Wish me luck on selling my 4Runner, as he wouldn't even think of trading. He's in over his head, and wouldn't even return my call when I talked to his wife about possible trade, only answered via email. We will see what happens?

 

Boy oh boy, this guy is trying to re-coup everything that he has put into this Bronco! It's got some tremendous Kenwood stereo wtih 10" woofers that he probably paid entirely too much for, hence the $4,000 asking price. I'm finding out there are numerous things that do not work; cruise control, temp gauge and horn for starters. Does anyone know if there was a TSB or recall on the 1994 cruise control? I've told him that he's not going to get anywhere close to the $4,000, and I think it's finally sinking in? The Bronco is in tremendous shape body wise...the driver's seat leather is almost non-existent. That WAS the only thing he was advertising at first. Plus he's been trying to sell for two months...his wife is getting quite anxious about it!

If you know of any other TSB's or re-calls on this model year, (1994), please advise, and/or point me in the right direction to find out about it or them.

Thanks

 

There was a recall on my 96 for the cruise. If I remember right it was for causing fires.

 

That's the same reason for the one on my '02, and MANY other years.

 

What is wrong with people now-a-days? I ahd been talking to a guy in Kansas City about his '94 Eddie Bauer Bronco, and had arranged to go up yesterday afternoon to look at and probably purchase it. He sent me an email in the morning that he would go down to $XXXX, and we would work out the details when I got there. I arranged for my nephew to go along w/ me to drive my KR back home. When I called him up about 11:00 am, he told me that he sold it the night before!!! Why did he send me the email then? I was a little perturbed to say the least, but then convinced myself that it was all for the best, and there was probably something he wasn't telling me about it anyway. So, the search continues...

I did find a '95 EB in excellent shape now that I'm hopefully going to be able to go look at this afternoon, and with any luck, finally purchase? Pictures are promised, IF, I do. This one has the overhead console also, AND, EVERYTHING works, supposedly.

 

I get this feeling that people that own, and are trying to sell, Broncos, (No offense to anyone here!), are so full of themselves it's pitiful. I took this '94 Bronco to a Ford dealership and had it scoped for check engine light and electrical issuus. Boy I'm GLAD I did!!!! It cost me $179, but ti saved me ten times that amount. It was going to require at least $1,600 to get it the way it's supposed to be. He has now claimed that he took it in, and has lowered his price accordingly. Oh well, I found, and purchased, an absolutely "Pristine" 1984 K5 Blazer with only 82,832 miles on it now. Pictures to come soon. It is black, which I swore years ago that I would never own another black vehicle, but, I'm not using it as much, plus, I have a garage now! I started with Blazers/Jimmy, so it makes sense to get another, I'm very comfortable in them.

 

Pictures are in my "Other Toy" album. I spent the last three days getting her cleaned and waxed up, (don't think it had been waxed in a while, just garaged), and have both before and after pics in the album. I don't have any interior pics yet, but they will be coming at some time??? It is as clean as the exterior, with only a couple of seam tears in the high back buckets!

I don't think I did too bad with this, even though I paid more for it than I did any of my other Blazer/Jimmy's that were newer at the time. I think it's a classic,b ut that's just my .02 worth!

 

Ahh, man... A Chevy!? Just giving your grief, man. Nice ride...

I am partial to the Bronco though... Here's mine: