looking for a bronco

5.0nate · 12-23-2001, 03:13 PM

I'm thinking of buying a 1980-1986 Bronco. Any problems with these trucks I should know about? Are they reliable?

Phantom5oh · 12-24-2001, 11:33 AM

my buddy just went through this... he did all kind of research and really didn't find anything bad about them.. all he looked for when buying his was a 351... i guess the 302 versions felt underpowered... he got a sweet one set up for off road... its an 84 with a 351 and only 80,000 original miles... so good ones are out there... hope this helps..

Steve

Nitrous Al · 12-24-2001, 12:51 PM

I own an '83 Bronco 4x4 with a 150,000 mile 302 and it's still strong enough to spin the rear wheels. It's also very reliable. Look for a newer one ('87-'95) with fuel injection. If you will be doing alot of towing, get the 351. I rarely tow with my Bronco.

Phantom5oh · 12-25-2001, 10:03 PM

My V-6 Explorer (AUTO TRANS) will spin the tires from the stop, but that doesn't mean its not underpowerd... I was talking about when your moving and looking for that extra power to get around someone or something thats in your way or even just accelerating up a hill... my buddy was looking for something for big camping trips, towing his boat, and or his stang with... we have a huge group we go camping way up north in Maine with and the hills are huge and with fully loaded vehicles everyones truck struggles except his 84 Bronco with the 351... so this has been my experiance...

Steve

crewzin · 12-26-2001, 03:11 PM

If your friend is going to tow with it look for a 88 and up with the 351 and C6. It will have the heavy sway bars and suspension for towing. It wont have overdrive but the power diff is worth it. And indestructable. Ive had 5 different ones and my 89 Eddie Bauer 351 would out pull all the others cept for my 79 thats hopped up right now. Good luck.

sallen85 · 12-26-2001, 11:08 PM

I have a 95 f-150 4x4 with a 302 auto and 3.27 gears always feels slugish but ..... tows 5200lbs. regularly and does not have a problem. had to tow a 4x4 suburban 6300 lbs. and a 1800lb. trailer for 9hrs. solid driving didn't like it and ran warm but it did the job when i needed it to

12-23-2001, 03:13 PM	#1
5.0nate Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 10	looking for a bronco I'm thinking of buying a 1980-1986 Bronco. Any problems with these trucks I should know about? Are they reliable?

12-24-2001, 11:33 AM	#2
Phantom5oh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 334	my buddy just went through this... he did all kind of research and really didn't find anything bad about them.. all he looked for when buying his was a 351... i guess the 302 versions felt underpowered... he got a sweet one set up for off road... its an 84 with a 351 and only 80,000 original miles... so good ones are out there... hope this helps.. Steve __________________ 95 GTS 03 DR 650SE Sgarzi's Machine Works

12-24-2001, 12:51 PM	#3
Nitrous Al Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Everett, MA Posts: 417	I own an '83 Bronco 4x4 with a 150,000 mile 302 and it's still strong enough to spin the rear wheels. It's also very reliable. Look for a newer one ('87-'95) with fuel injection. If you will be doing alot of towing, get the 351. I rarely tow with my Bronco. __________________ Nitrous Al

12-25-2001, 10:03 PM	#4
Phantom5oh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 334	My V-6 Explorer (AUTO TRANS) will spin the tires from the stop, but that doesn't mean its not underpowerd... I was talking about when your moving and looking for that extra power to get around someone or something thats in your way or even just accelerating up a hill... my buddy was looking for something for big camping trips, towing his boat, and or his stang with... we have a huge group we go camping way up north in Maine with and the hills are huge and with fully loaded vehicles everyones truck struggles except his 84 Bronco with the 351... so this has been my experiance... Steve __________________ 95 GTS 03 DR 650SE Sgarzi's Machine Works

12-26-2001, 03:11 PM	#5
crewzin Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Sour Lake, TX Posts: 211	Bronco man If your friend is going to tow with it look for a 88 and up with the 351 and C6. It will have the heavy sway bars and suspension for towing. It wont have overdrive but the power diff is worth it. And indestructable. Ive had 5 different ones and my 89 Eddie Bauer 351 would out pull all the others cept for my 79 thats hopped up right now. Good luck.

12-26-2001, 11:08 PM	#6
sallen85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: wi Posts: 62	power I have a 95 f-150 4x4 with a 302 auto and 3.27 gears always feels slugish but ..... tows 5200lbs. regularly and does not have a problem. had to tow a 4x4 suburban 6300 lbs. and a 1800lb. trailer for 9hrs. solid driving didn't like it and ran warm but it did the job when i needed it to __________________ [list=a] *85gt 66,000,8pt.cage ,weld in frame connectors,9inch/3.73 393 in process,afr185's,comp cams 282,spec stage 2 clutch,D&D tubular k-member,coil over all 4,steeda doouble adjustable uppers,pro3i lowers and caster camber plates[/list=a]

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