WTB- Ford Bronco

[Meaney77]

I figured its a long shot but figured its worth a try.

Looking for a 1990-1996 Ford Bronco. This is going be be my tow vehicle behind my MH- big enough for a family of 5, a 4x4 and can launch and retrieve my boat. Has to have a manual transfer case to be able to flat tow. Not looking for a project, looking for a decent bronco with a straight body, descent interior, good working/running condition. I have looked on CL, and Ebay and there are a few descent ones, most have a ton of miles and need some love. Budget is between $5k- $8k more or less depending on the vehicle and I have cash in hand and ready to pull the trigger. Let me know if anyone is aware of what I am looking for.

 

[dryhoze1]

I figured its a long shot but figured its worth a try.

Looking for a 1990-1996 Ford Bronco. This is going be be my tow vehicle behind my MH- big enough for a family of 5, a 4x4 and can launch and retrieve my boat. Has to have a manual transfer case to be able to flat tow. Not looking for a project, looking for a decent bronco with a straight body, descent interior, good working/running condition. I have looked on CL, and Ebay and there are a few descent ones, most have a ton of miles and need some love. Budget is between $5k- $8k more or less depending on the vehicle and I have cash in hand and ready to pull the trigger. Let me know if anyone is aware of what I am looking for.

We have a very clean 1990 (White ) that we have been considering parting with.

I can post some pictures tonight.

 

[blacksockdown]

They are indestructible.Mine had 300,000 plus mi on it.Pulled a few Dodges and Chevys out of the snow. I can help you find one for a lot less than your budget.If you like.

 

[wsuwrhr]

That is a big car to be towing.

I figured its a long shot but figured its worth a try.

Looking for a 1990-1996 Ford Bronco. This is going be be my tow vehicle behind my MH- big enough for a family of 5, a 4x4 and can launch and retrieve my boat. Has to have a manual transfer case to be able to flat tow. Not looking for a project, looking for a decent bronco with a straight body, descent interior, good working/running condition. I have looked on CL, and Ebay and there are a few descent ones, most have a ton of miles and need some love. Budget is between $5k- $8k more or less depending on the vehicle and I have cash in hand and ready to pull the trigger. Let me know if anyone is aware of what I am looking for.

 

[Cole Trickle]

I was just talking about the last generation this weekend. I see these things going up in value a little going forward.

 

[Meaney77]

Take a look on ebay, some of them have a reserve price up to $20K, its crazy and the owners are crazy if they think they are going to get that much.

 

[Meaney77]

I was just talking about the last generation this weekend. I see these things going up in value a little going forward.

Take a look on ebay, some of them have a reserve price up to $20K, its crazy and the owners are crazy if they think they are going to get that much.

 

[Meaney77]

That is a big car to be towing.

Agreed but dont have a ton of options with 3 kids...

Thought about a Jeep Grand Cherokee but it would be pretty tight inside. Not a huge fan of the newer 4 door Jeep Wranglers for no other reason than everyone seems to have one and they are pretty spendy for what they are.

 

[Meaney77]

We have a very clean 1990 (White ) that we have been considering parting with.

I can post some pictures tonight.

Please do or you can also email me directly if easier I can send you my email address.

 

[Meaney77]

They are indestructible.Mine had 300,000 plus mi on it.Pulled a few Dodges and Chevys out of the snow. I can help you find one for a lot less than your budget.If you like.

[/QUOTE]

Please let me know if there is a better website other than CL and ebay to be looking.....

 

[DeltaSigBoater]

I've looked at more Full size Broncos in the last 3 years than I care to admit. High Mileage doesn't scare me, not being able to pass CA smog and having Detroit Cancer does.

Just to clarify body styles and what you're looking for

1987 to 1991



Electronic Transfer Case became an Option and by 1990 Manual T/C were few a far between.


1992 to 1996 aka "The OJ Bronco"



All have Electronic Transfer Case

 

[Meaney77]

Ideally I would love to have a late 60's early 70's bronco but its just not in the cards or the pocket book right now.

 

[Meaney77]

I've looked at more Full size Broncos in the last 3 years than I care to admit. High Mileage doesn't scare me, not being able to pass CA smog and having Detroit Cancer does.

Just to clarify body styles and what you're looking for

1987 to 1991

View attachment 474571

Electronic Transfer Case became an Option and by 1990 Manual T/C were few a far between.


1992 to 1996 aka "The OJ Bronco"

View attachment 474573

All have Electronic Transfer Case

Agreed- needs to pass smog and no cancer.

I guess I have my years mixed up- I like any of the above models- just needs the manual transfer case. Unless there is a way to flat tow with the electronic case? I have researched online and haven found anything that says you can flat tow with this set up. I found a 95' that has a manual Tcase and is also a stick. I might go look at it, but it also has high miles.

 

[prosthogod]

Just sold our, '93, lift, 35s, engine and trans replaced, sold for $8500. I personally wouldn't tow much with it. An Excursion is a far better tow vehicle.

 

[Meaney77]

An Excursion is a far better tow vehicle.

Talk about a heavy vehicle to tow behind a MH! I have 3 kids, we are not a Mormon family!!

 

[pwerwagn]

It seems like occasionally a really clean bronc will pop up on gofastbroncos. Id keep an eye out there for starters. The racedezert classifieds will have a few from time to time as well.

We have 3 boys, and an 02 grand cherokee that we tow behind the motorhome. We love it. Its a little bit small in back, but not bad at all. They are cheap, get great mileage and ours has been bulletproof (we have actually had 4 of them, from 93-02's). I had an 88 bronco that we were building to tow behind the motorhome and for pre-runner use...but I got offered more than I had in it and let it go.

Currently I am building a Ramcharger to replace the grand cherokee with as a tow'd...but I am afraid I will still like the cherokee better. We shall see!! What are you towing the bronco with?

 

[Meaney77]

It seems like occasionally a really clean bronc will pop up on gofastbroncos. Id keep an eye out there for starters. The racedezert classifieds will have a few from time to time as well.

We have 3 boys, and an 02 grand cherokee that we tow behind the motorhome. We love it. Its a little bit small in back, but not bad at all. They are cheap, get great mileage and ours has been bulletproof (we have actually had 4 of them, from 93-02's). I had an 88 bronco that we were building to tow behind the motorhome and for pre-runner use...but I got offered more than I had in it and let it go.

Currently I am building a Ramcharger to replace the grand cherokee with as a tow'd...but I am afraid I will still like the cherokee better. We shall see!! What are you towing the bronco with?

All good info, thanks. I have 3 little ones all in car seats still so the back seat of a Jeep will probably become tight quick but I haven't totally ruled them out. I have a 25' Eliminator Eagle that weighs roughly 4500 lbs. Cant get my boat out of my storage unit in Havasu with my motor home so I will need a tow vehicle. Also prefer to have a 4x4, dont want to be "that guy" at the launch ramp.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It seems like occasionally a really clean bronc will pop up on gofastbroncos. Id keep an eye out there for starters. The racedezert classifieds will have a few from time to time as well.

We have 3 boys, and an 02 grand cherokee that we tow behind the motorhome. We love it. Its a little bit small in back, but not bad at all. They are cheap, get great mileage and ours has been bulletproof (we have actually had 4 of them, from 93-02's). I had an 88 bronco that we were building to tow behind the motorhome and for pre-runner use...but I got offered more than I had in it and let it go.

Currently I am building a Ramcharger to replace the grand cherokee with as a tow'd...but I am afraid I will still like the cherokee better. We shall see!! What are you towing the bronco with?

I see more Ramchargers in Havasu in a weekend than I have in the entire rest of my life.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I'm pretty sure BD is just talking about a tow to the ramp vehicle and something to drive around when the motorhome is parked.

Brian

Just sold our, '93, lift, 35s, engine and trans replaced, sold for $8500. I personally wouldn't tow much with it. An Excursion is a far better tow vehicle.

Talk about a heavy vehicle to tow behind a MH! I have 3 kids, we are not a Mormon family!!

 

[wsuwrhr]

I see more Ramchargers in Havasu in a weekend than I have in the entire rest of my life.

You know I am all about that!!!

 

[DeltaSigBoater]

Agreed- needs to pass smog and no cancer.

I guess I have my years mixed up- I like any of the above models- just needs the manual transfer case. Unless there is a way to flat tow with the electronic case? I have researched online and haven found anything that says you can flat tow with this set up. I found a 95' that has a manual Tcase and is also a stick. I might go look at it, but it also has high miles.

I started out looking for the OJ series, then moved to to the Square body, then the Slanted Front ('80-'86)... Now I'm about ready to say f!_!<& it to the '78-'79 series :grumble:

That's correct M/T still had the MTC. I've only looked Automatics... From what I recall reading on the Bronco forums, you can flat tow a Bronco with an ETC. There were quite a number of people who recommended disconnecting the drive shaft or installing a drive line disconnect, so the transmission could be left in park. The bad is the key still has to be left in the ignition in the "off/unlock" position so the wheels can turn.

 

[pwerwagn]

I'm building a 79 ramcharger, pop top...1 ton with a 12v cummins.


As far as the grand Cherokee, all 3 of mine were in car seats all at one time in the jeep. Now they are 7/5/2 and It still works. I've also used it to tow my carrera 257 around at the lake, and unload it (both from the beach and at a ramp). Not trying to sway you from a bronco cause they're bad ass...but don't rule out the grand if you find a deal. They're also about 1500 lbs lighter than a bronco. We've towed ours probably 20k miles behind our motorhome or 5th wheel.

I'll ask the guy I sold my bronco too if he is interested in selling it. Was a super clean 5.0/auto with manual shift case.

 

[Meaney77]

I'm building a 79 ramcharger, pop top...1 ton with a 12v cummins.


As far as the grand Cherokee, all 3 of mine were in car seats all at one time in the jeep. Now they are 7/5/2 and It still works. I've also used it to tow my carrera 257 around at the lake, and unload it (both from the beach and at a ramp). Not trying to sway you from a bronco cause they're bad ass...but don't rule out the grand if you find a deal. They're also about 1500 lbs lighter than a bronco. We've towed ours probably 20k miles behind our motorhome or 5th wheel.

I'll ask the guy I sold my bronco too if he is interested in selling it. Was a super clean 5.0/auto with manual shift case.

Thanks for the info, is your jeep the 6 or 8 cylinder? Not much of a difference in power between each motor. When I was looking at Jeeps I was only looking at jeeps with 8 cylinders but a 6 cylinder may also work.

 

[blacksockdown]

I've looked at more Full size Broncos in the last 3 years than I care to admit. High Mileage doesn't scare me, not being able to pass CA smog and having Detroit Cancer does.

Just to clarify body styles and what you're looking for

1987 to 1991

View attachment 474571

Electronic Transfer Case became an Option and by 1990 Manual T/C were few a far between.


1992 to 1996 aka "The OJ Bronco"



View attachment 474573

All have Electronic Transfer Case

Great point about inability pass smog.Trust me on this. lol

Also.My tranny went out@ 160,000 mi. Rear end,shortly thereafter.2,800 and 1,600 Amurican,respectively.Oh.Driveline went out@ 230,000.I wouldnt charge you anything to find one.Will keep an eye out.

 

[pwerwagn]

Thanks for the info, is your jeep the 6 or 8 cylinder? Not much of a difference in power between each motor. When I was looking at Jeeps I was only looking at jeeps with 8 cylinders but a 6 cylinder may also work.

I've had both. If you look older like ZJ, the 5.2 gets the same mileage as the 4.0 and is just as reliable.

Our current one (my fave) has the 4.7ho. It runs fantastic. Tons of power, I'd almost call it fast. Almost. Gets 16-17 in town, 20-22 on the highway. 5 or 6k towing capacity. The 4.7 is a little more picky about oil and overheating but otherwise reliable. Ours now has like 160k with minimal issues (water pump, ps pump, window reg). It's been used and abused though.

 

[blacksockdown]

I would seriously consider advice on how heavy it is to tow.Not much room in backseat also.

 

[pwerwagn]

 

[pwerwagn]

I would seriously consider advice on how heavy it is to tow.Not much room in backseat also.

That's my big fear with my ramcharger also. The jeep tows good behind the Moho. In afraid that extra few klbs will suck.

 

[OCMerrill]

Agreed- needs to pass smog and no cancer.

I guess I have my years mixed up- I like any of the above models- just needs the manual transfer case. Unless there is a way to flat tow with the electronic case? I have researched online and haven found anything that says you can flat tow with this set up. I found a 95' that has a manual Tcase and is also a stick. I might go look at it, but it also has high miles.

That might be a 300 cu in 6 cyl with a 5 spd. Forest service ran those and you could order the base equipped that way. Bench front seat may also be in play.

 

[OCMerrill]

I flat towed a 1980 Scout II behind my Class C Motor home for many years and over 15k miles. It weighed 5k lbs and I had the rear subframe beefed up at Hitch Crafters in Costa Mesa.

I don't see much difference in a Bronco to my old Scout. Wish I still had the freaking POS. They have swelled up in value now for a gutless piece of farm equipment.

 

[Meaney77]

Weight isn't to much of a concern, we have a fairly descent size motor home.

 

[JCUMV]

Normally I just lurk here and watch the fun, but I feel compelled to chime in on this thread. In the late 90's I bought a 1993 OJ Bronco. Loved it. It looked cool, ran great, fit 5 comfortably, and just fit as a cool bachelor wagon for a guy in his late 20's. I bought a 19ft Baja and started making trips to Havasu and Mojave. On every trip I made during the day, I had vapor-lock type issues with the Bronco. First time it happened was coming home from Havasu and I was broken down before I got to Needles. Had AAA tow me in and stayed at J street in a motel. The next morning, the Bronco ran fine. Took it to the local Ford dealer there in Needles, they ran tests and couldn't replicate the problem. Took a few more trips in the Bronco and had the same exact issue. I got on web forums, went to OC dealership and talked to their service people, nobody had ever heard of this problem. Sold the Bronco right after that.

Here's where it gets good... I loved the Bronco as a vehicle. I figured I had a lemon since nobody have ever heard of these issues. So I bought another one! Same frickin' thing happened with that one too. And again, nobody could ever explain it. It would only happen in the extreme heat. It never happened when I pulled the boat around OC. It only happened out in the desert under extreme heat conditions. And it wasn't limited to pulling grades. It would happen on the flat too. I'd be driving along, the engine temp in the normal area, and boom... it would start vapor locking (or at least it felt like that). Sold that Bronco too.

Promptly went to GM after that. Bought a Tahoe and it pulled the 19ft Baja great, and I now have a 2011 2500 Suburban that I pull my 26ft Caribbean with. Awesome vehicle. My biggest beef about the whole experience was that nobody could ever explain what was happening with the Bronco, nor had anybody ever heard of this! I even called a dealership in Phoenix (where it's hot) and asked if they had ever heard of that happening. Nothing... from anybody anywhere. So I guess I was the only schmuck pulling a boat thru the desert in the summer with a 1993 Ford Bronco. I loved the car, and wanted to keep it. Hell, it's why I bought a second one. But my advice to you is to steer clear of this vehicle if you plan to do some towing in the heat.

Sorry for the long message, but I hate to see anybody trapped on the side of the road in triple digit heat.

 

[underpressure]

^^^
Had a 1993 Bronco (OJ Special) and had EXACTLY the same problem! Happened several times towing my 21 Ultra thru the desert. Quickly found out about that shrader valve on the fuel rail...

 

[JCUMV]

^^^ Well you're the first person to know anything about what it was! Congrats
So what is the shrader valve? Were you able to fix the problem? If yes, what was the fix? I'm dying to know.

 

[pronstar]

Weight isn't to much of a concern, we have a fairly descent size motor home.

I bet a newer mid-size SUV weighs more than that Bronco.
New vehicles are super heavy thanks to safety regs and consumers, who demand tech and gadgets.

 

[wsuwrhr]

There is a Schrader valve on the fuel rail, just like a valve on a tire. He is probably talking about bleeding the system of air by pressing the valve.

^^^ Well you're the first person to know anything about what it was! Congrats
So what is the shrader valve? Were you able to fix the problem? If yes, what was the fix? I'm dying to know.

 

[underpressure]

There is a Schrader valve on the fuel rail, just like a valve on a tire. He is probably talking about bleeding the system of air by pressing the valve.

^^^
Exactly! Happened one time just pulling into a gas station off the 40 in Barstow...A guy there came over and said "looks like it vapor locked"? Yep...he says " try this" and let air out of the fuel rail thru that shrader valve. Fired right up..

Happened a few times after, some were scary as it was always while pulling the boat and it would basically just die...pull over, open the hood, hit the shrader valve, fire it back up and off we go...

 

[wsuwrhr]

Early FI problems?

Probably could be solved with a return line setup.

Brian

 

[Mandelon]

What about a Toyota Land Cruiser?

 

[OCMerrill]

A nice non air tight Gas Cap would solve that or rig a switch to energize the purge valve for the EVAP system to let the pressure in the tank out.

I don't feel the love pushing the rail schrader valve when the engine is super hot. :yikes

 

[dryhoze1]

Here are some pictures as promised

 

[dryhoze1]

Here are a few more.

2nd owner. This has never stranded us anywhere & has never failed a smog test.
Oil changes & maintance religiously done

Heater makes ya hot & Ac blows cold
Everything works including rear window motor. Lol

 

[nowski]

Here is my old tow vehicle, I sold it with 74k miles around 7 - 8 years ago. Gas was in the $5 range, I couldn't sell it I had to give it away, hated to see it go but needed something bigger...

 

[wsuwrhr]

A sweet ass atomized spray of fuel into a hot engine compartment?

Where is your sense of adventure?

Brian

A nice non air tight Gas Cap would solve that or rig a switch to energize the purge valve for the EVAP system to let the pressure in the tank out.

I don't feel the love pushing the rail schrader valve when the engine is super hot. :yikes

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

A sweet ass atomized spray of fuel into a hot engine compartment?

Where is your sense of adventure?

Brian

I was going to ask the same thing.

 

[wsuwrhr]

On the side of the road, broke down, sweating your ass off, you do what you gotta do.

A nice non air tight Gas Cap would solve that or rig a switch to energize the purge valve for the EVAP system to let the pressure in the tank out.

I don't feel the love pushing the rail schrader valve when the engine is super hot. :yikes

 

[JCUMV]

^^^
Exactly! Happened one time just pulling into a gas station off the 40 in Barstow...A guy there came over and said "looks like it vapor locked"? Yep...he says " try this" and let air out of the fuel rail thru that shrader valve. Fired right up..

Happened a few times after, some were scary as it was always while pulling the boat and it would basically just die...pull over, open the hood, hit the shrader valve, fire it back up and off we go...

Well son-of-a-gun. Never had it explained to me before. Makes sense. Sounds like a design flaw. At that time, everybody I talked to at Ford looked at me like I was on crack. Made me never want to buy a Ford product again. And I've been a GM guy ever since. Funny how those experiences can really influence your buying pattern for decades. Ha.

 

[Trash]

I will offer one counter point to those who had the vapor lock issue. First, I don't deny they had a problem. But....I've got a 1995 with over 180,000 miles I've had for 21 years. I've NEVER had vapor lock. Ever. I've towed all over SoCal, Parker, Havasu, Mohave, Mead all the way to the midwest and back (6,000 mile trip towing) not one vapor lock issue. Summer or winter, no problem. Perhaps 93's had an issue. My 95 does not and has not.

Is the most robust (power wise)?....No

Does it keep working? Yes.

Feed it gas and it runs. My biggest issue is it loves to go through heater cores. 4 to date. Saving grace is that it's about a 45 minute job and costs $20.

 

[Faceaz]

Are you stuck on American? There are some good imports that would fit.... The best launch vehicle I've had was a Mitsubishi Montero. That thing had 3 row seating & towed / launched better than my F250 w/ a V10.

 

[imirsh1]

Had a 1984 with a 6" lift and 36" You could jump that thing all day long!