I'm shopping for a new-to-me 4x4 and Broncos are high on the list. Problem is, I don't know too terribly much about American trucks. I've been immersed in Toyotas with a dash of Mitsu for like the past ten years so I never got a chance to learn. That's where you people come in. I've done enough research to know that getting (or swapping to) manual hubs is smart. I also prefer a manual transfer case, as I don't wholly trust an electronic one from the 90s. What else do I need to know? Plans would be to run 33s with 4.10s from an F250 (front) and explorer (rear LSD). The truck will have to be an automatic. I prefer then offroad and the fiancee hasn't learned to drive stick yet. Are the available automatics robust enough to not worry about? What are the weak points I should be aware of?
In reply to thatsnowinnebago :
Not sure where you’re from... but around here in the mid Atlantic (and probably anywhere further north than the Carolinas) rust is the biggest issue. Find the most solid one you can afford. Mechanical parts will be cheap and plentiful, but rust destroys these.
I love them, they are beautiful. I test drove one with 9,800 miles (OJ color), 4 months ago. Reminded me of my FJ62. Given the amount of highway miles I do, it wasnt for me at this time, and I ended up with a FJC.
Good luck
In reply to thatsnowinnebago :
Why don't you just buy mine? It's literally exactly what you want. Rust free, 5.0, Auto, manual transfer case and hubs, cheap.
In reply to Javelin :
he'll have to fight me for it. (not really, I'm broke as a joke, but dang I want a Bronco so bad)
Rust is an issue on these. Look for rust, well, everywhere. They really like to rot in the wheel wells, fenders, and rear leaf spring perches. The good news is that parts availability is fantastic.
90s Ford trucks are really simple vehicles. My work has a fleet of them and they really only break from abuse.
Had a 95 F150 - same basic deal. Drove it from 220 to 320k miles with very minimal anything.
- Rust - this was 2004 and it was already rusty - from northern states so that didnt help a ton though
- 95 is OBDI - may make registration life easier on you, 96 is OBDII.
- Could be had with the 300-6, 302 V8 or 351 V8. Most were heavily optioned with the 351 V8.
- In typical Ferd fashion there are a handful of transmissions used and they do not interchange. Some had an AOD-E, some had an E4OD.
- Mine needed balljoints at some point. Still drove fine but ate up tires. When I pulled it apart it was a holy crap moment because they were very worn.
- Interior held up remarkably well. At 320k when I sold it every single option worked and I had a heavily optioned truck.
- I had the pushbutton transfer case and auto hubs and had absolutely no problems with either.
- TTB front ends do not lend themselves to lifting too far too cheaply.
They are a true classic. I mean, OJ used one as his getaway vehicle.
Javelin said:
In reply to thatsnowinnebago :
Why don't you just buy mine? It's literally exactly what you want. Rust free, 5.0, Auto, manual transfer case and hubs, cheap.
There's a delightful ex-forest service one down in Salem that I have my eye on. I'm a sucker for that minty green.
In reply to thatsnowinnebago :
But is it $2500?
In reply to Javelin :
It was darn close but now it's off craigslist. What did you do?!
Mndsm
MegaDork
7/30/19 5:40 p.m.
the rear hatch likes to rot out, and it's really berkeleying cold when the back window won't roll up in subzero temps.
1988RedT2 said:
They are a true classic. I mean, OJ used one as his getaway vehicle.
In my group of friends they are refered to as OJ's just as certain Cherokees are called XJ's and Land Cruisers are FJ's...
"Got a new wheeling rig last weekend!"
"Cool, XJ?"
"Nope, OJ"
1988RedT2 said:
They are a true classic. I mean, OJ used one as his getaway vehicle.
It was more of a going back home vehicle than a getaway one.
In reply to Steve_Jones :
Please don't muddy the waters with facts, sir! It's so much more fun to sensationalize!
In reply to Javelin :
Wait...you are down to $2500. Oh damn. I was thinking about a mountain toy.
In reply to bmw88rider :
Only to a GRMer and only this week!
