thank you keep the ranger trust us on this on then save for a bronco and have a trial truck and dd.

 

Now THIS is my kinda thread....

Lets start off by posting a few pics of my 96 Eddie Bauer. BTW, I am the guy Jake (LordOfWar) is talking about.

What it was when I got it about 5 years ago...my dad bought it brand new, and I bought it off of him with 83k miles on it. No lift with 31x10.50s. It now has 125k. 351, E4OD by the way, not "a"...stands for Electronic Fuel Injection, 4 speed, with Over Drive. The manuals are M5OD.




Superlift leveling coils, super lift AAL, 33x12.50 BFG AT's, 5% tint, and a bunch of other mods later and you have this...









Oh yeah, and I wheel it...and it does great. Open D44 Twin Traction Beam (TTB) in the front, 8.8 LS in the rear. 3.55's both front and rear (obviously).


RF meet and greet...

FSB and RMFTC meet


Moody Hill with Rangermuse




Alright, alright. Enough whoring i'm sorry! I can't help myself...
http://www.supermotors.net/users/96blkbeauty

Link to my supermotors if you want to see more.

Bottom line is, my Bronco has been a very reliable vehicle. The only major issue I have had with it is the fuel pump going out. It was an expensive fix because I didn't have the tools or space to do it myself, and I had to have Ford do it. You have to drop the tank, so it takes some time. I have also gone through a few pairs of break pads because the Broncos love to eat them up. Pretty cheap fix there.

I do get around 10 mpg city, and 12 highway if you're easy on the gas. But there are guys on FullsizeBronco.com who have done special tune ups, and upgrades, who are getting near 18 mpg out of their Broncos. Granted, that is on the stock 245x75R15s. With 33's, expect about what I get.

That black bronco you posted looks to be in great shape. With 80k on it, expect to be paying around 4500-5000, tops. Broncos aren't going for much these days.

Broncos are way cool...big V8, removable hard top, option for a soft top, pretty cheap to lift, can fit 5 comfortably, and still have space in the back for camping/hunting gear.

Now, is a Bronco the right option for you? No idea. We can't decide that. Its up to you man.

 

That is a real sexy Bronco, and that is basically the exact thing I would want to do if I were to buy one.

I'll start saving my pennies.

How hard is it to take off the hard top?

 

I personally have never taken my hard top off. But it isn't too bad. It does require a special tool for the bolts that Ford used. But a lot of guys just replace those bolts with standard bolts so the next time they take the top off its a lot easier.

There is some plastic trim pieces you have to take off first, then the bolts. Then it might take two people to lift it off, or some kinda lift with rope and pullies.

 

Alright thanks that's good to know!

I reallllllllly want a 1970 Bronco to restore...my neighbor has a beautifully restored one that I envy..

 

beware of leaks if you do take it off

 

I want to at some point get a bronco like that also, I love those trucks. I need something to tinker with and something for offroad.

 

I had a early 80's gen Bronco in high school. Well it actually belonged to my parents but i drove it to school and all around, more than they did.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun in it but I also ended up driving everyone around because it has so much room in it. Gas was also just over $1 when I was in high school. It has the 302 and was ok on gas. better than the 351 but also lacked the power a bit from the 351. Mine was stock except for 31" tires. I didn't drive it like a truck all the time and it handled well.

I wouldn't mind owning another but it would be a '96 (last year made I think?). The "Night" edition (like the first pic) is the best looking I think.

It is a though call, but remember in the snow belt with salt the tailgates rot at the bottom and the rear wheel arches rot as well. I've seen all Bronco's suffer from this.

I sold my parents Bronco at 180K with oil leaking out of it but still running strong. Oh ya. The floor board was also starting to rot and had a hole behind the pass seat. Can't remember how I found it but there was enough shielding and stuff under the truck that the quick look at inspections the techs never saw it and failed it.

 

one of my buddies i wheel with has a 93 FSB.

cool truck, pretty capable, 3" lift, 33's, etc

but, hes working on it every weekend. if i had the money, space, and time, i'd probably buy one to beat on.

 

Since your truck is paid off now, keep it. Especially if it is reliable and practical. Don't sell a good reliable daily driver to fund a project.

Drive the Ranger and save up for a Bronco. If you come across a Bronco you just have to have, then consider selling the Ranger to fund it.

Personally I would buy a Bronco, but it would be a second vehicle. Keep the Ranger as long as you can. There's nothing wrong with it.

I have made MANY impulsive automotive purchases and I have been burned on most of them.

 

yea, i'd keep it. it's paid for. the market is tough for selling anything right now.

on a side note, i hate this thread. it makes me miss my bronk more and more.

screw my warranty. i'm taking a sawzall to the roof. whose with me?
as for the rain/snow, i'll buy a tarp. whose with me?

 

96 was the last year the FSB was made. It is also the best year because of the OBDII. Not all Broncos suffer from cancer on the tailgate and arches of the fenders. Mine doesn't, and i've seen plenty of others that are ok. Just depends on how clean it is and where it has spent its life.

 

obd2 makes it better?

i used to be real into 3rd gen acura integras and on those the most sought after year was 94-95s cause they were obd1 and responded better to mods.

 

Every time I see a Bronco I think of OJ Simpson...lol

Keep the Ranger. You have a great truck and with 40k miles it will last you a long time. I wish I still had my Ranger from High School. lol

 

Yeah man,if your truck is only at 40k, you have a long way to go.

Mine's 7 years old and has near 255 000 miles and is in better shape than a lot of Rangers I see around.