Should You Buy a Bronco II ?

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Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 50

@SgtE5 3 ай бұрын

New subscriber here, I had a 1984 Ranger, 2.3 cylinder/5 speed in high school (83'-'87). As the years have gone by I have fond memories of that little truck. I got me many many miles of smiles and memories. I drove it back and forth from my home here in east texas down to Ft. Hood Texas for 2 years, from 1987 to 1989. When I came up for pcs to south korea, I sold it. Fast forward to about 5 years ago, I turned 50 and started looking for another little ranger of the 80s to 1991 vintage. Every one I round was either a million miles and beat to death, or a unicorn with low miles and a stupid high price tag. About a month ago, I had a buddy up in Oklahoma call me and ask me if I was still looking for an old brick nose ranger, and i told him I was. He told me he found one and sent me the number of the fellow looking to sell it. I called the fellow selling the ranger and it turned out to be a 1990 Ford ranger xlt, 2.3 four cylinder, 5 spd. We talked and he sent me pics of the truck. The story- The seller was the preacher for the deceased owner and he was over his estate. The man that bought it died at 91. He bought it brand new in November of 1990. The day he bought it, he started a little notebook and the first entry is dated 11/90 and showed 17 miles on the clock. Every 3500 mile oil/filter change is in the notebook. Every air filter change, any service...is in that book. The problem he was having with selling the truck was that the old man owner, in 2022, had a spell of some sort and ran off the road and spun out, then hit a big plastic drainage culvert with the left rear side of the truck. It caved the bed in behind the left rear tire, and twisted the bed to the right and so it appeared (to any potential buyer) that the truck may have a bent frame. He sent me a bunch of pictures of it, and I told him i was interested in the truck but I had a little car I needed to sell first. He asked what kind of car I had and I told him it was a 2003 nissan sentra with 80k on it . That it was bought new by my mother in law and she could no longer drive as of 3 years ago. I bought it for $1000. I told him that it was mechanically sound, that the only thing really wrong with it was that all the paint was burnt off of it from sitting in my driveway in the Texas sun for 12 years. He asked if I would be willing to trade my car for that truck, because he had an older lady in their church that her car had died and she really couldn't afford to repair it or buy a newer car and that my car may be just what she needed. I asked him of he wanted me to send him pics or video of it and he said 'Son...(he's 78) IF that car will drive up here on a 380 mile trip...I'm pretty sure it's a good car.' Lol So took the next day off, drove up there, looked the truck over, traded with him, drove the truck out of the deceased man's garage..and drove the truck home. This truck has 88k on it. The 34 year old paint looks brand new, other than the dented bed side, the truck is amazing. It looks like a brand new 1990 ford ranger..that's wrecked. Lol On the trip home, it averaged 23 mpg, at 75 and 80mph, with the a/c blowing and waylon jennings playing in the cassette deck. Since I got the truck, I did go thru rock auto and put new front brakes, brake lines, calipers, master cylinder. Also since 34 year old ac system was low on R12 freon, I went ahead and put a new condenser, dryer, ac lines, orffice tube and ac compressor on it. You are correct about finding body parts and such..I ended up having to go to Lubbock Texas (1100 mole round trip) and bought a 1989 ranger that had a bad motor in it, but the body is in excellent shape...just so I could get whole body panels..like the left bedside I need. After trading for the truck, doing the brakes, all new ac, and buying the parts truck, I am in to this truck for about $2900. Cost and value is perception. I think i got my money's worth. Dang..I wrote a book. Anyways, I like your content and think I'll stuck around for awhile.

@JunkTrucks Ай бұрын

Sorry for just now getting around to responding to this, but awesome story. These are great little trucks and you did the right thing replacing the brake system. Im a little bit jealous that yours has AC, mine is missing just about every component and me being my cheap self I dont see me spending the money to get it back on the truck. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

@OvertheHills 20 күн бұрын

I have a 1988 red BII XL 4x4 5-speed that I bought new in 1987. I just took it on a 2,000+ mile road trip including some 4x4 roads. It never skipped a beat. Evidently, Ford didn't expect them to last over 100,000 miles because there's no sixth digit on the odometer. The odometer on mine has turned over twice. It's done 230,000 miles on the original engine (and original heads).

@MrMultitool 22 күн бұрын

I owned an 88 myself and it was the best vehicle I've owned. The only engine problem was the valve cover gaskets and also the temperature clutch that cools the radiator and ac condenser. It never was a problem with rolling over because I never drove it like it was a tank. 10 years and 256 thousand miles with NO real issues.

@SgtE5 3 ай бұрын

I remember riding my bike to school and passing by the ford dealer back in 1983, when i was in the 8th grade, and the Bronco 2 had just been introduced. I remember stopping and walking around a pretty dark blue and white 2 tone one..i was amazed by those wrap around back windows. Good ol days.

@thexpat 4 ай бұрын

I have an 88 too. They're built like tanks compared to modern vehicles.

@KarinesGarage 6 ай бұрын

The floatyness of the truck is mainly due to the way the twin beam front suspension is done: it naturally pushes up the front instead of dampening bumps and dips. Also, adding another leaf in the back end helps a lot to level up the truck. New shocks would help you out. I need to change mine out too.😂 There's no cubby in the back left because if you specced your B2 to have an internal spare tire, it was mounted on the driver side. The 2.9l heads were fixed on the 1990 version, which i recommend everyone to get, or AT LEAST switch to a lower temp thermostat to keep it cooler. The fix to the top heavy-ness, you run the biggest tires that you can fit without altering the body, which is 235 75 r15. You can also run a 1" wheel spacer which helps the stability as well. I agree with pretty much everything that you said in the video. I can't wait to finish mine on my channel. ❤ Cheers!

@JunkTrucks 6 ай бұрын

I’m in need of a set of tires and that’s actually the size I was going to get, thanks for the information!

@lawrencetrybus3441 Ай бұрын

I have owned on since new in '89. I have put over 500,000 miles on it. she is currently hurting on rust but it has been through blizzards, nor'easters and allot of mud. It does make sure you stay alert while driving.

@Deatomizer 6 ай бұрын

I never thought I'd say this about the Bronco II. It looks like a classic :) The red interior though..Wow

@Bolie420 6 ай бұрын

I didn’t really think you could make a bronco II look good but this one does

@ronnythompson9115 Ай бұрын

@JunkTrucks - I would put some oil inside those rust spots. Stops rust in its tracks.

@carcrazylondon309 Ай бұрын

I have a 88 too and it’s been my daily for 2 years and all your points are great, I’ve definitely had weekends where it’s all just working on the car 😂

@JunkTrucks Ай бұрын

Yep, it’s just part of it.

@White97GTVert 6 ай бұрын

Cool ride, and a good way to learn about all things automotive. I've had a couple of B2's. They used to be really cheap to pick up, and with minimal work they are a decent wheeler.

@madscientistgaming341 2 ай бұрын

Fellow B2 88 owner, I love my truck and it has never let me down, does everything I ask of it and more, and even though it's stock it out performed my buddy's stock 2011 Jeep (2 door)

@JunkTrucks 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!

@cselfie7234 Ай бұрын

Thanks. Soon to start my B2 project.

@MasterFancyPants 3 ай бұрын

My 88 B2 is currently getting a 302 v8 and a manual transmission added. Had it for years. Glad they are starting to get more popular.

@JunkTrucks 3 ай бұрын

A 302 would do pretty good in there I would imagine.

@conormccullar4797 Ай бұрын

Bro. If you are doing a v8 swap what resources are you using for information. I just bought a b2 and definitely wanna do a v8

@MasterFancyPants Ай бұрын

@conormccullar4797 I'm having a friend's brother who is a mechanic do it. That kinda drive train work is over my head.

@conormccullar4797 Ай бұрын

@@MasterFancyPantsfor sure I understand. It’s no small feat. I hope your build comes out awesome.

@ronnieking1025 Ай бұрын

Great VideoI Have a 1988 Bronco II XLT Great Machine

@RighteousApache 6 ай бұрын

I’ve had a town car and a crown Victoria and if you ever get the chance I highly recommend picking one up used, very reliable and smooth riding.

@edwardthiemann1631 20 күн бұрын

I have the same one and I put a lot of money in it and you never know what is going to go wrong next . mine is rusted out in the back fenders and trunk and my spare is inside

@Big88Country 12 күн бұрын

May be buying an 87 5 speed this week. Haven't got to see it yet, but supposedly it runs good, so we'll see. My 1st new car was a 88 S-10 4x4, so hopefully it all works out and I can get to experience and 80's ride again. Good job on the video!

@JunkTrucks 11 күн бұрын

I will say that mine seemed to run pretty good when I first got it, although it had a cracked head and loved to drink coolant. Just something to look out for. Thanks for watching!

@Big88Country 11 күн бұрын

@@JunkTrucks 👍

@brenndanb6691 22 күн бұрын

84 was one of the better ones my opinion I have had 88 84 85 Eddie Bauer and a 90 my favorite one was the 84 2.8 v6 I em making it a four-door with a V-8

@1leggeddog 6 ай бұрын

Love these trucks!

@zachpeters7096 2 ай бұрын

18 ft of RG-58 coax (CB antenna wire) is $12 on Amazon. Just sayin. A two way radio is a good idea on the trial. Especially when you're with other people (which is also a good idea). Although GMRS/FRS radio has mostly displaced CB radio, CB still has a place off-road. It's worthwhile.

@dcmcgill1105 25 күн бұрын

My ‘89 5 speed Bronco ll is going strong….fun durable and fast.

@brokeanbrokengarage8494 4 ай бұрын

Just got me 88 5 speed one to working on making it my daily love them

@ceesklumper 2 ай бұрын

I have a '90 daily driver, 250K miles on the original engine. No rust as it lived in high desert California all its life

@Acgallen Ай бұрын

4.0 5 spd swapped mine, alot of power through all gears which is awesome. Building mine into an over lander, center of gravity is way better than it was. Top speed is right around 70 LOL just doesnt feel right to keep stepping on it.

@JunkTrucks Ай бұрын

Yea anything past 70 in these things feel like just a little too much lmao.

@OCtheG 4 ай бұрын

I bought an ‘88 XLT with an alleged 4,500 original miles but it’s been struggling to lose an intermittent loss of power problem. Compression’s fine, replaced every electronic sensor and module and every part of the fuel system. Still doesn’t run right, at a loss.

@JunkTrucks 4 ай бұрын

I don’t remember how off the top of my head but there is a way to get these trucks to ignore all of the sensors and run strictly off of a set amount of numbers in the computer. I know when I was fighting my truck I was able for it to do that so I could rule out other issues. I learned that on a forum that’s out there somewhere, don’t give up you’ll get it.

@CG-zh1td 3 ай бұрын

Watch out for the TFI (Thick Film Ignition in Ford speak) module on these. I'm not sure, but they may have been introduced on the EFI 2.9 engines when they were introduced in '87. They are notorious for sudden and no warning failure - the engine will just die with no spark. Mine did that on a very busy freeway, leaving me in a perilous situation. IDK if there's an upgrade or "fix" for it, but if yours is running the one installed at the factory, have a spare or two on hand in the glove box. It's an easy replacement, if you have the part. Without it you will not get the engine running. YMMV

@ceesklumper 2 ай бұрын

They tend to fail due to heat from the engine. You can 'remote mount' them on the fenderwall with an 'extension cord' that will solve the problem. You can carry a spare TFI and fix it roadside.