1986 Ford Bronco II xl 2.9 litre from North America

Summary:

A stout 4-wheel drive with few problems..

Faults:

Alternator.

Cruise control.

Brake guide-pins.

General Comments:

I bought this truck with 109,500 miles on it from a local Subaru dealer, it was traded in by the previous owner. when I got it the battery went dead the next day and I found out that the alternator was bad. The dealer fixed it for free.

Next, the guide-pins for the front brake calipers started backing out, just because they were so old. I replaced them for less than $10.

The cruise control is not working, I'm not sure why. I wish that it worked.

Other than the couple problems I mentioned, the truck has never let me down. I have had it in the snow and mud, and got stuck up to the doors in mud, and it still keeps going.

It gets around 21 miles per gallon, not bad for a truck, but I wish it got better, just because gas is very expensive where I live.

I like having a stout 4 wheel drive, but miss the gas mileage (28-32 miles per gallon) that my last Mazda 323 got.

I would buy another bronco ii, but not another kind of ford.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2007

1986 Ford Bronco II XLT 2.9L V6 from North America

Summary:

Best car I ever had

Faults:

Had some trouble with the transmission because of oil leak.

General Comments:

Still runs well after 212,000 miles.

Original engine, original rings, valves, etc. Doesn't lose oil.

Built like a tank, stiff suspension, so it's not the most comfortable ride, but it is tough.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th January, 2007

1986 Ford Bronco II XLT 2.9L V6 from North America

Summary:

Parts are cheap, and I am glad to have it; good all around

Faults:

Replaced engine with a used engine with a lot more miles on it, for the reason that a more used engine has already proven reliability. Old engine had a busted piston rod, or wrist pin.

Repaired wiper motor ground wire.

Replaced taillight, and reverse light bulbs.

Replaced battery.

Repaired heater core (previous owners fault).

Replaced fuel filter, and blew out clogged lines.

Repaired in tank fuel pump by yanking on wires... still works though my gas gauge no longer does.

Drilled holes in bottom of rear hatch because it was holding water.

Need to replace hatch and window gas shocks.

Need to repair the "unlock" function of electric locks.

Need to repair driver side window (previous owners fault, falls out of track), and connecting rod for window regulator (also previous owners fault).

New wipers.

Had to wiggle brake light switch on the pedal to get my brake lights to work.

Need to repair in dash wiring for radio harness (previous owners fault).

General Comments:

Despite all of the repairs that I have done to my BII, you wouldn't believe that I did 99% of them myself. I bought the motor for 400 bucks, I bought wipers for 17, repaired the heater core for 10, cap, rotor, plugs and wires for 50, repaired wiper motor myself... 5 minutes, drilled holes in hatch... 5 minutes, and the pump in the tank is a weird story, but will be taking it to an electrical shop to repair my fuel gauge, since I don't know why it doesn't work now, and if they get it to work, and then my fuel pump dies... they get to fix it for no cost to me.. muwahahah.

I've been driving it for only the last 3 days from the day that I wrote this review, and I have to say that I am impressed with its abilities. It handles nimbly through corners, has an incredibly small turning radius (smaller than that of my old Datsun hatchback) and has enough power to get me where I want to go, when I want to go. I can't think of anything on it that I would improve upon and hope to make it better, I like it just the way it is.

My dashboard says "Premium Sound System" I haven't been able to find any information on this tag for this year of the BII, but I pulled one of the stock 5x7s out of the back, and noticed that the speakers themselves said "premium" on them... so that answers that question.

I think the coolest part of this little guy, are those fold down glove compartment-esque storage compartments on both sides of the rear seats, and in the cargo area. You can easily put, 2 quarts of oil, and a funnel in there for safe keeping... that's what I did anyway...

I've only been driving it for a short while, on 2-3 year old gas, and it hasn't (except for the occasional hiccup) given me any trouble. Always starts on the first try.

I have large friends, whom, one of which owns a 1987 S10 blazer, and they are mostly comparable, expect that, my bronco is easier to get in and out of, and is more comfortable to sit in... amongst various other things.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th December, 2006