Just joined in west Texas

[Jordon]

Hello everyone. I've had my Bronco for a year and a half now. I enjoy it emmensly living in the Big Bend country of west Texas. Unfortunately, My Bronco is about on it's last leg. So I'm looking for another one, but I haven't yet decided on if I want another Bronco, or maybe an F-150 4X4. What do ya'll think. I'd like to get some input from a Ford site, since it will be slightly less bias. I am a sudent of Geology right now, and my job title is Research Assistant, which means I'm a field rat. My Bronco has been to some places out here that most people would just hike to get to. I like hiking, but the Bronco makes it more fun, plus I can carry out more samples! So, all things equal, Bronco or a 4X4 F-150? Let me know, and enjoy the pic! It was taken just outside Guadalupe Mountains NP in Texas.

 

[Roadkill]

Welcome to Broncozone. My opinion is biased but I say keep the Bronco. Judging from your picture and the fact you are in a desert environment, I would bet your truck has little or no rust. You already know that it is a capable off-road vehicle to use in your work/studies. It has lots of lockable storage space. (of course, a determined theif will get what he's after no matter how well you lock it up). I'm not sure what you mean by "last leg" but, for the price of a newer vehicle, you can replace the engine and a lot of other stuff if you do the work yourself. There is a wealth of information on this and other websites to help you through the process and there is nothing like the satisfaction of cruising around in something you built yourself.

That's just my biased two cents worth. B)

Anyway, Welcome to Broncozone! >

 

[Jordon]

Thanks for the help and input. There are some blemish problems because I drive it through some pretty harsh brush every now and then. It's mechanically fine, the problem is electrical, and it's getting to the point where it might become more economical to find something else. I guess I worded my question wrong. What I mean is, if it comes down to trading it in or scrapping it out, should I look for another Bronco, or an F-150? I realize that this is a Bronco forum, and so I expect that most will say stick with the Bronco, and I have no problem with that, I was just wondering if there is anyone here that has or has had an F-150 also and how did it match up with the Bronco in terms of ruggedness and dependability. I know both sides will have pros and cons, but which one has more cons from experience is what I'm looking for. Thanks again for the help and input. I hope this clears up some confusion about what I'm asking and I look forward to reading more replies (and welcomes!)

Jordon

 

[Yardape]

I don't understand what you mean by asking how they compare in ruggedness and dependability. Has anyone ever told you that the Bronco and F-150 use all the same parts?

 

[Justshootme84]

I agree, there is alot of similarity in the 80-96 Bronco and F-150. I think the deciding factor would be which specific vehicle you can find for a replacement of the current Bronco. Being in such a desolate region, you surely need a dependable rig, or need to be able to repair it if it breaks down. The Bronco's/Blazer's shorter wheelbase will allow it to maneuver in tighter areas than a pick-up, as it can turn on a dime. The pick-up gives you slightly better stability and hauling capacity. An extended cab pick-up has been my work truck for many years, with the Broncos/Blazers serving as back-up or recreational rigs. And while this is a Ford site, I've run the Chevy/GMC Z-71's for work trucks. A 92, 95, and currently a 98 model all giving dependable service to 200K miles. I also have 40K on my newest work truck, a 2006 Dodge Hemi 4WD. Unless you are committed to one brand of trucks only, thre are many that will serve you well. IT's usually a matter of what kind of deal I can get on the vehicle, and how well it's taken care of by the previous owners. Good luck, JSM84

 

[Jordon]

I don't understand what you mean by asking how they compare in ruggedness and dependability. Has anyone ever told you that the Bronco and F-150 use all the same parts?

Of course! However, I have an exception to the rule. I just recently replaced the driver's side Seat track assembly. I bought one off a 1990 F-150 for $25, and it didn't fit! I had to scour the internet for the part, and ended up finding it in New York for $120.

Like Justshootme84 pointed out, the turning radius is better in a Bronco, that is something that I overlooked seeing as how my F-150 experience has been in a 2004 which has an exceptional turning radius compared to earlier models (the earlier models that I am talking about are '80-'96, and are also the one's I can afford.), but the Bronco beats it hands down. But on the other side of the coin the F-150 has better stability and towing capacity. Towing capacity I'm not concerned with, but stability I would be. However, there have been numerous times when the Bronco's turning radius has come in handy, moreso than stability, so I think that I will look for another Bronco if the time comes when I have to replace my current one.

Justshootme84, Thanks for pointing out the turning radius, I just took that for granted with my Bronco. Also, I'm a bit of a Ford Fanatic, my family has owned Fords since they started making them. My dad once decided to buy a Chevy and it broke down after 3 months. It was a basic basic basic truck, bench seats, manual windows and locks, no cc, no tilt steering wheel, the only option on it was Automatic Transmission. It didn't even have a cassette or CD player. We got a prorated check from Chevy after they took it back and we went to the Ford dealership and got an XLT Crew Cab cheaper than the Chevy 2500. This was 1998, so the thought of a non-Ford truck is kinda iffy to me, but that was just one experience, I've known people who've had no problems with their GM. As for Dodge, I've never been a huge fan (I love the Charger, not the new one, the old one!), so they would have to make me one **** of a deal to get me in one, and they love their trucks out here, almost to the point that they wouldn't want to sell them, even the used ones. Also, being in west Texas there are ranchers galore, mostly they drive an F series of some sort, I've noticed after living out here for 3 years that the a-holes drive Dodges, people that would rather run you off the road (has happened to me) as much as look at you. So all in all, for me, Dodge trucks have been a bad experience as well.

Thank you everyone who replied, especially Justshootme84 for pointing out something that I had taken for granted, and would have been rather P.O.ed about if I had gone with an F-150! I'll stick with the Bronco, and if I must retire mine, I'll look for another Bronco to fill her shoes. If you have more thoughts or suggestions, then please let me know. Thanks again.

Jordon

 

[SLICKS92BRONCO]

Hello everyone. I've had my Bronco for a year and a half now. I enjoy it emmensly living in the Big Bend country of west Texas. Unfortunately, My Bronco is about on it's last leg. So I'm looking for another one, but I haven't yet decided on if I want another Bronco, or maybe an F-150 4X4. What do ya'll think. I'd like to get some input from a Ford site, since it will be slightly less bias. I am a sudent of Geology right now, and my job title is Research Assistant, which means I'm a field rat. My Bronco has been to some places out here that most people would just hike to get to. I like hiking, but the Bronco makes it more fun, plus I can carry out more samples! So, all things equal, Bronco or a 4X4 F-150? Let me know, and enjoy the pic! It was taken just outside Guadalupe Mountains NP in Texas.

I think you stay with the Bronco, their great off road vehicles. Thats my opinion but It depends on what your going to do with it. A F-150 is great if you need the extra cargo, but Bronco's are all around great vehicles, you can tow anything you want and the wheel base is shorter then a truck so they make great trail trucks. I have owned alot of different 4X4's and my Bronco is my favorite. Good Luck on your next ride.

 

[Justshootme84]

Aside from being able to remove the hardtop and drive around like I own a convertable car, the other feature I like best on the Broncos is that tight turning radius. It takes a football field to turn the Z-71's, but the Bronco can turn around on most county roads. In comparison, I could drive 35, maybe 40 mph in the Bronco at most. Any faster, and it gets too squirrley to handle. The Z-71 's can travel up to 70 mph on the same roads. OF course, I modify all my rigs with Rancho shocks and other mods, but those are some major differences in the two types of vehicles. I've owned more Ford's than other brands, coming from a Ford family of mechanics. The Dogge is the first I've ever owned, trying it mainly for the Hemi and the better price over other brands locally. In the realm of mid-80's to mid-90's trucks and SUV's, those are so different from newer ones with IFS frontends. JSM84