New guy...looking for advice on buying a Bronco

[CO5.0]

So, I'm not (yet) a Bronco owner, but I found this forum and thought I'd post my questions while looking around.

Basically I'm looking for a full size 4x4 to use as my winter vehicle, and to do light towing with. (I say light, but in reality I want to tow a single car trailer with a 2800 lb. car on it. Up to around 5500 lbs combined I would guess.) My family are Ford nuts and I have always liked Broncos, so that's the first thing that came to mind. Plus, out here in CO they are cheap and easy to find. I should note I won't be doing much, if any off-roading with whatever I buy, though I've always wanted to try. Just want the 4x4 to get around in the snow.

In general I'm just looking for advice on what to look for...common trouble spots, desirable options, good questions to ask, etc. But I do have some more specific questions.

First...I'm obviously going to want the V8 for towing...should I go with the 302 or 351? Everyone seems to say 351, but the better gas mileage and available factory 5-speed of the 302 are attractive to me. (I hate automatics.) How much can I realistically expect to tow with a stock 5-speed 302?

If I get a 302 with the Mazda 5-speed...is it ok to tow so much with those trannys? And how much power can they take? I've read that they are ***** but don't have the time or know-how to swap to a ZF tranny. If I did wouldn't hesitate to buy one with a 351 and do that. I would, however, have no trouble installing a few bolt-ons to up the power (i.e. headers and exhaust, maybe heads). In fact I would almost certainly do a few mods as I think the factory 302s feel underpowered. Just want to make sure I'm not going to be breaking things right off the bat here.

Thanks in advance for your help, hopefully I will be posting here more, soon /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[50joe]

There are alot of things to look for just like any other used truck, but rust seems to be the curse, especially out there I imagine. If you plan to tow, I would strongly suggest you go with the 351. I have the 302, and while it can hold its own, when I load it up you can really feel the strain on it. Good luck with your search, and I'm sure some of the other members can offer you some things to look for.

 

[92broncomann]

Firstly, Any full size bronco will tow just about anything. My bronco personally has pulled a 2200lb flat bed with a 94 chevy suburban(9200lbs), so in total 11,400lbs with no problems.

Definitely stick with a V8 for your power options. 351 will trash the 302 every day in power. Gas milage they are fairly similar as long as you aren't a led foot as some of us tend to be / a few miles to the gal difference. There is nothing wrong with either option, they both can be modified to preform better.

In any event get the automatic. The mazda 5 speed was made for light duty trucks and should have stayed there. How for decided to offer it in the full size behind the 300 and 302(unless it was 4x2) is a complete failure. If you plan to do towing with the 5 speed plan on buying a new 5 speed.

92BM

 

[brad050]

1st question you want to ask: is there any bondo on it? lol.

Check to make sure 4x4 works!

Check for rust

Common bronco rust spots:

-Everywhere lol

remember to check by the rain gutters that are above the doors, the floors, the bottom of the doors, run your hand across the back of the bottom lip of the tailgate (feel for rust)

GL

 

[JCFindley]

1st question you want to ask: is there any bondo on it? lol.
Check to make sure 4x4 works!

Check for rust

Common bronco rust spots:

-Everywhere lol

remember to check by the rain gutters that are above the doors, the floors, the bottom of the doors, run your hand across the back of the bottom lip of the tailgate (feel for rust)

GL

This one cracked me up.... But remember, if you get enough rust around the fenders you can run larger tires.....

Rust is a huge problem in this vehicle but it won't affect towing or show performance.

JC