1986 Ford Bronco XLT from North America - Comments

In 1999, two weeks after purchase from a private party, replaced the rear differential. Cost $500.

In 2001, the front and rear brakes were done for about $500.

Mysterious low-speed hesitation began in March 2001:

Complete tune-up, $250.

Replaced all 5 U-joints, $500.

Two sensors, $150.

EGR valve, $150.

Checked the tranny and vacuum lines more than once during the process of elimination regarding hesitation, $0.

The problem persists and is getting worse: now cutting out when going slow, idle bouncing around.

Replaced tailgate window switch. Cost $50.

Front seats lean back too far even in the straightest position.

Engine wire harness is in need of replacing.

Air conditioning needs replacing.

Heater went out recently. Fan blows but no heat. Makes a weird gurgling sound.

Right front speaker quit.

Engine and tranny rebuilt at 100,000 miles.

5.0 engine just a bit small for this heavy vehicle in my opinion.

And after all that I am having a hard time getting rid of it!!

I just wish I could get the hesitation taken care of and the climate control. But the costs are adding up fast, and the downtime is very difficult for me to handle. I am tired of arranging rides and missing work.

What the Ford Bronco is, I really like: a fun-loving 2 door beast that you just point and shoot. It's been perfect for the beach, the hills, the desert, camping, art/craft fairs, you name it!

I like the image of this vehicle: does not say "Family Sedan" like most of the 4 door SUV's. It is less civilized than Explorer Sport, which I also like. Mine has an approximate 3" lift which is perfect.

It's cavernous cargo space has been extremely useful.

My two biggest complaints are the mystery problem (if I keep it we will be investigating the fuel system next) and the fact that the wheelbase is too short to haul horses. I may buy a 1996 Bronco next if I don't buy a Grand Cherokee or truck.

At this point I am torn between spending big bucks to restore this 1986 Bronco and giving up to find something else. I am actually losing sleep on it!

I understand your pain. I partially own an '86 Ford Bronco on terms my Dad and I set 4 years ago. I have recently spent more than $4,000 on my truck and it still lacks reliability, but I can't say it is the makers fault. I, like yourself, use it for what it is built for, the off road. My problems were from past abuse from the previous owner. Turned out that he had buried it in a creek while trying to cross and hit a hard surface sideways and the seals in the IFS started to leak. 3 years and $3,000 later I have a practically brand new truck. However, I never thought that my oil pump would go bad and that explains itself.

I have an idea for your hesitation problem though. I had an experience where my truck just wouldn't run right after a top end rebuild. For months I battled timing errors and bad fuel economy not to mention cooling problems. Anyway, it ended up that you can actually put that distributor in 180 degrees backwards and still have it run. It just barely makes right time and if you try to adjust in that condition, you will only frustrate yourself further. Don't give up on that truck! That truck alone stands for what true freedom of the road stands for. Nothing stops a truck like the Bronco.

Why would Ford the greatest automobile maker in the free world make an engine, 302 5.0 that is next to impossible to change the oil pump without pulling the engine half way out of the vehicle and no less than 8 hours to do it. What were they thinking?

I have a 1984 bronco we had it since it was 2 months old, my parents just gave it to me. my truck has the 351 high output in it and all of the options on it. I had replaced the radiator and hoses (radiator too small, leaky too) pOwEr steering pump,battery alternator and the best two things that took my hesisitation away was a new edelbrock carb and 3 in pipes out the back. it runs like new and it has over 200,000 on it. betTer fuel economy too.

Hope this helps.

I own a 1979 Bronco, with a 351 in it. When I first got it, it had the same problems you described, rough idling, ETC.

I put a new intake manifold on it (the previous was in rough shape) and put a set of headers on, upped the exhaust to 3 inch duals, and haven't had a problem with it since. a friend of mine just bought a 86 Bronco, and it doesn't idle well. I think a lot of it is the exhaust...it's too small a diameter. Don't give up on that Bronco!

I purchased a 1986 Bronco almost two years ago and I have completely taken out all the emission junk and added an Edelbrock carb. seems to have made the 351W come alive, at least as much as 145,000 miles will let it. I see headers and three inch exhaust in it's near future. I use the truck every day. I work in construction and you can imagine the places I've had it in. I think the bronco is a very good vehicle and seems to be dependable even with all the miles.

I have 82 bronco (recently purchased) I changed the fly wheel and starter, but still am experiencing a loud grinding noise, I looked through the peep hole and it seems that the starter is not fully touching the flywheel kinda skimming over the top of the gears. Theres no way to adjust the position of the starter (shim).And please don't say wrong starter or flywheel, because I have changed it twice and the parts man swears its the right one.

If the 5.0 in the Bronco is fuel injected it could be the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve that needs replacing. If it's carby, then no idea.

Hi, I just bought a 1985 Ford Bronco, it has the 5.8L 4x4 edelbrock carb & manifold, dual 3 inch pipes with a magnaflow exhaust, 3 inch lift, and bfg mud terrains. The guy that I got it from told me that it was a crate engine (I don't know what it means). It's got a lot of cancer (needs bondo). Well I just wanted to ask if I got the right SUV for fun and to use daily???

Thanx

Isack.

Well Isack... Yes & No.

Yes...As the owner of a 94 Eddie B. & Previous owner of an 85 & an 82 XLT, all with 5.8L's. They were/are all great for off-road, camping and tail-gating @ concerts. Lot of power, great looks, and for older trucks... parts aren't to hard to come by or that expensive. I like them a LOT more than the Wrangler I've had for 10 years. Even pretty nice for highway road trips (for a truck).

No...They are ALL older now (About 23 years in your case) and are going to require maintenance. It can be pricey if you don't do your own work. Yes... They do rust so if you're keeping it undercoating/rust proofing not a bad idea (may be too late in your case). They eat gas something fierce.

I absolutely LOVE mine, but I wouldn't want one as my ONLY vehicle unless I needed towing power, off-road ability, and would rather turn a wrench than have a newer truck payment.