| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.9 V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
9.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 79000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 80000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford F150 |
Summary:
Quick, hardworking 4x4 truck!
Faults:
My brake light went out, but that was very easy to replace. Low on oil once maybe, but that's it.
General Comments:
This Bronco II is excellent. I'm gonna drop in a bigger engine. 5.0 V8. It's a Limited Edition Off-Road Edition. Only a few hundred of these were made. So I really do consider myself lucky.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th April, 2002
| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.9L V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
8.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 138000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 173000 miles |
| Previous car | GMC Pickup |
Summary:
No hotrodding the car unless it's rebuilt for it
Faults:
The transmission blew at 173,000 miles due to hot roding.
Power steering seals leak.
Leaked a little oil from valve covers and lower intake gaskets.
Has leaked transmission fluid ever since I've owned the vehicle, but progressed from then.
Poor powering from the alternator. Just not strong enough for accessories like heavy car audio equipment.
The black was repainted because of rust on the roof and hood.
The hood prop located to the driver's side was too short and when propped made the hood bend, so I eliminated that with hood pins to latch the hood and hydraulic lift arms.
Driver's seat has some wear to the outside of it.
General Comments:
I was starving for speed when I went from an '89 Mustang 5.0 LX with mods, to a '69 GMC pickup with a 400 4 bolt main, then to the Bronco II.
I took the heads off and had them ported and polished, a valve job, the upper and lower intakes ported and polished, new Holy 28 lbs an hour injectors, but the fuel pump wasn't strong enough for the injectors at full power.
Spring Break 2001 I bought N.O.S. pro shot 75 + stage 1 and installed it myself. Before N.O.S. the car had 179 HP up to 227 with NOS compared to the stock 140, but the transmission wasn't strong enough for that and blew it out after my trip to Daytona beach on spring break. I was hoping on a custom setup supper charger.
After the new black paint I had silver racing stripes painted down the center of the car and added traction bars. Didn't get new wheels, although I had Pirelli's on the factory alloy rims.
I did all that with this car cause I thought it would be a very unique car and turn a lot of heads.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th February, 2002
| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.9L V6 Manual |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
5.8 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 193000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 211110 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Bronco II |
Summary:
Get an automatic in these vehicles
Faults:
The car has had 2 transmissions installed. The first time was rebuilt by Cotman Transmission and the second time was shipped in from another transmission shop.
The transmission isn't reliable enough for towing. It's the FM-146 5spd.
The Power Steering pump is throwing fluid from the front seal.
When we got the car it was losing rear axle gear oil from the left-rear axle seal and the axle was worn into from wear.
A/C was not working when I got it. The refrigerent Leaked out earlier before I got it.
Headlights fill up with water.
Poor powering from the altenator on any Bronco II I've ever seen.
It's a very rough ride with the swaying side to side when on rough terrain.
The paint on the roof and hood is practically rust. Nothing I can do about that now except paint it.
General Comments:
It's a stout little vehicle. Too bad it has had the known problems with the transmission and the lack of power for towing.
The interior is still in nice condition after I cleaned it up really good. Previous owner didn't clean it at all.
The paint that is left on the sides and back hatch is still nice after wax and buff. It's a nice looking ride when cleaned.
The car is a reliable car as far as start and go when there is a good transmission in it.
So far, the car is still rocking and rolling down the road.
After 211,110 miles. the engine is still very tight. It is very "mechanically sound."
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th February, 2002
I don't know why you say the 2.9 doesn't have any power. We have a 1987 Ford Ranger with a 2.9 and we haven't found one thing yet it wouldn't pull. We have a 15ft glassmagic boat and it pulls it down the road like there isn't anything there. It pulls it out of the water with ease. It also has a 5 sp Manual and we have never had any problems except we replaced the clutch. We had a old concrete porch that we dragged with it. We had a old 77 Ford LTD2 and got it stuck in a rut, that little Ranger pulled it out with hardly no effort. It is also only a 2 wheel drive. So I don't know why you say the 2.9 has no power. Yes, it doesn't seem like much when you compare it with a new 4.0, but what do you expect, it almost double the size.
Sounds like you saved your Bronco II from an abusive home. I too have had to replace the five speed in my 1989 XLT. I agree that if anyone plans to buy one they should get an automatic. Besides, automatics are better for off road.
Any transmission is subject to go out if not maintained and used for what it designed for.I, myself own a '89 bronco II xlt with a 2.9 v6 and a automatic o/d tran. and have found out that you should service and change your fluid in the tran around 60,000 miles. If not well guess what,the fluid eventually burns up and there goes the tran. Also for the inexperienced tow person or 4x4 Enthusiast don't set the gear selector on o/d when towing or playing on the hills it will also burn up your tran. Other than some electrical ignition problems and your normal maintenance this one little stout truck and would be proud to say id buy another one if needed. oh yeah wanna try some lubricants that last try royal purple they last!