1990 Ford Bronco II LX review from North America

A problem that is inherent with the 1989/90 1.9 engine is that the lifters can be noisy on start up; this was an engineering problem that Ford was never able/or just to lazy to fix. But at 59K miles Ford replaced the engine, only to have the same problem come up after 2000 miles. Ford replaced the engine again.

I went on line and came up with the "National Highway Safety Council" line of recalls, and service bulletins. I was never notified about recalls, and found a number of recalls and service bulletins that applied to my Bronco II; gear lash when you take your foot of the gas, the CV joint on the drive shaft, the retching noise when engaging the push-button hub engage, the light on the radio, a slipping clutch, noise in the transmission on long dives.

After pressuring the dealer, they replace all of the above. Because they miss-diagnosed the gear lash they ended up rebuilding the transmission, which did not fix the problem, so they replaced the rear differential / axles / wheel bearings, which did not fix the problem. They replaced the drive shaft, and that did fix the problem. They replaced the vacuum engaged hubs with newer upgraded hubs.

So that in effect I ended up with an all new drive-train at 59,000 miles.

The only things I've had to replace is the starter, alternator, muffler and tires.

I have added a Flowmaster muffler and 2.5 inch trail pipe, an KN air filter, a 60,000 volt coil. I now get on long freeway drives from 24 to 27.5mpg.

I use 30x9.5x15 Michelin tires with the tire pressure at 42lb. The tire have 74K on them and because of the Bronco's lite-height, they just reached the half-wear mark. The two inch wider tires allow this Bronco to corner like a sports car on the curves.

I wax the Bronco twice a year. I keep it in the garage, and it looks like it just rolled off the assembly line inside and out. My only problem now is that Ford put a clear coat only on the hood, and the clear-coat is getting that spider-webbing because of too much hardener.

I do the maintenance that Ford requires in their owner manual. I don't wait for belts or hoses to break. I replace the battery every five years.

I've driven hundreds of mile in my Bronco on steep mountain jeep trails. I driven across the U.S. four times, to Alaska, to Mexico and have never had a problem, never. I would get in it right now and drive across the county if I had to.

Would I buy another, if they still built the Bronco II, you bet.