1988 Ford Bronco II LX review from North America

Headlamps and the battery have been replaced multiple times.

Leaking cylinder head gaskets (replaced twice and they still leak).

Radio has been replaced twice. It's now got a CD player.

Shocks, replaced once.

Water pump, replaced once.

Alternator, replaced once (although this was caused by someone jump-starting the car and then shorting the jumper cables).

High oil pressure caused excessive black exhaust, but this was fixed by a Ford dealer at little cost.

Tie rod ends and radial arm bushings required replacement to correct the non-adjustable camber and caster angles.

Exhaust system has some holes in it, but it's still original.

Ammeter doesn't work (never has).

Back up lights don't work.

This truck has been extremely reliable. The only times it has let me down have been when the battery failed. A working ammeter would presumably have alerted me to this before it became a problem.

I off-road in it, although not obsessively. It has seen me through fairly deep snow (with chains on all 4 wheels), sand and rocks. It's highly maneuverable and fun to drive, although the engine has noticeably less umph than when it was younger. That goes for all of us though, eh? I rarely ride in the back seat, but if you do you will see why it's called a Bronco.

Contrary to the bad press it received, I've always found it to handle admirably. There have been at least three occasions on which I could have died in this car. Two of these required abrupt, evasive swerves. On both occasions the truck handled with great aplomb. There was no indication whatsoever that it was going to flip over. On the third occasion I lost control on a dirt road that was covered in black ice. It span 360 degrees, but I managed to regain control and drive it to safety.

The body, both interior and exterior, is still in good shape. I live in San Diego and have kept it in a garage or car port for most of its life, which no doubt helps. I drive it mostly on weekends, rarely during the week.

The only regular maintenance I do on it is change the engine oil and wash it. Oh, and I change the spark plugs and air filter before the biannual smog tests.

I would be very reluctant to exchange it for one of Ford's newer SUV's.