Engine blew, had to replace entire engine.
At a separate point, the head gaskets blew.
Oil sending unit blew and replaced.
Transmission fell apart, needed to be rebuilt.
Replaced heater core.
It was smoking and blew a spark plug, but it wasn't overheating and I now refuse to put any more work into the car.
I was NOT looking for a project car when I bought my Bronco II, but it feels like that's where I am. Perhaps I received the one absolute lemon in a sea of wonderful cars. I like everything about the Bronco II, except that it breaks down every couple months! I've spent at least 6 times what I paid for the car fixing it up, and I expected after a few repairs it'd be reliable. I was wrong; this car is absolutely unreliable. And it gets horrible gas mileage. All I want is for my car to stop and go when I tell it to. I hate this car. I feel cursed.
I think you have to be realistic and accept that this is a very old car that sounds like it's worn out.
Something tells me you had the 2.9L 6 cyl. engine... they are trouble prone - especially the head gaskets...I've heard that the 2.8L is the better bet. (funny/weird how much difference 1L makes, eh?)
The 1988 bronco 2 had the 2.9 engine as the 3.0 appeared in 1990+.
The 2.8 had the same weak oil pressure problems as the 2.9, but just not as bad.
I have had a B II for 8 years, bought with 57k miles, put 100k on it, and more or less just replaced the clutch. It is a hell of a little truck. I believe as in most every vehicle, if regular maintenance is performed, most all of the problems you are talking about don't happen until a few 100k miles.
My Bronco ll was a 12 year nightmare for me, I had a love/hate relationship with it. I liked the size, the 4WD performance, the ride and versatility. But here is a list of what I went through: 3 water pumps, TF module, fuel pressure regulator, Gas tank, low pressure fuel pump, I replaced the engine (oil issues/oil pump), transmission, U joint on 4WD front shaft, heater core, 2 ECU, s, wiring harness,MAF sensor, broken rear shock mount/rear shocks, rotted brake line, A/C condenser,2 muffler and tailpipes,E brake cables twice... I think that's about it.
Not including the usual normal care. Purchased with 97K now 164K miles I retired it because the second engine has had a cracked head for the last 3-4 years and Bars Leaks is no longer working.Even through all this, I still mourn over the truck.
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