1988 Ford Bronco - AR15.COM

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 1988 Ford Bronco

Posted: 1/12/2006 10:00:59 PM EDT

Hey folks,
I am in the market for a used 4X4 to get back in forth from work in the bad weather conditions. I came across a 1988 Bronco 4x4 with the 6cyl motor and 5 speed Man trans. I am going to look at it tomorrow. It belongs to a friends, friend, and has 98,000 original miles on it. Is there any thing I should look for with this particular model/year????
I am a mechanical tard, so any help is MUCH APPRECIATED

Thanks for your time,
Sean

Posted: 1/12/2006 10:08:51 PM EDT

[#1]

I don't know if this helps. I had an '82 6cyl Bronco (full size, of course) when I was in high school. It was a champ. It had over 280,000 miles on it finally crapped out. Transmission locked up (3 speed manual + overdrive) due to me being a retarded 18 year old who didn't know how to take care of a vehicle. Anyways, the engive was still fine but it would have cost mroe to fix than the car was worth.

It was an in line 6 for what it's worth.

Posted: 1/12/2006 10:16:21 PM EDT

[#2]

Should be a 300cid 6 cylinder, a good reliable engine. UPS trucks for years used the 300HD motor. Parts and accessories should be easy to find at good prices. A manual transmission is a plus in my book. Working on the engine should be a snap, but IIRC 88's should have EFI. Mileage is good for that old of a rig.

Posted: 1/12/2006 10:20:35 PM EDT

[#3]

R U sure it isn"t 198,000 miles? I have a hard time believing a seller when it comes to a vehicle that is 18 yrs. old and they claim it has under 100 grand on the OD.

Posted: 1/12/2006 10:24:26 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Hey folks,
I am in the market for a used 4X4 to get back in forth from work in the bad weather conditions. I came across a 1988 Bronco 4x4 with the 6cyl motor and 5 speed Man trans. I am going to look at it tomorrow. It belongs to a friends, friend, and has 98,000 original miles on it. Is there any thing I should look for with this particular model/year????
I am a mechanical tard, so any help is MUCH APPRECIATED

Thanks for your time,
Sean

That's not just any old 6, that's the inline 6.

Th tranny is most likely the Mazda M5OD but there is a slim chance it could be a ZF420. The M5OD is a light duty tranny and is thought by most to be weak. I've never seen one fail that wasn't fluid related. On the top front past of the tranny there are 3 rubber plugs that deteriotate over time and start leaking. It's a good idea to replace them.

The engine is about as bulletproof as they come. I love the 300 with all my pee pee. It's a great truck engine.

The axles are probably Dana44 up front, and a Ford 8.8 in the rear. Both are fairly dependable with a decent selection of aftermarket parts.

Posted: 1/12/2006 10:28:53 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Should be a 300cid 6 cylinder, a good reliable engine. UPS trucks for years used the 300HD motor. Parts and accessories should be easy to find at good prices. A manual transmission is a plus in my book. Working on the engine should be a snap, but IIRC 88's should have EFI. Mileage is good for that old of a rig.

300 6cyl straight, half the people will swear by them the other half will swear at them. A good torqi engine IMHO. But...........

Posted: 1/12/2006 11:04:08 PM EDT

[#6]

The half that swear at them are the ones who what the biggest, baddest go fast V-8 that money can buy, but they only had the money for the I6.

The 300 is a good engine and if you know how to drive a 6 they are top notch.

My 68 F-100 has a true 3-speed overdrive and there's a major difference between a true overdrive and the overdriven 4-speeds many people call 3-speed overdrives, true overdrive can be engaged in any gear, giving a total of 6 forward gear ratios. I only mention this because my 68 with it's 3-speed overdrive and 300-6 is only happy at 70-75mph and passing people is a snap because the overdrive kicks out when I hit the gas petal, just like a autotrans kicking down a gear. I've passed people and stopped for lunch or somthing and they stop and ask how big of a V8 I have, you should see their jaws drop when I tell them it's just a stock 300-6 with a 1 barrel carb. I've had a couple of guys all but demand to see the engine, when I open the hood and they see the 6 cylinder they can't believe it. Since they're usually chevy guys I just tell them if a Ford 6 cylinder can do this, just think what a Ford V8 could do.

Posted: 1/12/2006 11:07:22 PM EDT

[#7]

A full size Bronco with a 300 six a real good combination. As I recall I think the 300 six was designed as a stationary/industrial engine not a high reving engine but great torque. Mazda tranny? I thought the fords were using the toyo korgo ( or some such spelling) . I also thought that the full size were still using the standard ford tranny from the f100/f150 line and the smaller tranny was for the ranger, broncoII line.

Posted: 1/12/2006 11:23:01 PM EDT

[#8]

Toyo Cork Korgo was Mazda's original name.

The 240 and 300cid 6 cylinders were designed as large car light truck engines from the getgo, but 300 Heavy Duty engines were designed for stationary/industrial, having forged cranks,pistons......

Posted: 1/13/2006 3:16:40 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Toyo Cork Korgo was Mazda's original name.

The 240 and 300cid 6 cylinders were designed as large car light truck engines from the getgo, but 300 Heavy Duty engines were designed for stationary/industrial, having forged cranks,pistons......

There have been anecdotes that some of the regular truck engines had forged cranks due to Ford running short of cast cranks and substituting forged.

Posted: 1/13/2006 3:19:57 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted: Mazda tranny? I thought the fords were using the toyo korgo ( or some such spelling) . I also thought that the full size were still using the standard ford tranny from the f100/f150 line and the smaller tranny was for the ranger, broncoII line.

The M5OD was used in the F150s also.

I think it's a decent tranny as mine has held up through some pretty heavy abuse.

Posted: 1/13/2006 3:31:26 AM EDT

[#11]

The 300 CI six is a great engine, especially with today's gas prices. I have a (Chevy) pickup with a 454... NOT the best idea these days, but it's set up with a 5th wheel for towing.

Don't be so enamoured with that 6 cyl. that you neglect to look for rust. Check the floor pans and the tailgate, for a start. If it's solid, looks like you've found a great vehicle! BTW, the Bronco has a fiberglass roof that can be removed.

Posted: 1/13/2006 3:35:05 AM EDT

[#12]

Even being a non-ford person... I would not hesitate to get anything with a 300 I6. I drove a couple Broncos and F150s with the I6, plenty of torque, with the right gears it will walk up a tree.

Posted: 1/13/2006 3:59:48 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Hey folks,
I am in the market for a used 4X4 to get back in forth from work in the bad weather conditions. I came across a 1988 Bronco 4x4 with the 6cyl motor and 5 speed Man trans. I am going to look at it tomorrow. It belongs to a friends, friend, and has 98,000 original miles on it. Is there any thing I should look for with this particular model/year????
I am a mechanical tard, so any help is MUCH APPRECIATED

Thanks for your time,
Sean

Since just for work I would get something smaller, you should be able to tell quick on the mileage esp around the cluch pedal pad if oringnal if its got 198k and other noticable things compared to the 98k thats being stated. Nothing wrong with the setup it the price is right but I've had one once and I'll stick to my Toy(90) that I've had since 94.

Posted: 1/13/2006 4:32:00 AM EDT

[#14]

Irish317 is the '88 Bronco you are looking at actually a BroncoII? The smaller version similar to a Ranger?

If so, you'll note the very short wheel base will not be stable vehicle when the roads are bad. I've had two of them & thought they were a bit twitchy on our bad roads here in Michigan. If it is the smaller V-6 CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAKS.

If it is the full size model, ya I agree with what was previously state. The straigh 6 is a bullet proof engine. The driveline & suspension are pretty good. You'll want to have the front ball joints replaced if they haven't been changed already. Keep them well greased.

Posted: 1/13/2006 4:46:35 AM EDT

[#15]

The clutch slave cyinder is prone to failure and can be difficult to change. Look for leakage on the bellhousing.

If you do have to change it, upgrade to an 11" clutch. The 300 is internally balanced so it uses a neutral balance flywheel that differs from the 302 and 351 flywheel. The 300 flywheel is typically drilled for the 11" clutch also.

The shifter pins in the top of the tranny are prone to wear also now that I think about it.

Check the front shocks to see if the truck has the dual shock setup.

The truck being as old as it is will probably have worn bushings and may need shocks or struts.

Posted: 1/13/2006 8:29:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
R U sure it isn"t 198,000 miles? I have a hard time believing a seller when it comes to a vehicle that is 18 yrs. old and they claim it has under 100 grand on the OD.

You hit the nail on the head....178,000, good call. The truck was owned by a mechanic, then sold to my friends neighbor 7 months ago, where it has been sitting in his driveway. The truck was never registered by the second owner. The truck is CLEAN. It has no leaks and fired right up and purred like a kitten

Drives well, and feels nice and solid. 4 wheel drive works, and think it was a fair deal at 1,2000 dollars???? It has the inline six with a man trans, 4 speed + OD. I will be getting tags for it next week.
Thanks for every ones input!

Sean

Posted: 1/28/2006 11:11:00 AM EDT

[#17]

And here it is

If you look closely you can see some paint bubbles over both rear wheels. A tad bit of rust

Oh well, runs great and will work great for what I need it for.
Thanks again,
Sean

Posted: 1/28/2006 1:48:12 PM EDT

[#18]

Good looking rig Irish.

Posted: 2/10/2006 4:47:26 PM EDT

[#19]

Well on the way home from work tonight, the oil gauge was going crazy....As in loss of oil pressure. I think I lost my oil pump as I was parking in front of my house!!!! Does any one have any idea about how much an oil pump is going to cost? Parts and labor?
Other than that, this is a nice truck for the money

Thanks
Sean

Posted: 2/10/2006 6:34:50 PM EDT

[#20]

If you are going to put an oil pump in it, you might as well replace the crank and rod bearings while you're in there. It's probably more than just a bad oil pump. Call the Ford dealer for a high-end price estimate to get an idea, and shop around from there. While you're at it, check around for a used engine. Changing out an engine would actually be less work.

WRT the fender lips, you might be able to get fiberglass fender flares that would cover the rust. Get yourself a J.C. Whitney catalog; they might have it.

Nice looking truck! I'd say it's worth putting a little money into it.

Posted: 2/10/2006 6:40:45 PM EDT

[#21]

Go with a high volume oil pump. But stay away from the high pressure pumps.

Posted: 2/10/2006 6:46:36 PM EDT

[#22]

Does the top come off??

Those 4.9L I6 are tough. Use them everyday at the airport.

Posted: 2/10/2006 7:06:47 PM EDT

[#23]

One thing ya might want to be cautious of is the brakes. 80's Broncos had undersized rotors and were difficult to stop in a hurry. Not saying its a huge flaw just something you should be wary of if you do buy it. Remember to maintain a safe following distance.

Posted: 2/10/2006 7:24:21 PM EDT

[#24]

Not a bad deal for 1200 bucks...
Worth putting some money into..

The 300 six is a great engine...made to last a Loooong time...better than the 302 V-8 (also a good motor) IMHO.

Posted: 2/11/2006 5:20:59 AM EDT

[#25]

put a mechanical gauge on it first, before you start tearing the motor down... I bet your oil pump is fine.

Posted: 2/11/2006 5:29:13 AM EDT

[#26]

shit those wheels are worth $1200, yo

Posted: 2/11/2006 9:33:49 AM EDT

[#27]

Good looking truck for $1200
+1 on putting a mechanical pressure gauge on it.
On a truck of that age the dash electrical system can sometimes go bad and give faulty readings.
A 300 6 banger if taken care of will last you a long time

Posted: 2/11/2006 10:18:25 AM EDT

[#28]

I used to have a 1984 Bronco with the I6 300ci motor in it. I put an Offenhauser intake, a Holley 390cfm 4bbl with vacuum secondaries and a Hooker header on it. That truck would haul ass. I miss my truck.

Posted: 2/11/2006 10:59:50 AM EDT

[#29]

It has turned out to be a real nice truck. With it's age and miles, it will probably need a few things here and there! The tranny is strong, but the clutch seems a little tired. I plan on keeping this thing around for a while, and rebuilding or replacing parts as they are needed. I am wondering if I should even bother with the rust on the rear wheel wells???? I would rather it be reliable in the snow, so I can get to work, than look pretty!

Does any one know of any good sites that sell aftermarket products? Ford parts?
Thanks again,
Sean