I am interested in looking at a late 80's early 90's Ford Bronco for camping and getting out into the thick stuff when looking for BF. Does anyone on the forum have any experience with them?

A few specific questions...

How is the storage space? Is the back seat removable? How about the top?

How does it do as far as off roading and tackling some difficult dirt roads?

Let me know what you guys have as far as info.

I have a Full size 91 Bronco 4x4 with a 302 and 5 speed manual... I'm mostly a Chevy man but I got this rig really cheep so to compare the Bronco with the Blazer ( Full Size ) and the Bronco being completly stock ( no suspension lift or big tires and wheels and such ) I must say that I really like the Bronco....It rides real nice with that coil spring front suspension and it has real locking front hubs not those auto hubs and I get around 15 mpgs around town and about 18 highway with the manual trans. The Blazer gets 14 to 15 on the highway and about 12 in town but the Blazer is a 77' with a 350 v8 and 350 Turbo trans with a 4" lift and 35" BFGs Mud tires with lockers front and back. The Bronco can turn around in the tightest spots way better than the Blazer. The back seat comes out real easy. the top comes off with out to much trouble but you will need atleast two people to take it off and a soft top would be even better for the summer and you can haul alot of gear for two or more people in it. I take the back seat out and use a air matress to sleep in it with the wife and it works out great and we bring a 10' by 10' pop up shelter for shade and to have a place for the camping gear when it rains. As far as doing some off road stuff it is a great rig when it is in 4x4 mode but if you need to go through the deep mud and over the tall rough stuff I would get it lifted and put bigger wheels and tires on it but then you lose the gas mileage...but all in all I really like the Bronco for its ride and turnability and gas mileage...........

Thats good to know. Thanks for the post. What size lift / tire combo should I be looking at? Cost?

Mountainhopper sums up my thoughts on broncos pretty well. I have had a couple 1st. was a 78' 2nd a 92' and the last one was a 96. I would suggest limiting yourself to nothing bigger than 3-4" suspension lift and 33" tires. The TTB (twin traction beam) front end is pretty tough but anything larger than a 33" tire will give it hell with moderate to heavy off road use. There are a ton of suspension lifts out there and the systems that use extended or longer radius arms will improve the ride, travel, and handleing on and off road, I had the Rancho kit on my 96' and loved it. Good luck!

Cool. How would you say they compare to Jeep Wranglers as far as storage space? I realize that Jeeps may be a bit more nimble, by my main concern is with hauling my gear in a rig that has enough space in it to fit a few coolers and other misc. items. Also I would guess that the Bronco has a decent towing capacity? What do you guys think?

I have never owned a wrangler but would be pretty certain that the Bronco could pack way more gear, tow more,and is a heavier platform to start with meaning more HD than a jeep. Towing with a short wheelbase vehicle like a Bronco should be done carefully just dont go too overboard with a trailer and stay well within the recomended towing capacity and you wont have any issues. I would say a bronco/blazer type would suit your needs pretty well, they are fairly nimble, alot stronger than a Jeep, more secure theft wise than a soft top Jeep, and are able to tow a small camping trailer with ease. If you find a Bronco with the 6 cyl. don't pass on it too quickly it's a great torquey motor that gets better MPG than the V8.

ive had a CJ7 and Wrangler jeep.....had a 98 full size Bronco.......CJ7 had constant transmission problems

The Land Rover Discovery (2002) ive had for last few years beats them all in my book......Mine has all the bells and whistles (skid plates, gas tank plate, rock sliders, heavy duty bumpers and winch, 3 inch lift) and hasnt ever done me wrong......doesnt have cargo space in back like Bronco, but enough to haul what you need.....definitely has power

I would rather have a Land Rover Defender, but not gonna pony up $30-$40K people want for a USED one

I know up here in PA, because of cost of gas (only gets 15 MPG) people are selling them right and left.....can get 2000-2002 with 50-60k miles for $7-$8000.....

even has seat warmer to keep your behind warm in winter!

just my 2 cents......as far as broncos go, Ive always wanted a 68-70 half cab....

Sounds great guys, keep the info comin in!

I have a 96 with the 351. 33's but not lifted. They rub a little when I'm turning at slow speeds. Should be lifted at least 3" but just never got around to doing it. Great truck but I'll never buy another 2 door truck. Pain in the ass to get stuff out behind the seats. But the rear storage is excellent. Maybe you should look at an expedition. Lift it 3 inches and put some 33's or 35's on it.

I went with a 96 grand cherokee limited, 4.5" rubicon lift. It has a "lot" of storage space if you only have two people. Not to mention the plush ride. Gas mileage sucks at 13-16 depending on use. 10" lcd screens for monitoring built into the sun shades.

You really cant beat it unless you go all crazy and get a rock crawler. I also have an extra deep cycle bat and 4 IR cams on it. I personally prefer my 71 land cruiser but like to keep it stock so I dont take it out much.

Although you will have issues with CV joints and drive shafts if you dont replace them off the bat.

Early Bronco, Baby!

1970, 302, C4, lifted, 33 in tires, winch, lights, etc.

I also have a 1970 CJ-5 for fun, 300 HP Chevy 350, 33 in tires, etc.

Eldonkey, I have had big Bronco, small (early Bronco), Jeep CJ7, wranglers both short and long, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as a suburban and multiple pick-ups. My current off-road truck is a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited but my all time favorite out of all of this was the 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Unlimited for its, comport, ride, handling off-road capability and with the V8 can still tow a decent size trailer and got 16 MPG in town and 20 mpg on the hi-way. THe only reason I did get another is because of my love for the open air with Wrangler.

Gunnison