The Ford Bronco is about as classic as they come in the world of square body trucks, and one wonders whether the Ford of the K5 Chevrolet Blazer would fare better in a head-to-head competition. I’m not necessarily talking about off-road prowess, either, but more in regards to which rig is the bigger fan favorite. Regardless, you can’t go wrong with either truck, but a late-production Eddie Bauer Edition Bronco like this 1996 model listed here on eBay is pretty hard to beat.
Like so many other collectible vehicles, finding either an early or late production model is the way to go when looking for the right example to buy. Early models may have some details left over from the clay modeling stage that didn’t make it very far into production; late production examples tend to have the best mix of features and upgrades, along with special “send off” editions like the Eddie Bauer shown here. Bidding is currently sitting at just under $20,000 with no reserve, so bidders clearly like what they see.
And why wouldn’t you? To me, the best feature of an Eddie Bauer Bronco besides its obvious collectibility is the daily-driver friendliness it offers. Leather seats, full power accessories, and a powerful V8 make this a truck you can use every day. If you’re a binge watcher of Netflix shows, check out Longmire so you can spot the main character’s Bronco that’s used as his patrol vehicle in the expanses of northern Wyoming. It’ll make you want to bid on this truck, I can almost guarantee it.
This Bronco has been extensively gone through, with the seller noting that he’s been using it as his personal daily driver. The listing specifically calls out, “…. all suspension, brakes, ac system, alternator, starter have been replaced.” This should make this classic Bronco an easy-to-live-with truck for some time to come, and even if you use it for the occasional errand run, it won’t lose value any time soon. The seller mentions he previously had it for sale at $35,000 and apparently found no takers; let’s see where this no reserve listing ends up.
These Eddie Bauer Broncos were nice packages. The two-tone paint and the upgraded interiors came off quite well. This example has high miles but has been repainted and has had mechanical work done. I don’t follow their prices but know they are highly desired. I don’t care for the aftermarket headlights but that is a minor quibble. Overall, someone will get a vehicle which could be used as a daily driver or as a collectible.
Makes me really miss my 96 Eddie Bauer f150 SC truck.
Looks like it has the 5.0. The optional 5.8 is the engine to get in this generation, the smaller motor is a little over matched IMO. Still, as a cruiser it is a good looking truck, for sure.
Pardon my ignorance, but is that 5.0 similar to a Mustang’s? Performance upgrades can then be in order. And it might be too new to fetch the $35k the seller is hoping for; unless he needs the money or he’s running out of storage space, he might be better off holding onto it for a few years.
Now bid over $22K. Did anyone read the listing? 170K miles. Be prepared to spend more than a pocketful of Benjamins if you want to kerp this running. “Me thinks bidders have shiny object syndrome.”
My 1993 Eddie bauer was a 5.0 liter truck. It was adequate in power but would not tow with it. The 5.8 is what you want. Absolute monster in the snow.
I have 1996 (U.S. Government) 5.0 Bronco and a 1994 (civilian) 5.8 Bronco… the 5.0 is definitely made for speed and accelerates quickly with no top end – pushing it once in the desert upwards of 130mph… and it also traveled up to peaks above 12,000 feet and across sandy desert terrain. The 5.8 while a bigger engine is not built for speed, but built for torque and pulling heavy loads or traversing more treacherous terrain at lower gears but with more power pulling itself up rugged mountains with no problems. Both vehicles can go from hard-ball road to muddy fields or sand and back to hard-ball with no issues, as long as the driver knows how to handle this breed of 4×4 – given that it does buck like a real Bronco (best be seat-belted). A true American Truck and a real classic. The new full size version is due to be released in 2025 according to Ford’s Bronco lead developer. He says we will all be impressed and those who have been holding out will be glad they did… and the inside secret is to actually wait for the second year release in 2026!!!
See Land Rover post.
Would love to have this. Only thing I’d change is the headlights with new factory style. As for the 302, I used to go on a fishing trip with four other guys, we’d take my buddies Bronco of this vintage, it was well used but it hauled us and all our gear as we drove the beaches all week, never missed a beat. Never noticed it struggled for power even in the sand.
Four of the five of us were well above the recommended weight for our frames.
Another woulda’, coulda’, shoulda’, back when no one wanted these Bronco’s. Passed up at least three that I recall, in various conditions. All $10 grand or less.
Boat one new in ’96 same color w/351 motor. I kept it mint with only 31k miles for 5 years and sold it for the price I paid for it. Wish I had it now
SOLD for $24,800.
I own a ‘Survivor’ 1990 XLT / 5.0/E04D, and am the second owner of an Arizona original 1996 Eddie Bauer/ 5.8/E04D/ Locking rear. Both are great vehicles and are the representation of excellent technology that the average guy can work on. Parts are in ready supply from both aftermarket sources as well as ‘donors’. The 5.8 package is a definite ‘puller’ over the 5.0. Sorry to say that Ford made a fateful decision for 1997, thinking that people wanted four (4) doors over two (2) and created the Expedition. My Broncos (90′ & 96′ ) will be on the block in the Spring of 2024. I’m getting a bit old to be working on the them. Best of luck on the sale.