If you go to your friendly Ford dealer today, you’ll find that they’re willing to sell you a big Bronco or a little Bronco…just like they would back in 1985. Being that we’re a bunch of classic car fans here, I think that many of us would prefer this pristine Bronco II XLT over a new Bronco Sport. Number one, it will probably be less expensive, and number two, you won’t see yourself on every street in America. Still wearing its original coat of Dark Canyon Red paint, the current owner purchased it from the family of the original owner. Subsequently, it was given a comprehensive mechanical rebuild, so it’s now ready to drive anywhere, either on-road or off. Located in Spokane, Washington, it’s being auctioned here on eBay, where the current high bid is $7,600.
So why did the current owner tear down the engine and braking system for a rebuild on a Bronco II that looks this nice? Apparently, the truck had been sitting for 25 years; therefore, they tore the engine down to the short block and went to work. The cylinder heads were rebuilt, and all gaskets and seals were replaced. A new water pump and oil pump were installed. The carburetor was rebuilt. It was given a full ignition tune up, including a new TFI module. Belts, filters, and battery were replaced. Then, the brakes were repaired with a “new master cylinder, front calipers, rotors, wheel bearings, rear wheel cylinders, pads, and hardware.” Unsurprisingly, “it runs like new and is whisper quiet.”
The interior is also in great shape, and here we can see that this Bronco has the optional A4LD automatic overdrive transmission, which came standard with steeper 3.73:1 gears in the front and rear axles. Bronco IIs had a Warner 1350 two-speed transfer case, so there was a little off-road capability going on here, not that most owners would have taken advantage of it.
The Bronco II has plenty of room for four people and their luggage, just like a new Bronco Sport. And while I like that modern Broncos have retro stripe packages available, to me, there’s nothing like the real thing.
Aside from a few blemishes in the paint here and there, which one must expect when dealing with a 41-year-old vehicle, it’s 1985 all over again with this 80,435-mile Bronco II. The tires have been replaced, all fluids have been changed, and all it’s missing is a new owner. While its 115-horsepower 2.8-liter V6 can’t quite keep up with the modern turbocharged engine offerings in a new Bronco Sport, which one would you rather have?
Two Bronco II’s in one day!! This one has had extensive mechanical work, and looks great. I had a 1985, only in Eddie Bauer trim. I liked it. Looking at this one brings back pleasant memories.
Thanks Aaron.
A stunning BRONCO but my goodness, that red interior is atrocious.
I was working at a Ford dealership at this time and these Broncos were hot items if ordered the right way. We would never have ordered Red on Red. Probably would have ordered it with charcoal.
But we were a bit in the country and known for selling lots of Broncos and F150s in Duck Green. Though I have to admit I do seem to remember we sold a lot of red F150s with red interiors. But there is a lot more to cover with a Bronco than a truck.
I recall seeing many of these in this same color scheme. Maybe it was a regional thing – I was in New England.
It’s not a bright red, kind of rust-colored. Not bad looking, IMO.
I like it. Too bad it’s 3,000 miles away from me!
I had an 87 version of this with a manual tranny. It was navy blue and a base model so it didn’t as nice an interior as this one. I never had any problems with it and drove all over on bad dirt roads in Colorado. It did really well except that it didn’t have limited slip so a few times I couldn’t get past some difficult spots because I’d have one wheel on each axle spinning. It had manual lockers in the front which I preferred because the automatic ones back in the 80’s broke often. I think mine was the first year with fuel injection and it worked well; this one has a carb and any mechanic under 60 these days doesn’t know how to work on them.
The front axle was really beefy compared to todays 4wd with cv joints; I don’t think the current bronco sport could keep up with the bronco II. I never had a problem with the 2.9 L engine. When you were were rock crawling in low it would tend to get hot; the electric fan seemed undersized to me. The ride was annoying at times because it rocked at low speeds over bumps like a baby carriage. Overall I was sad to see it go.
Have and do still own a 4th Eddie Bauer, and it must be an illness. All have been Black Eddie’s. One was a Bronco II, and I loved it. Never let me down or came up short. These are great vehicles.
“If” I could I’d grab this one. One it’s not another Eddie Bauer, and two, with all the work and care that went into this one, it seems like one that is not only great eye candy, it seems like it’ll have many more miles of carefree enjoyment. GLWTA
I also had one, std shift, I believe it was an ’87 or ’88. These are quite small and narrow, but excellent ground clearance, and could take rough terrain like a billy goat. Good reliable truck, but females in the family would not drive it, so unfortunately got rid of it after only a couple of years.
I put 200,000 miles on a 1989 Bronco II. Manual trans. White with stripes down the sides. Replaced the clutch of course, fuel pump in the gas tank (cut a hole in the rear deck to access), maybe the water pump. Belts. Sold it 2002. Burned a little oil but the Mitsubishi engine still ran good.
I have a 89 Bronco II. It’s brown with beige clothe seats. 160,000 miles and needs an engine overhaul. It would go just about any where in the Altamaha River swamp. Manual 5 speed and got good gas mileage on the road. The 4×4 granny gear would pull it along without any acceleration. I need to get it out and get it restored. My son drove it to High School and then it became our hunting machine and a good one it was!
I had a 1988 Bronco II in the Colonial White/Maroon exterior and the maroon interior. It was the sharpest looking car I ever owned! Had it from new and traded at 102K miles because it was just starting the “Ford Rot,” and I was getting married and needed a car that didn’t get 17mpg!!