That’s one long title for such a short vehicle (13.5 feet). I probably didn’t have to list all of those things, but there are two or three variables related to the 1990 Ford Bronco II XLT 4×4. The seller has this little time capsule posted here on craigslist in Spokane, Washington, and they’re asking $16,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
Speaking of short, the first-gen Bronco was 10 inches shorter than this Bronco II, so that’s small. As far as the 4×4 part, they offered a 2WD version of the Bronco II, but it seems like we rarely see those. Unless you live in snow country or do a lot of off-roading in the desert or something, I’m not sure why a person would need to power all four wheels. This one is wearing a few accessories, as you can see, the visor with lights, running boards, roof rack, bug shield, a spare tire cover, and probably more. I would lose all of those other than the tire cover if it were my vehicle. It looks like tow bars under the front bumper, but the seller doesn’t mention that. This 3,300-pound Bronco II would be an ideal vehicle to tow behind your motorhome.
Another variation from the long title would be “rust-free,” as not many vehicles are truly rust-free that we see here on Barn Finds, or in person. I’m assuming that still means it has normal surface rust underneath, just no gaping rust holes. We’re getting nailed with snow this season in Minnesota, so it’s back to vacuuming water (melted snow) on the garage containment mats for literally hours a day. As much as I love vintage snowmobiles, I’d move in a heartbeat to an area without snow.
I believe this paint color is Light Sandlewood, and the interior color sure looks gray to me, which would be Medium Gray, but the only box checked for a Light Sandlewood exterior is Light Sandlewood interior, according to page 14 of this Bronco II brochure. I would have bet my gray hair on this interior being gray. Is this another special order maybe? The dash is as gray as the sky is here right now, and 299 other days a year. Another variation from the title would be the transmission, as Ford offered a Mazda-sourced 5-speed manual, as seen here, and also an A4LD four-speed automatic. The trim level is also a wild card, subject to the buyer’s likes and dislikes. This one is an XLT, but there was also a “standard” XL model, an XL Sport, and an Eddie Bauer version above the XLT.
In lieu of the ever-missing craigslist ad engine photo (starting it off right, 2026), here’s another photo of the gray/sandlewood seats. The engine is the only one available in 1990, a Ford Cologne 2.9-liter OHV V6 with 140 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Passing through a transfer case and a 5-speed manual, power is sent to all four wheels as needed. It’s said to run and drive like new and has 77,500 miles. Hagerty is at $9,900 for a #3 good-condition example and $20,700 for a #2 excellent one, so the price may be right on. How would you spec your Bronco II?
I like the fact this one is a stick. Its not everyday you see one this way. I remember really, really liking a two tone burgundy and silver Bronco II. I just really wanted it. But I was a broke teenager, ( as apposed to being broke and in my……… Oh…….. Nevermind……) This one looks great and I think I see a hook up for a tow bar in front, just as Scotty already mentioned, this is great for towing behind your RV. Its light.
Good write-up Scotty. Looks like a nice Bronco II. Might have had a leisurely life behind a motor home. We don’t see many today, most were throw-aways in their day. Manual transmission would give it a bit more sportiness. I too would ditch most of the aftermarket pieces. I haven’t paid attention, these have picked up in value too?
5sp. Makes it Dave. Love seeing the proper twin sticks in there.
Agreed Stan. I always preffered a physical stick shift for my 4WD. Sadly thats a thing of the past for the most part now.
physical stick (4WD) is still on the Jeep Wranglers and Ram PW at last check (for now).
I like it $10k overpriced but nice little rig with the tow bar attachments on the front makes me wonder if they actually did tow it behind a RV .
Stick definitely points to that. An auto would’ve meant having to go under and physically detach the driveshaft every time but with a manual you just double check you’re in neutral and go.
I had a BRONCO11 many years ago these had a very large frame for their size
the ask price seems stiff to me for this 36yr old truck. these weren’t all that great when they were new and definitely no fun to work on. this 6500k truck is clean.
Owned the same vehicle but in red and the 2WD. Loved it! Recently seen poor reviews on the Bronco II. I never had a problem, but again, I never drove it like I was brain dead.
I had the 2wd version of this – maroon with the sandalwood interior. My interior looked just like this one. If you had them sidexside, you’d see just how grey grey can be. Mine was one of my favorite vehicles. 2.9L Cologne V6 was a delightful power plant. I put on larger sway bars and some Bilstein shocks back in the day. I daily drove it and towed about 3500 lbs of single axle trailer and SCCA racer back in the day. Put 120,000 miles on it over the course of 5 years. The ONLY issue was that the 7.5″ rearend had to be rebuilt at about 110k – no doubt a victim of asking the little truck to pull the trailer around. We ditched the 3.73 gear and installed 4.10’s during the rebuild – even better when towing and un-noticeable when commuting. Amazingly, when towing on the open road, the combo routinely got 19-20 mpg. For me, the 4wd set up just adds weight, complexity and parasitic loss.
I don’t remember if it was the Bronco II or the Explorer. But one of these when you bought a 2wd unit. You still got a,transfer case. It just didn’t come with a front differential, drive shaft and all the gears inside were missing. So all 2 wd units had the same rear drives haft as the 4×4 units. Why Ford didn’t just use the 2wd transmission from the Ranger I don’t know.
Also I think that either the Bronco II, the Explorer or both. The transfer case had a,lubrication system/pump that was driven off the input side of the transfer case. Which wouldn’t lubricate when being flat towed. So transfer case neutral was useless for being towed. I’m not sure whether the transmission in neutral “dingy towed” would harm the transmission or not. We had an F 250 towed in that the customer had already pulled the heads off the 460 engine and had flat towed it in from a distance of about 200 miles (we were 400 miles from Las Vegas so we had alot of distant/ boonies customers) the transmission was in 4th gear (it was a 5 speed gearbox) and the transfer case was in 4 high. It was literally “drug in” with no coolant or oil circulation. The engine block was past blue, it was gold! As in oil baked in. I told him engine needed even before writing up the work order. He mentioned getting a,rebuilt and I informed him that he would still have to pay the core charge. He walked up front and bought a new truck. He didn’t trade in the old one. He just drug it somewhere else and came back for his new one.
When these were just used trucks? Not many people wanted them. I remember clean, low mileage II’s going for cheap. No wonder they’re scarce, now. But, since the originals went supersonic? These are coming out of the barns and garages. Priced accordingly, I see.