Scored a Eddie Bauer Bronco II

[SinisterDom]

Well guys, I was at an auction and they brought out an Eddie Bauer Bronco II started bidding at a couple thousand, kept dropping until someone bid $350 and then finally bidded until it was sold to me for a mere $800! Now, I already have a 1983 Diesel Ranger, but I'm considering selling the ranger and using the Bronco II. I love the Rangers MPG but I hate not having enough get up and go. My only worries are the few small problems I'm experiencing from my Bronco. 1 problem, when I hit my door lockers it only locks the back gate. Second, my passenger side window won't roll down. Third, my horn doesn't work. I haven't got to really dig in yet, but I think fuses could be some of this? Also, it came with a binder of service records and the engine was just rebuilt + heavy duty clutch installed. It runs like a top!

 

[disciplerocks]

Nice find:icon_thumby: I'm very jealous!

 

[sfwjesse]

Heh...i had that truck a few years ago....not much get up and go in the 2.9 liter either. Obviously check the fuses first but i had problems with the lock buttons and window buttons on mine....i narrowed it down to being a bad switch i beleive but sold it before i got a chance to fix it.

 

[jmaynard]

If you push the lock switch several times, do the door lock buttons move? Are they stuff and hard to operate? The lock operators have limited power, and if the locks are stiff and hard to work, they won't have enough power to do the job. A bit of lubrication in the right spot will get them working again if that's the case.

 

[chazzone]

I don't know man...sounds like a basket case.

I think you should just let me come by and take that money pit off your hands before you get hurt

 

[SinisterDom]

Haha nah, I think I'll keep her for now guys. I know the 2.9 hasn't got tons of power, but it feels like a V10 compared to my poor little I4 diesel. Oh yeah, I suppose it's worth mentioning I even got a free towbar that the guy just paid like 150 bucks for! My final question is, what kinda MPG's do you guys normally get outta these guys?

 

[jmaynard]

Haha nah, I think I'll keep her for now guys. I know the 2.9 hasn't got tons of power, but it feels like a V10 compared to my poor little I4 diesel. Oh yeah, I suppose it's worth mentioning I even got a free towbar that the guy just paid like 150 bucks for! My final question is, what kinda MPG's do you guys normally get outta these guys?

It depends on conditions. I ranged from 17 to 24 MPG on a recent 1500-mile trip, depending most strongly on how strong the wind was and from which direction.

 

[disciplerocks]

I like my 2.9. Its not fast, but it will get me where ever I need to go. And the blown Focus is for my speed cravings lol.

 

[baddis]

might sound dumb but open the passenger door all the way and then try the window. i had one the window would only work with the door open. it was a parts rig so i wasn't worried. thing is when i swapped the power doors to my ranger they worked perfect.

 

[adsm08]

I like my 2.9. Its not fast, but it will get me where ever I need to go. And the blown Focus is for my speed cravings lol.

The 2.9 manages to satisfy my speed cravings, except when I have to cross the Appalachian range twice a day.

 

[SinisterDom]

Yeah, mainly what I'm looking forward to is enough pep for interstate travel. The poor little Ranger was pushing redline at Interstate speed. I like the bronco's room. I can sacrifice some MPG for that. It runs great. I fixed my horn (blown fuse) now I'm just working on the window/locks. I'll try opening the door and pushing the button. Thanks for reassuring me guys.

 

[chazzone]

I average 20, although I just got 22 on a 400 mile trip, and I was hauling about a ton of paper for my wife's company on the way up.
Probably got better than 24 on the way home.
I have @320K on mine, and I have run all over the Continental U.S., and used her to pull a trailer for work (I do stone work), and my boat when I get the time, and I can count on @20, even when I'm running 75 mph.

 

[SinisterDom]

Good to hear about the MPGs. I finally took her on a good drive tonight, drove her to get some gas, then went and did a little off roading at a local lake. Drove like a champ! And the gas mileage was great, considering I was flooring it quite a bit. I'm pretty happy about this ride!

 

[Ranger Kip]

nice find!

 

[Ivy Mike]

The fuel mileage out of the 2.9 isn't all that great. I tend to think the little motor is a bit underpowered for the weight and aerodynamics of the B2 although from what I hear, the 4.0 is no better.

Not that it was supposed to be a fuel sipping, slippery little econobox. It just bugs me when I turn in 20mpg and got the same mileage from my old 83 full size Bronco with the 302/4spd OD combo.

 

[jmaynard]

I tend to think the little motor is a bit underpowered for the weight and aerodynamics of the B2

Boy, is that ever an understatement. When my gas mileage varies on a road trip between 17 and 23, depending almost completely on the wind speed and direction, the engine just isn't strong enough to cope with the real world in the vehicle.

I'd really, really hate to think what that early normally aspirated diesel would have been like in that vehicle.

 

[Ivy Mike]

I can't imagine what a gutless wonder that 85ish hp diesel would have been. At least give the thing a turbo and a fighting chance.

I'm going to see how my 2.9 does with a better axle ratio when I do the Explorer diff swaps but I get the feeling a 4.0 would be a better choice.

 

[SinisterDom]

haha guys, I'll say it again, The Bronco flies compared to my 83 2.2 Diesel Ranger. The Ranger has 59-65ish horsepower...sloooooow! I'm digging my Bronco a lot. I'm fine with the gas mileage, gas is 30 cents cheaper than diesel 'round here.