1988 Ford Bronco II XLT

[Hellfighter]

Has anyone owned this car or owns it currently, i just got mine as a DD with 66k miles on it with emaculant interior for 1500$, but the outside paint is good but has few small rust spots, and windows dont go up, i have to push them up if they are down some, and the wheel is loose a little, like if im parked i can turn the wheel left and right freely. Is there anyway to fix this and to remove rust spots in the paint also?

[Mishimoto]

A low mileage Bronco II, nice buy! Do the windows go up really slow or won't budge at all? The steering will feel loose compared to a newer vehicle, but you should check your steering components. Have someone move the wheel left to right quickly (in park or in neutral with e-brake on) and so you can look for excessive play in the tie rods. For the paint, is there just no paint in those areas and it caused surface rust? Or do you have rust/rot in some spots?

[TheReaper]

Keep an eye on the front brake calipers. The pistons in the stock ones will stick and lock up.

[ChrisBlair]

Is it the 6 or the 4?

[Hellfighter]

Originally Posted by Mishimoto

A low mileage Bronco II, nice buy! Do the windows go up really slow or won't budge at all? The steering will feel loose compared to a newer vehicle, but you should check your steering components. Have someone move the wheel left to right quickly (in park or in neutral with e-brake on) and so you can look for excessive play in the tie rods. For the paint, is there just no paint in those areas and it caused surface rust? Or do you have rust/rot in some spots?

Windows go down fine, when they try to go up, they just sit there and wont move, so i have to use both hands on both sides to raise them up, and cant let em go all the way down or it will be PITA getting them up. I can take pictures of the rust spots, i think there used to be paint, the vehicle sat for 20 years, then another guy bought it 2 months ago, then i came along and got it as a DD. Was wanting to raise it 2 inches, and get 16 or 17 inch tires, it rattles past 59 MPH like shakes, so i think it has issues with tires, they have not been changed since 04. And im thinking about getting new coils / shocks / springs.

[Hellfighter]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Is it the 6 or the 4?

Its the 2.9 Litre , v6 2WD i think. Its a 5 Speed. I can take pics.

[Hellfighter]

Originally Posted by TheReaper

Keep an eye on the front brake calipers. The pistons in the stock ones will stick and lock up.

What do you mean? It has 2 Disk brakes in front and 2 drums in back? Is this normal? should i worry about changing all 4 to disk breaks and renewing the pads and disks? any good after market systems for a decent price?

[TheReaper]

Check the front calipers and if they are stock change them out. Odds are that the previous owner has already changed them. The Ford Ranger and the Bronco II's had serious issues with the calipers in that year. The drum brakes in the back should be fine.

[Hellfighter]

Originally Posted by TheReaper

Check the front calipers and if they are stock change them out. Odds are that the previous owner has already changed them. The Ford Ranger and the Bronco II's had serious issues with the calipers in that year. The drum brakes in the back should be fine.

Why are there 2 drums and 2 disks? why not 4 disks like todays cars.

Also there is a light that says Rear Antilock or something and its lit up orange, what does that possibly mean? i checked all fluids, everything is topped off and this has nothing to do with it but i even drained raidiator fluid and added new.

[Rapid Runner]

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Why are there 2 drums and 2 disks? why not 4 disks like todays cars.

Cause the truck was built in 88

As for rear disc brake conversion... the ford ranger and the ford explorer shared many parts.. if their weren't the same their were still highly compatible .. ie: the rear end of an explorer on a ranger

So maybe it may be the same case with the bronco

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

[TheReaper]

Buy a Haynes or Chilton manual for the Bronco and you will get a better picture of what you have.

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Why are there 2 drums and 2 disks? why not 4 disks like todays cars.

Also there is a light that says Rear Antilock or something and its lit up orange, what does that possibly mean? i checked all fluids, everything is topped off and this has nothing to do with it but i even drained raidiator fluid and added new.

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by Hellfighter

Why are there 2 drums and 2 disks? why not 4 disks like todays cars.

My 1970 Buick could have been ordered with front discs, but instead it has four drums which was standard for V8 models at the time. How come it didn't have ABS and electronic stability control from the factory?

[Hellfighter]

I went ahead and did get the manual from o'rileys, when exchanging to motorcraft sparkplugs , and placing screws back into some trim pieces inside lol. Need new shocks and new wheels now and i think it is set for a DD, i got 2 disks and new calipers coming in on tuesday to replace stock ones, Overall the car has been quite bouncy, also wanted to ask does anyone know how well the stock front springs are? for 20 years of sitting , undercarrage has small rust look but inside i see no major rust on floor boards at all. do you think the current suspension is quite good for a good ol while time. Or some things had been recalled and or need replaced? Like i said shocks i am ordering soon cause it is super bouncy, i am sure its fun on the beach at night with a lady and all , but on road boing boing boing. You get the idea.

[TheReaper]

Sounds like you have a plan. The springs should be fine and adding new shocks will tighten things up.