WHAT IS IT?
The successor to the original Bronco maintained the formula of being truck-based with a separate body and chassis, and a rather short wheelbase. Unlike the original Bronco, the II was V6 only. Based on the Ranger, it was the smallest of vehicles like the S-10 Blazer and Jeep Cherokee and was the only one to be offered only in a three-door configuration. This is a late, post-facelift model with the larger 2.9-liter version of the German Cologne V6. The somewhat rare, 4-speed + OD manual is nice too.
WHY THIS CAR HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS
These cars suffered from late Malaise Era build quality, were rust-prone and considered disposable. And if the stats bandied about by plaintiff’s lawyers are to be believed, 1 out of 500 of them were involved in rollover accidents. It’s a long-winded way saying that the survival rate of nice examples is basically low AF. And then there’s this one. Showing just 45,000 miles on the odo, it could easily pass for half that. Paint, interior, dash wheels and trim rings, underside and engine compartment are all above reproach. If you want quibble I suppose you could urge the seller to deal with the little bit of surface corrosion on the brake booster, but that’s about it. At $22,500, this one strikes us as fairly priced.
These cars suffered from late Malaise Era build quality, were rust-prone and considered disposable. And if the stats bandied about by plaintiff’s lawyers are to be believed, 1 out of 500 of them were involved in rollover accidents.
https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/8926-cha/1989-ford-bronco-ii-xlt-4×4
I can’t remember the last one of these I’ve seen out in the wild. They’re all gone. Of course there are reasons for all that, which as the listing says, generally revolve around build quality, rust or wheels-up landings. I think a lot of them were just used up — and the evolution of the SUV drove people to things with four doors instead. Things like the Explorer.
Considering how these were intended to be used, I doubt you’ll find another in nicer condition. It gets my vote for now.