The Search - Part 5

I found my '88 online with only one picture and a two sentence description.  I contacted the seller to find out if it was a 351w but that was it.  So when I showed up to look at it I had no idea what I was in for.

The seller had another buyer lined up but since I was the first one there with cash-in-hand I won out.  I basically looked at the outside, listened to the seller, handed him cash, started the Bronco, took the title, took the keys, and left.

The reality was I paid $2,000 for it.  It ran and drove so it was worth $2,000.  Here's the list of issues some I knew about and some I discovered after driving it for 2 days.   That said... if I had to do over again knowing everything I do now... I still would have paid $2,000.  A Bronco that doesn't have rusted fenders, runs and drives well is worth $2,000 all day long.

Keep in mind that some of these things are not going to be important to you.  Likewise some are not important to me.  Nor will these items be the same issues you'll face per say.  I'm really making this list as a list of things for a person to watch for, be aware of, and give an idea of what owning a Bronco could entail for you.

Day 1 Issues:

- Exterior paint:  Owner spray painted to touch up where paint peeled.

- Rear window doesn't respond to switch

- Door panels rattle

- Passenger door doesn't lock

- Doors don't latch unless closed hard.  [Seems to be an 80s vehicle thing tho.]

- Battery, coolant, and oil gauge don't work or give false readings.

- Driver seat back will only lock in 1 position

- Shift position indicator is missing/doesn't work.  Not fatal but sometimes a little tricky.

Day 2 Issues:

- Stalls when engine isn't warmed up.

- More and more sluggish responding to acceleration.

- Sputters and dies when less than half a tank of fuel.   Add 1 gallon it started up.  Only took half a tank of gas at the gas station.

-  Blinker switch only stays in place when turning left.  Has to be held turning right.

- Transfer case doesn't engage front axle even though light say 4wd engaged.

- Rear view mirror fell off

I should note I found in my '88 its hard to get a car seat or adult in the back.  Kids can climb over the console but maybe impossible for older people with limited mobility.

I believe some of the running problems are related to either clogged fuel filter or failing pump.  I will post a specific update when that is addressed.