Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L or 5.8L?

Question

I am looking at 1987-1997 Bronco, automatic, 4x4, in very good shape to be able to plow my driveway and tow a 6000 pound boat. What axle code should I look for to make sure the truck can tow that much? Are these years reliable if the vehicle was taken care of or are there years to avoid? Rocky

Joe · Accepted Answer

Broncos are way too short to pull that big of a boat safely. You can pull it unsafely, though, with either.

Rocky · Answer

The full size bronco is too small to tow the boat?  Would I be better off shopping for an older expedition but then I give up the snow plow capability?

Advocate · Answer

He said it's too "short" to pull the boat.  The Expedition isn't much longer.

JimV · Answer

Since you didn't say how long the boat was, how can someone decide the Bronco is too short to tow it?Advocate wrote:

Marlin Singer · Answer

It has nothing to do with the size of the trailer, but the weight. He wants to tow a 6000lb boat, plus trailer, plus people, and everything else like fuel. Weight will end up being around 8000lb+. Way too much for a Bronco. Also the longer the wheel base the better the vehicle will tow. With that weight, he should probably be looking at a F250. The Expedition does have a much longer wheel base than a Bronco.If the the 6000lbs includes trailer and everything else, then an Expedition would definitely handle it, although the F250 would be better. Even at 6000lbs, the Bronco would probably be over max towing weight.JimV wrote:

Mellowed · Answer

I have a '92 and pulled a 7500 lb 29' travel trailer for 4 years with a5.8 L.  No problem!  I would not suggest the 5.0L.  Use an anti-sway barand put 50 lbs in the tires.  You'll be using 2nd gear frequently.  But,that's OK.  Just don't lug the engine.  I think my rear end is 3.55.BTW, my '92 now has 207,000 miles on it.  The only major repair was theTransmission at 173,000 miles.: I am looking at 1987-1997 Bronco, automatic, 4x4, in very good shapeto be: able to plow my driveway and tow a 6000 pound boat.  What axle codeshould I: look for to make sure the truck can tow that much?  Are these yearsreliable: if the vehicle was taken care of or are there years to avoid?: Rocky::

Spdloader · Answer

I've owned about a half-dozen or so Broncos and pulled trailers weighing that much and more, with the proper hitch and electric brakes. I believe you can tow around 7800lbs safely with a 4:10 rear end.

Check this link.

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Spdloader

Marlin Singer · Answer

Owners manual for the 96 Bronco with 5.8 states max trailer of 7,000 and max GCWR of 12,000. I would not tow near the max with any vehicle. Makes it to easy to get in trouble.Spdloader wrote:

Spdloader · Answer

It might be like you say, around 7000, I was going from memory, which aint that great, and experience. But I have towed a lot of weight with mine, particularly with a '80, and with a '95 I owned at the same time, with the proper hitch and electric brakes, and they both did great. the '80 model had a 3.89 rear end, and the '95 had a 4.10.

I now have a '99 SuperDuty Dually that I tow with, and use the Broncos and Jeeps for fun.

Spdloader

Rocky · Answer

thanks Marlin.How is the reliability of the Broncos with 5.8L & 4x4?Rocky

Marlin Singer · Answer

I have never owned a Bronco, got the info off the Motorcraft site, but have owned multiple 5.8 4x4s. 5.8 is a good engine. I had 2 f150s that between them I put on 260k. No real engine problems, although the last one with 160k on was starting to get blow by.As far as the 4x4, for me the weak points were U-joints and hubs. On the one truck, I had to have the fronts hubs and spindles replaced, although I had extended warranty at that time and it didn't cost me. If I were paying it could have been around $1k. U-joints because they are not greasable and not used a lot can go bad. Then you have to tear apart a lot to replace. Can't just drop them like the rear drive shaft.Hope this helps.Rocky wrote:

Ford Bronco XLT 5.0L or 5.8L?

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