Looking for first expedition/overland rig

[bloodycape]

I know the Ranger is suppose to be pretty good on fuel, would the BII be the same? Something about it doesn't entice me much(maybe its because how good the first gen Bronco looked).

[reece146]

I had a B2 years ago (1990 model). It was a good truck. I kind of wish I had kept it and built it (solid front axle, 5.0 liter, etc.) way back when. I remember that it was very comfortable on the highway. I used to visit my wife when she was going to university five hours away. Made the trip every second weekend for almost eight years. It was lifted on 31s. Had no issues with the truck.

[4D55 Performance]

Isn't the Bronco II, just a Ranger pickup with a backseat+top, with roll over issues?

It seemed as stable as every other SUV. You could get a really nice Bronco II with a lift for 4K bucks. If you go to www.therangerstation.com you will see there is a huge following for these little rigs. Back when I was in high school me and my brothers offroad rigs all at the same time. I had a 1979 Chevy Luv. The thing was a complete POS, with its 1.8L 4 banger and 4 speed tranny it had a hard time going 65mph.. My one brother had a 1987( i could be off on the years) 2 door s10 blazer with a brand new 2.8 v6 and a 5 speed, but the thing was gutless even with the new motor. The shifting was sloppy and the steering was vague. My oldest brother had a 1988 Ford Bronco II eddie bauer edition. The 2.9 had good zip, the steering was extremely tight and precise and the 5 speed manual shifted like a dream. I think it had the mitsubishi FM145 tranny. To this day, that little Bronco II left a lasting impression because it drove so well. It handled amazing. I just remember saying to myself that the S10 blazer was not even in the same league as the Bronco II, and both vehicle were in great shape at the time. The reality was, the Bronco II was a much better vehicle. The s10 was much more like my chevy luv, which was not a good thing.

[reece146]

The Explorer is basically a four door Bronco II if you want four doors.

[bigmack]

Since we are mentioning semi-classic SUVs what about the Scout II, could that work for your needs?

[bob91yj]

Another vote for the Cherokee, the newer the better. Reliable drivetrain (if a bit crude), 20MPG (hwy) is realistic in stock form. Tremendous aftermarket (and stock) support.

Having said that, if there is a surviving early '80's Cherokee with the 2.8L GM V-6 in it, run away...they came from the factory with a hole in the side of the block.

87-91's will have Renix engine management which isn't a bad thing, sensors and such are harder to find, the Mopar managed 4.0L HO is preferred by most.

The pressurized coolant overflow bottle (don't remember the years, 87-92ish if memory serves) is quite possibly the worst cooling system ever designed, not if, but when the plastic bottle is going to pop, easy enough to convert it to a more conventional system.

Leaking rear main seal is standard equipment on most any 4.0L, not that tough to change, 2 piece seal accessed through the oil pan, transmission doesn't have to be pulled.

Slight drivetrain mods over the years, mostly for the better. I'd look for a 92 or up with minimal modifications and good service records.

Good luck with whatever you decide, get out there and have some fun!

[bloodycape]

I never was too fond of the Explorer, isn't for me. I had a few friends who had them and I didn't like the look or feel of the interior.
The Cherokee is still something I may keep an eye out for, but from what I have read there is a bit too much Chryslerness to them, and that's not suppose to be a good thing.

[bigmack]

Yeah I thought the interior of the Explorer to be it's weak spot, but the rest of the car is pretty dang solid.

[bigmack]

How important is on road handling and agility?

[reece146]

I don't get the negativity about the Explorer. For the time it was probably the only American truck of the lot that had quality levels approaching that of the Japanese trucks. Sure, the interior is dated by today's standards but you are looking at 10-20 year old, $4k trucks. What do you expect? It has aged well.

Go drive some stuff. You can do the mental gymnastics till you are blue in the face but if you don't even like the choices when you are actually sitting in them it is a wasted effort.