Registered vehicle
1989 Ford Bronco
About the 1987–1991 Ford Bronco
from the generation archive
The fourth-generation Ford Bronco ran from 1987 through 1991 on the redesigned F-series "Bricknose" body, named for the flush, aerodynamic front clip with flush headlamps that replaced the boxy Bullnose face. For 1987 Ford gave the 4.9L (300) inline-six electronic fuel injection and added rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS) as standard equipment, two of the generation's defining mechanical changes; the 5.0L (302) V8 carried over its existing electronic (throttle-body) fuel injection from the third generation. The optional 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8 stayed carbureted for 1987 and received EFI for the 1988 model year. The engine roster carried the 4.9L (300 cubic inch) inline-six as the base unit, with the 5.0L (302) and 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8s optional. The Bronco kept its full-size two-door wagon body with a removable fiberglass rear hardtop over a 104.7-inch wheelbase, sharing its structure with the F-150 ahead of the B-pillar. Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension carried over from the third generation, as did the basic engine family, so the 1987 changes were fuel injection, braking, and styling rather than a new chassis. The Mazda-built M5OD five-speed overdrive manual replaced the older four-speed manual around 1988, and the biggest later mechanical addition was the E4OD four-speed overdrive automatic for 1990. The base trim was called Custom for 1987 and was renamed XL for 1988; above it sat the better-equipped XLT and the upscale Eddie Bauer.
The story
My 16 year old son found and bought the Bronco for $500. It had been sitting in a driveway for 13 years with the windows mostly open. He and his friends dragged it home and planted it in my driveway, thinking it could be lightly cleaned, started and driving. Surprise! PO had cut, broken, removed and lost several crucial and important parts with the intent of making it better. Exterior original red paint had oxidized so uniformly that it was almost pink. Fiberglass top was badly discolored from dirt, bird and tree droppings. Squirrels had colonized the interior and engine bay.
I had no experience with any automotive project of this scale. So, we jumped right in.
- Engine was garbage so we rebuilt it.
- Transmission clutches were all burned out.
- Xfer case had chipped gear teeth, as well as the rear end. U-joints were more than worn out.
- Body bushings were dust. 2x4 wood pieces in the bottom of both doors?
- Disc brake pads were worn down to metal & had made a significant impression on rotors.
- Bearings were frozen.
- Gas tank had 22 gallons of varnish.
- No front seats, just a "racing bucket" bolted to the fractured floor pan (both seat pans seriously cracked - replaced with OEM replacement floor pans).
- No body cancer but lots of floor surface rust.
- Top of B pillar cracked on both sides.
- Interior pretty well stripped, top had no bolts or screws holding it on.
- Tailgate mechanical & harness were stripped out, power door locks & windows didn't work.
- Under dash wiring heavily compromised with splices, cuts and strange connections. — CreigN
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