I took my 1989 Ford Bronco II off-road and learned some lessons
Years ago, my older brother and his wife took my wife, Donna, and me off-roading in their 1984 Ford Bronco II XLT. That experience and the just-right size of the Bronco II stuck with me. Before long, I started scanning want ads for a used Bronco II until I found a sharp ’89 XLT with low miles.
One spring weekend, I drove it to rural southern Virginia with my family. Eventually, we came upon a new housing development with dirt streets roughed out. As I turned into the unpaved entrance, my wife expressed her trepidation about going off-road with the family in tow—and with such little experience. “I have enough experience,” I said, thinking of that off-roading blast with my brother a few years earlier.
I engaged the hubs, dropped the shifter into 4L, then began to negotiate the muddy terrain. In short order, I got us thoroughly stuck. After many attempts to extricate ourselves using tree branches and floor mats, Donna and I locked glances and she nonverbally communicated the classic spousal, “Really?” with a deep exhale and a slow, eyes-closed nod.
In the distance, we could hear the clinking of a bulldozer, so off I trekked to go plead with the operator for a rescue, and he was happy to oblige. After he’d backed his leviathan up to the rear of my family fun machine, he told me to get my towrope. I didn’t have a towrope. I didn’t have a jack. I didn’t have any off-road survival tools. I did, however, have an enormous Craftsman screwdriver.
The guy handed me the end of a 1-inch wire cable, so I improvised a connection to my bumper using the screwdriver and the eyelet of the cable. He idled the dozer forward, I gunned the Bronco II in reverse, and we popped out of the soft, slimy mud. I jumped out of the Bronco II to unhook the cable only to find my screwdriver bent at a 90-degree angle.
It took hours to clean the mud off, but I learned many valuable lessons from that experience: Don’t trespass in the name of fun; carry proper tools for off-roading; Craftsman stands by its no-questions-asked guarantee; and always be on the same page as your spouse.
I’ve owned three Bronco IIs over the years and now have a low-mileage ’89 Eddie Bauer Edition. It is by far my favorite of the lot. And no, I have not taken it off-road.
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I had a 1984 bronco that had the AOD transmission fail 7 times with out a penny of warranty. Never took it off the road. I have several great old fords and a way cool Ford FE Powered Jet Boat. The Bronco was my first and last new ford. This is the first article I have read with good results with a Bronco.
I didn’t have a bronco II,but a similar era 1990 e150 conversion van, total money put, nice looking,and driving,but just couldn’t get it to run right, I swore off ford after that!
Liked the story, best part was when the wife locked eyes and said REALLY!
Bought a brand new ‘79 Bronco XLT. Great truck only used it once off road on a maze of logging roads , some leading up above the snowline.
Biggest beef was reinstalling the removable roof. The mounting holes never realigned with the bolts so I had to drill fresh holes into the roof.
Still remember that truck.
I still ha e my 79 Bronco, had her since 1986. She used to go off road. The first year I had her I took her to the rubicon (California famous trail) I quickly found out it was not set up for thwt sort of off road adventures. I boua 1985 Jeep CJ 7 in 1988 and heavily modified it. I still have both.
I have the exact same 89 BII Eddie Bauer 4×4, same color too. I really like it, and have not seen another with the same paint colors until now. Nice rig. Just recently had a hail storm do a number on it though. Looking for a new hood with the factory paint color. If anyone knows of one in good condition, please let me know.
I have almost the exact same Eddie Bauer edition as well! I need to replace the drivers seat upolstry, any info on how to do that? I’m new to owning this Bll
I did my seats off the frames. Put in the washing machine on delicate warm water very mild soap. Then reassembled them using zip ties to hold in place underneath.
Love those colors, any idea what the paint codes are? 3mikes69@gmail.com
To the author! Where can I get the same upholstery shown in your photos? I have the same! My drivers seat is in need of replacement.