Bronco Nation

Shopping for a 5th gen

carriegrimm
Jan 06, 2021

Rank 0

Jan 06, 2021

Hello!
I am just getting started on my search to find the right Bronco. I would love to get some thoughts and recommendations from my fellow Bronco lovers regarding the different engines offered in the 5th gen Bronco series.
We have a few Ford trucks around here, and I've learned all too well, the difference between the 7.3 and the 6.0 diesel motors. Any insight on the 5.0, 5.4, & 5.8??
Thanks!
Last edited by a moderator: Jan 06, 2021

Off-Roadeo Ranger

Moderator

Jan 06, 2021

#1
carriegrimm
Hello!
I am just getting started on my search to find the right Bronco. I would love to get some thoughts and recommendations from my fellow Bronco lovers regarding the different engines offered in the 5th gen Bronco series.
We have a few Ford trucks around here, and I've learned all too well, the difference between the 7.3 and the 6.0 diesel motors. Any insight on the 5.0, 5.4, & 5.8??
Thanks!
I believe your engine options are 4.9L (300ci straight six, for the 92 and 93 MY only), 5.0L (302 V8), and 5.8L (351 V8). The 5.4 was available in later MY Ford trucks, but never in the Bronco. The straight 6 is desirable for low rpm torque and fuel economy, but the 96MY V8s have OBD-II computers so they can be a little easier to diagnose and keep running. I had a 96 5.0 manual for a while many years ago, and wish I had kept it. If I remember right you can get a 4.9 or 5.0 with manual, but not the 5.8. Have you found any potential rigs yet?
Bronc96

Rank VI

Jan 06, 2021

#2
i have two 5th gen's a 1993 with a 5.8 E4OD automatic and a 1996 with 5.0L and a M5OD manual transmission. Most will say the 5.0l is underpowered but with a manual out back it has plenty of power to spin the tires. look for a late model 1995 or a 1996 this is when they upgraded to OBD2 and mass air flow. Much easier to work on and trouble shoot. if your looking to spend in the 5,000 to 7,500 dollar range look for a rust free starter in Arizona or places where rust is not an issue. In this price range you can probably expect to replace a motor or transmission in a few years. Over 10,000 it should not have any rust and either the motor or transmission recently replaced. All Broncos will need love and time. Taking a 25 year old vehicle to the shop every time a minor problem arises is a receipe for disaster and spending waaaay too much.

If you aren't willing to get dirty and loose a little blood for your Bronco then just get a new one.
Bronc96, TorgSurv

Rank 0

Jan 06, 2021

#3
TorgSurv
I believe your engine options are 4.9L (300ci straight six, for the 92 and 93 MY only), 5.0L (302 V8), and 5.8L (351 V8). The 5.4 was available in later MY Ford trucks, but never in the Bronco. The straight 6 is desirable for low rpm torque and fuel economy, but the 96MY V8s have OBD-II computers so they can be a little easier to diagnose and keep running. I had a 96 5.0 manual for a while many years ago, and wish I had kept it. If I remember right you can get a 4.9 or 5.0 with manual, but not the 5.8. Have you found any potential rigs yet?
Yes! I have a short list that I am watching. : )
Bronc96, Deano Bronc

Rank 0

Jan 06, 2021

#4
carriegrimm
Yes! I have a short list that I am watching. : )
I would love to find one with a manual transmission! Thanks for the quick feedback!

Rank 0

Jan 06, 2021

#5
carriegrimm
I would love to find one with a manual transmission! Thanks for the quick feedback!

Rank VI

Jan 06, 2021

#6
I had 5.0L (1991) and 5.8L (1996) Broncos. I also had two 92 F-150s with the 5.8L. All I can say is the broncos were great to drive but I swore I would never buy a truck with a 5.0L again because it just didn’t have the power to stay in overdrive on the highway. We had a small business that ran lots of F-150s and the 5.8L with the EOD transmission was very reliable for us. Ran many of them into the high 200K miles before we had to rebuild the transmissions.
carriegrimm, Bronc96

Rank VI

Jan 07, 2021

#7
carriegrimm
Hello!
I am just getting started on my search to find the right Bronco. I would love to get some thoughts and recommendations from my fellow Bronco lovers regarding the different engines offered in the 5th gen Bronco series.
We have a few Ford trucks around here, and I've learned all too well, the difference between the 7.3 and the 6.0 diesel motors. Any insight on the 5.0, 5.4, & 5.8??
Thanks!
As @TorgSurv mentioned your engine choices (depending on year) will be 4.9, 5.0 and 5.8. I have owned all 3 and all are great engines. They all are very reliable and when parts do need replacement they are easy to find and affordable.

I also agree with the other posts, if you have your heart set on a 5th gen then I would buy the best example you can afford. 95/96 are also preferable because of OBDII and MAF which is easier to Dx issues and better performance with the MAF. I currently have a 96 EB with 5.0 and E4OD trans but would lean toward a 5.8 for power if I had my choice again. My 5.0 does ok now because I have swapped the factory 3:55 gears for 4:10s which helped performance quite a bit. The 5.0 does seem a bit underpowered (stock :)) for such a large and heavy truck. Just my thoughts. :)
carriegrimm, JFord

Rank 0

Jan 07, 2021

#8
Bronc96
As @TorgSurv mentioned your engine choices (depending on year) will be 4.9, 5.0 and 5.8. I have owned all 3 and all are great engines. They all are very reliable and when parts do need replacement they are easy to find and affordable.

I also agree with the other posts, if you have your heart set on a 5th gen then I would buy the best example you can afford. 95/96 are also preferable because of OBDII and MAF which is easier to Dx issues and better performance with the MAF. I currently have a 96 EB with 5.0 and E4OD trans but would lean toward a 5.8 for power if I had my choice again. My 5.0 does ok now because I have swapped the factory 3:55 gears for 4:10s which helped performance quite a bit. The 5.0 does seem a bit underpowered (stock :)) for such a large and heavy truck. Just my thoughts. :)
Thank you very much! This is exactly the feedback I was looking for!

Rank 0

Jan 07, 2021

#9
JFord
I had 5.0L (1991) and 5.8L (1996) Broncos. I also had two 92 F-150s with the 5.8L. All I can say is the broncos were great to drive but I swore I would never buy a truck with a 5.0L again because it just didn’t have the power to stay in overdrive on the highway. We had a small business that ran lots of F-150s and the 5.8L with the EOD transmission was very reliable for us. Ran many of them into the high 200K miles before we had to rebuild the transmissions.
Perfect! Thank you!!
JFord

Rank 0

Jan 08, 2021

#10
Bronc96
As @TorgSurv mentioned your engine choices (depending on year) will be 4.9, 5.0 and 5.8. I have owned all 3 and all are great engines. They all are very reliable and when parts do need replacement they are easy to find and affordable.

I also agree with the other posts, if you have your heart set on a 5th gen then I would buy the best example you can afford. 95/96 are also preferable because of OBDII and MAF which is easier to Dx issues and better performance with the MAF. I currently have a 96 EB with 5.0 and E4OD trans but would lean toward a 5.8 for power if I had my choice again. My 5.0 does ok now because I have swapped the factory 3:55 gears for 4:10s which helped performance quite a bit. The 5.0 does seem a bit underpowered (stock :)) for such a large and heavy truck. Just my thoughts. :)
Hey there! This info has been really helpful. I am still on the search and one that I have found that I really like is a 94. Stupid question: What do OBDII and MAF stand for??
Bronc96

Rank 0

Jan 08, 2021

#11
carriegrimm
Hey there! This info has been really helpful. I am still on the search and one that I have found that I really like is a 94. Stupid question: What do OBDII and MAF stand for??
Ahhhh..... CODES!!!

Off-Roadeo Ranger

Moderator

Jan 08, 2021

#12
carriegrimm
Hey there! This info has been really helpful. I am still on the search and one that I have found that I really like is a 94. Stupid question: What do OBDII and MAF stand for??
Not a stupid question.
OBD is On-Board Diagnostics (fancy computer stuff that helps the mechanic figure out what's wrong with the vehicle). The II (or 2) is the second generation of the system, required on all vehicles 1996 or newer. MAF is Mass Air Flow sensor, which helps the engine's computer control the air/fuel mixture increasing power and efficiency.
Bronc96, JFord

Gladesmen

Jan 08, 2021

#13
carriegrimm
Hello!
I am just getting started on my search to find the right Bronco. I would love to get some thoughts and recommendations from my fellow Bronco lovers regarding the different engines offered in the 5th gen Bronco series.
We have a few Ford trucks around here, and I've learned all too well, the difference between the 7.3 and the 6.0 diesel motors. Any insight on the 5.0, 5.4, & 5.8??
Thanks!
Wait an F250 with a 6.0l diesel is a great truck...



To put a 12 valve p-pumped Cummins in. :)
E7027912-EF9E-464F-8C40-AB25CAEC2F92.jpeg

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