1989 Ford Bronco Custom

Item Description: (terms are below pictures)

1989 Ford Bronco Custom 4x4 5.0 302ci EFI w/manual transmission RARE FIND

Background
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I'm the third owner. The person I got this from rarely drove it and supposedly it wasn't driven often before they got it (was on a farm). He said the miles were original, not the 149,510 shown on the title when transferred to him. As you'll see in the title report, the vehicle has several gaps where the registration wasn't renewed on a yearly basis, one time for five full years just before the second owner acquired it. He said the vehicle had sat unused in a garage for around 8-9 years total, before he got it. Then he himself didn't use it much and it sat outside most of the time. The original owner supposedly had trouble verifying the odometer (due to being so few miles) and that's where the 75,000 number appeared (what are the odds of renewing at exactly 75,000?). When the second owner had it transferred to him that's when the discrepancy came up again. He was saying it was just over 46,000 but it was filed as 146,080, since the last guestimate was 75,000. When transferred to me it had 149,510 on the title. The clerk needed a sheriffs inspection to be able to not record it at the higher miles and we didn't have time for the delay, so, it shows the additional 100K. Plus, she acted like it would be unlikely to happen anyhow. Take this for what it's worth and consider it at the higher of the two. The second owner wanted to clear the air again and that's when we simply didn't have time and I really didn't care. I just wanted the truck and to be done with it. In the four years I've owned it I've put an additional 11,389 miles on the odometer to show it at 60,899 (but title will show 160,899).

The second owner replaced the clutch kit, added an aftermarket CD player, carpet and custom diamond-plate interior panels. Since it had been sitting unused so often, I didn't chance it and installed a new 33-gal fuel tank and fuel pump kit. The drivers side valve cover also leaked, causing smoke when driving, so I replaced the valve cover gaskets. Within the year I had to replace the passenger side exhaust manifold due to a crack (exhaust leak). Since then, I've only had to replace the battery and shortly after, a battery cable and minor power-steering hose. And recently, January, I went ahead and put new rotors/brakes on the front and then the caliper seized up and I replaced it too (drivers side). Beyond that I haven't had to do much to it. This vehicle is a beast (as my friends say). All lights, gauges and horn work and truck is a smooth ride. Steering is tight and does not pull left or right and drives great. It does have that bigger truck floating feel but doesn't take long to get accustomed to driving it. This truck has always been properly taken care of and never abused, just light use when weather required it. I've never taken it off-road. Sitting outside is the only abuse it has really ever received. Windshield has always been cracked and never bothered me. A local shop gave me an estimate of $180 installed, so it's not a huge expense.

The engine and transmission are very strong and until last year I have never had a problem whatsoever. Every so often the engine would get a flutter when accelerating, or idle high at a light. It wasn't consistent and sometimes I could simply turn it off and restart to eliminate the problem. I might drive it several more times without issue and then it would just reappear for no reason. I'd run a tank full of better grade gas and a bottle of Lucas fuel treatment and the problem would disappear. Just recently it started doing it again. Start it and it idles fine. Next time it idles high. Sometimes it stutters when getting to a shift point, other times it roars right through the shift. I'm sure there's a Ford guy that can nail the issue but if you ask ten different friends you'll get ten different answers. Other than the random idling/accelerating issue, this Bronco is in solid running/driving condition.

Why am I selling it?
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I don't really have to but it's hard for me to do what I want to with my health condition. I recently acquired an auto-immune disease and my legs don't work like they once did and this is a large truck. Too large for me to do even the simple things. I'm hoping to scale down to a car that I can handle getting in and out of, and to work on easier when needed. I really hate letting it go but it's time. I've had at least 50 random inquiries of selling it just since I've owned it, mostly due to them finding out it was a manual. Lets see if anyone was serious.

Researching this Bronco found that many Ford enthusiasts suggested buying an automatic and installing a manual yourself, as that's how unlikely you were to find an original manual Bronco of this period. Here's your chance to get into an original.
THE GOOD:
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* 5.0L 302 V8 EFI
* 5-sp manual transmission. Solid, and working 4x4.
* 60,899 miles shown on odometer (assume that it is 160,899 as explained above). In the four years I've owned it I've only put an additional 11,389 miles on it. That's only 2,800/year.
* New 33-gal gas tank, pump, screen (2013).
* New valve cover gaskets (2013).
* New passenger side exhaust manifold (01/2014).
* New lower power-steering hose/clamp (02/2015).
* New Pathfinder Sport A/T 235/75-15 tires (05/2015) on aluminum rims. Clear coat is peeling on rims. Wheel locks. Roughly 3,000 miles on tires.
* New Duracell Ultra battery (11/2015).
* New front rotors, brake pads and seals. The drivers side had the caliper replaced as well (01/2017).
* Includes all four original steel wheels/rings/caps (as pictured in last photo, tires not included).
* Trailer receiver (no attachments). I've never towed with it personally.
* Hood and doors shut tight but passenger door could be adjusted a little tighter.
* Tach, all gauges/lights, parking brake and horn work.
* Kenwood CD Player, detachable face with a remote. Speakers sound decent but diamond plate panels vibrate if too loud.
* Used Chilton manual included.

THE BAD:
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* Has the idle issue (mentioned above).
* Windshield will need to be replaced at some point. Doesn't leak or anything, just for appearance reasons.
* Back window will motor down easily but not up. I used a suction cup to help the motor raise the glass until closed. Silicone in the molding may help. Rarely used the back entry so I never worried about it.
* Console lid doesn't catch. Weight of lid keeps it down but cannot lock and no key.
* Heater/defroster work but not hot. Just slightly warm. Bought a thermostat to replace in case that was it but never installed (not even sure it has a thermostat in it right now. In winter I'd tape cardboard over the grill, from headlight to headlight, and the temp gauge would barely get halfway up). Has never gotten even close to overheating.
* No rear seat. Catch-hole is still in floor, just carpeted over.
* Paint is faded and surface rust (as pictured below). Rust at fender wells. Random scratches. small dents and drivers side rear corner has light damage but didn't affect taillight.
* Rear bumper slightly out of alignment.
* Rearview mirror keeps falling off (at least three times). Has to be the glue I'm using. It's currently back on and holding.
* Wipers work but pause sometimes. Not sure what's going on. No noises and no set pattern, just pauses in mid-wipe.

Photos:

Look at photos for any additional detail. Email with any questions before bidding.

Click on any image for a larger view (the larger image can then be click again for higher resolution).

Videos:

Sound of ticking is in poor video, not from the engine.

Auction Terms:

Please read description, agreements and conditions above/below to assure there are no misunderstandings. This is a NO RESERVE auction, meaning the first, highest or winning bidder is entering into a binding agreement to purchase vehicle. Vehicle is being sold 'as is' with no warranty, or guarantees. I have given description and details in as accurate representation as possible. You are welcome to inspect the vehicle in person if nearby, before placing a bid.

*Please do not bid if you can't send a $500.00, non-refundable deposit through PayPal within 24 hours of auctions end. This amount will be deducted from the total purchase price.
*Balance of payment must be made within (7) seven days of auction close by certified bank check, or cash on pick up (a deposit still must be made via PayPal at auctions end within 24 hours).
*Shipping cost and arrangements, taxes, transfer fee's, etc., are the responsibility of the Buyer. Tags are currently expired, so, there may be around $20-30 due when registering.
*I can assist in arranging of date/time to meet with transport carrier for loading, that's it. Vehicle will not be released until full payment has been made.

Thank you for viewing and bid with confidence!