Jeep CJ5 vs. Early Bronco
ElliottMan
I am interest in either a CJ5 or Early Bronco to use as a daily commuter and
occasionally off-road. Is there an advantage to the Jeep vs. Bronco? The main
thing I like about the Bronco is that they came with a hardtop and one for the
Jeep would cost a grand or more.
If they were both stock, which is more reliable?
Thanks,
Steve
Greg Fuller
Hmmm, this can be a loaded question based on Jeep vs. early Bronco camp.
Since I'm from the Denver area and the Super Bowl is coming up a could
just say Go Bronco(s)! But, I own 3 Jeeps, '80 FS Cherokee wide-track
360-V8, '79 CJ7 I6 w/hardtop, and '75 CJ5 I6 w/softtop. Actually they
all have been fairly reliable as daily commuters (for older vehicles),
I've used them all for this at one point or another (my commute is
only about 10 miles one way). Hardtops are nice in colder months,
when fitted properly, bikini tops are great in the warmer months.
I have friends that have early Broncos, personal opinion is they are
about the same in reliability (due to age and maintenance from previous
owner). They do have a beefier drive train in stock form.
Your choice...enjoy.
Oh yeah...did I already say GO BRONCOS!!!
mister cat
IMHO.... also a 73 bronco owner if you can afford the bronc buy
one. i've had mine for 6+ yrs and have loved every minute of it.
some people will say that more aftermarket parts are avl. for the jeep
but i have no probs. finding parts for my bronc. take alook around
they are more rare which makes them more valuable.... you're right
they do come w/hardtop and you can get a softtop for about $350. as
for offroad cap. some say they are the kings. like i said if you can
afford one buy it you won't be sorry!!! i'm not
ps i also owned a 79 cj5 before the bronc. it was a good 4x4 but i
would not have taken it places that my bronc and i have been.
things to look for if you go bronc shopping
1. all yrs are good but a 76-77 came w/ factory disc brakes you can
get a disc conv kit for other yrs.
2. look for one w/power steering if poss. conv. kits are avl. for this
too. it makes turning those big tires alot easyer.
3. 302 v8 motor unless you find one someones swaped in a 351 v8
4. a fairly good body ie: little or no rust. ck the floor pans they
have a tendance to rust out. but you can get replacements or make your
own thats what i did.
5. if you haven't already do a search for broncos on the web. you'll
be surpised at whats out there. try www bronco.com the best site
i've seen yet.
good luck hope this has helped
Coby Hughey
Neither one is really the right vehicle for what you describe. Both entail
compromises that bias them towards the trail and not towards being a daily
driver. If you're really going to only hit the trail occasionally, I'd look at other
vehicles. Making either one reliable can be a chore.
BTW, I'm an Early Bronco owner.
coby hughey
www.bronco.com/cobronco
Founder/VP of Bronco Registry of Northern Colorado
In article <19980123130...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
ellio...@aol.com says...
Mindwarped
>
>I am interest in either a CJ5 or Early Bronco to use as a daily commuter and
>occasionally off-road. Is there an advantage to the Jeep vs. Bronco? The
>main
>thing I like about the Bronco is that they came with a hardtop and one for
>the
>Jeep would cost a grand or more.
>If they were both stock, which is more reliable?
>Thanks,
>Steve
At the ages of the vehicles, no matter which one you buy, the reliability
will all depend on how well the previous owner maintained it. Depending on
what breaks, parts can be either easy or expensive to come by. Brakes on the
bronco are kinda pricy, but also probably cheaper engine parts.
As for the daily driver part, the bronco offers a much bigger interior
with optional rear seats, though the cargo room is almost nothing with the seat
installed. However a CJ-5 with a rear seat has no cargo room at all. The
longer and wider stance of the bronco will add more road stability and the coil
spring front end will probably have a smoother ride (though neither will be
luxury car smooth). When taller than 6 foot or so, i know the bronco looses
some visibility making it hard to see traffic lights when stopped at them, the
CJ i dont know.
Both offer a fairly strong drivetrain, the CJ better before 1975, and the
bronco stronger after 1970. although the bronco is tougher all around. But
the CJ is a bit over powered when equipped with a V-8, so i would opt for the
excellent 258 straight 6 engine, lots of torque and well suited to the truck.
The Bronco go with the 302 v-8...or if swapped in the 351W. Unless you plan
on almost pure off-road, a big block would be too much for daily use on the
bronco, both too powerfull and waste a lot of gas.
And dont forget to inspect the body really careful, check mostly the door
posts on the broncos since they seem to go first, along with the rocker panels
on both trucks. Most important make sure its a safe truck, you are dealing
with up to 30 year old trucks here, and I've seen some pretty scary mechanical
work on stuff that age. be prepared to do some fairly decent work right off the
start to get them roadworthy, but they are good designs and shouldnt be too bad
for reliability
A Well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the
right OF THE PEOPLE to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED
-Mindwarped
WWW.NRA.ORG
dirti...@webtv.net
Coby;
Do you use your early Bronco only on trails? What is your everyday
vehicle? Do many of your Bronco friends use their big tire Broncos
for everyday use?
dirti
Coby Hughey
In article <6ai9vi$i58$1...@newsd-141.iap.bryant.webtv.net>, dirti...@webtv.net
says...
>
>Coby;
>Do you use your early Bronco only on trails?
No.
What is your everyday
>vehicle?
My bronco and in the summertime, a motorcycle.
Do many of your Bronco friends use their big tire Broncos
>for everyday use?
Yes, they do.
>dirti