Greg B

Reviewed a 1988 Ford XL 4WD on Nov 30, 2012

In '95, I purchased a 1988 Ford Bronco II that got me through the remainder of college, grad school and into my first couple of jobs. I went to college at Pitt Johnstown, so we had Lake Effect Snow from October - April on the mountain and the B-II Bomber did a great job getting me through it w/o a problem. Locked the hubs, backed out of my parking spot and away I went. I'm not sure if the B-II would be a good family car for a family of much more than 2 or 3 people, but for a single guy, it was perfect! I could fit my dorm room stuff in the back, once the seats were folded down, and had no problem keeping up with traffic on the PA Turnpike nor handling 56, going up the mountain...I even got to use the passing lane, which my 81 s-10 couldn't even consider trying to enter. We had the B-II until 2000 or so, when the repair bills on the 12 year old beasty were too much for me to keep up with. Prior to that, though, the thing ran like a champ. In college, some friends and I took our 4x4's out onto the local trails and closed ski-slopes. The B-II had no problem keeping up with the Jeeps and even the F-150 in the group. Handled snow and trails w/o a problem. Handled the plowed corn fields and flood plains back at the farm house w/o a problem, too. In 2000, I discovered that I had a coolant leak while hauling an 8' U-Haul trailer from Southern MD to Pittsburgh. The truck didn't die, she made it through the Western MD and Western PA mountains --- ran hot, but she made it! For those looking to compete in DB Drag or IASCA type sound competition events, the B-II is a solid platform to build upon. Her interior shape is great for a wall or boxes behind the rear seat. Cable runs are extremely easy. An all around good truck. Many times I kick myself for not tightening my belt and just getting her repaired instead of trading her in for our 1996 s-10. But, at the time, the repair bills were costing more than several months of car payments and as soon as one thing was fixed, another started to go. I'm not holding that against the truck, she ran great, got me through several of my young adult years and was a solid truck for years.