XJ vs. FullSize Bronco

I asked an XJ vs. K20 question b4...  But, now, I have a 94 Bronco, an ex-enviro police model... manual t-case etc. So what it is is a stripped down model (just like I like it...) rubber floors (easy to hose out), roll-up windows, but it's got a spotlight!, 351, automatic, factory tranny cooler HD radiator you know, the police package. Since it was a fleet vehicle I assume it's got all the recall stuff done and good maintanance (it sure runs clean). I also have a 93 XJ Limited, some rust/rot spots, a dent here and there. But in good shape. Carpets, leather etc. (not good to get muddy)

I go back and forth DAILY on which to keep (I can keep ONLY ONE).

I like the size of the Bronco but I like the 4 doors on the XJ. The 351 is STRONG but the 4.0 aint bad either. 8.8 or Dana 35? Dana 44 TTB or Dana 30 solid axle? Removable top or easy to open hatch? Full framer or unibody? ARRRRGGGGHHHH!

My goal, as money allows, is to make a pre-runner type out of one of them. 6" bulge fenders, bumpers etc. They both have a great aftermarket for that goal. What do I do? I also have a child so seating and safety in either is not an issue.

Easy choice, the jeep. The TTB is a poor excuse for a front drive axle any way you cut it. It eats tires and has stabilty issue by design. THE Jeep would be a far more sturdy off road vehical.  

Snoman, I did a search here on TTB and you seem to post a lot on that subject. I guess I didn't want to read your reply but I know you are right. I try to convince myself that it's not that bad but looking at the tires I have now (bald from the center, out) I cannnot ignore the facts. As I think about the design, I cannot believe that the camber/caster changes during a suspension cycling would get past the engineers. I suppose I need to get a membership to JeepSpeed. Thanks for the reply.  

When Ford came up with the TTB their idea was a low riding truck with 4wd and a soft ride and it did fill the part (a poor mans IFS) but because the axle is hinged in the middle and the camber (and caster somewhat) changes radically with suspension travel and causes tires to wear funny and also it can have strange handling on some even roads at speed. The TTB was quitely scraped on the explorer (the roll over model)and replaced with a much more stable IFS design. I know I sound anti Ford but I am not, the engineer in me just sees the TTB for what it is, a overall poor design.  

after reading snomans reply to this bronco/xj question, it sounds to me like he really knows his stuff. i have owned several fords. three of  which have been bronco's. (a 78,79,and a 93). while they were all very capable on the trail, their weight made the extra engine power very necessary at times. the TTB (on the 93), was very hard on tires. i was    able to somewhat fix this by adding an aftermarket swaybar and some polyurethane bushings. but like all fixes nothing lasts forever. the  wieght of the xj alone makes it a better choice.  

dont sound so dissapointed. the xj is very capable, easy to lift, cheap to lift, and  the only real weak spot is the dana 35 in the back. a dana 44 or a 8.8 out of an explorer are both easy swaps. i highly recomend the black diamond three inch kit and revolver shackles they r awesome on the xj  

You can also put after market axle shafts in a D35 that are stronger than stock ones in a D44 or 8.8 too.  

having owned 3 full size blazers 73, 79, 83, (which i loved)and which are far superior to the bronco counter parts ,  when i got my 89 xj a few months ago the die hard chevy guy in me converted to the the jeep side.
jeep pros are basicly unlimited aftermarket, smooth ride at higher speed compared to broncos paint shaker ride, smaller lighter and more nimble/manueverable, far better fuel mileage.  The the only thing the bronco has on xj is a removeable top and towing capacity (although i seen a guy in a stock xj towing a 35 to 40' party cat deck boat that you usually see behind a 3/4 ton or 1 ton diesel) . xj all the way  

SnoMan:
You can also put after market axle shafts in a D35 that are stronger than stock ones in a D44 or 8.8 too.

True on the shafts being stronger, but the other Achilles heel of the D35 is the week axle tubes. A suggestion for this option is also to truss the axle. As far as the answer to the XJ or Bronco Question, XJ all the way the bnefits of the solid front axle and the less weight alone make it the better choice.  
------------------------------------------------------------                                                                                                                                                                                 '75 CJ5, Chevy 327, SR4, twin stick D300, D44&D30 with OX lockers, sitting on 3" lift and 33's.

Anyone who says the fullsize Broncos had stability problems have never owned a fullsize Bronco. I specialize in Broncos by profession and have owned, driven, and wheeled many. I've (accidentally) done so many things that would roll most vehicles easily in Broncos its not even funny, yet I've never rolled a one. Yes, they do eat tires, but a solid axle swap won't cost you more than 5k. One thing about Broncos, they are about as durable as any gas truck ever made. You can't break them if you try, and I've tried.

If you want a truck to crawl around on rocks like a baby, take the Jeep. If you want to plow through mud get the power of the Bronc. If you want a prerunner get the durability and stability of the Bronco. '92-'96 Broncos also have amazing maneuverability. I've gotten lost in the woods before by losing the trail back because I thought there was no way my fullsize made it through a spot. The Broncos handle quickly and have a great turning circle.

Other than the early model Broncos, I don't think there's a better all around off road vehicle than the fullsize Bronco. Some Scouts were good rigs but its hard to get parts for them. Jeeps are good for rocks or super tight trails, but not much else.

As far as prerunners go, the Ranger is the best you can get.  

Old post resurrected times 2 lol

I agree though, Ford made a great product, even right down to the TTB.
TTB may be quite finicky about the geometry of it's steering linkage (and is why tire wear issues crop up so often when 90% or more of TTB lift kits sold come with pitman arms that do not match up with the lift's height) but it is entirely possible to have a TTB that doesn't wear out a tire any faster than any other type of suspension, you just have to account for the shortcomings in that suspension lift that you're installing and correct for them (generally the mismatched pitman arm, and reinforcing the brackets so they're actually capable of holding the axle in place properly).

I'd take the Bronco over a J00p any day of the week.


Whatever happened to this ol' Ford-hating Snowman geezer anyway? lol I guess someone finally put him in his place?  

Why not just keep both? I know you "think" you have to get rid of one. Just put too big a price tag on them both. If someone buys one then cool. If not then you can justify keeping them as knowbody wants to pay what they are worth and you don't want to settle for less. However I am sure the XJ gets better mpg. The Bronco should handle 33X10.5s with no problem and 35s with minor fender trimming and propper wheels. The Xj will need Lift and fender triming to get 33s.  
$300 Bronco

i know the ttb looses propper camber when flexin on and off road but so does a solid axle, right? My prefrence is that their both great trucks but the bronco will be safer and have more cargo room. Properly lifted the bronco can have great suspension travel with extended radius arms, not just drop brackets. Also if you wanted you have endless options to build up your 351 but, if you ask me id go to the 300 straight 6    

The only thing broncos are good for is running from the cops lol  
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You know I love you all (in a manly non sexual way) Spawn_X

hahaha burn! i also have to say the the ttbs on the fullsize trucks are way more stable than the bronco 2 and explouders. you ask me id say stick with the bronco but thats just me. the xj is good too but if you want to talk safty as far as collesion ratings are pertty bad. ive seen sevral as a volunteer fire fighter in wrecks and they just fold up being uni-bodied. although they are nice and light to wheel with. i can se why your up in the air on wich one you want, but you got my vote for the bronco