1996 Ford Bronco 4X4 Eddie Bauer

Description

America's most notorious 4x4 is also becoming a great collectable. This 1996 Ford Bronco 4X4 Eddie Bauer edition is officially eligible for the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) and remains the pinnacle of full-sized Bronco fun. Very nicely preserved, this is the one to own if you've always admired the big, full-size Bronc.

Ford and Eddie Bauer did gangbuster business in the late '80s and early '90s with their upscale off-road machines, and none wore the two-tone paint better than the full-sized Bronco. While most were green, this lovely Toreador Red-over-Light Saddle Bronco is downright gorgeous to look at and it's hard to believe that these went out of production more than two decades ago. Well to be fair, if you consider the little 4-cylinder weirdos they're making again these days as real Broncos, then I guess they're back. Anyway, the far more important point is that if you want what most Bronco fans consider to be the 'last' Bronco, this one has great curb appeal. Repainted not long ago, the finish is very smooth to the touch and looks like it's miles deep, with only very minor imperfections to report, although you really have to be looking closely with a deep desire to complain. Bottom line, this is a high-quality driver, and even the top was repainted to that level with fresh seals all around the windows. The chrome bumpers fore and aft look bright, the stock grille and aero headlights are sharp, chrome nerf bars add flash and practicality, and the aftermarket rear taillights look pretty slick out back. Speaking of out back, there's a swing-a-way rear tire mounted back there with a correct "Buckin' Bronco" logo on the cover, and all the correct factory badges were replaced during the restoration so everything looks stock.

The interior is another very pleasant surprise, offering recently replaced comfortable leather buckets and lots of space for five. Eddie Bauer insisted on upscale appointments in the top-of-the-line models, and the leather chosen here is tasteful and durable, showing very little wear on the recently replaced leather seat covers (there's also 1-inch memory foam cushions inside the front buckets, and they're all-day comfortable). Newer carpets give it a plush feel, as does the new headliner above, and as the most expensive of the Ford SUVs, this Bronco sports just about every feature in the book: power windows (including the rear window), locks, and mirrors, A/C, cruise control, and a tilt wheel. A wide center console offers plenty of storage as well as a handy place to put your coffee and the dash is one of the more car-like features of this big truck. A full array of big, legible gauges are in front of the driver, with the climate controls and Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo waaaaay over there in the center of the dash. The nicely appointed back seat wears a fresh cover as well and the cargo bay (with fresh carpet) is positively massive, especially with the spare tire now living outside on a swing-a-way rack.

Ford's erstwhile 5.8L V8 is a great choice to move all this sheetmetal, providing plenty of low-end torque that never feels strained. Despite a vast aftermarket, this one remains quite stock with signs of recent maintenance throughout, highlighted by the K&N cold-air intake set-up with its long elbow tube and cone filter. The engine bay is as clean as the rest of the truck, and if it's ever seen anything rougher than a gravel driveway, we'd be very surprised. With a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission and a 2-speed transfer case, this truck is equally happy at highway speeds or crawling at barely a walking pace and the suspension is built for moderate off-roading that would strand one of today's "cute utes", you know, like the new "Bronco". Even the exhaust system is quite stock (although it looks new), offering a smooth hum instead of a loud grunt of V8 horsepower, but that's the point of the Eddie Bauer model. New shocks, new brakes, a new U-joint, and fresh wheel bearing seals and a speed sensor ensure that it's ready to drive today. Handsome chrome alloys are bright and shiny, wearing BFGoodrich All-Terrain white-letter radials which look great and are pretty pricey all by themselves.

If you grew up in the '90s, you know this is a cool truck, and you just won't find more luxurious go-anywhere transportation for less cash than this. Call today!