Owning your Bronco for decades. Best practices?

[JJ Bronco]

Great advice by all. Thank you.

Perhaps unrealistic to think I could daily drive AND keep for decades but I sure will try with maintenance recommendations given.

I will look into the lanolin treatment and get an idea of the cost versus down the line repair costs.

Thanks everyone.

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[MNbronco]

People have already mentioned it, but the salt brine is going to be your biggest issue.

When I lived in Arizona I kept vehicles on the road to 320,000+ miles and 20+ years. I moved to the northeast several years ago, and I can tell it's going to be difficult to do the same here. I have a 2013 Focus that I've had for 10 years (bought Nov. 2012), and that thing looks WAY worse than my 1991 Ford Escort that I had for 21 years and drove 289,000 miles.

A lot of people will suggest an oil-based underbody coatings. I personally do not like those coatings... I prefer regular car washes and an underbody spray pressure washer attachment (as @Beach_Bum suggested). BUT, I fully admit those oil-based coatings require a less care during the winter and are probably best for most people--unlikely the average person will want to be out in 34 degree weather washing their car in the middle of winter.

After winter I will also hop under my vehicles and tackle rust spots with a wire wheel and spray paint to try to keep it at bay. It's annoying and time consuming, but it works as long as you keep up with it.

All that said... realistically... if you are daily driving this thing in the midwest you're probably only going to be able to get 15 years out of it before it becomes a losing battle. Just the reality of living in the midwest. It is obviously possible to keep it for longer, but if we're being honest most people (myself included) lose interest in maintaining their new vehicle within the first ~5 years of ownership. Not a bad thing necessarily... just life gets in the way and your focus moves elsewhere.

I get what you are saying but from personal experience on a 2014 f150, spraying fluid film yearly there was zero rust after 7 MN winters. Avoiding undercarriage car washes during winter then using salt away in spring to wash off residue

 

[MayhemMike]

My simple rule is,” treat your vehicles like they are living ,breathing animals”.

 

[mtclimb3r]

Probably not as popular of a consideration, but anytime you change factory components out for after market you are likely taking a bit of life off the other components/systems.

Wheels with more poke change steering/suspension dynamics and cause more wear on wheel bearings. Lifts are similar. Heavier bumpers/more constant weight will cause everything to work harder during the lifetime of the vehicle. Bigger tires than stock should be obvious that it will likely reduce the lifetime of certain components too.

Not saying these things can't be repaired of course. So then it comes down to what is considered to be a vehicle ending repair? Basically anything except for the frame can be repaired/replaced/rebuilt.

So how long your Bronco lasts ultimately depends on how much money are you willing to throw at it to keep it on the road? I put a lot of money into my 03 Tacoma to keep it in good shape. Despite it being 'bomber' and 'reliable' shit still breaks and wears out. Valves, ignition components, suspension, clutches, etc.

 

[MudMonsterRacin]

Lanolin based undercoating works. Paid 500 for the initial and 150 each touchup which will probably be yearly as it does wear away. Dirt sticks to it but easily washes away and it sucks working on it more because it stays wet. Id say this is a tradeoff because Id rather not work on rusted junk.

 

[rayhil67]

My biggest concern.

What can be done to maybe not eliminate this problem but possibly lessen it I would love to read about.

I had mine done with fluid film for peace of mind

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/group-posts/7129/

 

[JT58Bronc]

Change your oil. Never miss or be late. I won't go into intervals- so highly debated.

Keept it clean on the undercarriage- wash it often, remove salt ASAP, undercoat or paint the undercarriage components if possible.

Drive it reasonably and don't "beat" on it.

There is other maintenance you can and should do but the above to me is most important.

-Coolant change
-Front and rear differential changes
-Transfer case fluid change
-Brake fluid flush
-Lube of various components
-Wash and wax (obviously)

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