Considering a 1996 4.0 SE
 

I'm looking for my next SUV. My requirements in a vehicle are 4WD and the carrying capacity of a Blazer-class SUV. While trolling Craigslist, I came across this 1996 4.0 SE (the listing doesn't show it, but I asked).

The list of things that have been fixed seems to hit the common problems that a cursory troll through this forum shows, aside from the airbag light. (I've been ignoring a Check Engine light on my current vehicle, a 2000 Subaru Outback Limited wagon, so I can ignore the airbag light just fine.) The price seems reasonable.

The main questions I have are: how's the ride, and how's the power? My roommate works nights, and so we take road trips with him sleeping in the passenger seat. I've had a 1989 Bronco II that was terrible for that, with a pretty stiff ride; I've had other vehicles ranging from a 1995 Blazer to a 2007 Lexus RX350 that were fine. The comments I've seen indicate that switching to coil springs stiffens the ride and makes it bouncier, and that would be a minus for this use. I don't off-road, so that consideration doesn't enter into it for me.

I'm also a little leery of a 190 HP engine in a 2.5-ton truck. The Outback, with 165 HP in 3800 pounds, is definitely underpowered; the RX300 and Blazer were adequate; and the RX350 was fun.

What should I look for should I decide to drive 50 miles and take a look?

here's your problem "Air suspension system has been converted to coils"
it will ride just like your bronco II.

Don't Bronco's use leaf springs? I've driven Broncos, Blazers and the like many times. Even with coils the RR rides and handles much better.

Just check the usual things, oil, coolant, transmission fluid. Listen for drive train noise while at speed. Go through everything to make sure it all works. Check the HI and LO range on the transfer case.

I will be the first to admit, my 96 is pretty gutless. I've never towed anything with it before, but it does take giving it the beans quite often to get it up to 55 mph out of my neighborhood. Rovers with the 4.6 engine are a little better, but still pretty gutless

The big issue for me and my roommate in the Bronco II was that the ride was stiff enough that we felt every bump on the highway right in the spine. It was also a short enough wheelbase that it pitched quite a bit.

This may be the deal breaker for me, if the ride is tolerable. I've had enough of sticking my foot in the power on an onramp and letting the car say "IthinkIcanIthinkIcan"...

I guess I shouldn't say "gutless" but it doesn't get up and go like my Jag that I drive all the time. The rovers are what I use on long trips in the mountains and they perform great for that purpose. In town they do fine too. But they are easy for others to out run. If you are concerned about their performance, go drive one. Everyone's version of "fast/slow" is relative to their own experience with other cars.

full size bronco used leafs bronco II use coil like and explorer

My 1999 Range Rover has the coil spring conversion and it rides pretty good considering its a 4x4 truck. It's no Lexus or Mercedes sedan ride, but it'll do. One thing to look for is when really gassing on it a metallic Clank, Clank, Clank sound. Sounds like gears stripping, but it is actually the Transfer Case drive chain. Very common for them to wear out and stretch at about 100K miles. Putting it in low side and really romping on the gas pedal will make one that is not bad but just about worn out strip over a few notches so you can hear it. I had to replace mine when I bought the truck. $600 repair, but I got the truck dirt cheap because of it. It really sounds worse than it is. Scares people. Runs like a top now.

A 17 year old P38 will consume a savings account at an alarming rate.

i liked my '97 and my '00.

my '97 had coils, it actually rode pretty decent. but the air ride is a lot better for sure.