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The Ford Bronco was an SUV produced from 1966 through 1996, with four distinct generations.

It was initially introduced as a competitor for the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. A major redesign based on the Ford F-Series truck in 1978 brought a larger Bronco to compete with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Dodge Ramcharger. The smaller Ford Bronco II accompanied the Bronco for several years in the 1980s. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the return of the large Bronco, based on a newer F-Series.

The full-size Broncos and the successor Expedition were produced at Ford's Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan.

The Bronco permanently entered popular culture in 1994 as the vehicle in which O. J. Simpson traveled during his (in)famous low-speed chase with police through the Los Angeles area. It was a white 1993 model owned by Al Cowlings.

1966-1977 (Early Bronco)

The original Bronco was a small SUV, intended to compete with Jeeps and the International Harvester Scout. Its small size (92 in wheelbase) made it popular for off-roading and some other uses, but impractical for such things as towing.

The idea behind the Bronco began with Ford product manager Donald N. Frey, who also conceived of the Ford Mustang; and similarly, Lee Iacocca pushed the idea through into production. In many ways, the Bronco was a more original concept than the Mustang; whereas the Mustang was based upon the Ford Falcon, the Bronco had a frame, suspension, and body which were not shared with any other vehicle.

The Bronco was designed under engineer Paul G. Axelrad. Although the axles and brakes were sourced from the Ford F-100 four wheel drive truck, the front axle was located by leading arms (from the frame near the rear of the transmission forward to the axle) and a lateral track bar, allowing the use of coil springs which gave the Bronco a tight (34 ft) turning circle, long wheel travel, and an anti-dive geometry which was useful for snowplowing. The rear suspension was more conventional, with leaf springs in a typical Hotchkiss design. A shift-on the-fly (with utmost difficulty) Dana Engineering transfer case was standard, and heavy duty suspension was an option.

The initial engine was the Ford 170 in³ I6, modified with solid valve lifters, a six quart oil pan, heavy duty fuel pump, oil-bath air cleaner, and a carburetor with a float bowl compensated against tilting.

Styling was subordinated to simplicity and economy, so all glass was flat, bumpers were simple C-sections, the frame was a simple box-section ladder, and the basic left and right door skins were identical except for mounting holes.

The base price was only *]2,194, but the long option list included front bucket seats, a rear bench seat, a tachometer, and a CB radio, as well as functional items such as a tow bar, an auxiliary gas tank, a power takeoff, a snowplow, a winch, and a posthole digger. Aftermarket accessories included campers, overdrive units, and the usual array of wheels, tires, chassis and engine parts for increased performance.

The Bronco initially dominated the market against the Scout and Jeep until the advent of the fullsize Chevrolet Blazer in 1969, a much larger and more powerful vehicle which could offer greater luxury, comfort, space, and a longer option list including an automatic transmission and power steering, and thus had broader appeal. Ford countered by enlarging the optional V8 engine from 289 in³ and 200 hp to 302 in³ and 205 hp, but this still could not match the Blazer's optional 350 in³ and 255 hp. In 1973, power steering and automatic transmissions were made optional and sales spiked to 26,300, but by then, Blazer sales were double those of the Bronco, and International Harvester had seen the light and come out with the Scout II which was more in the Blazer class. For the average driver, those vehicles made more sense than the more rustically-oriented Bronco; however, the low sales of the Bronco (230,800 over twelve years) did not allow a large budget for upgrades, and it remained basically unchanged until the advent of the larger, more Blazer-like second generation Bronco in 1978. Perhaps predictably, sales of the original model peaked (30,700) in its last year, 1977, as buyers who wanted more of a fun, spunky, no-frills, go-anywhere vehicle took advantage of their last opportunity to buy one.

Racing

In 1965, racecar builder Bill Stroppe assembled a team of Broncos for long-distance off-road competition for Ford. Partnering with Ford's frequently favored race team Holman and Moody, the Stroppe/Holman/Moody (SHM) Broncos proceeded to dominate the Mint 400, Baja 500, and Mexican 1000. In 1969 SHM again entered a team of six Broncos in the Baja 1000. In 1971, a "Baja Bronco" package partially derived from Stroppe's design was offered in the Ford showrooms, featuring quick-ratio power steering, automatic transmission, fender flares covering Gates Commando tires, a roll bar, reinforced bumpers, a padded steering wheel, and distinctive red, white, blue, and black paint. However, at a price of $5566 versus the standard V8 Bronco price of $3665, only 650 were sold over the next four years. *

In 1966, a Bronco dragster built by Doug Nash ran the quarter mile in 9.2 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph.

Engines

1978-1996 (Big Bronco)

The redesign of the Bronco in 1978 was based on the F-100 truck, sharing many chassis, drivetrain, and body components. Ford started the redesign in 1972, codenamed Project Short-Horn, but introduction was delayed by concerns over the mid-1970s fuel crisis. The increased size allowed them to compete with the fullsize SUVs offered by GM (Chevrolet Blazer) and Chrysler (Dodge Ramcharger).

In the TV series 240-Robert, several 1979 Broncos were seen as rescue vehicles.

There was a major redesign of the model in 1980 (the 1980 model was based on the redesigned Ford F-series; this generation lasted until 1986 with no sheetmetal changes, mostly powertrain and chassis related). A lot of cosmetics where redone. along with powertrain, suspension and other odds and ends. The Ford Bronco in 1980 had the TTB (twin traction beam) setup in the front end for an independent front suspension.

Specifications (1980-1986)

Wheelbase: 104.0 in (2641mm)
Length: 180.3 in (4579 mm)
Width: 79.3 in (2014 mm)
Height: 75.5 in (1917 mm)

Engines

replaced in 1982 by the
  • 351 in³ Windsor V8
  • 400 in³ 400 V8 optional through 1982 when it was eliminated from the company's lineup
  • 300 in³ Straight-6 added in 1980 — to many, the best powertrain offered for its low-end torque and legendary reliability
  • 302 in³ 302 V8 — added in 1980

1984-1990 (Bronco II)

The second oil crisis of the 1970s increased emphasis on fuel economy and led to the Bronco II design, nearer in size to the compact Ranger pick up and again sharing some chassis and drivetrain parts. However, full-size Broncos continued to be produced.

The Bronco II was short-lived since it spanned seven model years (1984 to 1990), and it was replaced by the Ford Explorer.

Engines

  • 2.8L carbureted V6
  • 2.9L EFI V6

1987-1991

In 1987, the body and drivetrain of the fullsize Bronco changed, as it was still based on the F-Series. Again based on the F-Series trucks in their latest redesign, continued the towing capability and storage space that the compact Bronco II lacked. Along with the body change came electronic fuel injection, which improved power and fuel economy. They were built at the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan on the same line as the F-150.

Engines

1992-1996

The Bronco, along with the F-Series, was updated for 1992. Most changes were visible as cosmetics. Primary changes occurred inside of the cab, with changes concentrating in the dash and accessories. No major drivetrain changes occurred.

Bronco Centurion

From the late 1980s through its demise in 1996, the Bronco was also sold at Ford dealerships as a modified 4-door (making it similar to an Expedition or Suburban). These 4-door Broncos were converted by Centurion Vehicles of White Pigeon, Michigan. The conversion involved taking a new club cab, short bed F-Series truck and a Bronco tailgate and fiberglass top, to create a huge, rugged SUV. In addition to adding a third row of seats and more room, a Bronco Centurion could be ordered based on the F-350, allowing them to have such engines as the 7.3 L PowerStroke turbodiesel and the 7.5 L gasoline V8. This made the Centurion more appealing to people in need of a comfortable tow vehicle, albeit a faster one. Over time the few of these cars that still exist are rare and valuable, except for the certain percentage of Northern cars that suffered from tailgate rust-out due to poor body paint preparation.

The Bronco Centurion could be ordered with options such as a third-row seat that can be folded into a bed, second row bucket seats, a TV with a VCR, and a built-in radar detector.

Bronco Centurions were considered as aftermarket conversions before Ford's introduction of the Excursion as an official production model in 2000.

1997

In the 1997 model year, the Ford Expedition, which more effectively competed with GM's Chevrolet Tahoe, was introduced as the successor to the Bronco. The Bronco name was dropped from production, but was reused a few years later for a similar concept car.

2004 concept

At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, a Bronco concept car was introduced. Some features of the concept car, such as the box-like roof line, short wheelbase, and the round headlamps are features associated with the original Bronco, but this concept car also had a 2.0 L intercooled turbodiesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission. This Bronco also was like the original because of its famous off-road capabilities. Basically, this concept car was like the original Bronco in some ways and is also a very futuristic off-road vehicle. Ford has - and is still considering - releasing this for production, likely based on the success of the retro-themed Toyota FJ Cruiser. The vehicle would be between the Ford Escape and Ford Focus wagon if it were to be produced.

External links

Ford vehicles | All wheel drive vehicles | Rear wheel drive vehicles | SUVs | 1960s automobiles | 1970s automobiles | 1980s automobiles | 1990s automobiles | 1966 introductions

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Ford Bronco".

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