Ford Bronco – Model History

Get ready to unleash your inner patriot, folks, because we’re talking about one of the most iconic American vehicles of all time: the Ford Bronco. From its rugged design to its legendary off-road capabilities, the Bronco has been a staple of American culture for decades. Whether you’re cruising down a country road or blazing a trail through the wilderness, this classic SUV is the ultimate symbol of American freedom and adventure. So buckle up, grab your cowboy hat, and get ready to ride into the sunset with the one and only Ford Bronco!

History of Ford Bronco:

You may be from another planet if you have never heard about Ford. It is an American automobile company famous for its state-of-the-art services and manufacturing of various lineups that include SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, and much more. This article will focus on the Ford Bronco.

Ford is famous for its quality, innovation, thoughtful approach toward vehicle production, and commitment to the consumers. It has produced many vehicles over the long span of its existence, and some of them are engraved in the minds of automobile enthusiasts and history. One such model is Ford Bronco!

Ford Bronco is a lineup of sport utility vehicles marketed by Ford. It holds significance as the first SUV model developed by Ford. The company sold five generations from 1966 to 1996, after which it discontinued for decades and came back as a 6th generation in 2021. It has a shared nameplate with other Ford SUVs, such as Bronco sport compact crossover and Bronco 2 compact SUV. Let’s look at the history of this legendary Ford lineup.

The Original Ford Bronco:

The original Ford Bronco could sustain in the American market for about 12 years; during this time, its mere presence overshadowed the succeeding generations. It is an indirect successor of World War Two era Ford GPW. Ford designed it to complement Ford Mustang as a fun and youth-oriented off-roader.

Ford also considered Jeeps Square while designing and engineering Bronco. Therefore, the initial Bronco was small, with its wheelbase equal to that of the modern mini-Cooper hardtop. It comes with simple flat surfaces that are easy to maintain and cheap to manufacture. It came in three body styles; sports utility pickup, also called a half cab which game will win the rear bench seat and hard top; roadster that was roofless and had inserts in place of doors; and wagon that offered a removable hard stop with two doors.

The first Bronco model got its power from a 2.8-liter I-6 engine paired with a 3-speed manual transmission. Together the could produce 105 horsepower. It was replaced by a 4.7-liter V8 engine producing 200 horsepower that converted to a 3.3-liter I-6 engine with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Ford produced around 225,000 vehicles for Bronco’s first generation.

The Ford Bronco Second Generation:

Automobile makers considerably reduced their manufacturing costs in the 70s. Ford also cut down the Bronco size in the second generation. The plan to introduce a four-door Bronco was overlooked, and a two-door Bronco with a removable hardtop was introduced, gaining much popularity within two years of its existence. It has V8 engines throughout the 70s models. The upgraded 6.6-liter V8 generates 149 horsepower. The 1978 and ’79 Broncos came with two transmission options, a four-speed manual, and an optional four-speed automatic transmission. The four-wheel-drive system came standard with automatic transmission.

Ford Bronco Third Generation:

Ford induced many significant changes in its third-generation Bronco, the exterior, and the interior. The third-generation models were lighter, and the solid front axle was missing. The Ford Bronco parts catalog highlighted the importance of the absence of a front axle in favor of an independent front suspension system.

4.9-liter I6 engine producing 115 hp was standard with these models. The engine upgraded to 210 hp generating a 5.8-liter V8. It has various transmissions, including three four-speed manuals, a four-speed automatic with overdrive, and a three-speed automatic transmission.

Ford Bronco Fourth Generation:

The updates in the fourth generation are pretty minor. The engines lost fuel injections and carburetors, while the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission got added to the transmission line. The electric shift four-wheel drive system was a significant mechanical change.

End of the Production; Fifth Generation:

1991 Ford Explorer went into production, and the countdown for the end of Bronco began. The Explorer became very popular among families and off-road enthusiasts, overshadowing the Bronco’s existence.

The fifth Bronco generation didn’t bring many changes with it either. For example, it held carryover powertrains with F-150’s bodywork. However, users could still remove the Bronco’s hardtop. It eventually became difficult in the later years of the fifth generation because of the integration of the third brake light and rear seat belts into the roof. The final Bronco model came out in 1996 as the Expedition went into production, which was slightly above Bronco.

The 1993 Ford Bronco was part of the fifth generation of this iconic vehicle. Relatedly, it also happens to be the model that was driven during an infamous police chase in 1994. The Bronco will always be associated with that unforgettable moment in pop culture history.

That’s when Ford discontinued the production of Bronco, not knowing that it was just going to be a decades-long break.

The Return of Bronco; Sixth Generation:

The sixth generation Ford Bronco came out in 2021 to compete with the Jeep Wrangler. It is a mid-sized SUV that is available as a two or four-door model with removable doors and a roof. Turbocharged 2.3-L, 2.7-L, and 3-L engines paired with a seven-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission offer incredible power to this generation model. It came in many trims that included:

• Base trim
• First Edition
• Big Bend
• Black Diamond
• Outer Banks
• Badlands
• Wildtrak
• Everglades
• Raptor
• Heritage

All trims come with many accessories that help the owners customize the vehicles.

Barreling Down The Highway

This classic SUV is much more than just a getaway car. From its rugged design to its off-road capabilities, the Ford Bronco is a symbol of American freedom and adventure. So whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or just exploring the great outdoors, the Bronco is the ultimate ride to take you there. Just be sure to avoid any high-speed chases,