Overview & Reviews
Until the mid '90s, the Ford Bronco was famous for being a rough-and-tumble off-road vehicle that had been tackling trails and fording streams since the 1960s. It was also one of the first sport-utility vehicles: a versatile truck then described by Ford as being able to "serve as a family sedan, sports roadster, snowplow or farm and civil defense vehicle."
Made from 1966-'77, the original Ford Bronco was essentially a compact two-door SUV best suited for off-roading duties like a Jeep CJ, but not towing. By the time the 1970s rolled around, however, it became greatly outclassed by the full-size Chevy Blazer, which prompted Ford to switch the Bronco to a larger body style as well. Nevertheless, the original compact Bronco remains a favorite among off-road enthusiasts.
For 1978, the Bronco grew up, adopting the "indestructible" F-Series platform to bump it into full-size territory. But this Bronco is rare, for it was redesigned once again for 1980 along with the F-Series. Although changes were made over the years to the powertrain, body styling and interior, this third-generation Bronco essentially lasted until it was put out to pasture in 1996.
Of course, no discussion about the Bronco would be complete without a mention of the Juice. Or, more specifically, O.J. Simpson riding shotgun in friend Al Cowlings' 1993 white Ford Bronco as they led police on a slow-speed tour of greater Los Angeles. Beyond proving that it makes a lousy getaway car, the O.J. fiasco certainly put the Bronco forever in pop culture. Although not quite at DeLorean or orange Dodge Charger iconography, owning a late-model white Ford Bronco is bound to elicit the odd chuckle, thumbs-up or inquiry of "did it come with the bloody glove package?" from friends and passers-by.
Most Recent Ford Bronco
Unlike future SUVs, the Ford Bronco was very much a truck designed with off-roading in mind. It was available in a singular two-door body style that featured a fiberglass rear roof section that could be removed (albeit with a fair amount of effort).
The Bronco underwent its final refresh for 1992, including a new grille and more rounded front end. A new instrument panel and seat styles also debuted that kept the Bronco consistent with the F-Series pickup. This Bronco design lasted until the model was cancelled in 1996.
These Broncos were available in a base trim (first known as Custom, then XL), as well as XLT and Eddie Bauer versions. There was a Nite package available in 1992 that featured XLT equipment but with an all-black body. The initial standard engine was a 4.9-liter inline-6 good for 145 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed automatic was optional.
Optional in that first year and then made standard was a 5.0-liter V8 that made 185 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It ran through the standard five-speed manual transmission or optional three- or four-speed automatics. In 1994, Ford upgraded this engine to 200 hp. Also available was a 5.8-liter V8 that made 200 hp (later 210 hp) and 300 lb-ft of torque. This engine was only available with the four-speed auto. All Broncos came equipped with four-wheel drive.
The Ford Bronco remains to this day one of the sturdiest full-size SUVs around. Well-maintained examples would be a good choice for off-roading duties, although its now-ancient underpinnings make it a lousy choice on-road. The numerous paint options (including two-tone and monochrome Sport options) mean that finding a relatively unique Bronco should be fairly easy.
Past Ford Bronco Models
There were three generations of Ford Bronco, with the final generation undergoing continuous changes from its introduction in 1980. There were significant styling changes made for 1982, 1987 and 1992, with the latter two years including interior changes as well. This generation (until 1993) featured a standard six-cylinder engine with a pair of optional V8 engines.
The second-generation Bronco was produced only for 1978 and '79, but in those years it rewrote the book on full-size "SUVs." It was based on the 1973-'79 F-Series and was intended to be introduced at the same time, but the OPEC oil embargo pushed back its introduction. By the time it debuted, Ford was already hard at work on its replacement, which would be lighter, more fuel-efficient and cheaper to make. Nevertheless, the second-generation Bronco is a rare, sought-after truck, admired by off-roaders for its solid front axle and torquey standard V8 engine.
User Reviews:
Showing 81 through 90 of 139.00-
Awesome Truck - 1994 Ford Bronco
By Kaboom - August 9 - 2:00 amThis is my second 94 Bronco. Ive put over 150,000 miles in Broncos and have only had to do 1 repair (other than basic maint like oil, battery, tune ups every 30k) in the past 11 years on both trucks. Awesome ride, power, cargo space. Tough as nails and looks great. Current one has 157,000 miles, just put a new rear end (the 1 repair) and it drives like new. Solid truck that will hold whats left of its value. Safe, fun, and powerful.
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best $2500.00 spent! - 1991 Ford Bronco
By pito - July 31 - 2:00 ami love this truck, and thats hard for me to say. toyota man myself for years. purchase at auction,about a year ago.
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BRONC Power!!!! - 1995 Ford Bronco
By Cynn - June 30 - 2:00 amGreat Truck!!! i dont know how anyone could get away complaining. obviously fuel economy is terrible but its 5000lbs with a 351! what do you expect. it performs and is one of the funnest vehicles ive ever been in. turning radius is amazing. the front seats are roomy and comfortable, cant really say much about room in back seat. the top is removable to make it convertable in the summer. towing, off- road wheeling or just daily drivers... this truck rocks!
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my bronco - 1990 Ford Bronco
By jacck - June 12 - 2:00 amit has been a good vehicle. it has never let me down. 133k+ miles and still usses no oil at ALL!
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Mine Rocks! - 1996 Ford Bronco
By buckin Bronc - April 23 - 2:00 amLet me explain, stock its a great truck, with a little work its a work of art. Add a K&N kit Flowmasters, a little suspension, tuck some 35X12.50 into the wheel wells and start driving anywhere and everywhere. This truck is a real looker as well to keep the look origional I had to have some brackets made to keep the stock bumpers.
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Be Careful - 1994 Ford Bronco
By Jim/Jenna - February 17 - 2:00 amWe owned it for 2 months with no problems. Then we had to drive to Texas. On the 2nd day of our journe the fan was torqued off and hit the waterpump.(We were pulling a 88 Bronco 2). So we got the waterpump replaced. Then 40mi down the road it happened again, this time it broke the waterpump and the radiator. So we fixed all that and another 50 miles later the fuel pump and fuel filter went bad. So all and all between having to be towed and getting parts fixed it cost us about $1000. Also the back windshield stopped working fom the rear and the switch had to be relaced on the dash. You also cant roll the passenger window back up from the drivers side.
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bring back the bronco - 1995 Ford Bronco
By karvon - February 2 - 2:00 amnot as much room as my 91 but just as fun to drive power when needed i love it
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This is a GREAT truck! - 1995 Ford Bronco
By rrobbben - January 7 - 2:00 amI just bouth my Bronco with 133K miles, and it still drives great. Its a blast to drive, started right up this AM when it was 12 degrees outside w/ a wind chill of zero! Lots of space, and the 5.8 liter V-8 sounds runs smooth as silk. Only complaint is that most of the Broncos I looked at have rust at the bottom of the tailgate. Oh, and, that they dont make it anymore! It looks SO MUCH BETTER than the new Expedition which replaced it.
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my 1995 eddie bauer - 1995 Ford Bronco
By derek ansaroff - December 30 - 2:00 ammy ford bronco is amaizing i have no complains it is fast stong and reliable it can go anywere i want with ease
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better than the rest - 1992 Ford Bronco
By YO11 - December 18 - 2:00 amPushing 14 years old and still blows away all the little SUVs out there. Only the Hummer comes close. FORD better get this back into production
