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Ford Bronco

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Ford Bronco
5th-gen Bronco XL
Overview
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
Production1966-1996
AssemblyWayne, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style2-door SUV
Chronology
SuccessorFord Expedition

The Ford Bronco was a SUV produced from 1966 through 1996, with five 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, Jeep Cherokee, and Dodge Ramcharger. Thus, Broncos can generally be divided into two categories: Early Broncos (1966-1977) and full-size Broncos (1978-1996).

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)

First generation
1974 Bronco
Overview
Production1966–1977
Body and chassis
Body styleCompact SUV
Powertrain
Engine170 in³ Straight-6 (1966-1972)
200 in³ Straight-6 (1973-1974)
289 in³ Windsor V8 (1966-1968)
302 in³ Windsor V8 (1969-1977)

The original Bronco was a compact SUV, intended to compete primarily with Jeep CJ models and the International Harvester Scout. The Bronco's small size (92 in wheelbase) made it popular for off-roading and some other uses, but impractical for such things as towing. The Bronco was Ford's first compact SUV, and Ford's compact SUV place would be taken by the Ford Bronco II (1984-1990), and the Ford Escape (2001-present).

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 that 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 pickup 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 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-US-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 US$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 sold well in its first year (23,776 units produced[1]) and then remained in second place after the CJ-5 [2] until the advent of the full-sized Chevrolet Blazer in 1969. The Blazer was 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 that was more in the Blazer class. By 1974, the larger and more comfortable vehicles such as the Cherokee made more sense for the average driver than the more rustically-oriented Bronco. 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. Production of the original model fell (14,546 units) in its last year, 1977.[3]

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-Moody, the Stroppe/Holman/Moody (SHM) Broncos proceeded to dominate the Mint 400, Baja 500, and Mexican 1000 (which was later named the Baja 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 US$5566 versus the standard V8 Bronco price of $3665, only 650 were sold over the next four years. [4]

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

1978-1979 (Full-Size Bronco)

Second generation
Overview
Production1978–1979
Body and chassis
Body styleFull-size SUV
Powertrain
Engine351 in³ 351M V8
400 in³ Cleveland V8

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.[5] The increased size allowed them to compete with the fullsize SUVs offered by GM (Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy), Chrysler (Dodge Ramcharger/Plymouth Trailduster), American Motors (Jeep Grand Wagoneer) and Toyota (Toyota Land Cruiser). The base engine was a 351M, with a 400 also being an option. A Ford 9" rear axle, and a Dana 44 front axle combined with the "indestructible" F-100 frame demanded rave reviews from the press. 1979 saw the addition of a catalytic converter, and other various emissions control equipment.

To date, 1978 and 1979 Broncos are a rare find since they were based on the 1973-79 Ford F-series trucks; this was the generation where the Bronco transitioned from a compact to full-size.

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

1980-1986

Third generation
Pre-facelift third generation Ford Bronco
Overview
Production1980–1986
Body and chassis
Body styleFull-size SUV
Powertrain
Engine300 in³ Straight-6
302 in³ 302 V8
351 in³ 351M V8 (1980-1982)
351 in³ Windsor V8
Transmission4-speed Borg-Warner T-18 manual
4-speed New Process NP435 manual
4-speed Tremec RTS OverDrive
3-speed C6 automatic
4-speed AOD
Dimensions
Wheelbase104.0 in (2641 mm)
Length180.3 in (4579 mm)
Width79.3 in (2014 mm)
Height75.5 in (1917 mm)

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). The new Bronco was shorter, and had cosmetic changes along with powertrain, suspension and other odds and ends. Most notably, the Ford Bronco had a TTB (twin traction beam) setup in the front end for an independent front suspension.

With a smaller Bronco and fuel economy in mind, Ford offered a 300 cubic inch straight six as the base engine. Although this engine came with more torque than the V-configuration 302, the engine's true potential was crippled by a 1-bbl carburetor and restrictive single-out exhaust manifolds. Electronic emissions equipment added in 1984 further restricted the power of the inline six. Ford used up their remaining stock of 351M engines before switching over to the 351W in mid-model year 1982. A "High Output" version of the 351W became an option in 1984 and continued into the 1987 model year. Output was 210 hp at 4000 rpm vs the standard 2-bbl 351W which made 156 hp at 4000 rpm.[6] The 302 was the first engine to receive electronic fuel-injection, starting in the 1985 model year.

Cosmetically, Ford returned to using its "blue oval" logo on the front grille, and removed the "F O R D" letters from the hood in 1982.[7] Towards the mid-80's, an Eddie Bauer edition Bronco was offered, with a tan interior and tan outside trim. Classic square mirrors were dropped in 1986.

1987-1991

Fourth generation
Overview
Production1987–1991
Body and chassis
Body styleFull-size SUV
Powertrain
Engine300 in³ Straight-6
302 in³ 302 V8
351 in³ Windsor V8
Transmission5-speed M5OD-R2 manual
3-speed C6 automatic
4-speed AOD automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase104.7 in.
Length180.5 in.
Width79.1 in.
Height74.0 in.

In 1987, the body and drivetrain of the fullsize Bronco changed, as it was still based on the F-Series. The new aero body style reflected a larger redesign of many Ford vehicles for the new model year. By 1988, all Broncos were being sold with electronic fuel injection (first introduced in 1985 with the 302). In 1991, a special Silver 25th Anniversary Edition was sold featuring a gray leather interior. All Broncos were built at the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan on the same line as the F-150.

1992-1996

Fifth generation
Overview
Production1992–1996
Body and chassis
Body styleFull-size SUV
Powertrain
Engine300 in³ Straight-6 (1992)
302 in³ 302 V8
351 in³ Windsor V8
Transmission4-speed AOD-E automatic
4-speed E4OD automatic
5-speed M5OD-R2 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase104.7 in.
Length183.6 in.
Width79.1 in.
Height74.4 in.

The Bronco, along with the F-Series, was updated for 1992. The new Bronco was redesigned with safety in mind, incorporating front crumple zones, rear shoulder seat belts, a third brakelight embedded in the removable top, and after 1994, driver-side airbags. Cosmetic exterior and interior changes included a sweeping front end and a new dash. Power mirrors were also offered for the first time, and in 1996 the Bronco became the first vehicle to incorporate turn signal lights in the mirrors. 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 SUV (making it similar to the Excursion or Suburban). These 4-door Broncos were converted by Centurion Vehicles of White Pigeon, Michigan. The conversion involved combining a new club cab short bed F-Series truck with a Bronco tailgate and fiberglass top. The end result? A huge, versatile, extremely rugged SUV. In addition to adding a third row of seats and more room, a Bronco Centurion could be ordered using an F-350 as the donor pickup, allowing the Centurion to have such engines as the 7.3L PowerStroke turbodiesel and the 7.5L 460ci 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 after market conversions before Ford's introduction of the Excursion as an official production model in 2000.

1997

In mid 1996, Ford officially made the decision to discontinue the Bronco. It was replaced by the Ford Expedition, which more effectively competed with GM's Chevrolet Tahoe, was introduced as the successor to the Bronco. The Bronco name 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.[8] Some features of the concept car, such as the box-like roof line, short wheelbase, and the round headlamps are features associated with the Early Bronco, but this concept car also had a 2.0 L intercooled turbodiesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission. As of March 2007, Ford is still considering releasing this for production.[9] The vehicle would be between the Ford Escape and Ford Focus wagon if it were to be produced. To be released in 2010.

Trivia

A white 1993 Ford Bronco was made famous on June 17, 1994, when O.J. Simpson, wanted for the murder of his wife, attempted to elude the Los Angeles Police Department in a Bronco in a low-speed chase, with himself in the passenger seat and Al Cowlings driving. It is also featured in the game, "Duke Nukem 3D" in a bar found in the "Red Light District" area. A third generation Bronco called "Pepe" is used in a chase in the 1984 film Romancing the Stone.

References

  1. ^ See production numbers Retrieved on July 2, 2007.
  2. ^ See production numbers Retrieved on July 2, 2007.
  3. ^ See production numbers Retrieved on July 2, 2007.
  4. ^ "Baja Bronco Briefing". Andrew Norton. 1999. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
  5. ^ "History of the Second Generation 78-79 Bronco". ProjectBronco.com. 2001-03-03. Retrieved 2007-03-08.
  6. ^ "Ford Truck Engine Specifications". Chris Bradley. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
  7. ^ "History of the Big Bronco". JohnV. June 8, 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Bronco Concept Explores New Power in Classic Style". Mike Thomas. January, 2004. Retrieved 2007-03-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Atlanta Auto Show Preview". WSB-TV. March 3, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)


See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford Bronco.
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