Ford Motor Company's first compact sports utility vehicle, or SUV, was introduced in late 1983 as a 1984 model. Called the Bronco II after its larger sibling the full-sized Ford Bronco 4X4 SUV, the compact came in both two- and four-wheel-drive. The Bronco II was a response to the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, which was introduced in 1982 as a 1983 model. In essence, the Bronco II was a closed bodied Ranger pick-up truck.
Initially, it was powered by the Cologne 2.8 liter V-6 which came in at 115 horsepower. For the 2006 model year, Ford replaced this underpowered unit with a 2.9 liter, fuel injected power plant which produced 140 horsepower. The little SUV was roadworthy and delivered fuel mileage in the mid-twenties per gallon at highway speeds. Off-road, the Bronco II performed quite well, particularly when equipped with off-road tires and a raised suspension.
The interior of the Bronco II was utilitarian and very functional. The shifter, either manual or automatic, was located on the transmission hump. If the vehicle was equipped with 4-wheel drive,... View more the transfer case was operated by a manual shift lever mounted to the left of the transmission shifter. The four-wheel drive system was also equipped with manually operated front hubs, though automatic locking hubs were offered as an option, along with a dashboard mounted electronically operated transfer case switch.
The lines of the Bronco II were boxy and the rear windows curved into the roof panel at the top, giving any rear seat passengers a panoramic view of the outdoors. The spare tire was mounted on a rear carrier which was hinged by the fender mount and swung away from the rear door for egress to the rear storage space.
The front bucket seats were comfortable and supportive and the diminutive rear seat would house two passengers in relative comfort and three in a pinch. The rear storage area behind the rear seat would accommodate a moderate amount of gear. The rear seat could be folded forward for a greatly increased cargo area.
The Ford Bronco II was accorded an undeserved reputation for unintended rollover". Tests by the NHTSB proved these reports were unfounded, but the black mark was carried to the end of the model run in 1990. The Bronco II was replaced by the larger Ford Explorer for the 1991 model year.
Many well preserved Ford Bronco IIs still grace the highways, particularly evident in areas where winter highway salt doesn't erode away the rocker panels and fender edges. View less
