 |
| Years |
1966-1977 |
| Origin |
USA |
| Wheelbase |
92" |
| Engine |
170 cubic inch
I6
200 cubic inch I6
289 cubic inch V8
302 cubic inch V8
|
| Transmission |
Ford 3.03
3 speed manual
C4 (1973 - 1977)
|
| Transfer Case |
Dana 20 |
| Front Axle |
Dana 30 (99-70)
Dana 44 (71-77)
|
| Rear Axle |
Ford 9" |
|
Picture this – It’s 1966, LBJ is in the White House,
the Vietnam War is in full swing and you are on the market for
a new 4X4. If you were looking for something with serious off-road
capability you had 3 choices, the Jeep CJ-5, the International
Scout and the brand new Ford Bronco. Sure, you could have opted
for a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Land Rover Defender but you have
to remember in the 1960's foreign vehicles didn’t have the
dealer network, parts and service availability or reputation that
they have today so they were a much more esoteric choice.
Ford was on a roll in 1966. After inventing the pony car in 1964
with the release of the Mustang, they decided they would attack
the growing 4X4 market. Unlike the Mustang, which was based on
the existing Ford Falcon, the Bronco was an all new design. At
92 inches, the Bronco came in between the ultra-stubby CJ-5 (80
inches) and the comparatively limo like Scout (100 inches). The
stubby wheelbase gave the Bronco a terrific turning circle of
33.8 feet.
The Bronco came ready to play with a 170 cubic inch inline six
engine belting out 105 hp. Later models were available with a
302 cubic inch V8 engines. Underneath the Bronco got the job done
with a 2 speed Dana 20 t-case, a Dana 30 Front diff and a Ford
9” rear end. In 1971 the Dana 30 was replaced with a stouter
Dana 44.
The Bronco’s styling was the epitome of simplicity. 2 boxes,
flat glass and 90 degree angles abound. Apparently the styling
team at Ford believed that if it wasn’t a right angle it
was a wrong angle.
Alas, the industry marched on and competition from more powerful
and better equipped SUV’s such as the Chevy Blazer led Ford
to replace the Box Bronco with an F150 based version in 1978.
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