Ford Bronco History
modified from Trent Riddle's Yearly Bronco update informaton was taken from Ford Truckin Magazine, Winter 1997 Edition. Article Titled BRONCO 30th Anniversary.
versions also found at:
http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/faq.html
http://www.again.net/~steve/page2a.htm
1978: The Bronco was offered with a 351M or 400 V-8 engine.
Both engines had a 2 bbl carb, a T-18 granny first gear 4 spd manual was
Standard while 3 spd automatic transmission was optional. The transfer
case had a 2 Speed w/1.92 low range ratio. Rear axle was the Ford 9" while
front was the Dana 44. Front disc brakes were now standard. Round
headlights were standard, while square headlights came with the XLT option
package.
1979: Square headlights and emissions control equipment, specifically an
air pump, vapor canister and a catalytic converter became standard. Also,
rear driveshaft changed from 1310 to 1330 (larger) u-joints, and a larger
output bearing and seal on the transfer case.
1980: Ford converted the Bronco with the Twin Traction Beam front
suspension. This front axle still incorporated the Dana 44 carrier. Ford 9
" was still out back. Transfer case was now the NP 208 w/2.61 low range.
Standard motor was the 300 CI inline 6 (w/ manual trans only). Optional
motors were the 302 and 351 cid V-8's. 3.00 axle ratio was introduced, 3.5
was optional. Auto locking hubs were now optional also. Bronco dimensions
for 1980 were reduced by 2.7 inches in length and 1.1 inches in width.
Body was heavily restyled with cleaner lines and new grille.
1981: Changes included a 4 spd overdrive manual trans with a .71 4th gear
The 4 spd with granny first was still available. Engine options remained.
Auto-locking hubs were made Standard equip. A snow plow package was
offered for the first time.
1982 Ford used up their remaining stock of 351M engines before switching
over to the 351W in mid-model year 1982. All Ford products, including
Bronco, returned to the use of the Ford "Blue Oval". Letters F-O-R-D were
removed from the hood and the blue oval was placed in the center of the
grille and on the left side of the tailgate.
1983: The I-6 was made avail with the 3 spd auto and the rear seat was now
standard. 9" rear dropped in favor of new integral carrier 8.8" rear.
Along with that change the stock gear ratio in the rear went from 3.50 to
3.55
1984: the 351 CID V-8, HO motor was offered. This 4bbl motor put out 210
HP at 4000 RPM vs the old 351 CID V-8 which was 156 HP @ 4000 RPM It was
basically a 351W with a "Mustang 5.0 HO" treatment: higher compression and
a Holley 4 barrel carb. 4.10/4.11 gear ratios were also available as an
option, but not with limited slip.
1985: had some engine changes. the I-6 now had a serpentine belt. The big
change was the 302, multi-port EFI. HP for the 302 was now 190 and torque
was up to 285. This motor was avail in California only with a manual
trans. The 351 and 351 HO motors were optional. The Eddie Bauer trim
package debuts, brought to the full-sized Bronco due to fabulous success
with the Bronco II. Also, midside body moulding changed from chrome to
black plastic.
1986: saw the 351 CID Standard engine deleted, but the 351 HO was still
optional. A new overdrive 4 speed automatic (AOD) was offered with a .667,
4th gear when combined with the MPI 302.
1987 featured another major body restyling for the Bronco. The new aero
look was in and the Bronco followed suit. The transfer case was replaced
by a Borg-Warner 1356 with a 2.69 low range. 4.10 gearing was optional.
Touch drive was first offered this year. The 351 HO V-8 was still optional
and the 300 CID I-6 received Multiport fuel injection (MPI). Rear anitlock
brakes were made standard.
1988: Two 5spd manuals, M5OD and M5OD-HD(?) were available. The overdrive
was .8 and the HD tranny had a 5.72 first gear. The 351 CID V-8 was
treated to MPI. HP increased from 190@3800-210@3800. Torque increased form
295@2600-315@2800. The entire engine line was now fuel injected and also
serpentine belt equipped. Transfer case skid plate was now standard.
1989: Tip/slide front seats were made Standard to ease rear passenger
ingress. Floor pan changes. Door changes - windows narrower.
1990: brought the electronic AOD and it was now the Standard auto. 300 CID
and 351 CID HO engines now featured EEC-IV engine diagnostic
connectors. Ford switches from a double fuel pump system to a single
pump system.
1991: was the 25th anniversary of the Bronco and no long-term changes were
made. However, Ford did make a Silver Anniversary Edition of the Bronco
available to commemorate the occasion. This limited edition Bronco was
offered only in Currant Red with gray leather interior. This was the first
factory offering of leather seating on the Bronco and was only available
on the Silver Anniversary Edition. The Currant Red paint was also
exclusive to this edition. The E4OD became the stock automatic
transmission.
1992: realized the last major body restyling in the Bronco's lifespan.
This change offered much more swept front sheetmetal that curved in at the
fenders. Power window/lock controls moved up the doorpanel towards the top
to make them more accessible. Power mirrors are now offered for the first
time. Rear passengers are restrained via integral shoulder/seat belts.
Colored stripe in the tailgate bezel is changed from red to black. Leather
seating is now an option on XLT and Eddie Bauer trim levels. Ford also
offered the NITE option package, for only this year. The package was all
black, including the top. Special graphics were applied.
1993: brought the end of the 300 CID I-6. 4-wheel anitlock brakes were now
standard. Transfer case was now a New Process model 200 with low range of
2.69.
1994: brought us a drivers side airbag, side door beams and CFC free A/C.
Fake rivets disappear from the optional aluminum wheels. Center hub bezel
on steel and aluminum wheels changed from red to black. California V8's
went from Speed density to MAF.
1995: Ford reprogrammed the E4OD automatic transmission for smoother
shifts. The 351 CID V-8 went to sequential MPI with mass air in
California. Lower body side trim color for Eddie Bauer package is changed
from the traditional tan to bronze.
1996: last year for the Bronco, debuted OBD-II electronics. Side mirrors
with integral signal lights were offered for the first time. 302 CID and
351 CID HO MPI motors were still offered. The axles were still the 8.8
inch out back offered in 1983 and Dana 44 TTB front that started in 1980.
All V8's got MAF as well.
1997: Sadly, the Bronco name is laid to rest in favor of the new
"Expedition" model that is based on the new F150. Pent up demand has these
things currently flying out the door as fast as the dealers can unload
them off the trucks. Only offered with 4-doors, the vehicle is aimed
squarely at the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. Dual air bags and 4 wheel ABS
are standard. Venerable 302 and 351 Windsor motors are gone in favor of
4.6L and 5.4L variants of the Ford "modular" OHC motors. Front suspension
is now double A-arm (a'la Chevy, unfortunately) and 4x4 models are sprung
by torsion bars up front. First Ford 2WD offering in this class.
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