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Contact: ![zenseeker [at] hotmail [dot] com](EmailImage.gif)
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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