Seeing how The Big Three have been in Washington – hat in hand begging for a bailout – what could be a better time to highlight the golden era of American automobile manufacturing, the 1980s. I imagine my affection for the Ford Bronco II is not something I share with many of you readers. I see the truck as a quintessential piece of my Midwestern upbringing, a purely nostalgic exercise. A fetish of sorts. Eventually when I have a massive garage and a collection of cars, the Bronco II will be right there next to my Land Rover Defender, BMW 2002, a 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and my 1995 Chevrolet Impala. Its an odd bunch that is for sure.
The Bronco II was a smaller version of the Bronco based on the Ranger truck line. The small SUVs were produced from 1984 to 1990. More photos after the jump.
The Bronco II is the first car that ever caught my attention. I remember taking family road trips and annoying my siblings to no end every time I’d shout “BRONCO II” at the top of my lungs.
I still love them for their perfect boxy shape and small but rugged presence.
When I first saw the title I immediately thought no!, he is off his rocker. After looking at the Bronco Dos I must admit its quite handsome. A few months ago I started to search for a Jeep cherokee sport {ref. http://tinyurl.com/5rgbe2} but that latter ran out of steam in favor of waiting on a new gti {ref.2 http://tinyurl.com/5m2d8p}
Although I can understand your affection for the shape, the Bronco II was one of the most ill handling / dangerous trucks Ford ever produced, more so then the Ford Exploder.
It was hard to take a turn in one of those, at any speed, and actually feel comfortable doing it.
haha, I’m glad John already pointed it out. A friend in high school had one of these ol’ boys and man what a POS. Still had to love that little guy for the boxy style and attitude, though.
I had a two-door Blazer S-10, its most direct competition at the time, and the differences between the two was amazing. We managed to get that Bronco stuck in the woods around his house pretty often, and it was always my truck that pulled it out.
While I prefer the Toyota FJ Land Cruisers to the B-II, here are my 2002’s:
http://picasaweb.google.com/carl.coscia/M2#
http://picasaweb.google.com/carl.coscia/2002tii#
I too long for a bigger garage so that I could have retained my tii.
I had three of them (‘an ’86, an ’87 and an ’88 including two Eddie Bauer editions) between 2000 and 2006 because I liked the shape so much. Every single one of them had serious mechanical problems despite the thousands of dollars I would put in to maintain them. I kept thinking the next one would be better. A truly horrible vehicle.
I am partial to all of those early SUVs. My friend in high school had an International Scout that looked a lot like this one:
http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/photos/113000/113041.1975.International.Scout.II.jpg
Classic Land Rovers are also gorgeous:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2769158590_5fd640d9b5.jpg?v=0
Great cars.
YES
This was a popular vehicle choice among midwesterners because you could actually watch it rust – – right in front of your eyes. I’d save some room in that garage of yours for a big pile of road salt…then sit back, pop open an Old Style and watch all the bumpers fall off.
Tintin,
Your comments are always entertaining. What cars are in your dream garage?
ACL
my cousin had one – eddie bauer style. heated seats and all. it was a total piece though.
what about one of these?
http://www.oldchevytruck.com/trucks3/19575.11.jpg
95 Chevrolet Impala? Nice! I’d like to see more of your passion for cars here.
My uncle has a Bronco II with a 302. It’s been more dependable than most people’s Hondas. One thing Detroit knows how to do is V8s.
What’s funny about the midwestern talk is that the Bronco (and other big SUV’s, but especially this one) was a big status symbol at my high school in the Bay Area (northern California). It was all about the preppy/outdoorsy mix and having a big Bronco was definitely part of that particular style.
My friend had one of these and we drove that thing to Mexico every weekend on surf trips. As far as I remember it worked pretty well but I prefer the 70’s Ford Broncos and Chevy Blazers myself. I would, however, like to use this opportunity to profess my love of the Toyota LandCruiser, more specifically the FJ40, 45, 60 and 62 models. I currently own a ’85 FJ60, that I put a new International diesel engine, that runs on B100 biodiesel. I also have a ’79 FJ40. Yes, I’m addicted, I’m currently seeking therapy. The International Scout II runs a very close 2nd—the the Defender coming in 3rd—but honestly I love them all.
Check out
http://www.tlc4x4.com/sales2.asp
and
http://www.icon4x4.com/
Thank you ACL for always posting the fresh goods!
A job well done.
I restored a 72′ Bronco that currently lives on an island off Massachusetts. Your post has inspired me to look into the B-II for my next project.
Willis had a B2… it was recalled, but he never heard about it until after it caught on fire… while he was in it.
for those that badmouth the bronco ii should follow me out in the woods it can turn around in its own length and it will run circles around the chebby blazer
ACL,
Stumbled upon this link and I think you might like it as much as I do.
flickr: We’re an American Van. http://is.gd/iCrm
-seth
What about the original bronco, not even sure of the years but think 60’s early 70’s. just as boxy but the rear roof was removable.
http://wwwf.lemonfree.com/17658777.html
think they were so much cooler!
I feel the same way, howard. That’s why I just bought a ’73, even though getting it registered in DC is next to impossible. http://twitpic.com/2s8ju
I must say i love the 89-90 Bronco II. My parents have an 89 midnight blue/white two tone and have had since new. Over 200k on original motor and drivetrain, now rebuilt and still running strong. Repainted a few years ago…..hoping it will be my college grad present next year!
I have a B11 and love that little thing!Had it 13 yrs. 175000 miles and it is great. Probably have to pry it out of my hands when i die!
im 17 and my older brother gave me his 1989 bronco II xlt soon after i put 7.00 15lts with some pretty monstrous lugs on them i have yet to get this sucker stuck and ive been in mud up to the door i love this thing and wouldnt trade it for anything
I have owned six Bronco IIs and I still have two of them, a blue1986 and a black and gold 1989. The latter has over 200,000 miles on it. I fell in love with them when they were first produced but didn’t get one (the ’89) until it was six years old. I love them both dearly but, alas, the ’89 has developed the Bronco II plague – a cracked head. I may have to junk it unless I can find another engine.
I owned a full size Bronco and it was TOUGH! and when gas in cali got to be around $5.00 a gallon i sold it and i regret it every day… just recently i bought a B2 and i am loving it… I read all the reports of deadly flip accidents and whatnot only to find that they gave the B2 a bad rap prematurely and later reports showed similar results with many other small and large s u v’s. I found a gem CLEAN 86 Eddie Bauer and i get compliments on it daily no one can believe the price i got it for nor just the condition its in it has 95k original miles on it and the engine runs beautifully i am a mature enough driver to know how to keep my car running well as well as not to flip my stuff. I also owned a 86 gmc s15 jimmy (the small one) two door and that thing ran great. my brothers small blazer however was horrible my jimmy had a 2.8 v6 and he had the 4.3 v6 mine was 4×2 his was 4×4 talk about money pit. i am glad to have found this beautifully running machine and great looking 4×4 and gas mileage on this bad boy is twice what i had on my full size Bronco i am a FORD Man all the way and by the way ford hasnt taken money from the government its the other two that cant sell their cars because they arent building cars america wants.