Bronco 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G -- Generations Compared

[Yeti-X]

My wheeling buddy back then had a I think 1991 Ranger pick-up that came with a 8.8" rear and Dana 35 TTB front. It would handle alot more power and 35" tires.

yeah the 8.8 is actually a really good rear end but I liked the removeable third member of the ford 9" and 8"

Sponsored

 

[SVTLightning]

To me, there are four (4): the 66-77; the 78-79; the 80-96; and the 2021 to the present.

I know the technical reasons why it's the sixth, but if Fiberwerx can make bedsides and front ends for 80-96 Broncos, then... it should be something less than a "generation" in my opinion. I roll with the generally accepted 6G, EB, 78-79, and FSB. Not a big deal unless someone is looking for a specific generation or parts for one. The photo @redone17 posted is the best cheat sheet.

Should still be 5 then. 80-86 had different wheel arches compared to 87-96 and different body lines. Hoods are not interchangeable between the 3 similar gens either. 80-86 was/is my favourite and more specifically 85-86.

 

[Beachin 74]

That had to be a tiny pinion with 4.56 gearing in a 7.5"

Yes it was! What was worse was the Dana 27 or 28 in the front. I bought a limited slip for the front, and when it came it was so small, I thought it was something for a riding lawnmower. But what was funny I never had an issue with it.

 

[Yeti-X]

Yes it was! What was worse was the Dana 27 or 28 in the front. I bought a limited slip for the front, and when it came it was so small, I thought it was something for a riding lawnmower. But what was funny I never had an issue with it.

Thats awesome it was probably the limited slip that saved you. If you had a full locker the story may have been different

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Bronco II was built on the ranger platform by that thinking LOL

yep it was, nearly identical I owned several of both.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

This is a good point for the purist, and shows alot of how Ford operated through those years. From 78-96 Bronco was part of the F-series truck group. It's "generations" are the same as F-series pickups. There wasn't a "superduty" back then. F-150, F-250, and F-350 were all variations built on the same platform, as was Bronco (full size as they called it then). Only 1st gen, and now 6th gen were ever thier own animal (which blew me away when they announced the launch of 6g). Although one could argue 6g shares alot w/Ranger

gen 1 was based on the f100 that was later discontinued. Ford even tried the "unibody" (bed and cab NOT seperated) on the p/u, unsuccessfully, before using the platform on the 1G.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Yes it was! What was worse was the Dana 27 or 28 in the front. I bought a limited slip for the front, and when it came it was so small, I thought it was something for a riding lawnmower. But what was funny I never had an issue with it.

yeah the dana 28 ujoints looked like the ones on the 6g steering shaft...hahaha.

I used to snap them constantly.

 

[Murraydog11]

My Gen1 and my G6.

 

[mjohnso3]

My two favorite are still the first and 2nd gen. However the second gen did not really have any good engine choices but if you had a 429 or 460 laying around they did bolt right in because the 385 and 335 engine family had the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing except the 351c

That's exactly what I did on my second gen, that 351M/400 was effectively a boat anchor. Dropped in a 429 thunder jet and any power issues or struggles that Bronco had were resolved instantly with that power plant. The only drawback I had to run premium in it.

 

[mjohnso3]

Wow, I thought I was a pretty staunch gatekeeper with the two-door vs Mordor debates, haha. I see your point, though. It's like if Ford called the Expedition the Explorer and made it the successor to it. The flip side is that both of those are largely identical except for size. There was no other vehicle like the Bronco ever made by Ford and it was always a truck. Merging the style, some dimensions, and components with the F-series can be viewed as killing off a wholly separate vehicle construction that was virtually a different brand of its own or as the unification of Ford vehicles and incorporating common Ford elements into the Bronco's construction thereby integrating this wild vehicle into the brand.

This is a rare instance where I can see it either way and it doesn't bother me. I support your choice of view.

Some people get up tight when I mentioned that the real Bronco was discontinued in '77. I owned three first Gens and one second gen and I did like the second gen but it was really an F-150 with a camper shell on the back. And from that point it morphed into something different than its original intentions back in the mid-60s

 

[BroncoAZ]

Thinking about it, the Expedition should’ve just kept the Bronco name. A 2 door version of that would’ve been awesome.

 

[Riverjeep]

here:

I love my Bronco Wagon!

 

[AZ_Liberty]

To me, there are four (4): the 66-77; the 78-79; the 80-96; and the 2021 to the present.

I know the technical reasons why it's the sixth, but if Fiberwerx can make bedsides and front ends for 80-96 Broncos, then... it should be something less than a "generation" in my opinion. I roll with the generally accepted 6G, EB, 78-79, and FSB. Not a big deal unless someone is looking for a specific generation or parts for one.

Agreed.

From 1980 to 1996 the differences in the F-150 are minor, and honestly correspond to 3 minor refreshes, not an actual generation change.

Same for the Bronco.

Same base vehicle, same suspension, same engine choices. Mostly just a bit of sheetmetal and headlamps.

 

[Power Man]

I have been a Bronco lover since the beginning. My current 22 and 23 models are my 12th and 13th Broncos. I also currently have a 95 and 69 in my stable. I have owned at least One of every Gen. So far my favorite Gens are 4 and 5. Time will tell how Gen 6 competes for my favorite.

 

[Power Man]

I also agree that ford should have kept the name Bronco for the 1997 Expedition.

Sponsored