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After a 25 year hiatus, Ford reintroduced its Bronco lineup in 2021, offering all the modern style and off-road capability. Now available for the 2023 production year, the Ford Bronco is a stunning SUV that provides a variety of exciting packages to meet the needs of different customers.
But while the styling has changed over the years, the basic premise of off-road excellence has remained the same in the sixth-generation Ford Bronco. Introduced as a sport utility vehicle in 1966, the Bronco was made “tough” and spoke to customers looking for a compact but capable ride, competing with the likes of the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout.
However, the Ford Bronco has grown over the years to meet the changing needs of the 70s customer. It has also received more than a few updates to combat the oil crisis, remaining off-road ready but becoming lighter and more fuel efficient in the third and fourth generation.
Since the changes from the 70s and 80s are significant compared to previous years, today we want to look at the third generation of this SUV, or more specifically, the handsome 1986 Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco II. These two variations have a lot to offer customers — and still do.
A Brief Look At The Predecessors Of The 1986 Ford Bronco And Bronco II
The 1966 Ford Bronco received a new chassis with a 92-inch wheelbase at the beginning of the lineup, and all models got a four-wheel drive to deal with off-road conditions. Power came from an inline six that produced 105 horsepower or a V8 that delivered 200 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission was the only option back in the day, but an automatic also became available later, as well as a more powerful inline-six.
Overall, the first-generation Ford Bronco was simple and economical, coming as a two-door wagon, a half-cab pickup, or an open-body roadster. However, customers can also get many optional features at dealerships to make their rides more efficient and stylish.
Things didn’t change much until 1978 when the second generation Ford Bronco hit the market. One of the notable things that happened was the introduction of the Sport package for the wagon and the rollout of the roadster. Otherwise, it was the 1978 model year that received a complete facelift to enter the full-size SUV segment.
The 1978 Ford Bronco grew 28 inches in length, 11 inches in width, and four inches in height. Overall weight also increased as did power output from two V8 engines named the 351M and the 400. Both delivered the same number of ponies (156 and 158), but the latter had an extra 15 lb-ft of torque (277 vs. 262 lb-ft).
The second generation Ford Bronco, based on the large F-100 platform, added several comfort features to the lineup, such as air conditioning and a tilting steering wheel column. With a new design, it paved the way for the third generation that arrived in 1980.
What To Know About The 1986 Ford Bronco And Bronco II
Two important things happened to the third-generation Ford Bronco between 1980 and 1986. First, the SUV became shorter and lighter and received a more efficient powertrain. Second, the Ford Bronco II debuted as a compact variant based on the Ranger pickup truck.
After playing back and forth with SUV weight in the early ’80s, engineers at Ford finally opted for a more rigid body over a lighter but weaker one. Equipped with independent front suspension and other goodies, this generation was the first to offer an inline-six engine as standard since 1977.
However, the 115-horsepower inline-six was less attractive to customers, so most buyers opted for the 1986 Ford Bronco with optional V8 engines during development. The mid-range V8, with a power output of 190 horsepower, recorded the most sales, followed by its bigger sibling that produced 210 horsepower.
To cover the entire market (just in case), Ford also developed a smaller Bronco with the II nomenclature, which closely resembled the first lineup models from the ’60s. First introduced in 1984, the 1986 Ford Bronco II was a four-passenger SUV with a 2.9-liter V6 engine that used a new computer-controlled multi-port EFI system to increase engine output to 140 ponies and boost fuel economy. economy. This smaller Bronco variant also allows customers to choose between rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on their needs.
Actually, both these SUVs were very popular back in the day, coming in some attractive trims. The Eddie Bauer package is particularly attractive with its two-tone paint, privacy glass, and bucket seats. But in any configuration, the 1986 Ford Bronco and Bronco II delivered solid on- and off-road performance, plenty of comfort, and stunningly rugged looks.
Unfortunately, the Bronco II was the first to record declining sales as larger SUVs became more popular again in the ’90s.
Can You Find A 1986 Ford Bronco For Sale Today, And At What Price?
If you love the rugged style and capability of the 1986 Ford Bronco and Bronco II, you’ll be happy to hear that these vehicles are still available for sale these days. However, due to their popularity and build quality, you can expect to pay at least $20,000 to get a 1986 Ford Bronco and Bronco II in good condition.
Sources: Ford, Hemmings
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