- For the Ford Bronco of 1966 to 1996, see Ford Bronco.
Ford Bronco II | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford |
Model years | 1983–1990 |
Assembly | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact SUV |
Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
Related | Ford Ranger |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.8 L Cologne V-6 2.9 L Cologne V-6 2.3 L Mitsubishi 4D55T turbodiesel I4 |
Transmission | Manual 4-speed Mazda TK4 5-speed Mazda TK5 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 5-speed Mitsubishi FM145 5-speed Mitsubishi FM146 Automatic 3-speed C5 4-speed A4LD |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 94.0 in (2,388 mm) |
Width | 68.0 in (1,727 mm) |
Chronology | |
Successor | Ford Explorer |
First generation | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Model years | 1983–1988 |
Dimensions | |
Length | 158.3 in (4,021 mm) |
Height | 68.2 in (1,732 mm) |
Second generation | |
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Overview | |
Model years | 1989–1990 |
Dimensions | |
Length | 161.9 in (4,112 mm) |
Height | 69.9 in (1,775 mm) |
The Ford Bronco II is a two-door compact-sized four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was manufactured by Ford from 1983 to 1990. The original compact-sized Ford Bronco was marketed from 1966 to 1977, but became the full-size Bronco from 1978 to 1996. The Bronco II used the Ford Ranger pickup platform with a 94-inch (2,388 mm) wheelbase.
Contents
History
The first Bronco II was developed in parallel with the Ranger pickup truck. The Bronco II was introduced in March 1983, and marketed as a "vehicle for men, single people, or young couples ... almost like John Wayne vehicles ... that gave people the sense that they could conquer anything ..."[1] Using the Ranger platform helped Ford lower production costs by using one assembly line for both vehicles, as well as to catch up and compete with the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer.[1]
The restyling of the Bronco II and Ranger was introduced in 1988, but ended for the Bronco II with the end of production on February 7, 1990, replaced by the larger Explorer. The restyling is marked not only by difference in physical appearance, but also improved structural support. The 1990 models produced after November 1989 with four-wheel drive came equipped with the Dana 35 front axle, as opposed to the Dana 28 front axle used in earlier production.
The Explorer started where the Bronco II left off with a similar Ranger-based platform, sharing essentially the same front end, but with Ford's new 4.0 L OHV Cologne 155 hp (116 kW) V6 and a four-door model with a two-door Sport option. The Explorer retained the Ranger-based platform until 1995, when the model was overhauled with a major exterior restyling and chassis modifications to allow the addition of Ford's 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 engine.
Ford would not market another compact SUV until the release of the Escape in 2001.
Engines
The 1984 and 1985 models were equipped with the German-built 115 hp (86 kW) carbureted 2.8 L Cologne V-6, which was also used in the 1984 and 1985 Ford Ranger. The 1986 model year introduced the 140 hp (104 kW) fuel injected 2.9 L Cologne V-6. As with most engines, overheating the engine could lead to cracks in the cylinder head between the valve springs or at the base of the rocker shaft pedestals. This results in internal coolant leaks causing contamination of the oil, which if not caught in time causes severe internal engine damage. Although there were slight improvements to the head castings in late-1989, these heads were not installed on production engines before the production of the Bronco II ceased. Bronco IIs that were still under warranty, or at the owner’s desire, were retrofitted with the improved heads.
An 86 hp (64 kW) 2.3 L Mitsubishi diesel I4 engine was also offered through the 1987 model year, but this engine was rarely ordered.
Safety
Stability problems with Bronco II were noted during the design phase in 1981, as well as in the verification tests.[1] For example, the J-turn test was canceled during the testing procedures by Ford officials "out of fear of killing or injuring one of its own drivers."[2] Engineering modifications were suggested, but Ford officials declined the modifications because they would have delayed the marketing of the new vehicles.[2] Eight months before production began, Ford's Office of General Counsel collected 113 documents concerning the new vehicle's handling problems.[1] However, 53 of these test, simulation, and related reports about stability of the Bronco II "disappeared" in an "unusual document handling procedure" that forebode the lawsuits against Ford starting in the late-1980s.[1]
The Bronco II was dogged by reports that it was prone to rollovers.[3] Some of the headlines in 1989-90 included "NHTSA Investigates Bronco II Rollovers," Automotive News (March 20, 1989) "Magazine Gives Ford's Bronco II 'Avoid' Rating," The Wall Street Journal (May 8, 1989), and "Consumer Reports Criticizes Ford Bronco II's Handling," The Washington Post (May 18, 1989).
After analysis of SUV crashes of the Suzuki Samurai, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a formal study of the Ford Bronco II in 1989. There were 43 Bronco II rollover fatalities in 1987, compared with eight for the Samurai, but accident data in four states showed the Bronco II’s rollover rate was similar to that of other SUVs, so the investigation was closed. NHTSA declined to reopen the investigation in 1997 after more Bronco II crashes.[4]
Ford settled a lawsuit by famed jockey Bill Shoemaker, awarding him one million dollars. Shoemaker was paralyzed from the neck down after rolling his Bronco II in California in 1991 while intoxicated.[5] Thereafter, he was confined to a wheelchair.
Notes
- ^ a b c d e Baura, Gail (2006). Engineering Ethics: An Industrial perspective. Elsevier. p. 135. ISBN 9780080458021. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ a b Bogus, Carl T. (2003). Why lawsuits are good for America: disciplined democracy, big business, and the common law. New York University Press. p. 160. ISBN 9780814799161. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ "Safety Research Report Index - Ford Bronco II Rollover" (PDF). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
- ^ Plungis, Jeff (March 4, 2002). "Rollover complaints dismissed". Detroit News. Retrieved 2008-11-11.[dead link]
- ^ Nack, William (April 19, 1993). "From Fame To Shame Bill Shoemaker, a casualty of his own drunk driving, has lost respect by launching lawsuits to shift the blame for his tragic folly". Sports Illustrated.
External links
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