The early Ford Bronco enjoys a standing right now amongst 4×4 followers and basic automobile devotees that borders on turning into a cult. With a easy design and strong construct, wonderful dealing with each on and off highway and uncooked V8 energy you’ve a car that lends itself to many modifications. The early fashions at the moment are greater than 40 years outdated, the esteem of the basic 1966-1977 Ford Bronco will little question proceed to develop over the approaching years. If you’re contemplating shopping for an early Ford Bronco then the knowledge right here ought to show you how to select the mannequin 12 months that’s best for you.

When shopping for an early Ford Bronco as with the acquisition of any older or basic car the same old recommendation applies to purchase the very best you’ll be able to afford together with your price range and bear in mind to incorporate ongoing operating prices for sustaining an ageing, if fashionable basic.

Launched to the motoring public in August 1965 the Ford Bronco was to compete towards the Jeep CJ-5 and Worldwide Harvester Scout. Initially the early Broncos had been very fundamental; choices together with energy steering and auto transmission had been absent. The engine division supplied a 105 BHP, 170ci six cylinder – a variant from the Ford Falcon vary. Transmission was the three pace guide with a column mounted shifter. Unique to the preliminary fashions was a tall shifter with a J-handle model ball mounted atop.

The Ford Bronco vary was accessible in wagon, roadster and half cab variations nonetheless the roadster proved unpopular and ceased manufacturing in 1968. Brakes had been drums all spherical, rear axle was a Ford 9″ (as much as 1971) and a Dana 30 entrance axle. The fuel tank held 14.5 gallons as commonplace with a second tank as an non-obligatory additional holding a further 11.5 gallons. The 1966 12 months mannequin had the next non-obligatory extras to select from: winches, tachometer, tow hooks, trailer hitch, snow plow package, warn freewheeling hubs and air elevate entrance auxiliary springs. Manufacturing for the 1966 mannequin 12 months got here to 23,700 items.

1967

1967 noticed the Sports activities Package deal launched together with headlamp and tail lamp bezels, vivid completed horn ring, windshield drip, facet window frames, cigar lighter, chrome-plated bumpers, entrance guards and grille (with pink “Ford” letters connected to the grille) and 15″ wheels trims. Along with this a vivid trimmed headliner and vinyl ground matt had been included together with instrument panel trim and tailgate deal with. Additionally new had been a twin grasp cylinder with a cut up hydraulic system and self adjusting brakes with again up lights and an 11.5 gallon spare gas tank. 14200 fashions had been produced in 1967.

1968

New in 1968 had been entrance locking hubs and new design inside deurkrukken and window crank knobs together with curved ends on the bumpers and facet marker reflectors. 1968 was the final 12 months for the 289ci V8. 16600 fashions had been produced in 1968.

1969

First off the 302ci V8 changed the 289ci V8, two pace electrical wipers had been launched, parking lights with an amber lense changed the white lense and the steering stabilizer was to turn out to be commonplace. Aluminum door panel trim and a pleated parchment inside had been added to the Sport Package deal and when the rear seat was ordered this got here with a rear ground mat. Manufacturing ranges rose to simply underneath 21,000 fashions.

1970

The Sports activities package deal turned a mannequin in its personal proper as a substitute of a package deal. The obvious modifications had been the brand new place of the facet marker lights and reflectors. This 12 months noticed a discount within the capability of the principle and spare fuel tanks from 12.7 gallons and 10.3 gallons. 1970 noticed 18450 Broncos constructed.

1971

Adjustments included the Dana 44 turning into the usual Bronco entrance axle, distant management left hand exterior mirror, new headliner for the pick-up and a heavy obligation radiator. 1971 noticed the restricted version Baja Bronco by Invoice Stroppe and Associates launched – they took a Bronco wagon and made the next modifications: roll bar, entrance and rear twin shocks, fender flares, bigger Gates Commando tires, rubberized steering wheel, bumper braces, automated transmission, energy steering, nameplate and particular paint order (pink, white, blue, black and white). In complete round 650 Baja Broncos had been made between 1971 and 1975. Simply over 19700 Broncos had been made in 1971.

1972

Mid Yr modifications noticed the ranger Package deal launched with new striping, argent grille, shade coded entrance and rear pile carpets, deluxe wheel covers, tire cowl with “Ranger” lettering, fabric insert bucket seats, fiberboard headliner and wooden grained door trim panels. The fuel tank gotten smaller as soon as once more to 7.5 gallons. The T-handle shifter was eliminated as was the “302” badge V8 entrance fenders. Manufacturing rose to 21,100 items.

1973

This 12 months noticed the introduction of the C-4 auto transmission and energy steering as an choice, the J-Deal with switch case shifter was additionally launched. These efforts to modernize the Bronco towards stiff competitors helped the gross sales for 1973 obtain simply fewer than 21,900 items.

1974

The numbers of Broncos that rolled off the manufacturing line hit 25,800 and on this 12 months a brand new emissions package deal was launched for the Californian Broncos making the 200 cid six cylinder engine and 4.11 axles out of date. Adjustments had been made to the J-handle shifter mechanics and the transmission selector was now lit.

1975

Stricter emissions laws noticed the introduction of unleaded gas engines, catalytic converters and it’s rumored that cam timings had been restricted in 1975 to help with emissions. Sport and Ranger fashions had been fitted with the F-Collection steering wheel, journey heights adjusted and an 800 watt engine block heater was accessible as an choice. Lowest ever manufacturing numbers had been seen of 13,125.

1976

A Particular Decor Group had a matt-black end grille, tape stripe, facet window frames, vivid windshield molding and wheel covers. Mechanically lengthy awaited energy assisted entrance disc brakes had been fitted, rear brakes had been additionally upgraded, Y steering linkage launched and a entrance anti sway bar. Manufacturing numbers rose slowly to simply over 15,200.