Ride Guides: A Quick Guide to Identifying 1966-1979 Ford Broncos
The Ford Bronco galloped into our hearts when the beloved SUV debuted with model year 1966.
Ford introduced the Bronco to compete with the Jeep CJ-5 and the International Harvester Scout.
The Early Bronco (the first generation through the 1977 model) was a totally new concept for Ford, and was brought to production through the efforts of Motor City legend Lee Iacocca. The Bronco had a frame, suspension, and body design completely unique within the Ford lineup.
The storyline was simplicity and economy. A minimalist off-road, go-anywhere vehicle. Ford used brakes and axles from the F100 pickups, and the front axle was mounted using radius arms and a lateral tracking bar to center the housing under the frame. The setup allowed Ford to use coil springs and give the Bronco a 34-foot turning radius.
From 1966-1971, the Bronco sported a Dana 30 differential, before being upgraded to a Dana 44. The first Early Broncos were powered by a 170 cubic-inch six-cylinder or 289 cubic-inch V8 engine. In 1969, Ford replaced the 289 with a 302 Windsor V8, which if you haven’t heard, is pretty rad.
You may want to check out our other Ride Guides because they’re excellent, running the gamut from Fox-Body Mustangs and Pontiac GTOs to Chevelles, Chargers, Jeeps, and classic pickups.
Meanwhile, you can get to know the Ford Bronco here.
(Infographic by Lori Sams)
Do you sell a poster of this???
Do you have the chart after 1979 [second generation]? I would like to buy both.
You could sell a lot of those Bronco posters. Let me know if I could purchase one.
I want this as a poster
That blue 1975 looks just like a 1976 I owned a while ago ! 302 auto .p.s. & p.b. !
Thanks everyone for your responses! We do not currently have a poster for these, but it’s a possibility going forward!