Bronco [Disambiguation]

TorgSurv

This post will hopefully help to clarify some terminology related to various Bronco models and generations. Some terms being thrown around on the forums are potentially confusing and inconsistent with their historic use, and I think a little more awareness of the history will help avoid confusion.

• Gen 1 Bronco (1966-1977), commonly referred to as "Classic Bronco" or "Early Bronco", is classified as a Compact SUV.
  • Gen 1 Broncos came in three configurations: Roadster (U13, no roof or doors), Pickup (U14, 2 doors with a half-cab), and Wagon (U15, 3 doors with a full cab).
  • The Sport package was introduced in 1967, and "Bronco Sport" became a freestanding sub-model in 1970.
• Gen 2-5 Bronco (1978-1996), commonly referred to as "Full-Size Bronco", is classified as a Full-size SUV.
  • Gen 2 (1978-1979) is also commonly referred to as "Dentside Bronco" or sometimes "Big Bronco".
  • Gen 3 (1980-1986) is also commonly referred to as "Bullnose Bronco".
  • Gen 4 (1987-1991) is also commonly referred to as "Bricknose Bronco".
  • Gen 5 (1992-1996) is also commonly referred to as "Aeronose Bronco".
  • Centurion and Metropolitan (and a few other companies and individuals) converted Full-Size Broncos into custom Four Door Bronco vehicles.
• Gen 6 Bronco (2021+), commonly referred to as "New Bronco" (is that gonna stick?), is classified as a Mid-size SUV.
  • Gen 6 Bronco is available in both 2 Door and 4 Door configurations (technically 3 Door and 5 Door, because the rear swing-gate into the enclosed cargo area counts as a door).
  • Gen 6 Bronco is available in 7 sub-models (note that Ford documentation usually refers to them as "Models", while most forum users have been referring to them as "Trims"): Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, and First Edition.
• Bronco II (1984-1990) is classified as a Compact SUV.
• Bronco Sport (2021+), commonly referred to as "Baby Bronco" (I hope that one doesn't stick), is classified as a Subcompact Crossover SUV.
  • Bronco Sport is available in 5 sub-models: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, and First Edition.

Because of the historic use of these terms, it is therefore confusing (and technically incorrect because of the classifications) to refer to the 2 Door and 4 Door New Bronco as the "Full-Size Bronco" or "Big Bronco". Depending on your audience, clarification might also be needed to distinguish between the new 4 Door Bronco and the older full-size four door Bronco conversions.

Use of the term "New Bronco" generally implies the 2 Door or 4 Door Gen 6 Bronco, but I've several instances of confusion and need for clarification between the Gen 6 and the Bronco Sport. When talking about new vehicles, "Bronco" should be taken to imply a mid-size Gen 6 2 Door or 4 Door Bronco. When referring to the subcompact crossover, "Bronco Sport" should be used. When needed for clarification, Ford seems to use "Bronco 2 Door" and "Bronco 4 Door" to distinguish it from the Bronco Sport. When discussing your new Bronco Sport with Gen 1 folks around, care should be taken to avoid confusion with the Sport package available on the Early Broncos or the Gen 1 Bronco Sport sub-model.

Note that there was also a Gen 1 Bronco Ranger, not to be confused with the Ranger package available on the F-150 and full-size Bronco, or the later compact Ranger pickup model (the platform for the Bronco II), or the current mid-size Ranger pickup model (the platform for the Gen 6 Bronco).

TorgSurv

This post will hopefully help to clarify some terminology related to various Bronco models and generations. Some terms being thrown around on the forums are potentially confusing and inconsistent with their historic use, and I think a little more awareness of the history will help avoid confusion.

• Gen 1 Bronco (1966-1977), commonly referred to as "Classic Bronco" or "Early Bronco", is classified as a Compact SUV.
  • Gen 1 Broncos came in three configurations: Roadster (U13, no roof or doors), Pickup (U14, 2 doors with a half-cab), and Wagon (U15, 3 doors with a full cab).
  • The Sport package was introduced in 1967, and "Bronco Sport" became a freestanding sub-model in 1970.
• Gen 2-5 Bronco (1978-1996), commonly referred to as "Full-Size Bronco", is classified as a Full-size SUV.
  • Gen 2 (1978-1979) is also commonly referred to as "Dentside Bronco" or sometimes "Big Bronco".
  • Gen 3 (1980-1986) is also commonly referred to as "Bullnose Bronco".
  • Gen 4 (1987-1991) is also commonly referred to as "Bricknose Bronco".
  • Gen 5 (1992-1996) is also commonly referred to as "Aeronose Bronco".
  • Centurion and Metropolitan (and a few other companies and individuals) converted Full-Size Broncos into custom Four Door Bronco vehicles.
• Gen 6 Bronco (2021+), commonly referred to as "New Bronco" (is that gonna stick?), is classified as a Mid-size SUV.
  • Gen 6 Bronco is available in both 2 Door and 4 Door configurations (technically 3 Door and 5 Door, because the rear swing-gate into the enclosed cargo area counts as a door).
  • Gen 6 Bronco is available in 7 sub-models (note that Ford documentation usually refers to them as "Models", while most forum users have been referring to them as "Trims"): Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, and First Edition.
• Bronco II (1984-1990) is classified as a Compact SUV.
• Bronco Sport (2021+), commonly referred to as "Baby Bronco" (I hope that one doesn't stick), is classified as a Subcompact Crossover SUV.
  • Bronco Sport is available in 5 sub-models: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, and First Edition.

Because of the historic use of these terms, it is therefore confusing (and technically incorrect because of the classifications) to refer to the 2 Door and 4 Door New Bronco as the "Full-Size Bronco" or "Big Bronco". Depending on your audience, clarification might also be needed to distinguish between the new 4 Door Bronco and the older full-size four door Bronco conversions.

Use of the term "New Bronco" generally implies the 2 Door or 4 Door Gen 6 Bronco, but I've several instances of confusion and need for clarification between the Gen 6 and the Bronco Sport. When talking about new vehicles, "Bronco" should be taken to imply a mid-size Gen 6 2 Door or 4 Door Bronco. When referring to the subcompact crossover, "Bronco Sport" should be used. When needed for clarification, Ford seems to use "Bronco 2 Door" and "Bronco 4 Door" to distinguish it from the Bronco Sport. When discussing your new Bronco Sport with Gen 1 folks around, care should be taken to avoid confusion with the Sport package available on the Early Broncos or the Gen 1 Bronco Sport sub-model.

Note that there was also a Gen 1 Bronco Ranger, not to be confused with the Ranger package available on the F-150 and full-size Bronco, or the later compact Ranger pickup model (the platform for the Bronco II), or the current mid-size Ranger pickup model (the platform for the Gen 6 Bronco).

Rydfree

So this is a 4 dr Bronco ? I thought they were not supposed to be out until later this year :)

BuzzyBud

As I was searching the web for Gen1 Bronco Ranger info, I found this article.

TorgSurv

This post will hopefully help to clarify some terminology related to various Bronco models and generations. Some terms being thrown around on the forums are potentially confusing and inconsistent with their historic use, and I think a little more awareness of the history will help avoid confusion.

• Gen 1 Bronco (1966-1977), commonly referred to as "Classic Bronco" or "Early Bronco", is classified as a Compact SUV.
  • Gen 1 Broncos came in three configurations: Roadster (U13, no roof or doors), Pickup (U14, 2 doors with a half-cab), and Wagon (U15, 3 doors with a full cab).
  • The Sport package was introduced in 1967, and "Bronco Sport" became a freestanding sub-model in 1970.
• Gen 2-5 Bronco (1978-1996), commonly referred to as "Full-Size Bronco", is classified as a Full-size SUV.
  • Gen 2 (1978-1979) is also commonly referred to as "Dentside Bronco" or sometimes "Big Bronco".
  • Gen 3 (1980-1986) is also commonly referred to as "Bullnose Bronco".
  • Gen 4 (1987-1991) is also commonly referred to as "Bricknose Bronco".
  • Gen 5 (1992-1996) is also commonly referred to as "Aeronose Bronco".
  • Centurion and Metropolitan (and a few other companies and individuals) converted Full-Size Broncos into custom Four Door Bronco vehicles.
• Gen 6 Bronco (2021+), commonly referred to as "New Bronco" (is that gonna stick?), is classified as a Mid-size SUV.
  • Gen 6 Bronco is available in both 2 Door and 4 Door configurations (technically 3 Door and 5 Door, because the rear swing-gate into the enclosed cargo area counts as a door).
  • Gen 6 Bronco is available in 7 sub-models (note that Ford documentation usually refers to them as "Models", while most forum users have been referring to them as "Trims"): Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, and First Edition.
• Bronco II (1984-1990) is classified as a Compact SUV.
• Bronco Sport (2021+), commonly referred to as "Baby Bronco" (I hope that one doesn't stick), is classified as a Subcompact Crossover SUV.
  • Bronco Sport is available in 5 sub-models: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, and First Edition.

Because of the historic use of these terms, it is therefore confusing (and technically incorrect because of the classifications) to refer to the 2 Door and 4 Door New Bronco as the "Full-Size Bronco" or "Big Bronco". Depending on your audience, clarification might also be needed to distinguish between the new 4 Door Bronco and the older full-size four door Bronco conversions.

Use of the term "New Bronco" generally implies the 2 Door or 4 Door Gen 6 Bronco, but I've several instances of confusion and need for clarification between the Gen 6 and the Bronco Sport. When talking about new vehicles, "Bronco" should be taken to imply a mid-size Gen 6 2 Door or 4 Door Bronco. When referring to the subcompact crossover, "Bronco Sport" should be used. When needed for clarification, Ford seems to use "Bronco 2 Door" and "Bronco 4 Door" to distinguish it from the Bronco Sport. When discussing your new Bronco Sport with Gen 1 folks around, care should be taken to avoid confusion with the Sport package available on the Early Broncos or the Gen 1 Bronco Sport sub-model.

Note that there was also a Gen 1 Bronco Ranger, not to be confused with the Ranger package available on the F-150 and full-size Bronco, or the later compact Ranger pickup model (the platform for the Bronco II), or the current mid-size Ranger pickup model (the platform for the Gen 6 Bronco).

okie4570

"and "Bronco Sport" became a freestanding sub-model in 1970."

That's not accurate info, I'm not sure where CJ Pony got that info, I believe that's where it originated. Sport was just a appearance package just like the Explorer, Explorer Sport, Ranger, and Special Decor. There was nothing physically different about the truck. There were u14 sports too from 67'-72'.

More accurate early bronco package info here. https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86338&highlight=trim+packages

TorgSurv

Thanks for the link, I'll do a little more research and verification then update the first post accordingly.

okie4570

CJ Pony's years for Explorer, Ranger and Special decor aren't accurate either after looking closer at their info. Check out Todd Zuercher's Bronco book as well when you get the chance.

• Model (some of which I would refer to as sub-model)
• Sub-model (doesn't appear to be distinguished from model and/or package in the early Bronco literature)
• Trim (sometimes used interchangeably for package and/or group when discussing the early Bronco, and for the sub-models when discussing the Gen 6 Bronco and new Bronco Sport)
• Package
• Group
• Option (usually factory installed)
• Accessory (usually dealer installed)

TorgSurv

I didn't see "Explorer" in the brochures, but Todd's book says that in 1972 Ford introduced "a new trim package called the Explorer. Although it was offered for several years, 1972 was the only year that it was offered as an add-on to the Sport package."

In other places he seems to use model, trim, trim level, and package almost interchangeably, sometimes combining them (e.g. "trim package"). Maybe it's a distinction without a difference, but I'm just trying to get clarity on the appropriate terms to use.

TorgSurv

. . .

SAS: In relation to the new Bronco, SAS (or sometimes SASQ or Squatch) is shorthand for the Sasquatch Package. In relation to the '80-'96 full size Bronco, SAS means Solid Axle Swap, a popular modification replacing the front twin i-beam suspension with a solid axle taken from an F-250 or similar donor vehicle.