Bronco [Disambiguation]

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), Sports Utility or Pickup (U14, 2 doors with a half-cab and a pickup style bed), and Wagon (U15, 2 doors with a full-length hard top).
  • The "Sport Bronco" was introduced in 1967, available for the Wagon or Pickup, which included, among many other features, a "Sport Bronco" emblem.
    (Note: 1968 Bronco brochure states that there are five models available: "Bronco Wagon, Pickup and Roadster, plus Sport Broncos — Wagon and Pickup".)
• 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 seen 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 1966-1977 Sport Bronco sub-model and/or Sport Package.

Note that there was also a Ranger Package available for the Gen 1 Bronco beginning in 1973 (first referred to as simply "Bronco Ranger" in 1977), not to be confused with the Ranger package available on the F-150 and full-size Bronco, or the later compact Ranger pickup model (which shares a platform with the Bronco II), or the current mid-size Ranger pickup model (which shares a platform with the Gen 6 Bronco).

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.