Ford Bronco II 5.8 V8 (160 Hp) AWD Automatic


Overall Rating

6.5 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.5 / 5
Value 3.5 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 2.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Ford Bronco:

The Ford Bronco is a model line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Ford. The first SUV model developed by the company, five generations of the Bronco were sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years. A sixth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2021 model year. The nameplate has been used on other Ford SUVs, namely the 1984–1990 Bronco II compact SUV, the 2021 Bronco Sport compact crossover, and the China-only 2025 Bronco New Energy.
Originally developed as a compact off-road vehicle using its own chassis, the Bronco initially competed against the Jeep CJ-5 and International Scout. For 1978, Ford enlarged the Bronco, making it a short-wheelbase version of the F-Series pickup truck; the full-size Bronco now competed against the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Dodge Ramcharger....(Read more on Wikipedia)

II Overview:

Ford Bronco (II). With 355 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. At around 2115 kg, it’s on the heavier side. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. A sport utility vehicle offering higher ground clearance and versatile cargo space. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
Vehicles from this era were not subjected to modern crash testing standards like Euro NCAP. Safety features were rudimentary compared to contemporary vehicles, focusing on basic structural integrity.

5.8 V8 (160 Hp) AWD Automatic Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

The automatic transmission provides easier driving, maintaining the strong low-end torque suitable for utility and off-road use.

Fuel Economy

Expect very low fuel economy, potentially slightly worse than the manual due to transmission losses.

Best Use Case: Comfortable off-road, towing, classic cruiser.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Robust V8 engines with strong torque
  • • Excellent off-road capability
  • • Classic American SUV styling
  • • Simple, repairable mechanics
  • • High towing capacity

Cons:

  • • Extremely poor fuel economy
  • • Basic interior comfort and features
  • • Limited modern safety features
  • • Large turning radius
  • • Prone to rust and age-related issues

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(I: 1966 - 1977).

General:
Brand:Ford
Model:Bronco
Generation:II
Modification (Engine):5.8 V8 (160 Hp) AWD Automatic
Start of production:1978
End of production:1979
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:SUV
Seats:5
Doors:3
Engine:
Power:160 Hp @ 3800 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:27.7 Hp/l [717mm more]
Torque:355 Nm @ 2200 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:351M More details about the engine 351M
Engine displacement:5766
Number of cylinders:8
Engine configuration:V-engine
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:OHV
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:101.6 mm
Piston Stroke:88.9 mm
Compression ratio:8:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Weight-to-power ratio:13.2 kg/Hp, 75.7 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:6 kg/Nm, 167.8 Nm/tonne
Space:
Kerb Weight:2115
Max. weight:2720
Max load:605
Size:
Length:4580 mm [717mm more]
Width:2014 mm [266mm more]
Height:1918 mm [104mm more]
Wheelbase:2642 mm [305mm more]
Front track:1630 mm
Rear (Back) track:1640 mm
Ride height (ground clearance):198 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):10.8 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drive wheelAll wheel drive (4x4)
Number of gears3
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesDisc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Tires size235/75 R15
Wheel rims size15

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