Sold as a smaller version of the Ford Bronco, the Ford Bronco II was produced from 1984 to 1990, comprising two generations. It was a compact SUV that competed with vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner. The Ford Bronco II was bedeviled by an assortment of mechanical, electrical and physical problems as well as highly publicized reports of vehicle rollovers.
In some 1986 and 1987 Ford Bronco IIs, the spring-lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged, which can cause fuel leaks; this can be resolved with the installation of retainer clips over the couplings. A fuel problem specific to 1986 vehicles is the nylon fuel lines on the fuel return side of the fuel-pressure regulator that are prone to cracking. Rubber hoses can be used in place of nylon ones.
Some 1984 Bronco IIs may have fragile shoulder belt mountings, thus failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210. Dealers can attach hardware to strengthen the mounting.
Some 1986 Ford Bronco IIs may require the installation of a fuse within the power lumbar electrical circuit to avoid the ignition of a short by the abrasion of seat-cushion springs. Other 1986 vehicles may have the electronic engine control wiring harness insulation repaired as a result of damage from copper spikes produced from welding.
Some 1984 Ford Bronco IIs may have their wheel-locking hubs crack or fracture easily with engagement of the front drive axles. This is due to improper heat treatment, and the cam assemblies in the front-wheel automatic locking hubs can be replaced. Some 1987 vehicles may have had aluminum wheels installed with improper lug nuts, which can be replaced with short shank-style ones, and some 1989 vehicles may need installment of missing retaining keys to prevent detachment of the wheels from the axle.
In some 1990 Bronco IIs, the shift lever may not respond to the "Park" command. To prevent vehicle roll away due to this condition, dealers can repair the transmission by installing a new park pawl.
Toward the end of its production run, there were many reports of the Ford Bronco II being prone to rollover. This is a condition in which a vehicle turns over on its side or roof. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began an investigation into the matter, and between 1989 and 1990, "The Wall Street Journal," "The Washington Post" and "Automotive News" were among the publications that wrote about this Bronco defect.
