1988 Ford Bronco II Base 2dr 4WD SUV

he Ford Bronco II is in many ways the black sheep of the Blue Oval SUV family. Although collectors fawn over first-gen Broncos, and despite the rising prices associated with the later big-body generation of the truck, the II (aka the Deuce, aka Junior) has never made the same kind of impact on either the classic market or the imaginations of enthusiasts. This is more than a little strange, because when the Bronco II was first introduced for the 1984... model year, the world of small, yet off-road-capable utility vehicles was still in its formative stages. The Jeep Cherokee XJ came out that same year and would evolve into a major force among those seeking a practical, go-anywhere truck with a modest footprint, while the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and GMC Jimmy twins had debuted roughly 12 months prior. The Cherokee went on to become a cult favorite, but neither Ford nor GM's perfectly serviceable alternatives inspired a similar passion, with the Bronco in particular being built for a mere eight model years—or one half the length of the Jeep's production run. What does this mean in a modern context? Quite simply, the landscape is littered with cheap examples of the Bronco II. Despite lower production numbers than the XJ, it was still a strong seller for Ford in its era, and it hasn’t had to pay the same off-road tax as the Cherokee. This makes it much easier to find a survivor that hasn't been chopped and mangled to mount 35-inch tires or a winch. It's also unique. Since so few are collecting this pint-size Ford, you're less likely to run into yourself at the local cars and coffee or evening cruise. For some classic truck fans, that's a critical point when buying a new project.