Here's What The 1986 Ford Bronco Costs Today

Buying the Ford Bronco was one of the most brilliant car choices you could have made in 1986. The SUV has a bleak patch in its history, but there are several other benefits to this ride, including comfort and a sleek body that could handle nearly any weather condition.

The 1986 Ford Bronco has become a legend among pickup trucks. With its extended body, solid axles, and stern look, this vehicle has stood the test of time. Rising from its place as the comfort addition to an established brand, it is now one of the most desired classics of this age.

But what does it cost now? How much could you sell it for today? This article tells you everything you need to know.

What Made 1986 Ford Bronco Different

When Ford started assembling this 3-door compact SUV in Louisville, KY, we all accepted that it was part of the existing line of Ford Bronco. The Bronco genealogy had begun with the 1966 Ford Bronco, and the world had become familiar with the four-wheeler wagons, but the 1986 Bronco II was not a surprise. It was the hallmark of that decade.

The first noticeable difference was the drive layout. Other Bronco II manufactured around the 1983 model year had the same four-wheel-drive layout as most SUVs of that time, but the 1986 model came with a different design.

After years of churning out Bronco II that could brave any terrain because of their four-wheel-drive drivetrains, Ford finally explored the idea of making their customers comfortable in the vehicle rather than having a truck that could go anywhere. The 1986 Ford Bronco became the first model that appealed to buyers who chose their comfort over their SUV's off-road potentials.

Another fine distinction of the 1986 Ford Bronco was its engine. Its predecessors in the 1983 model year had the 2.8 liters Cologne V-6 with an estimated 115 horsepower. Considering the times, that carbureted V-6 was the best, yet it was plagued with complaints from users. Ford had to introduce a less problematic option, something with better horsepower and less cause to complain.

The 1986 Ford Bronco was the flagship Bronco II to use the new Fuel-injected 2.9 liter Cologne V-6. Ford loosely designed this new engine based on the 2.8 liter V-6 in previous models. Still, it had an estimated 140 horsepower while maintaining the same fuel economy. Ford may not have gotten a lot of things right in the 80s, but they were onto something excellent in 1986.

But even this beautiful design was not perfect. Ford designed the 1986 Ford Bronco II for comfort, and that was in itself a significant flaw.

The Fatality Of Comfort

When sales started to roll in for the 1986 Ford Bronco, the manufacturers could almost rest easy that they had created the SUV of the century. After all, everyone was talking about their comfortable design, but it was not all good talk.

One of the prevailing talks about this SUV was from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS). The institute stated that the 1986 Ford Bronco had the highest rate of roll-over accidents; at least 70 people died yearly in Ford Bronco accidents. And mainly because this jeep-like vehicle rolled over.

This record is an unpleasant stain on the model's comfortable design. Further studies showed that the rear-wheel-drive layout of the vehicle was responsible for these frequent roll-over accidents. The rear-wheel-drive Bronco II has a slightly higher center of gravity than other models. But both Ford and the Government agreed that none of these fatalities was worth recalling the cars or stopping production.

The 1986 Ford Bronco did not bear its badges of comfort and fatality for long; newer models soon replaced it. Ford officially stopped producing the Bronco II in 1999 and replaced it with the Ford Explorer less than a year later.

How Much Would The 1986 Ford Bronco Cost Today

The 1986 Ford Bronco may have been the ride of its day, but it is still not among the most expensive Ford Broncos. The Bronco brand has continued into 2021, and they are improved and cost more, but the 1986 Ford Bronco has become a 35-year-old classic. It is worth more because it has maintained its value over the years.

The cost of an average 1986 Ford Bronco ranges between $6,500 and $53,500, depending on their condition and mileage. You can also find alternative listings that offer this classic for as low as $2,900 to $18,000 or higher.

These prices are in the same range as the expected $29,995 price tag of the latest 2021 Ford Bronco, and you may have to wonder if a classic should cost more than the latest of its brand.

With the increasing improvements on Bronco models, the choice of a modern Ford Bronco over the classic alternatives may be pleasant to most people. Still, car enthusiasts understand the place of Classics and how their worth is not in their modern features but in the value they have maintained over the years.