thinking about getting a bronco but was wondering about 4x4 system. Is it a limited slip or true lockers. I have a 99 super duty and it has a limited slip that sucks. I plan on using it for hunting.

Thanks

 

Hi Amicus,

Every Bronco automatically comes with four wheel drive (no 2WD Broncos). Some came with limited slip and the rest were open differentials. The limited slip was not a common option, so open diffs are easier to find.
You can tell by looking at the axle code on the door.
If it's a solid number, it's open diff. Like 19.
If it is preceded by a letter, it's limited slip. Like, H9.

True lockers would be aftermarket.

 

 

Like 99% of most vehicles out there. The power is transferred to the wheel with the least amount of traction (hence the reason for traction lock differentials). When both wheels have equal traction, they get equal power from the engine.

 

But you can always install lockers.
A selectable or an e- locker would give you the best of both worlds.

 

An open diff always puts equal torque to both wheels, however that torque is determined by the wheel that takes the least resistance to spin. For example say it takes 200 ft lb to move a vehicle but one wheel is on a slick surface that only requires 50 ft lb to spin that wheel, the other wheel that is on a hard surface will also be getting 50 ft lbs of torque but that isn't enough to move the vehicle so that wheel will just sit there while the other wheel spins. A limited slip works by using clutches or gears to transfer more torque to the wheel with greater traction, a locker locks both axles together regardless of the torque or traction on each wheel. Broncos never came from the factory with lockers, the rear is either open or limited slip and the front is open, although I believe a front limited slip was optional on few model years but it was rare.

 

 

Or a welder...

 

I had a '81 300 6 4 spd OD manual and it had limited slip front and rear. I did not order it that way, I just bought it new from the Ford Dealer in Enterprise, Alabama. Had to go overseas and always regretted losing that one. A new '86 v8 auto XLT all gussied out, did have a limited slip rear but not front. I never warmed up to it.

 

There were 2wd factory Broncos made, sold down south mostly, like the 2wd Jeep grand cherokees & xj models. Just for a heads up!

 

I have a 2009 2wd Escape now, the last 2wd of my life for new cars anyway.

 

where did you get this information? The ONLY 2wd Broncos were test mules used by ford.


when looking at the door jamb sticker, if there is a third digit in the axle slot, that signifies a limited slip front. Ex: h92 is limited slip 3.55 front and rear.

 

I was wondering about this too.
At least in the US, there was never a 2WD Bronco. I've heard some were made in Mexico, but they were a dealer option, and not done by Ford.

 

I came across a 2WD Bronco in Southern California. Almost bought it just because it was so weird. It was a '92, and bare bones with the rubber interior, six cylinder and 5-speed - only option was A/C. IIRC, the guy said it was an old city truck for the building inspector or something. Seen a few others for sale online over the years - always checked the pictures just to see if they're legit and not miss-listed.

I've never seen anything about 2WD in the factory literature, I'm guessing it was a delete option. Once the 5.0 became the standard Bronco engine you had to delete it to get the six, although I've never seen a factory six past '93. I've never seen a 5.8L Bronco with a factory 5-speed, but the automatic was almost a thousand dollar up-charge separate from the motor; I'm guessing you could get one if you were willing to wait, as I have seen an F150 with a 5.8L 5-speed Mazda combo built in '88.

I hope my sightings won't make any of the scholars lose their senses. Don't forget, Ford has made goofier stuff...like the 2WD Bronco II's that have a transfer case or the OBS F150s with the 3.8L Essex V6.