Rad Ranger: 1988 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer- SOLD!

March 22, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this Bronco II “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The forgotten Bronco.  Sandwiched between the F-150-based second generation and the recently launched, Jeep Wrangler fighting fourth-generation is the Rad Era Bronco II such as this Eddie Bauer 1998 example we found in March 2021 on Craigslist in Charlotte, North Carolina with an asking price of $6,000.  The NADA Guides Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has their Bronco II priced within this guide’s current “Low”, “Average”, and “High” retail value range of $1,625, $3,850, and $6,700, respectively.

Ford developed the compact SUV Bronco II in parallel with its new Ford Ranger pickup launched for the 1984 model year.  Designed to compete against the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and Jeep’s Cherokee, the Bronco II was nearly one-foot shorter than Chevy’s offering; the dimensions closely match those of Ford’s original Bronco.  All Bronco IIs were four-wheel drive until 1986 when the rear-wheel-drive layout became standard. To save on production costs, rear-wheel-drive models were still equipped with a transfer case, capped or sealed where the front driveshaft was connected on four-wheel-drive versions.  Unlike the long-running Ranger, however, the Bronco II lasted only through 1990 when For replaced it with the highly successful first-generation four-door Ford Explorer. 

The MotorWeek YouTube Channel has their retro review of the first-year 1984 Ford Bronco II posted:

What caught our eye was how clean this Bronco II appears to be. Of the examples not rolled-and-totaled (unfortunately, the extremely short wheelbase and suspension design made this a common occurrence) many more of these compact SUVs rusted away years ago, so it’s refreshing to come across such a rust-free and highly optioned example. With the prices of first-generation Broncos reaching unobtainium levels, this Bronco II makes an affordable and frankly more comfortable alternative that also happens to be Rad-eligible.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1988 Ford bronco 2 Eddie Bauer 2. Interior and exterior amazing. Runs great. Garage kept non-smoker. The interior looks amazing. Clean title! No Rust! 2nd owner! New tires!“

Show or go: What would you do with this Eddie Bauer Edition Bronco II?  Comment below and let us know!