My Bronco isn't a death trap!!!

[bronconite]

A Bronco in stock form is safer than at least 50% of the compact cars out there. How many of you have roll bars in your other cars? Do your children ONLY ride in caged vehicles? There is NO reason to add a cage for child protection in a street driven vehicle unless you routinely travel very roll over accident prone highways, or, you are a terrible driver. Remember a roll bar doesn't offer any more protection in head on or rear end type collisions. It would only be an advantage in a rollover and maybe a little in a side impact. And remember this, a Bronco has basicly the same center of gravity as a shortbed F-150.

Dave

'92 Bronco-aggressively driven and never rolled.

 

[4x4ever]

And remember this, a Bronco has basicly the same center of gravity as a shortbed F-150.
Dave

'92 Bronco-aggressively driven and never rolled.

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I don't know if you've ever picked up one of the tops off a bronco, but their not exactly light. With the added weight of the rear seats, plus the spare tire is stored higher on the bronco, (rather than underneath the bed of the truck) and without the 2nd gas tank, the bronco has a much higher centre of gravity than the f150 shortbed.

 

[bluesman17]

They put caps on shortbeds, ours are only 120 lbs, gas tank is irrelevant because there are two 15 maybe 20 gallon tanks we have one 33 gallon. I think roll bars are overkill for anything that never sees a trail. How many suvs come with rollbars? That sheet metal isnt exactly bulletproof.

 

[Lola]

I'll agree that a Bronco is as safe as a car if it doesn't roll (except that it is NOT as safe as most new cars, unless they collide with a Bronco...). But trucks and SUVs roll over more frequently than cars. They just DO.

Modern SUVs do have more structural components than a pickup or Bronco. No, they don't have roll cages. If they roll, they're probably junked. But they don't have the rear passenger compartment enclosed in glass and a reinforced fiberglass shell.

OK, the Bronco is a tank. I appreciate that. But it has a soft spot. Is it really that ridiculous to want to patch that flaw? Rollover accidents aren't as common as other types of accidents, but they're more lethal. It's not as though I'm looking for bullet-proof glass (no Detroit jokes please). It's pretty normal for people to want to do what they can to be safer in the event of an accident that probably won't happen. That's why Volvo is one of the more profitable divisions of Ford.

My offroad use has been limited to agricultural sites--it's been a work truck and not a play truck--but now that we have kids we'll probably be doing more driving vacations (which may involve mild offroading) and I want everyone to be perfectly comfortable that they aren't more likely to die in a Bronco than the other car. I'm already compromising fuel economy to travel in Bronco comfort. Why compromise safety if I don't have to?

I mean, what's the harm of having a roll bar? I promise I won't feel bad if I never use it.

 

[Lola]

By the way, I don't really consider SUVs all that safe in a rollover either--moreso than a Bronco but certainly not safe.

 

[fbrown3]

ok here is my 2 cents, every vehicle has its good points and bad ones. I used to work at a used car lot so I drove a lot of different types of vehicles. if it's in good mechanicle shape you should have nothing to worry about. I have three sons ages 11,8, and 2.5. they love to wheel and my wife even enjoys it but I won't let her drive it due to the fact that she is not a good driver! Has hit too many parked vehicles(don't want my bronco hurt) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Too many people buy SUV's and then try to drive them like sports cars and wonder why they roll over and then try to blame some one else for their stupidity. <_< besides if they can't stop tell them to smile as they go uder!

 

[Cocobum]

Don't know if this story has any relivence but ill tell it anyway. My friend was driving (Bronco II) home from droping off his girlfriend one night after a high school football game. On the way back he falls asleep at the wheel and drifts into the grass median, he then wakes up and suddenly jerks the wheel to get back onto the road. This causes his bronco to flip and roll, then he gets up and walks away unhurt literaly not a scratch (he was going 65 mph).

My point is, fliping and rolling a bronco can be survivable... ironically he was the only person in the car and the only part that was really damaged was the driver side (top left corner caved in about a a foot and a half) the rear top area was barely touched.

 

[lawman212]

Don't listen to them it's not a death trap. I had a 1994 Jeep Wrangler w/straight six which I loved!! My wife and kids hated it because I was cut off several times in traffic by old retired people here in florida and went in the ditch but always came out the other side just fine.

Now I have a 1989 Ford Bronce which I also love. Now my wife and kids say, " We like your truck Dad, Why did you sell the jeep"?? Never again will I listen to the wife and kids about one of my 4WD's NOT!!! And I'm not selling my Bronce it was too hard to find set up the way I like with locking hubs, Manual transfer case no eletric %$#!! with everything working on it!!

So don't sell it you will regret it like I regret selling my 1994 Jeep Wrangler. You are safe in a full size Bronce. Remember to drive safely and always wear your seat belt thats all passengers. Add some side steel tube bumpers for side impacts and stepping up into the cab. If you have small children or infants make sure they are in the proper child seats and they will be fine. If you are unsure take the seats and Bronco to your local Highway Ptrol Station or other agency and they will inspect the seats for you and show how to properly install them for safety.

Don't sell it.