What body is the Ford Bronco built on?
The modern Ford Bronco sits on a body-on-frame ladder chassis built on Ford's T6 platform, shared with the Ranger and Everest.
Platform and Frame
The Bronco is designed as a true off-road SUV with a body-on-frame construction, not a unibody crossover. Its architecture features a fully boxed high-strength steel ladder frame that supports removable doors and roof, a hallmark of rugged, go-anywhere capability.
Key facts about the Bronco’s underpinnings help explain its off-road performance and modular design:
- Platform name: T6 ladder-frame architecture
- Shared with: Ford Ranger (global midsize pickup) and Ford Everest
- Construction style: body-on-frame with a fully boxed steel frame
- Current generation: 2021–present uses this T6-based platform
These shared underpinnings allow the Bronco to offer strong off-road credentials, removable doors and roof, and compatibility with accessories designed for the Ranger family.
Historical Generations and Platform Evolution
Throughout its history, the Bronco has used different foundations to suit its size and positioning in Ford’s lineup. Here is a concise look at how the body and frame have evolved across generations.
First generation (1966–1977)
The original Ford Bronco was built on a shortened version of Ford's full-size F-Series pickup chassis, employing body-on-frame construction to emphasize off-road durability and versatility.
Bronco II (1983–1990)
The Bronco II shifted to a mid-size footprint and was based on the Ford Ranger platform, continuing the body-on-frame approach suitable for its smaller size and urban-to-off-road duty.
Second generation / Full-size Bronco (1992–1996)
In the early 1990s, the full-size Bronco lineage used a frame derived from Ford's larger trucks (the F-Series), reflecting its larger, heavier body compared with the Bronco II and Ranger-based designs.
Current generation (2021–present)
The modern Bronco returns to a body-on-frame design on Ford's T6 ladder-frame architecture, shared with the Ranger and Everest, reinforcing the model’s rugged, off-road focus while offering modern technologies and configurations.
How the Bronco Relates to Other Ford Models
Understanding the Bronco’s platform becomes easier when considering Ford’s other vehicles that share the same underpinnings. The Ranger (global midsize pickup) and the Everest (global SUV) are the primary relatives, providing common engineering, parts, and capabilities that support the Bronco’s off-road orientation.
Summary
The Ford Bronco’s current body and frame are built on Ford’s T6 body-on-frame ladder architecture, a platform it shares with the Ranger and Everest. This configuration underpins its rugged, off-road capability and removable-roof/wings design. Historically, Bronco generations have used different Ford platforms—from the F-Series-based chassis of the original to the Ranger-based Bronco II—before returning to the T6 layout in 2021 and beyond.
Is Outer Banks better than Big Bend?
The main difference is that the Big Bend is a more rugged, off-road-focused trim, while the Outer Banks offers a more luxurious and comfortable interior with upscale features. The Big Bend often comes with more durable cloth seats and a focus on performance, whereas the Outer Banks upgrades to leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and other premium amenities.
This video compares the features of the Big Bend and Outer Banks trims: 56sGengras FordYouTube · Dec 14, 2021
| Feature | Big Bend | Outer Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Cloth seats, 8-inch infotainment screen | Leather-trimmed seats, 12-inch digital display, heated front seats |
| Design | More rugged exterior styling | More refined and stylish exterior with body-color elements |
| Technology | Standard features, with options for more off-road capability | Premium features like a wireless charging pad, ambient lighting, and an upgraded sound system |
| Off-Roading | Designed with a focus on performance and off-road capability, with available packages for enhanced performance | Can be optioned with the Sasquatch package for enhanced off-roading features |
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_0NclaeKKD7yI9u8Pv_PY6Qc_235';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();
Choose the Big Bend if:
- You prioritize off-road performance and a more rugged, durable vehicle.
- Your budget is a primary concern, as it is the more affordable option.
- You prefer cloth seats and are less concerned with luxury features.
Choose the Outer Banks if:
- You prefer a more luxurious and comfortable driving experience.
- You want premium interior features like leather seats and a heated steering wheel.
- Your lifestyle includes a mix of weekday commuting and weekend adventures.
Is the Ford Bronco built on a truck frame?
Yes, the standard Ford Bronco is built on a body-on-frame platform, which is the same type of construction used for trucks like the Ford Ranger. This rugged design provides the strength and durability needed for off-road capability, unlike the Bronco Sport, which uses a unibody construction.
- Body-on-frame: This is the traditional and more rugged construction method for trucks and serious off-road vehicles. The Bronco shares this structure with the Ford Ranger.
- Unibody: In contrast, the Bronco Sport is a unibody vehicle, where the body and frame are a single structure, making it lighter and more car-like.
- Capability: The body-on-frame design gives the standard Bronco enhanced durability and makes it better suited for challenging off-road conditions.
What platform is the Ford Bronco built on?
The standard Ford Bronco is built on the Ford T6 body-on-frame platform, an evolution of the architecture used for the Ford Ranger pickup truck. In contrast, the Ford Bronco Sport is a unibody vehicle based on the Ford C2 platform, which is also used for the Ford Escape and Maverick.
Ford Bronco (standard)
- Platform: T6 body-on-frame
- Shared with: Ford Ranger pickup truck
Ford Bronco Sport
- Platform: C2 unibody
- Shared with: Ford Escape and Ford Maverick
Is the new Bronco body-on-frame or unibody?
Bronco is a larger, body-on-frame SUV with available 2- and 4-door layouts. Bronco Sport is a compact unibody SUV available as a 4-door only.
