Ford first offered the Ford Bronco II in March of 1983 for the 1984 model year. The scaled-down Bronco II compact sport utility vehicle was derived from the Ford Ranger pickup. Underpinning the Bronco II was a shortened Ranger chassis. While the shortest version of the pickup had a 108-inch wheelbase, the Bronco II's measured just 94 inches?about ½-inch longer than the Jeep CJ7 and 6 inches shorter than the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. The Bronco II was also tall at 68.4 inches?more than 3 inches taller than the S-10, though about 2 inches shorter than the Jeep CJ. Unlike the CJ7 though, the Ford Bronco II had a full-fixed roof, doors, and large side glass that wrapped into the roofline. The four-wheel-drive Bronco II and the new-for-1986 two-wheel- drive Bronco II rode on independent front ends with coil springs. The rear-drive-only rig used a version of Ford's Twin I-Beam while the 4x4's was called Twin Traction-Beam. Out back, under all Bronco IIs, was Ford's 7.5-inch rear axle with leaf springs. Braking was handled by 10.9-inch discs with single-piston calipers in the front and 9-inch drums in the rear. For 1986, the Bronco II was offered with the new, fuel-injected 2.9-liter 60-degree V-6 that replaced the carbureted 2.8. The 2.9 was not an all-new engine, but an evolution of the "Cologne" 2.8-liter first developed by Ford in Cologne, Germany. In the Bronco II, the 2.9-liter was rated at 106 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission was the base offering (a four-speed in 1984) or buyers could opt for an automatic. The three-speed C5 was the first automatic used, but it was replaced by a four-speed box by 1986. New for '86 in the Bronco II was an optional shift-on-the-fly transfer case called Touch Drive that was paired with automatic locking hubs. A manual shift case with lock-in hubs was still standard issue. In the front of the Bronco II's interior, foam padded bucket seats were standard and a split bench was optional. The driver's bucket could recline while the passenger's seat could fold and slide forward on tracks, making it easier for rear seat passengers to climb in and out. Standard instruments included speedometer with resettable trip meter, fuel level, engine temperature, oil pressure, and amp gauges underscored by a row of indicator lamps for seatbelt warning, low brake fluid, emissions check, oil level, and high beams. The top-of-the-line Eddie Bauer package added unique buckets and upholstery, while a tachometer and tilt column were optional. Outside, Eddie Bauer included two-tone paint, color-keyed spare tire cover, and badging. The Bronco II received only minor changes for 1987 and '88, but the front end got a makeover for 1989. In February 1990, Ford pulled the plug on Bronco II production altogether and it was replaced by the Ford Explorer.