Big Black Bronco II
Big Black Bronco II sounds like it should be the title of a Dr. Seuss book. But instead of a children’s story, this is the story—or at least what we were able to piece together—of one seriously impressive 1984 Ford Bronco II.
This Bronco II, located in Wyatt, Indiana, is probably one of the nicest and cleanest ’84 Bronco IIs you’ll ever find. With its towering stance and massive 44-inch Bogger tires, it looks more like a miniature monster truck than the compact SUV Ford originally built.
Big Black was discovered on CarDomain, but unfortunately, very little information accompanied the truck’s profile other than a claim that it produced 500 horsepower. Much of what we know about the build comes from the photographs. A “Cleveland Inside” decal on the front fenders suggests that the engine may be a Ford 351 Cleveland, although that hasn’t been confirmed.
The drivetrain and suspension certainly appear to have been built to handle the power and enormous tires. The front axle is a Dana 44, while the rear uses a Ford 9-inch. Both axles are mounted using a custom four-link suspension with coilovers, giving the Bronco II its extremely tall and aggressive stance.
But Big Black isn’t just an exercise in going bigger. The attention to detail continues inside with a custom tweed interior, custom bucket seats, and a Pioneer stereo sound system. The result is a Bronco II that combines the intimidating appearance of a mini monster truck with the fit, finish, and customization of a serious show vehicle.
It’s easy to imagine Big Black Bronco II rolling into a show and stopping people in their tracks. With its massive tires, custom suspension, detailed interior, and reported 500 horsepower, this is one Bronco II that certainly looks like it was built to bring home some trophies—even though we don’t have the show’s history to prove it.
Big Black Bronco II may not have been on the cover of a Dr. Seuss book, but it definitely looks like it should be on the cover of a magazine.
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About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures contributed by owners worldwide. TheRangerStation.com has been referenced in print, video and online by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, and experience-based information.
