A Patriotic 1986 Ford Bronco II Built for America’s 250th Birthday
With July 2026 being the 250th birthday of the United States of America, I really wanted to find a Bronco II to feature that had a ‘patriotic’ vibe. I don’t think I could have found one more patriotic than this.
This 1986 Ford Bronco II belongs to Robert Dodd, and I came across it in a Facebook post in the Bronco II community. I don’t know a lot about its full history, but I knew right away it deserved to be shared here on the Bronco II Corral.
What makes it stand out is the patriotic theme. The gray exterior and graphics aren’t paint at all—they’re a full vehicle wrap done in red, white, and blue with stars, stripes, and an eagle design. It’s bold, but it fits the Bronco II surprisingly well and makes it a perfect tribute for the nation’s 250th birthday.
Under the hood, it’s still powered by Ford’s 2.9L V6, which has been rebuilt and fitted with new cylinder heads. That alone should help keep this Bronco II on the road for a long time to come.
The early A4LD automatics can be problematic, so the one in this Bronco II has been replaced with a 5-speed manual.
Other details that stand out are the LED headlights and a lighted Lund visor. Those visors were a popular upgrade back in the day, but they’re pretty hard to find now, so it’s a neat period correct addition.
The Bronco II sits on a set of Helo HE791 Maxx Black wheels wrapped in 265/70R16 Nitto Terra Grappler tires, which give it a more modern stance without taking away from the original look of the truck.
I don’t have any other details on the build or its history, but even without a full story, I think it’s worth featuring. Sometimes a clean, well-kept Bronco II with a unique look is enough.
I originally discovered this Bronco II in a Facebook post shared with the Bronco II community. If you’d like to see additional photos or join the discussion, you can visit the original Facebook post.
If anyone knows more about this Bronco II or Robert Dodd’s build, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to update the article with more information.
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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.
