Why Wait For An All-New Ford Bronco When You Get Icon’s Old School BR

Ford is preparing to bring back the Bronco but fans who can’t wait can order Icon’s new Bronco Old School BR.

Slightly different than the company’s Bronco BR, the Old School BR uses a restored stock body and factory bumpers. However, they aren’t completely original as Icon’s Jonathan Ward “cherry-picked the best aspects” from the Bronco’s Sport, Explorer and Ranger trims which were offered between 1966 and 1977. The company then developed custom exterior components inspired by Ward’s favorite designs.

Other improvements include an upgraded rear tire carrier and LED lights which are hidden behind stock-looking lenses. Even the Icon badges are retro-inspired as they mimic the classic Bronco font.

Bigger changes occur in the cabin as there’s a completely new dashboard and custom controls machined from billet aluminum or stainless steel. Other highlights include new analog gauges and a Vintage Air climate control system which features aluminum vents with black-anodized fins.

While most the interior looks original, there were a few concessions for modern conveniences. Primarily, there’s a tilt steering column and a Kenwood audio system with GPS navigation and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Customers can also order power windows which are controlled by “factory-influenced manual cranks.”

The cabin isn’t the only thing that has been improved as the Old School BR rides on a custom Art Morrison chassis and features an adjustable suspension with Fox Racing coilovers at each corner. The SUV also comes equipped with custom axles and 33-inch BFGoodrich tires.

A 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8 crate engine resides under the hood and produces 426 hp (317 kW / 432 PS). It can be paired to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Speaking of performance, the Old School BR has four-wheel disc brakes with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston calipers out back. The company also adds a Wilwood master cylinder and a Hydratech hydro-boost system.

While ordering a Old School BR would be faster than waiting for Ford to launch the 2020 model, the build process still takes approximately six months to complete.