First Place
'66-'77 Ford Bronco
That there isn't a Jeep at the top of this list surprised us at first, but it probably shouldn't have. The classic Ford 4x4 was a clear favorite among three-fourths of our voters, and it was the second vehicle (of only two, remember) that our staff picked unanimously.
The reasons why the first-generation Broncos topped our list were pretty well summed up by Currie: "They're very capable, very reliable, and V-8 powered." Added Brubaker, "These cool trucks sported V-8 engines, a Dana 44 front axle, 9-inch rear axle, and front disc brakes. Their value is increasing day by day, and I wish I had a garage full of 'em so I could retire."
What also helped bump the early Bronco ahead of the Second-place Land Cruiser and TJ were the votes received for the Baja Bronco, the Bill Stroppe-built desert-race replica that Currie called "the ultimate hot-off-the-lot 4x4 of the '70s." Hall voted for a very special Stroppe Bronco, one nicknamed "Hall's Ass," that helped inspire Ford to market the poppy red, white, and blue Baja Broncos. "I won the 1969 Baja 1000 overall in a 1969 Stroppe-prepared Ford Bronco, the only four-wheel-drive to ever win the Baja 1000 overall," he told us. Today, this vehicle is restored and on display at Pike's Mobil in Baker, California.
Our Experts And Their Lists
Mark A. Smith
Jeep Jamboree USA
Where would four-wheeling be without Mark Smith? Back in 1952, he and a bunch of fellow Rotarians staged the first annual Jeep trek over the Rubicon Trail, with the aim of boosting the local economy. They did that and more-50 years later that small trip has grown into a four-wheeling icon that now encompasses more than 30 Jeep Jamborees across the country. Mark now acts as a consultant to the Jeep Division of DaimlerChrysler, conducts driver training for the U.S. Army Special Forces and other military agencies, and operates Jeep Jamboree USA with his daughter Jill and son Greg.
1. '78 CJ-7
2. '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee
4. Jeep flatfender
5. Early Toyota Land Cruiser
6. Early Land Rover
The Staff Weighs In
Jon Thompson
Editor
1. '78 Land Cruiser FJ-40
2. '47 Jeep CJ-2A
3. '81 Jeep CJ-7
4. '82 Jeep CJ-8
5. '77 Ford Bronco
6. Any Dodge Power Wagon
7. '74 Jeep Cherokee
8. '78 Chevy Suburban
9. '80 Scout diesel
10. '79 Toyota 4x4 pickup
Craig Perronne
Features Editor
1. '73-'87 Chevy trucks
2. '66-'77 Ford Bronco
3. '78-'79 Ford Bronco
4. Any Jeep Wrangler TJ
5. Any Ford Super Duty
6. '84-'85 Toyota pickup
7. Any '73-'87 Chevy 1-ton pickup
8. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40
9. '94-'01 Dodge Ram 1/2-ton
10. '73-'91 Chevy Suburban
Ken Brubaker
Features Editor
1. '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
2. '85 Toyota pickup
3. '77 International Scout
4. '76-'77 Ford Bronco
5. '71 Chevrolet Blaze
6. '68 Land Rover Series IIA
7. '02 Jeep Liberty
8. Any Suzuki Samurai
9. Ford Excursion
10. '94-'01 Dodge Ram pickup