There are myriad ways that the future Ford Bronco could be utterly botched when it returns to North America for the 2020 model year – chief among them, the iconic model could get soft around the edges, and end up yet another street-bound SUV with no real off-road credibility.
But last month, legendary drivetrain parts supplier Dana confirmed that the 2020 Ford Bronco (and the 2019 Ford Ranger) will have “front and rear axles featuring our latest AdvanTEK gear technology.” Dana’s solid axles are, of course, what give the rugged Jeep Wrangler its undisputed rock-crawling confidence, and while the company also makes plenty of independent-suspension axles, Autoweek suspects that the new Bronco’s axles will be of the solid variety.
A Ford spokesperson declined to confirm that notion with Autoweek, but did say that the future Ford Bronco “will meet the needs of our most demanding off-road enthusiasts.” Solid front and rear axles would help the automaker reach that goal.
Autoweek says that the Ford Bronco’s axles will be built at the same, new Dana plant in Toledo, Ohio that is soon to start producing the solid axles that drive the Jeep Wrangler. It’s yet another sign that, despite concern from hardcore off-roading fans, there is hope yet for the new body-on-frame SUV from Ford could be a true mountain-climber.
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