Are All Ford Broncos 4x4? Bronco vs Sport vs Bronco II
Last updated on October 26th, 2026 at 07:52 pm
Almost, but not quite. Every full-size Ford Bronco built from 1966 through 1996 and every 2021-and-newer Bronco is a 4x4. The compact Bronco Sport is sold as a 4x4, but it is really an automatic all-wheel-drive system with no low range. The one Bronco you could buy with only two driven wheels is the compact Bronco II (1984–1990), which went rear-wheel drive from 1986. Use the chart below to identify what you have.
Which Bronco drivetrain do you have?
Bronco vs Bronco Sport vs Bronco II: the drivetrain table
| Model | Years | Drive layout | Low range? | 2WD available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size Bronco (gens 1–5) | 1966–1996 | Four-wheel drive | Varies by year | No |
| Bronco II | 1984–1990 | 4WD, or rear-wheel drive from 1986 | Varies | Yes |
| Bronco (sixth gen, 2-door and 4-door) | 2021–present | 4x4 with a 2-speed transfer case (standard or Advanced) | Yes | No |
| Bronco Sport | 2021–present | Automatic on-demand AWD, marketed as 4x4 | No | No |
Is the 2021+ Bronco always 4x4?
Yes. Ford lists the current Bronco as a "midsize 2-door and 4-door 4x4 SUV" with a front-engine, center-mounted transfer case, and no two-wheel-drive version is offered. Two transfer cases exist, and this is where most owners get confused:
| Standard transfer case | Advanced 4x4 (optional) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 2-speed part-time, electronic shift-on-the-fly | 2-speed with automatic on-demand engagement (electromechanical clutch) |
| Low-range gear ratio | 2.72:1 | 3.06:1 |
| Crawl ratio, 10-speed auto | 57.19:1 | 67.80:1 |
| Crawl ratio, 7-speed manual | 79.92:1 | 94.75:1 |
| Transfer case fluid capacity | 1.3 quarts | 1.6 quarts |
| Flat/neutral towing | Yes (follow owner's manual) | Yes (follow owner's manual) |
Axles are a separate choice. Ford lists open differentials as standard front and rear, with optional Spicer Performa-TraK electronic-locking differentials (the Raptor has electronic-locking differentials). A locker is not the same thing as 4x4: it is a feature of one axle. Our guide to 4WD vs AWD vs 4A explains why the "4A" setting only exists with the Advanced system, and why it behaves differently from a true part-time 4H.
Crawl ratio and crawl speed calculator
Because the two transfer cases differ in low range, the same Bronco crawls at a different speed depending on which one it has. Pick your setup to see the crawl ratio and the speed at 1,000 rpm in first gear, low range.
More free tools: see all our off-road calculators for tire size, regear, air-down pressure, winch size and more.
Formula: crawl ratio = transmission 1st gear × transfer-case low × axle ratio. Speed (mph) = rpm × π × tire diameter ÷ (overall ratio × 1,056), ignoring torque-converter slip, so real speed is a little lower. Gear ratios are from Ford's 2026 spec sheet; computed crawl ratios land within about 0.5% of Ford's published 57.19, 67.80, 79.92 and 94.75 when you use the 4.46 or 4.70 axle. For what these numbers mean, see gear ratios explained. Results are estimates.
Is the Bronco Sport a 4x4?
Ford sells the Bronco Sport with "standard 4x4," and Ford's Badlands trim gets "Advanced 4x4" with a twin-clutch rear drive unit. But it is a compact, car-based vehicle with an on-demand AWD layout: it normally drives the front wheels and sends power to the rear as needed, and it has no 4-Low. It's capable on dirt roads, snow and light trails, but it cannot do what a full-size Bronco's transfer case can do. We cover the details in Is the Bronco Sport a 4x4? and how it handles snow.
Was the Bronco II ever 2WD?
Yes. The Bronco II was built for the 1984–1990 model years, and according to its history all of them were four-wheel drive until 1986, when rear-wheel drive became the standard layout. Rear-drive trucks still carried a transfer case with the front output capped. If you are shopping for one, don't trust the badge: look under the truck for a front driveshaft and front differential, and have the seller confirm the transfer case works.
How to check what your Bronco really has
- Look at the drive-mode dial or selector. A 4A position means the Advanced 4x4 system; a 2H/4H/4L-only selector means the standard transfer case.
- Check the window sticker or build sheet for "Advanced 4x4" and the axle options, since trims and packages change by year.
- Look under the vehicle: a front driveshaft and front differential mean four-wheel drive.
- If it has no 4L at all, it is a Bronco Sport (AWD).
Once you know, the right way to use it follows: how to shift into 4-Low, and when 4H is safe on pavement.
FAQ
Can you get a 2WD Ford Bronco?
Not in the modern lineup. The 2021-and-newer Bronco is 4x4 only, as were full-size Broncos from 1966 to 1996. Only the compact Bronco II was sold in a rear-wheel-drive version.
Is the Bronco Sport 4WD or AWD?
Ford calls it 4x4, but it works as automatic AWD and has no low range. Treat it like a capable AWD crossover.
Does a Bronco have a locking differential in every trim?
No. Ford lists open differentials as standard, with electronic-locking differentials optional and standard on the Raptor. Check your build sheet.
Can I leave a Bronco in 4A all the time?
4A exists only on Broncos with the Advanced 4x4 system. Follow your owner's manual; for the general logic, see our post on driving in 4A.
I'm Suryashankar Dasgupta, the founder of Off-Road Handbook. I've been off-roading for years in the USA, including California and Texas, and have ridden mountain and desert terrain abroad. I've also driven a Jeep Compass for more than seven years, so I know the day-to-day side of Jeep ownership first-hand, from the Uconnect screen to the warning lights. Every guide here is researched from manufacturer owner's manuals, NHTSA recall and service-bulletin records and other trusted sources, checked against them before it is published, and corrected when we find a mistake. You can read how we work in our editorial policy: https://offroadhandbook.com/editorial-policy/
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