A Bronco Pickup Is Reportedly Coming — And Ford May Be Taking Direct Aim at the Jeep Gladiator

A Bronco Pickup Is Reportedly Coming — And Ford May Be Taking Direct Aim at the Jeep Gladiator​

The Bronco family could be getting a major new member before the end of the decade, and this one comes with a bed.

For years, Bronco enthusiasts have wondered why Ford hasn't built a pickup version of the modern Bronco. After all, Jeep has the Gladiator, and Ford already has one of the most recognizable off-road names in the business.

Now, it appears Ford may finally be ready to do it.

According to multiple reports citing Ford's future product plans, a Bronco-based pickup truck is being targeted for production near the end of the decade, potentially arriving around 2029 or 2030.

And if it happens, the Jeep Gladiator will finally have the Bronco rival many off-road fans have been waiting for.

This Isn't the First Bronco Pickup Plan​

Interestingly, the idea isn't new.

Ford reportedly considered developing a pickup alongside the current-generation Bronco years ago. That project was ultimately canceled around 2021, when Ford was already struggling to build enough Broncos to keep up with demand.

Five years later, the situation has changed.

The Bronco has become one of Ford's most important enthusiast vehicles, and the company appears increasingly interested in expanding its biggest nameplates into entire families of vehicles.

A Bronco pickup would be a natural next step.

Built Alongside the Bronco​

Reports indicate that the new pickup would be produced at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, the same facility currently responsible for the Bronco and Ranger.

That's particularly interesting because the Bronco and Ranger already share Ford's T6-based vehicle architecture.

That relationship could give Ford a significant head start in developing a rugged Bronco pickup without creating an entirely new vehicle platform from scratch.

There are also reports that Ranger production could eventually move away from Michigan, potentially freeing additional manufacturing capacity for Bronco-branded vehicles.

Exactly what that means for the Ranger remains unclear.

Bronco vs. Gladiator​

This is where things could get really interesting.

A Bronco pickup wouldn't simply need to be another midsize truck. Ford already has the Ranger for that job.

Instead, we'd expect Ford to lean heavily into what makes the Bronco different: removable doors, open-air driving, serious trail capability and a huge aftermarket accessory ecosystem.

In other words, think less "Ranger with Bronco badges" and more Bronco with a pickup bed.

That formula would put it directly against the Jeep Gladiator.

Jeep took the Wrangler formula and stretched it into a pickup. Ford could essentially do the same thing with the Bronco.

And considering the rivalry that already exists between Bronco and Wrangler owners, adding pickup trucks to the fight could make things even more interesting.

Could We See a Bronco Raptor Pickup?​

Nothing has been confirmed about trim levels, engines or specifications, but Ford's existing Bronco lineup gives us plenty to speculate about.

Imagine a Bronco pickup offered in familiar trims such as Badlands, Wildtrak or even Raptor.

A Bronco Raptor pickup with wide fenders, massive tires, long-travel suspension and a usable bed would certainly get people's attention.

We could also see Sasquatch-equipped versions aimed directly at buyers who want a truck capable of going from the highway to the trail without immediately reaching for the aftermarket catalog.

For now, however, those possibilities remain speculation.

Ford hasn't released engine choices, towing capacity, payload numbers, dimensions or pricing for the reported truck.

A Hybrid Bronco May Come First​

The pickup may not be the next major addition to the Bronco lineup.

Reports also indicate that Ford is preparing a hybrid Bronco, potentially arriving before the pickup as Ford updates and expands the Bronco family.

That means the next several years could represent one of the biggest expansions of the Bronco name since Ford brought it back for the 2021 model year.

Bronco started as an SUV.

Then came Bronco Sport.

A hybrid is reportedly coming.

And before the decade is finished, we may finally have a Bronco pickup truck sitting beside them.

BroncoBusting Take​

We've been saying for years that a Bronco pickup makes too much sense for Ford to ignore forever.

The biggest question is what Ford decides to build.

If it's essentially a Ranger wearing Bronco styling, we're not sure that's enough.

But if Ford builds a legitimate open-air Bronco — removable doors, serious off-road hardware, Sasquatch capability and all — and simply adds a pickup bed behind it?

Now we're talking.

A true Bronco pickup could become one of the most interesting off-road trucks on the market and finally give the Jeep Gladiator the direct competition it has largely avoided since arriving in 2019.

The wait could still be several years, and Ford hasn't officially confirmed the vehicle yet.

But the Bronco pickup rumors suddenly look a lot more serious.

So here's the question for Bronco owners: Would you trade your current Bronco for a Bronco pickup — or should Ford leave the Bronco alone and let the Ranger handle truck duty?

Let us know in the comments at BroncoBusting.com.