Offroad Tapestries
Description: For the 1978 model year, the second-generation Bronco was introduced; to better compete with the K5, Ramcharger, and Cherokee, the Bronco arrived as a full-size SUV. In place of a model-specific chassis, the Bronco was adapted directly from the F-Series, becoming a shortened version of the F-100 4x4. Originally intended for a 1974 launch, the second-generation Bronco (named "Project Shorthorn" during its development) was postponed to 1978 in response to fuel economy concerns related to the 1973 fuel crisis; the second-generation Bronco was actually released for sale after development was nearly finalized on its 1980 successor. the second-generation Bronco proved successful, overtaking the Blazer and Ramcharger in sales for the first time.
Description: The 720 pickup was Datsun’s first foray into the 4-wheel drive mini-truck market in both long bed and extra-cab variants. It was introduced as a 1980 model and continued until 1986 when the Hardbody style (model D-21) was introduced as a 1986.5 model. Prior models of Datsun mini-trucks were the 521 and 620 which did not offer a 4-wheel drive option. The 720 featured an independent front suspension with torsion bar springs, a leaf spring live axle rear suspension, and a 4 cylinder engine displacing 2.0 liters at introduction, later enlarged to 2.4 liters. The manual transmission on the 720 drove a divorced transfer case that required extra clearance over a married setup, resulting in the 720 4×4 models having a lifted look and riding higher.
Description: The Blazer’s story began in 1969 when the first K5 rolled out to compete with the similar sport utility rigs on the market. Based on full-size pickup truck frame underpinnings, the Blazer was larger than the competition with an interior that could be configured to hold one to five passengers and for an open-air experience, the rig’s fiberglass top could be removed. Options included air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, push-button radio, heavy-duty shocks and springs and an auxiliary battery. In its first year of production, customers could only get their Blazers with four-wheel drive, but chose from three different engines ranging from a 4.1-liter inline six-cylinder to a 5.7-liter V8.
Description: The Jeep Cherokee is a line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Jeep over five generations. Originally marketed as a variant of the Jeep Wagoneer, the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size SUV to one of the first compact SUVs and into its current generation as a crossover SUV.
