1978 Ford Bronco Restoration Project

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 33 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #134 in Autos, #12,023 overall

The Ford Bronco was produced by The Ford Motor Company from 1966 through 1996. It had five generations. Ours is a 1978 full size truck. This redesign was based on the F-150. Ford started the redesign in 1972, codenamed Project Short-Horn, but introduction was delayed by concerns over the mid-1970s fuel crisis.

I acquired this Bronco from my wife's cousin for $400. It was a mess when I got it. So far I have replaced the brakes, exhaust system, cooling system, shocks, electrical and the side body panels. I really enjoy working on this project.

About the Ford Bronco 

The Ford Bronco was a sport-utility vehicle produced from 1966 through 1996, with five distinct generations.

The Bronco was initially its own platform introduced as a competitor for small four-wheel-drive utility trucks such as the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. A major redesign based on a shortened Ford F-Series truck in 1978 brought a larger Bronco to compete with the similarly adapted Chevrolet Blazer. Thus, Broncos can generally be divided into two categories: Early Broncos (1966-1977), and full-size Broncos (1978-1996). However, no matter which year it was built, four wheel drive and low range were standard on every Bronco built through its thirty year run. Very few 2 wheel drive broncos were ever produced and almost all of those were made for sale outside of the United States.

The full-size Broncos and the successor Expedition were produced at Ford's Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan.

The Bronco permanently entered popular culture on June 17, 1994, as the vehicl...

Front of the 1978 Ford Bronco

Body Work 

Time has taken its toll on the body of the old Bronco. Both driver and passenger side rear quarter panels where pretty rusted out. Here are before and after pictures of the passenger side rear quarter panel.

Body Work Photo 

Side of the Bronco

73 Ford Bronco Body: S21, TMX, EMX, S25,SAVX 

73 Ford Bronco Body, Clear: S21, TMX, EMX,S25,SAVX

Amazon Price: $29.87 (as of 12/01/2009)Buy Now
List Price: $36.00

Bronco Sites 

ClassicBroncos.com: Early Bronco Community for 66-77 Ford Bronco
Early Bronco forums, free classifieds, Ford Bronco tech modifications and other Bronco resources.
ProjectBronco.COM! A 78-79 Ford Bronco Resource Center
The ultamate resource page for 78 & 79 Ford Broncos, including technical articles, history articles, 4x4 rebuilds, and the 351M/400.
Early Bronco HQ: 1966-77 Ford Broncos as well as 70's, 80's & 90's Full Size Trucks
BroncoHQ.com is a huge Early Bronco Site and is the premier provider of technical information for 1966-77 Ford Broncos and a prime desitnation
for clubs, parts, for sale listings, events and pictures.
Ford Bronco Zone Forums (Powered by Invision Power Board)
The Best Ford Bronco & Ford SUV Source!
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard
66 - 77 Early Ford Bronco Parts Source, 73 - 96 Ford F series Pickup Truck Full Size Bronco Parts. Power Brake Power Steering Conversions, Lift kits, Fabritech Solid Axle Swaps, New Sheet Metal & Trim

Bronco Parts on eBay 

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Cool Bronco Stuff on eBay 

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by jbdkz

I love restoring old cars and trucks! (more)

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