1978 Full Size Bronco that ford never built (2WD)

[dablack00]

Ok guys. I'm picking up a 78/79 bronco tub and I'm going to be converting it to 2wd. I already have a good 68 SWB frame and suspension so I'm going to use the front frame section from it to put on the bronco frame.

So I will have a 2wd, 1978 full size bronco that ford never built.

I'm bringin home the tub and all the parts this weekend.

I will have pics as soon as I can.

NOTE: I have changed this thread because 68 sheet metal won't bolt onto a bronco cab.

Austin

[taylor351]

you are stealing my ideas....no money but lots of ideas:D

Keith

[dablack00]

yeah, I have been kicking around this idea since 1992 when I had my old 69 long bed. I have two little girls and we are about to get two more kids so that will mean four. No offence to the crewcab guys but the body lines always seem a little off to me. Since ford didn't build a full size bronco in 68, I decided to build my own. The cool thing is, I'm putting a splitch bench in the front so if I want to take 6 people, I can. Good times.

[1971ford]

i had this exact idea too!!! i have been wanting to do this for a long time and was looking forward to doing it when i get land and time to do it. You beat me to it

[67mann]

Ok guys. I'm picking up a 78/79 bronco tub and I'm going to be putting it on a 68 SWB frame. This will put the rear axle too far back so I'm going to have to move it forward. Also the rear tub mounts will be too wide for the 68 frame so I might have to attach some sort of side mounts. I already have a good 68 SWB frame and suspension so that is why I'm doing this.

Here is the big kicker. I want to use 67-72 sheet metal so it will look like a bump side. I think I'm even going to title it using the 68 frame so it will be a 68 F100 short bed by title. I have a nice set of 72 fenders, hood, and doors. I also have a couple of 68 grills to pick from. The only two hard parts will be the dash the making the dent into a bump on the rear bronco body.

So I will have a 2wd, 1968 full size bronco that ford never built. I'm even going to run 1968 texas plates on it.

I'm bringin home the tub and all the parts this weekend.

I'm hoping it won't take too much to put that tub on the 68 frame.

Does anyone know how the metal dash comes out of a 67-72? I have a good cab that will give its nice metal dash to the bronco project.

I will have pics as soon as I can.

Austin

You'll either have to cut or find the spot welds in the firewall and the same go's for the sides.If your just going to trash the cab--I would cut out close to what ya want and then undo spot welds. Just cut one out for myself and it will be tediuos to get the whole thing out to reuse

[dablack00]

Never mind! The my nice 71 doors do NOT bolt onto the bronco cab. I thought you could swap 67-72 doors with 73-79 doors and that might be true but not for broncos.

So, no go for the 68 full size bronco.

I'm just going to build it as a 78 bronco but with 2WD!

I'm going to change the title of this thread if I can.

[flyboy71]

The only two hard parts will be the dash the making the dent into a bump on the rear bronco body.


Does anyone know how the metal dash comes out of a 67-72? I have a good cab that will give its nice metal dash to the bronco project.


I just removed my dash and put pics up on the 'interior' forum. Im swapping it into another bump cab.

[dablack00]

flyboy,

Thanks for the help but I have decided not to go that way. I'm going to leave the bronco a 78 but make it 2wd. I know this is a 67-72 ford truck site but I thought most everyone here would be interested in the conversion.

thanks
Austin

[Joshpow]

Build your own bronco tub from a bump era cab and bed!!! I've always wanted to toy with that idea, but I could never afford it and dont have the skills either. Just cut the cab back out and weld the shortened bedsides and floor to the cab. Make up a way to add the bronco top on back, and there you go! I know, that is probably too much work, but it would be cool. Also, an extremely short unibody style bump era truck on a 2wd modded bronco frame would be cool too.

[dablack00]

Yes, a 67-72 bronco would be very cool but I just don't have the time. If the bump doors and fenders would have bolted on the bronco tub, then it would have been pretty easy but they don't so I don't think I want to tackle that big of a project right now.

Also, about your idea of using a bronco frame with a bump side cab and bed welded together, well it won't work. The bronco frame is very unique and the bump bed won't bolt on at all. If you look in the back of the bronco tub any time soon, you will see that .

I will soon have the bronco frame next to the 77 truck frame and I will show the difference. From the rear cab mounts back, there is a bid difference. Now, if you got a bronco frame, put on a truck cab and then built a little flat bed that would be cool for sure!

[rjewkes]

what about the changing out the the door jams?

[71 LONG BED]

flyboy,

Thanks for the help but I have decided not to go that way. I'm going to leave the bronco a 78 but make it 2wd. I know this is a 67-72 ford truck site but I thought most everyone here would be interested in the conversion.

thanks
Austin

Hey, if you doing something different, why not put a bumpside dash in a dentside bronco?
I think it would be awesome!!

[Joshpow]

. I didn't mean to use it without modifying the bed floor. I figured the mounts and floor would need tweaked. I would like to see the differences if you get a pic. Just cool for a tidbit of info to know. I know both would be tough, and time consuming, but I was just dreaming big!!!!! Good luck and hope to see this thing looking good soon. Keep us posted.

[1971ford]

[dablack00]

Here are some pics, but I'm not going to get much done on this in the next couple of weeks because I'm putting AC in my 71.

Here is the rear of the bronco. You can see it is up off the frame and the frame is already finished.



front shot. Again, you can see it is up off the frame. I have the complete front sheetmetal with new doors, new fenders and a good hood. I also have the grill.



When I bought this project it came with everything but the suspension and drivetrain. I bought a running 77 F150 to get the frame and suspension from right behind the front cab mounts. I will take the front frame "stub" and put it on the bronco. Making the bronco a 2wd. I will also keep and use the 302/C4 from the 77. I will also use the rear axle and springs.





Engine looks nice and original. Also the wiring looks like it hasn't been messed with either. The fenders look like they have never been off the truck. This is one of the many reasons I bought this truck. I was worried about finding all the little fasteners to put the bronco together and with this "parts" truck, I won't have to. For those of you that have to know, I bought the bronco for $600 and the 77 parts truck for $600. I drove the 77 across houston in traffic. I has a new heater core, new radiator, new hoses, new carb, new lots of stuff. The C4 shifts fine and the 302 runs rough but I think it just needs a tune up. We will see. Oh yeah and the exhaust is brand new along with the tires. So I got a very nice deal.

Austin