1969 FS Bronco

[bnl44]

Ok… I know I’m not the first one to think of this. Although I have had this idea since I built my 67 SWB 4x4 way back in 1980. I could never bring myself to cut up the 67 since it is more of a family member than a possession.

I know there are more of you out there that have thought of taking on this project, but either the means, resources or round-tuit, have just not all come up at the same time.

I have seen a few of these projects…. Bump trucks put on a bronco frame, Bump skins welded to newer bronco bodies. But none the way I would do it.

My goal is to make this truck look like one Ford would have built. (Proto type?)

1969 Ford full size Bronco, 2WD.

I know.. I know, Broncos are suppose to be 4WD, but I have enough 4x4’s and only one 2WD.

So... I would like you to meet the truck:
1969 F-100 Ranger, 2WD 360 A/T LWB

And to be assimilated:
1979 Bronco Ranger XLT w/trailering package. 4x4 400M A/T Dealer Air (lots of nice candy)

[1971ford]

Guy in my city has a bumpside bronco. I just saw it on craigslist yesterday i think. I've talked to him before, i forget the specs. I have pictures of it going through the transformation i'll try to find.

[bnl44]

Bronco disassembly:

[bnl44]

Truck disassembly.

[averagef250]

Definitely keep up the project! I'd love to build the same thing (except 4x4) and have thought quite a bit about how to go about it. Never figured out how I'd do the door jambs... Really look forward to this part in your build.

Good luck!!

[1971ford]

Here's the bronco i was referring to, guy lives right by me. I like the way you're going about doing the conversion better, though.
I still plan on doing this conversion in the future as well, also starting with a 78/79, but 4x4.

[bnl44]

Yep, seen that picture.

It looks like a 1980 -> on the door above the bump, the drip rail, front edge of door is curved instead of vertically straight, as the true bumps are.

I would like to see what they did for tail lights.

[bnl44]

More Bronco disassembly.

Drilling out spot welds for inner bow.


Showing inner lock pillar reinforcement. I need to make sure this is used on the 69’ it is the main body strength for the center.


Inner bow removed.


I needed a better look at the outside of the lock pillar reinforcement. Make sure I don’t cut up areas I need to keep whole.


Upper seat belt mount stayed with the bow. I know the 3 point seat belt may not be true 69’, but I would like to keep the added safety.


Inner bow removed, setting in the bed.


More clean up to do on this part before it goes back in. I will have to add a filler piece as the door glass is shorter on the bumps. If this doesn’t make sense, don’t worry I will show it when it gets reassembled.

[bnl44]

Bronco body removal:

A twin post lift makes this easy.




Body sitting on trailer.



Trimming away lock pillar and rocker. Will be using the door frame of the 69’, need the bronco floor and lock pillar reinforcement.


A little dissecting here to determine what needs to stay and what needs to go.

[bnl44]

The body swap:

Pulling the engine off of the Bronco frame.



Bronco done.

Pulling the Pickup cab.




2 Frames

Installing Pickup cab.


Cab back won’t clear rear cab mounts.

Problem solved!

4x4 power steering box won’t clear inner fender.

Problem solved!

Box removed.

Front cab mounts line up perfectly.

Temporary rear cab mounts, wooden blocks.

Looks like a short box pickup.

[bnl44]

More trimming.
Bracing the roof on the Bronco for cowl removal.

Rocker trimmed out leaving lock pillar reinforcement and heavy floor cross member.

Measuring the roof depth on the Pickup.

Measuring cut line on the Bronco.

Cut here.

Floor marked for cut.

Removing the roof on the Pickup.



That’s my Connie in the upper corner. She’s been getting a little neglected since I started this project.
She’s been flipping me the fender every time I walk by.

Looks like a cab for a camper.

Saving the rockers and door jambs.

Excess sheet metal removed.

Bronco cowl and dash.

I’ll be keeping the bedsides on for now to help with alignment and strength of rear body.


Getting ready for test fit.

[390Nut]

Nice looking 14. And nice looking Bronco project, too.

[Fordnatic]

Subscribing!

[lowridingf250]

I hate getting the fender flipped. good build tho

[bnl44]

Here it goes together smooth as butter.



Ok… so it was more like frozen butter on soft bread!
More trimming,

Cut the ends off of the front floor brace, couldn’t squeeze the floor with brace between the rocker panels. They will be welded back on after assembly.

A little persuasion.

Roof looks way to long. Maybe I shouldn’t have cut the roof totally off of the pickup cab.

Sail panel. A big gap due to the two different body lines.
Got an idea how to give it a factory appearance.


Looks pretty sweet as a 4x4. Might have to rethink the 2WD idea????


Can’t wait to get the bed sides changed out.

Looks like I will be able to get in a little ride time on Saturday. That should keep Connie happy for a short while.