79 Bronco

[4x4ever]

I currently own a 80 bronco, and I'm thinking about buying a reconditioned 79 bronco. I was wondering what were some of the major problems associated with this year, and how are they better or worse than an 80'?

 

[BASE861]

I currently own a 80 bronco, and I'm thinking about buying a reconditioned 79 bronco. I was wondering what were some of the major problems associated with this year, and how are they better or worse than an 80'?

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The only problem with the '79 model is that it was only made for a couple years. I am not too keen on the motor choice for those years but you can toss in a 460 easily. The '79 had a solid front axle and a curvier body. A lot of other things that were options for the '80 model were also available for the '79. They are getting expensive like the Early Broncos now though.

 

[davids78bronco]

A 1979 Bronco was only made for a couple years?

While a little heavier, a 79 is far stronger than an 80

 

[BLADE262US]

LOL pretty sure he meant that body style 1978 to 1979 only real difference being the 78 had round headlights where the 79 had sqare . Although im sure if you really wanted too the body parts from a 73 through 79 F150 or F250 would bolt onto the 78/79 bronco body then when people saw it they would be all confused because of the different grilles . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[BLADE262US]

Oh yeah and an 8o bronco actually came with a 9 inch rear but had the TTB up front /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[79bigbronco]

In 78 the lower model broncos had round lights, the XLT's & Lariets had the same square ones as the 79's. In 80 the frames were lightend up too much , by having holes in it all over the place, the 80's ford light truck Knocked Ford out of first place For sales, a title they had for many yr's with the " ranger "style of trucks.(67-79), the 70's trucks never came with power acc.They are alot heavier, but the frames & other comp. are the strongest 1/2 ton driveline made, c6-205-rear 9"-frt. dana 44. If you don't have a 79 bronco , then you want all the driveline to put in yours.Oh yea the engines are lame , but thats what 460's are for !

 

[marvin]

just wondering what's wrong with the 400 ?? that's what mine has in it and i like it fine and to add to the topic i had a 81 before this 78 and i like my 78 a lot more and i have found that parts are easy to find like someone already said 73-79 truck parts go right on and most can't tell

 

[79bigbronco]

351m/400's are a low compression engine, hard to find performance parts for, and have weak bottom ends, they are a casualty of Gov. emission reg's. of the late 70's, when it was thought that detuning, and lowering comp. ratios would produce less emisions, and increase fuel economy. OH! that didn't work did it! thats what fuel inj. is for, & comp. makes the fuel burn cleaner, other than that they are fairly reliable as long as you don't ab-"use" them. Personally I have taken the bottom end out of 4 of them , but as I said thats what 460's are for.

 

[Broncobuster]

with minor mods the 400 is a good, strong motor. I run one that is basically stock, with Holley intake and a quad. The bottom end prob seems to be that the oil first goes to the cam then to the bottom end. This can be changed fairly easily. I have flogged mine many times, have over 100k on it and it still gets me where I want to go every day. Nothing against 460's, they are well supported in the aftermarket.

The biggest prob. I have had with my 78 is the rear window motor, and cancer. Other than that, keep an eye on the front end bushings.

 

[texan79&96]

its already been said on here but if you want a fullsize bronco the more you learn the more your gonna want 78-79. the 1980 model was the introduction of the ttb fronted (wanders, stresses crossmember, breaks drop brackets..etc) the 80 frame design was so weak that some suspension companys list the ttb lifts as 81-96. the 78-79s are the stongest half ton platforms ever made period. also the only with coils until the 94-2001 dodges. the new 05 super dutys have even gone back to the early bronco suspenion design! as i learned about the different components i bought a donor truck 79 to put everything under my 96 but eventualy just got a 79 bronco ranger xlt. they are some great trucks! the only real differences that i know of between the 78-79 are the headlight buckets, the brake pedal/powerbooster setup, and the 79 is supposed to have a stronger rear driveshaft and it also has more emmisions. the rear 9" also have different size studs in those 2 years. the 78-79 front axle was only around for 2 years and is unique for its high pinion coil sprung reverse d44. people with 80-up trucks are always looking for these to replace the ttb. doesnt make senese not to start with one of these if you can find one.

 

[79F150]

My 400 is running around 380hp and 450 ftlbs of torque. I have a plenty of motor and it weighes alot less than a 460.

All you need to get the compression up is to put in flat top pistons. (to get rid of the dish pistons) If you buy the 351c pistons and have the rist pin holes on the rods bushed down you can even run a pop up piston. I run the Comp cam 265 DEH .510/.526 lift. a little light porting on the exhuast runners. Edelbrock intake and carb. Also put in a 3 key timeing chain set to get rid of the cam ****** I am running 4* advanced on my cam.

Expect to run super unleaded though.

 

[lbcustomz]

You know the saying, opinions, everyone has one. 78-79 broncos are strong as

**** and have endless possibilties for modification. Engine and trans combo is all up to budget. 351, 400, and 460's all have there pros and cons, but its all in what you want. Rust can be an issue in the quarters and rockers. The rear window has its share of electrical problems, usually easily fixed with time and patience. They

are getting expensive, but well worth it in the long run. I had a 78, and currently

running a 79, and like em more than any later model i've driven (granted most i see come in the shop are having a bad day to begin with)

 

[79F150]

Rust can be an issue in the quarters and rockers.

I love the south!!!!

 

[lbcustomz]

"Rust" the consquence of being able to go out and play in the

snow and the reason the aftermarket sheetmetal industry stays in buisness

 

[coop7379]

78-79 broncos realy are some of the strongest trucks made. i have a 79 with a stock motor, 6" lift, detroit lockter rear, eaton pro up front. and 410 gears. every one in town calls me when they get stuck becouse i am the one with the best reputation for getting people out. i have even pulled out a 12" lifted gmc 3600 with a 7.8 desel with lockers front and rear with eas. the only problems i have had is the rear window moter and stearing bushings and i have played very hard since i bought the truck two years ago >