New Here With My First Bronco

[BradIXXI]

Hello, I am in Dallas, Texas. I have bought my first Bronco a couple months back, a 1978 Bronco with its original engine, a Ford 400.
It was a non-running, picked out of the middle of a field, truck when I bought it. I have been just removing rotten or decaying items and planning where I want to go with this build. I would like to be able to daily drive this vehicle some day and be able to rely on it not breaking down leaving me stranded, buy not to modify it so much as to lose the original look of the truck.
Two questions to start with:
1. What is the best Engine/Transmission swap for a reliable truck? I've been thinking Ford 300 with turbo, or maybe 12 valve Cummins...
2. Does Glasstite still make the topper/back windshield that converts a '78-'79 Bronco into a Pickup?

Thanks for any help and I look forward to conversations about these beautiful vehicles!

Brad

 

[Tiha]

Welcome!

I think the engine swap would be based on your skill level. 12 valve would probably cost the most. Do you want fuel injection, or is a carb setup okay?

 

[BradIXXI]

Welcome!

I think the engine swap would be based on your skill level. 12 valve would probably cost the most. Do you want fuel injection, or is a carb setup okay?

Carb is OK, but I want reliability as an everyday driver and driving across the country reliably and efficiently.
Sounds like you might have some ideas...

 

[Tiha]

It is more work but personally I would probably go for a fuel injected 5.8 from 93 and newer. More work with all of the wires but fuel injection, electronic ignition eliminate a lot of problems especially for road trips. If it sits a bunch, seems like fuel injected engines handle the sitting better.

After that, a carb engine, it is personal preference, a 460 mild build is what I would do. I think the 300 would be a little underpowered. 5.0 or 5.8 carb engine is fine. I would spend more time getting things like ignition module, coil off the engine away from the heat. Still add an electric fuel pump.

Fun project to think about.

7.3 IDI diesel with add on turbo would do well. Again simple design, dependable. But heavy and noisy.

 

[L\Bronco]

Hey Brad, welcome to the zone!
I have a 79 and had the same thoughts, heres a link to my build thread.

1979 Bronco- 2003 Lightning swap

Hey Guys, I have posted a few picts here and there of my work in progress. I thought I'd try my hand at a build thread. I only started posting recently, so sorry if this isn't up to standard. I restored a 1979 Bronco from the ground up in 1991 when my kids were very young 351M 10.5...

www.broncozone.com

(Hope it works)

I love driving it and it is super reliable!
Absolutely no regrets!
Id suggest efi, for reliability, carbs struggle with ethanol fuels (even at E10)
The 12 valve will be reliable, it should have enough power, it will stink and rattle (they are awefully noisy.)
If you are willing to go that deep, do a 24 valve, or stay pure and go 6.7.
Then you have an electronic trans, o/d and lockup converter, not to mention 6-10 speeds which will work wonders for mpg.
Just my thoughts
The extra work is worth it!
Mine has 400hp
17-19 mpg and steers and stops like a new truck. (Just a slight improvement over the 400 c/6)
Just sayin
Good luck with the planning!

Cheers

 

[johnnyreb]

Welcome to the club. I have 2-78 bronco,s. One has the 400 auto (out now and getting ready to rebuild it soon and the other one has a 390 in it. I have put alot of time and new parts in it and HOPEFULLY get it on the road soon. They ride good and will go about any where. They do like gas. if you rebuild the 400. Put a regulat timing chain in it---NOT the original style that has the OFF -SET GEARS. They will cause you to loose power and drink more gas.and loose power

 

[johnnyreb]

Hey L/Bronco----would you happen to have the pil tube and pick-up screen for a 352-to 428 ford? Or know where I can get one? I called Green sales and someone bought all of their merchandise---they wouldn,t say who. You might want to tell other too.

 

[L\Bronco]

Sorry Johnny, I dont. Not sure where to source either. Sorry

 

[johnnyreb]

Sorry Johnny, I dont. Not sure where to source either. I have s\ome,but can,nt find them. I went ahead and ordered one from EBAY---its supose to be hear Friday---nuy FED EX----hARD TO TELL WHERE IT MIGHT END UP. wE HAVE LOUSEY fed-ex service hear.

 

[johnnyreb]

UPDATE===========July 8th,2026. It was the wrong pick-up tube. The one they sent was for a diesel. I,ll sale to to someone. I did find a oil pan and a oil pick up tube. IN MY BACK YARD ON A 390 I HAVE. I got my pick up out of the way yesterday--what a work out. Found the plate that bolts to the top of the intake today. Now I,ll wait for it to get shadey this evening and put my engine hoist under it and raise the motor and take the pan and oil pick up tube and pump of,but I have a new STANDARD PUMP to put back on it. It,s hot hear,my blood pressure is good --I,m takin my time and really feel goodthings are finally comin together. i was lookin at the motor the other day--took some pictuers.(as soon as I learn how to post them I will) lookin at the area of the exhaust pipes about putting headers on it. Because the original exhaust manifolds are killer to the 390-. I am looking to get a set of shorty headers for it. From what I see I,ll have to cut a little off of the inner fender wheel well on the passenger. Doesn,t matter anyway--I have a little ares with rusted holes in it. Then I,ll put a set of the OLD THRUSH EXHAUST SIDE PIPES .That will mount under the door. I have 3 sets of them. A friend got mad because I wouldn,t let him have a set. I told him I was gonna put one set on the other bronco and the 3rd set on my 49 Chevroley Fleetline.