Second-generation Bronco / 1979
Second-generation Bronco · model year 1979
1979 Ford Bronco
Final solid-axle full-size year · rectangular lamps · catalytic converter
The 1979 Bronco carried over the 1978 formula with few changes, and Ford built 104,038 of them, a record for the full-size Bronco up to then. W2HG2BOT
It was the last year of the solid front axle in a full-size Bronco and of the 351M/400 V8-only lineup. The 1980 redesign brought Twin-Traction Beam and a base six. HG2W2HM3
Today the 1978–79 trucks are the collectible full-size Broncos. Hagerty reported a record $67,725 Bring a Trailer sale for an unrestored 1979 in 2020. HG2
Quick facts
Identification guide
Year tells
- Rectangular headlamps on every trim. W2
- Catalytic converter in the exhaust. W2
- Serial in the DC0,001–FK9,000 range (Ford parts catalog). FDF
Vs. 1978: 1978 Customs had round headlamps and no catalytic converter.
Vs. 1980: 1980 brought an all-new, lighter Bronco with Twin-Traction Beam front suspension and a 300 six.
What changed for 1979
- Rectangular headlamps became standard on all Broncos, including the Custom. W2MT2
- Ford added emissions equipment, including a catalytic converter on both V8s. W2
- Taller captain's-chair front seats became optional. W2
- The Free Wheelin' striping design was revised. W2
Reading the VIN
- Format: U15 (Bronco wagon), engine letter (H = 351, S = 400), plant letter (L = Michigan Truck), then a two-letter, four-digit serial. Example of the format: U15HL followed by the serial. FDFFSC
- From 1978 the serial uses two letters and four numbers (e.g. XX0,000). FDF
- 1979 serial range: DC0,001–FK9,000 (Ford's Oct 1979 truck parts catalog). FDF
- The door tag also shows the model code, U150 or U151, which owners link to the GVW rating (U151 = 6,400 lb per one owner). FSC
Options & packages explained
- Custom (base) and Ranger XLT. Ford's figures split 1979 production into 48,274 Customs and 55,764 Ranger XLTs. MT2BOT
- The 1979 Ranger XLT package cost $637. It included chrome bumpers, bright trim, bodyside moldings, full carpet, an insulation package, woodgrain inserts, a sport steering wheel, upgraded seats and a spare-tire cover. MT2
- C6 automatic optional for $219. In California only the automatic was offered. MT2
- NP205 part-time transfer case standard; full-time NP203 a no-charge option with the automatic. MT2
- Axles: Dana 44 front (3,550-lb rating) and 9-inch rear (3,750 lb); 3.50:1 most common, with 4.11 and 3.00 restricted with the 400 four-speed. GVW 6,100 lb, or 6,550 with the $110 heavy-duty suspension. Quad front shocks were $79. MT2
- Free Wheelin' package with revised striping. W2
Colors
FORDification's list of Ford light-truck paint codes for 1979, from Ford's 1973–79 truck parts catalog and color brochures. It covers all Ford light trucks, so a given color may not have been offered on the Bronco.
| Code | Ford light-truck color, 1979 |
|---|---|
| 1 | Maroon Metallic |
| 2 | Medium Copper |
| 4 | Light Medium Pine |
| 5 | Dark Blue Metallic |
| 6 | Bright Yellow (Lorain plant only per Ford's 1979 color brochure) |
| 7 | Desert Gold Metallic |
| 8 | Medium Blue Metallic |
| 9 | Prime |
| A | Raven Black |
| B | Dark Jade Metallic |
| D | Medium Vaquero Metallic |
| E | Maroon (Oakville plant only) |
| F | Dark Brown Metallic |
| H | Dark Brown Metallic |
| I | Bright Medium Blue |
| J | Silver Metallic |
| K | Light Medium Blue |
| M | Wimbledon White |
| O | Silver Metallic |
| P | Coral |
| R | Light Jade |
| S | Dark Blue Metallic |
| T | Candyapple Red |
| U | Cream |
| V | Medium Chestnut Metallic |
| X | Chamois |
| Y | Medium Golden Sand Metallic |
| Z | Medium Tan Metallic |
Documented 1979 Bronco examples include Jade Green/Wimbledon White two-tone (MotorTrend), Wimbledon White/Coral (Hagerty) and Silver Metallic. MT2HG2
Buyer's checklist
Body
- Floors front and rear, checked from underneath. One owner's truck was rusted through at the rear passenger side. FS2
- Tailgate bottom and drains, the classic full-size Bronco rust spot. Check the weatherstrips too. FS2MTG
- Inner rear fender lips, B-pillar bottoms and the lower door-striker corners. FS2
- Above the windshield, where the gasket meets the roof. One owner had to replace a roof. FS2
- Under the 'racetrack' side molding, especially on the front fenders. FS2
- Radiator core support and the body mounts under the firewall. FS2
Tailgate window
- Run the glass from the dash switch and the key. Stuck windows are a forum staple, and corroded tailgate harness connectors are a common cause. FS2
- A rusted tailgate torsion bar makes the gate dangerously heavy. MTG
Mechanical
- C6: check for pump-seal leaks and red, not brown or burnt, fluid. FS2
- Radius-arm bushings, the exhaust manifolds/Y-pipe and transfer-case operation. FS2
- Engines, the 9-inch and the C6 are cheap and easy to rebuild. Rust is the real cost, so one owner says to buy the most rust-free truck you can. FS2
Paperwork and originality
- Match the VIN engine letter (H = 351M, S = 400) to the engine claimed. FDFFSC
- Originality drives value. Hagerty notes an unrestored base Custom outsold a restored 400 Ranger XLT at auction. HG2
- Custom versus Ranger XLT: in 1978, round headlamps mean Custom. W2MT2
Common upgrades & swaps
- Engine replacement: owners note good used 351M, 400 and 460 engines are cheap, and the 460 big-block fits the chassis. FS2
- 9-inch rear: rebuild it or swap in a complete third member. FS2
- C6: cheap to rebuild or replace with a built unit. FS2
- Interior and trim parts are widely shared with 1973–79 F-Series trucks, and many are improved over factory design. FS2W2
Parts compatibility
| System | 1979 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Front clip, doors, front roof, dash | Shared with 1973–79 F-100/F-Series | W2 |
| Front axle | Dana 44, coil-sprung, solid (1978–79 only in full-size) | W2HG2 |
| Rear axle | Ford 9-inch | W2MT2 |
| Transfer case | NP205 (part-time) or NP203 (full-time) | W2MT2 |
| Engine | 351M/400 (335 series); the 460 was not offered in 4WD from the factory | MT2FDF |
| Rear top | 1978–79 fiberglass lift-off top | W2 |
Values
- Hagerty (June 2020): average #1 (Concours) value for a 1979 was $48,900. HG2
- 2020 Bring a Trailer records: $60,375 for a restored 400 Ranger XLT, then $67,725 for an unrestored 20,000-mile 351 Custom. HG2
- MotorTrend (2016) estimated its 28,564-mile 1979 Ranger XLT at $30,000. MT2
- A 2017 forum buyer reported paying $3,800 for a well-optioned 1978 XLT 400, a single anecdote and not a market value. FS2
Where sources disagree
Where our sources give different numbers, we show each value next to its source and say what evidence would settle it.
More photos
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FAQ
How many 1979 Broncos were built?
104,038: 48,274 Custom and 55,764 Ranger XLT, per Ford's Customer Relationship Center figures. BOTHG2
What's the difference between a 1978 and a 1979 Bronco?
Rectangular headlamps on all trims, a catalytic converter, optional captain's chairs and revised Free Wheelin' stripes. W2
Where is the VIN on a 1979 Bronco?
On the door tag riveted to the driver's door, per owners. The engine letter follows U15. FSCFDF
Sources
- W2: Wikipedia, 'Ford Bronco' (second- and third-generation sections)
- HG2: Hagerty, '1979 Ford Bronco sells for $67,725, setting auction record for second-gen models' (June 2020)
- MT2: MotorTrend (Jim Allen), 'A Showroom Fresh 1979 Bronco' (Dec 2016)
- BOT: Blue Oval Trucks, 'Ford Bronco Production Numbers' (Ford Customer Relationship Center figures)
- FDF: FORDification.net, 'Decoding '73-'79 Ford Truck VIN Tags' (from the Oct 1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog)
- FDP: FORDification.net, '1973-1979 Ford Truck Exterior Paint Codes'
- FS2: Full Size Ford Bronco Forum, 'buying a 78/79 Bronco' (owner advice, 2017)
- FSC: Full Size Ford Bronco Forum, '78/79 codes: difference between U151 & U150'
- HM3: Hemmings, '1980-'86 Ford Bronco Buyer's Guide' (Oct 2021, with author Todd Zuercher)
- MTG: MotorTrend, 'Tailgate Party: putting the fix in a rusty Bronco tailgate'