Second generation · 1978–1979

The full-size Bronco, 1978–79

1978–79 Ford Bronco, white (year 1978 or 1979, not identified). Photo: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Show vehicles may be modified.

Ford's second Bronco was a shortened F-100 4x4: bigger, heavier and V8-only, built for just two model years. W2 HG2

It is the only full-size Bronco with a solid front axle, and the only one offered solely with Cleveland-family (335-series) V8s, the 351M and 400. HG2 MT2

Ford built 77,917 in 1978 and 104,038 in 1979, outselling the Blazer and Ramcharger. HG2 W2 BOT

Pick a year

1978Debut of the full-size Bronco · 351M or 400 V8 · solid axle 1979Final solid-axle full-size year · rectangular lamps · catalytic converter

Generation at a glance

Body

3-door wagon, lift-off fiberglass rear top

W2 HG2

Engines

351M V8 (VIN H) standard; 400 V8 (VIN S) optional

W2 FDF

Transmission

T-18 or NP435 4-speed; C6 automatic

MT2 W2

Transfer case

NP205 part-time; NP203 full-time (auto only)

MT2 W2

Front axle

Dana 44, coil springs, solid axle

W2 MT2

Rear axle

Ford 9-inch, leaf springs

W2 MT2

Wheelbase

104 in (Wikipedia)

Length / width

180.3 / 79.3 in

Fuel

25 gal (MotorTrend's 1979)

MT2

Production

104,038 (48,274 Custom + 55,764 Ranger XLT)

W2 HG2 BOT

Plant

Michigan Truck, Wayne, MI

VIN serial range

DC0,001–FK9,000

FDF

1978 vs 1979

1978: round headlamps on Custom and rectangular on Ranger XLT, no catalytic converter. W2

1979: rectangular headlamps on all, catalytic converter, optional captain's chairs and revised Free Wheelin' stripes. W2

Trims

Custom (base) and Ranger XLT (top trim). W2 MT2
Free Wheelin' cosmetic package with tricolor striping and blacked-out trim on either trim. W2

Buying one

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. FS2 MTG
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. FDF FSC
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. W2 MT2

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