Hello all,

I have a 1978 Bronco 4X4 with a body beyond repair and recently purchased a 1972 F100 2wd that has frame damage.

The F100 is a regular cab shortbed but I am wondering if this body will swap onto a 1978 Bronco 4X4 chassis?

I've searched the Internet and it seems possible but haven't stumbled across any solid answers.

Thanks!

Brad

 

It's doable if you can fabricate.

A 79 Bronco has a 104-inch wheelbase and a 72 shortbed is like a 116 or 117-inch wheelbase. You'll have to bob the bed and section the forward part of the bed in order to center the wheelwell on the Bronco frame. I summize it will require relocating body mounts and fab/transfer the crossbed rails.

It's ambitious so fair warning that it's alot of time and effort so do your homework. Sometimes these answers are not on the web so you'll have to deduce what ya need to do. I like the pioneering spirit however.

 

It is doable as I have seen one done in Idaho over 20 years ago. The 67-72 short box is 115'', so the box would have to be cut down as HIO describes. It might be easier to do with a cut down short narrow box as it would have straight single wall panels and are available brand new. You could sell your other bed as I presume it is a SWB, for a good figure.

 

HIO Silver,

I appreciate the quick reply a lot!

I do have a welder (220V mig) plasma cutter, and numerous other fabrication tools available.

As of right now I have 300 in both vehicles and feel that lengthening the frame or working to box accordingly will work just fine.

I really enjoy the styling of the 68-72 trucks as you do not see them in northern Illinois very often....

I am sure there will be more questions for all of you buy I will document measurements and other factors with pictures.

I am looking forward to this build very much!

Thanks again,

Brad

 

Rich, are you saying there are two different shortbed boxes available? I am confused as to the way you worded your reply.

This is a style side short bed box on the 72 I currently own.

Thanks!

 

No problem.

Heck, 'sounds like you're on your way. Like woodworking - measure twice, plasma once. Actually, I do better work with masking tape and a cut-off wheel.

So what ya gonna call your hybrid? The F-Bronco? Bronco 100? Super Shortbed (SSB)? Bumpin' Bronco?

 

There are two short beds: the styleside short wide bed that you have and the flareside (stepside, 53-56 style) short narrow bed. The flareside was used to 79 with a few changes, but basically is the same as the 53-56 style. Look at the gallery for pics.

 

To both HIO Silver and Rich,

Thanks again!

I realized my original post was a tad bit misleading as far as the original project is concerned.

As of right now there are two trucks that become one...this will happen lol

I have grown up with Ford trucks on both sides of the family farms and really enjoy then 70's vintage trucks myself.

I look forward to this project and hope to have fun project in the long run! I think it will be be called project what the bronc haha

Thanks again guys! Looking forward to all of this

 

I suggest lengthening the frame if the rear of your 72 frame is good, the reason being a 78 bronco frame widens a bit behind where the cab would mount. If you were to measure correctly and say cut the 72 frame rear section (just going by what others have posted as to wheel base length) 11 inches longer than what you cut off the rear of the bronco frame, when you weld and brace the frame back together the 72 body should bolt right on with zero modifications.

One disadvantage to this is the rear axle you use, the 72 rear axle would not likely be the same ratio as the 78 bronco front differential. You would have to check this first before making any decisions. The 78 bronco rear axle is wider than the 72 rear axle so to use the 78 rear axle you would have to move the leaf spring perches to match the 72 spring width.

As always this is just another opinion and it is up to you to decide which option is best for you.

 

dbdbb,

Thanks for your input! I will measure axle width and see where my spring perch measurements lie.

Would the 72 F100 have a 9" rear axle? If so, swapping the center section wouldn't be a big deal either.

I am going to pull the body on this 1972 and see the extent of the damage to the frame. I have a few good frame shops locally and if it's salvageable I will just try to swap my front axle and cross members in.

Time to tear down!

Thanks again!

 

Both are 9-inch Fords. However, I don't recall the exact year it crossed over but the 72 may have 28-spline axles whereas the Bronco would have 31-spline axles.