I have an '86 F150 and my son is turning 15 soon, so I want to get him a truck project since he has a liking for them. I saw a '78 Bronco with the classic 351/4 speed combo. Are there any problems with these trucks or will it be a good starter truck? Thanks in advance!

 

Mine has been good. Gas mileage sucks though. I am considering putting in an Overdrive transmission sometime-maybe.


They are easy to work on and parts are usually cheap.


It will be a good starter truck. Just be warn that the gas mileage sucks!


If the 4 spd is a NP435...he has a good transmission...even a T18 OR T19 transmission.

 

Mpg does suck id say look at some newer ones too there all nice if I could id own every gen of fsb's haha (little known fact broncos are addicting and get expensive quick)

 

Personally I would go with a 90's model, they are quite easy to work on also, and usually are more reliable and get better mileage. But if you really want him to learn about the older gens and work a lot on the truck get him the 70's, they are very tough, but the age can cause them to be troublesome when you start your ownership.

 

Since I own a 78 I am kind of biased. They are reliable as hell. Dont have any of this new computer crap on them. Easy to work on, cheaper to fix when something does tear up.Has solid axle front end. Get lousy gas mileage. But when equipped with basically same size engine, will pull ANY other era FSB ever built.

 

Thanks for the info!

I made a mistake in the first post, it an auto tranny, not a four speed. Looking at the truck again and doing research, it looks like a '79. Does this make a difference at all?

 

Also, what are the differences between the '78/'79 models, if any? I know that they're the same grills, but that's it.

The reason I'm not looking at a newer one is that I don't want something to work on that has EFI and more electronics. Also, the 90s ones around here seem to be going for lots of $$$ and are usually very rusty.

 

Here goes the history of the Bronco

History of the Ford Bronco



Here goes my 1979 Bronco, 33s, c6, 466, 3.50 Gear




My old 1990 Bronco that I traded for my 1979 Bronco above (did a SAS and put a ZF5 in it though); it had a 300/m5OD (in this video) with 31s.

 

Wow, I didn't know that they were that "rare and desirable"! I like the grille compared to the later ones that look like the Rangers.

On your '90, I have the original carbed 300 in my F150, it has 242K and climbing. Your two are very cool. Was the 366 an engine you put in it or did you bore it over?

 

466...its a 460 bored .30 over.


If you have a 351m/400 with the c6 you can swap in a 460.

 

Hey Manfred....that 79 looks like the one I had down here in SW Florida!! I think it was my 2nd Bronco. I miss the old girl!!

 

The 78-79 Broncos are a good starting point for newbie drivers. I put both of my boys in the old Fords starting out. One 78 Bronco and the other a 77 F-150. I have had 4 78-79 Broncos and a couple F series trucks over the years.....all but one I put big blocks in.
They are pretty easy to work on and parts are readily available. You can pretty much rebuild one from the internet now-a-days!!
Remember, like some of the guys have said....the gas mileage STINKS!! They are pigs on fuel economy!!
That being said....with the 9" rear, 44 front end, 205 transfer case and torque from the 351M/400, they are a great starter truck for almost anyone!

 

Alright, sounds like a thumbs up for a starter truck! Thanks all!

 

Might be it.


Plan to put in a zf5, np205 twin stick, 4" deaver super flex coil springs and eventually rear springs, do a Saginaw PS conversion, serpentine pulley set up, fix the AC, get the vinyl flooring back in, get weatherstripping, tint the windows, rear disc brake conversion, maybe 4.10 or lower gears, HID headlights, custom interior, roll cage, fender exit headers, better can shaft, get lower compression piston so I can use lower octane gasoline, and....I think that is it.



Already got a Mark VIII electric fan in it...keeps it real cool.

 

Woah woah woah, I don't WANT a gashog!
Sorry, read the CI wrong. 466 is unbelievable, that's more than the Trans Ams!