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top interchange

Old Jun 15, 2006 | 05:27 PM
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top interchange

I am thinking about getting a 78 Bronco and I'm wondering if the 80 and up tops will fit on the 78. I can find a couple of caps from 1980 and up that have the sliding glass side windows and wonder if the caps will interchange. Will this work? Any modifactions need made? Or is there too much difference between these years to do this?

Thanks
Buck
 
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 07:40 PM
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After some thought on my part (scary isn't it?), The 78-79 tops had slider windows that seem to me were alot more common than the 80-84 tops. I see alot of those around here. Just not the 80's version. But I don't know if the two are interchangeable. But I'll bet Greystreak knows.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 02:06 AM
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78-79 tops are NOT interchangable with the 80-96 tops. The 78-79's were larger in both length and girth than their later model bretheren. And though the lines may look similar, the mating surfaces are very dis-similar. The rear glass won't fit into the gasket either.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 07:21 AM
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At least I was right about who would know.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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Is there anything he DOESN'T know?
 
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 01:18 PM
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Plenty! Thats why I just keep reading and working on my own and others. I just discovered the other day how an O2 sensor truly works because someone asked me. I didn't know so I went on a quest in search of the answer. Now I know.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 01:37 PM
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And you're going to keep us in suspense aren't you? Isn't it a chemical reaction between the exhaust gases and the sensor that generates an electrical signal that the computer interprets. Or is that just the simple explanation?

(This thread could turn into one like from the NWChapter. It starts out one way and goes someplace completely different )
 
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by greystreak92
78-79 tops are NOT interchangable with the 80-96 tops. The 78-79's were larger in both length and girth than their later model bretheren. And though the lines may look similar, the mating surfaces are very dis-similar. The rear glass won't fit into the gasket either.
Greystreak, thank you for letting us know about the tops. Guess that kills my idea, plus the fact I found out the seals are not avalible.

Buck
 
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Old Jun 17, 2006 | 01:38 AM
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ChargerFan,
Yes, that is the "quick and easy" explanation. The sensor actually conducts oxygen ions but needs to be heated to 600*F before that will happen. Hence, the reason they are HEGO (Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen) sensors. Once conductive for O2, they generate voltage back to the computer based on the difference in O2 levels between the outer casing of the sensor and the tip that is inside the exhaust pipe. So the outside of the sensor becomes just as vital as the tip.... a fact I did not know either.

Buck,

The seals aren't available? Through what company? Ford? Yeah, no doubt. have you checked with LMC truck or the Graveyard? You could always put a soft top on the 78 if it has no top at all.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2006 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by greystreak92
Buck,

The seals aren't available? Through what company? Ford? Yeah, no doubt. have you checked with LMC truck or the Graveyard? You could always put a soft top on the 78 if it has no top at all.
The seals I was talking about were for the 80 and up, when I was thinking about the top swap. I've seen after market sliders for the 80-86 (I think) that fit in the standard seals, but I stopped looking any more because the tops will not swap over to the 78. Yes I've seen the standard seals for the 78-79.

I'm new to the Bronco thing. I've had the 73-79 pickups with lots of parts around here for them. I know a lot of parts will cross over, but I'm still learning the differences between the two. It would still be nice to have sliders in the top. I think the dogs would love it.

Buck
 
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