What are the Pros and Cons between a 78-79 bronco and a 80-89 bronco. I am am wanting to buy a Bronco so that I can go play in the Mountains and the beach with my Wife and dog.

 

no cons, all pros!

 

In my personal opinion. The 78-79 Bronco is the way to go. Twice as tough as an 80 and up. If you are going to get an newer brongo go with something after 85. The cons of the 78-79 is gas mileage and if the motor is left stock the newer engines have more power, but there is no computer to mess with. Most things can be fixed by yourself or if you have to take it some where it would be cheaper to fix.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Jan-02 AT 08:40 PM (EST)]If you really want an answer to this go take a look at most 80-89 Broncos, top corner of the door at the back of the drip rail. Notice how most of them are cracked...itll cost a bundle to fix. The 78-79 Broncos were built with thicker sheet metal and there was alot more metal in this area. The down side to the 78-79 is finding one without any rust...at least in my area of Alabama. Ive seperated the sheet metal seams in a couple of places on my 85 doing some rather rough wheeling, never have had it happen on my 78 besides which the 78 has the straight front axle, I wouldnt give you a plugged nickel for every twin traction beam out there. Now admittedly we do some pretty tough wheeling but on my 85 and a buddys 82, we're constantly having to put new bushing and bearings and realign frontends. I'm gonna swap the straight front axle out from under a 73 truck to my 85 this summer. Anyway this is just my opinion. Besides which the 78-79 just look alot better to me....they have more, lets see what does my son call it? Oh, character. We're building him a 79 from the ground up for when he turns 16. Whit

 

The 78-79's had a killer Drive train stock! 9" Rear Dana 44 straight axle up front and a NP-205 Xfer case... can't go wrong there... Get rid of the 351M or 400 and bolt up a 460! now that is a Bronco... Though... I do like my 1984 Bronco XLT w/460

 

In addition, look closely at a 78; no cat converter or smog pump!
Standard dual exh exiting in front of rear wheels.
Our 78 ran every day till we sold it in Dec 99.

 

One question? How did you get the 460 in the bronco and still have it be legal? From what I understand you cant change much on any bronco from 80+? I also understand that you have to leave all that smog stuff on. How did you get passed that? Craig