1978-1979 Ford BroncoSecond-Generation Bronco (Full-Size Dentside)

Year-by-year changes

Why 1978 was a clean-sheet redesign

The 1978 Bronco shares almost nothing with the 1966-1977 truck that preceded it. Ford abandoned the compact 92-inch-wheelbase chassis and instead adapted the existing F-100/F-150 pickup platform, the 1973-1979 body that enthusiasts label "Dentside" for the long horizontal indent stamped down its sides. The 1978 Bronco rode on a 104-inch wheelbase, far longer than the early truck, and gained the wider track, larger cab, and heavier frame of a full-size pickup. This is the reason the second-generation truck is called the "Big Bronco": it was physically a different class of vehicle, sized to compete with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the Dodge Ramcharger rather than the Jeep CJ.

Engines and drivetrain

Both 1978 and 1979 full-size Broncos were V8-only, drawing on Ford's 335-series "Modified" engine family. The 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) V8 was offered, along with the 351 cubic-inch (5.8L). These are tall-deck "M" engines rather than the 351 Windsor or 351 Cleveland, and the 351M and 400 share architecture within that 335-series family. Power reached the ground through four-wheel drive, and the transfer case depended on which transmission a truck carried. The standard transmission was the New Process NP435 4-speed manual, paired with the gear-driven New Process NP205 part-time transfer case; the optional C6 3-speed automatic commonly paired with the chain-driven New Process NP203 full-time transfer case. With the part-time NP205, the front axle is engaged only when the case is shifted into four-wheel drive, so those trucks should not be driven in 4WD on dry pavement. The NP203 carries an inter-axle differential, which makes it a full-time four-wheel-drive case that can be left engaged on pavement, so the availability of full-time 4WD is a distinguishing feature of the automatic-equipped trucks in this generation. Specific advertised horsepower varied by year and emissions calibration, so confirm the figure for an individual truck against its build data rather than assuming a single number for the generation.

Axles, suspension, and brakes

The 1978-1979 Bronco used a solid Dana 44 front axle with the four-wheel-drive system and a Ford 9-inch rear axle, both heavier units than the early Bronco carried because the truck itself was heavier. Suspension was solid axles at both ends, in keeping with the F-series pickup underpinnings of the period. Front disc brakes were standard on these trucks, with drums at the rear, a normal full-size light-truck arrangement for the late 1970s. Because the second-generation Bronco is mechanically a full-size F-series, many service and chassis parts interchange with 1973-1979 F-100 and F-150 pickups, which helps when sourcing components today.

Body, roof, and trim levels

The full-size 1978-1979 Bronco was a two-door wagon with a fixed front cab and a removable fiberglass roof covering the rear seating and cargo area, so the back could be opened up while the windshield, doors, and front roofline stayed in place. Trim started with the base Custom and rose to the Ranger XLT, which added brightwork and a more finished interior. The Free Wheeling package was an appearance option of the era, recognizable by its multicolor tape stripes and blacked-out trim. Buyers could also order the truck for work or recreation duty, and many were equipped with the tow and off-road hardware expected of a full-size 4WD wagon.

What changed for 1979, and why it was the last year

The 1979 Bronco was the final full-size Dentside model. Tightening federal emissions rules brought a catalytic converter and revised engine calibrations for 1979, and front-end appearance shifted toward rectangular sealed-beam headlamps on many trucks as Ford freshened the look. For 1980 Ford replaced this platform with a downsized, lighter Bronco on the new "Bullnose" F-series body, which means 1978 and 1979 were the only Dentside-bodied (full-size) Broncos. That two-year window is why these trucks are comparatively scarce next to the long-running early Bronco and the later 1980-1986 generation.

What to know when buying a 1978-1979 Bronco

Rust is the first thing to check on any 1978-1979 full-size Bronco: inspect the rear quarters, the area under the removable fiberglass top, the tailgate, the cab corners, and the frame, since these trucks are now decades old and were used hard. Confirm which transfer case a truck carries (the part-time NP205 behind the manual or the full-time NP203 behind the automatic), that the four-wheel-drive system engages and disengages properly, and that the front Dana 44 axle and hubs are sound. The 400 and 351 V8s are durable but were never high-output by modern standards, so judge a truck on condition and originality rather than expecting strong power. Because so much hardware is shared with 1973-1979 F-series pickups, mechanical parts are findable, but Bronco-specific body pieces, especially the fiberglass top and rear glass, are harder to source and worth verifying before purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1978-1979 Bronco a "Bullnose"?

No. The 1978-1979 full-size Bronco is built on the 1973-1979 F-series "Dentside" body. The "Bullnose" nickname belongs to the following 1980-1986 F-series and the 1980-1986 third-generation Bronco. Calling a 1978 or 1979 Bronco a Bullnose is a common mix-up.

Why is the 1978-1979 Bronco called the "Big Bronco"?

The 1978-1979 Bronco was the first full-size Bronco. Ford moved it from the compact 92-inch-wheelbase early-Bronco chassis onto the full-size F-100/F-150 platform with a 104-inch wheelbase, making it much larger than the 1966-1977 truck. Enthusiasts use "Big Bronco" to distinguish these full-size trucks from the early compact Bronco.

What engines came in the 1978-1979 full-size Bronco?

The 1978-1979 Bronco was V8-only, using Ford's 335-series "Modified" engines: the 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) and the 351 cubic-inch (5.8L) V8. These are tall-deck "M" engines, not the 351 Windsor or Cleveland. Exact advertised horsepower varied by model year and emissions calibration.

Did the 1978-1979 Bronco have four-wheel drive and disc brakes?

Yes. Every 1978-1979 full-size Bronco came with four-wheel drive, a solid Dana 44 front axle, and a Ford 9-inch rear axle. The transfer case depended on the transmission: manual NP435 trucks used the gear-driven NP205 part-time case, while C6-automatic trucks commonly used the chain-driven NP203 full-time case, so full-time 4WD was available. The part-time NP205 should not be driven in 4WD on dry pavement, but the full-time NP203 can be left engaged on pavement. Front disc brakes were standard, with drums at the rear, the typical full-size light-truck setup of the period.

How many years was the second-generation Bronco built?

Only two model years, 1978 and 1979. Ford introduced the full-size Dentside Bronco for 1978 and replaced it for 1980 with a downsized "Bullnose" model, so the second generation is one of the shortest-lived Bronco generations.

Sources

• Ford factory shop manuals and parts catalogs for the 1973-1979 F-series and Bronco
• VIN and door-data-plate decoding for engine, axle, and trim verification
• Established full-size Bronco reference works and owner registries
• Period road tests and Ford sales literature of the 1978-1979 model years