Vehicle Description
Selling at Barrett Jackson Lot # 778 No Resreve 1978 Ford Bronco
Ranger XLT. Terry 952-451-2104 The original California 351M engine
was set aside on a stand. A second 351M was sourced from a 1979
Bronco and sent to Matt's Engines where it was bored and fitted
with a 400 crank. TMeyer suppled the pistons and Edelbrock aluminum
heads with rockers. An E220996 Erson roller Cam was installed. MSD
supplies the spark through a Pro-billet distributor and coil. The
Edelbrock intake is topped with a Quickfuel double-pumper 750cfm
carburetor fed by a TSP mechanical fuel pump. This 408 cubic inch
engine recorded 452hp and 524lbft at the flywheel on the dyno. The
Bronco was found unrestored in its original Bright Yellow paint
with a white fiberglass top and white steel 15x8 wagon wheels. The
inside of the truck retained its well worn factory Saddle Vinyl
interior with burled vinyl door panels and dash trim. The original
351M had been removed and placed on an engine stand. The C6
transmission and NP205 transfer case were in the truck and the
transmission had reportedly been freshly rebuilt. The body was
solid, with only surface patina rust and very light scaling on the
inside bottoms of the doors and tailgate. No rust-through or
bubbling was found anywhere on the body, and the frame was in very
good condition. Overall, this was a very clean and dry southwestern
truck. During the subsequent disassembly, the Ford assembly line
build sheet was discovered under the carpet on the passenger side.
It was removed and preserved as much as possible before being
laminated. The Bronco was disassembled to the frame where the
matching VIN was found stamped on top of the passenger side frame
rail. The frame and axles were media blasted before being repainted
with bare metal frame paint. The suspension is a 5 inch lift kit
from Broncograveyard.com which utilizes Deaver springs. The shocks
that came with the kit were set aside in favor of higher quality
Fox IFP standard travel shocks. Steering is handled by the original
refurbished steering wheel through a new Ididit tilt steering
column. Wild Horses Inc. supplied the polished lower steering shaft
which turns the Red-Head Steering Gears steering box. The power
steering pump was upgraded with a Saginaw/Delphi steering pump kit
also from Wild Horses. The 3.50 ratio front Dana 44 had its seals,
bearings, and axle shafts replaced. Outer axles, hubs, and bearings
were also replaced. The Rear Ford 9 inch had the front pinion seal
replaced. The driveshafts were built new to compensate for the 5
inch suspension lift. White wagon wheel style 15x10 inch steel
wheels are wrapped with 35 inch Dick Cepek Trail Country EXP tires.
The body was prepped and sprayed to match the original Ford #5574-A
Bright Yellow paint. The underbody and inner fenders were prepped
and sprayed with undercoating. The fiberglass top was prepped and
sprayed with white Raptor Liner coating inside and out. The
original front, side, and rear aluminum trim and front grill piece
was sent out to have all the dents and scuffs repaired, stripped,
and polished before being reinstalled. All emblems were replaced
with Dennis Carpenter reproductions. New side view and rear view
mirrors were replaced with new reproductions of the originals. The
glass, felt, rubber, and weatherstripping was replaced with new.
The only glass that was reused was the rear tailgate glass and
front vent windows. All window regulators and rear window motor
were replaced with new. The original door latch mechanisms were
reused after being thoroughly cleaned and lubricated. The truck was
completely rewired with an American Autowire wiring harness. The
original instrument cluster was replaced with a look-a-like gauge
pod from Dakota Digital. The control switch for the Dakota Digital
unit is hidden within reach under the dashboard near the ashtray.
The Bronco was not equipped from the factory with Air Conditioning,
so a Vintage Air system was installed. Retrosound provides the
Bluetooth and handsfree capable vintage style radio which plays
through two door speakers. There are 12V USB and USB-C charging
ports in the glovebox. There is also a USB and input plug for the
radio in place of the factory cigar lighter. The interior was
patterned after the original Saddle Vinyl with a modern touch. The
seats are wrapped in leather in a dark brown with tan diamond
stitched inserts. The door panels were dyed the correct brown to
match the seats with tan diamond stitched inserts. The rear panels
were also wrapped in leather to match. The headliner is brown
leather held in by the factory trim which was sent out to be
re-chromed. The original plastic center console was replaced by a
Tuffy Security Products lockable unit with cupholders. The new
console was painted to match the brown dashboard and it's armrest
was recovered in the tan diamond stitched leather. The carpet is a
mass-backed plush, including tailgate, kick-panels, and lower door
panels. Seatbelt Planet rewebbed the seatbelts in a
close-to-factory brown color. The front disc brakes and rear drum
brakes were replaced with all new parts. New stainless brake lines
and proportioning valve, new soft lines, and parking brake cables.
The original master cylinder and vacuum booster was replaced in
favor of a Hydratech Braking Systems hydroboost booster and master
cylinder. A 33 gallon fuel tank sourced from LMC was installed with
all of the fuel lines, fill and vent tubes, and fuel cap. Custom
AMP Research retractable side steps were fitted on the drivers and
passengers side. They extend down when the door is opened and
retract out of sight when the door is closed. The engine is kept
cool with an original style Cold-Case aluminum radiator, twin
electric fans and shroud. Engine exhaust is routed through
ceramic-coated Hooker long tube headers and a 2 1/4 inch Hooker
dual exhaust system. Power is sent to the rebuilt C6 transmission
through a torque converter built by TCI. The original NP205
transfer case was taken apart and resealed. A JB Custom Fabrication
twin stick conversion was installed at that time. There are too
many new parts to list such as chrome bumpers, front grill and
headlight surrounds, body mounts, stainless hardware, lights and
lenses, etc.