The Bronco was all-new in 1978: bigger, more powerful, more versatile, and still rugged and ready to play. This second-year 1979 Ford Bronco has a great color combination and a 351 cubic inch V8; thanks to its rather civilized road manners, it's a great choice for any hobbyist with an active lifestyle.
This might be one of the most familiar shapes in the 4x4 world, and it was a big step forward after a decade of the body first-generation Bronco. Obviously based on the F-series pickups, it has a clean, chiseled look that's only enhanced by the bright electric blue bodywork. The paint job was done very recently, and although it wasn't a perfect $25k respray, it was done right and a truck like this needs no apologies and it's in just the right condition that you won't think twice about going out and having some fun. It has a great luster and shine and a proper cut and buff might even take it up a level, but then you might be afraid to use it as intended. The vibrant bright blue certainly makes it look sporting and the way it is offset by bright chrome really rounds-out the look. And speaking of bright trim, there's plenty of it, although we do like the way the grille has been tastefully blacked-out, updating the look to be more in tune with later models. Big mirrors, a restored lift-off hardtop, and twin tailpipes out back all help with the heavy-duty truck look as well as functionality.
The black interior offers buckets for front seat occupants, and it transforms the Bronco's personality. The fresh and simple black upholstery adds an upscale look and even the center console was treated to a makeover that makes everything look uniform. The rear bench wears a plain vinyl seat cover and remains in very good shape, providing a surprising amount of room for a few extra passengers. The dash should look familiar to anyone who has driven a '70s F-series truck, and it's great to see three pedals on the floor and a 4-speed manual transmission, as well as the 2-speed transfer case. A later Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo with speakers throughout the interior actually sounds pretty good. There's also a monstrous cargo bay behind the rear seat with a heavy-duty carpeted mat, so it's neatly finished but still able to carry an impressive amount of gear. This is a great weekend getaway vehicle.
When the Bronco got bigger, so did the engines, with this one using a strong-running 351M V8. It's got a few upgrades such as an Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carburetor, late-model Duraspark ignition system, and long-tube headers, so it's plenty strong to pull the big Bronco around with enthusiasm. The engine itself is bright Ford Blue with a few chrome dress-up pieces, and it really stands out in the otherwise all business engine bay. There's a big radiator up front for slow going and both power steering and power front disc brakes were part of the package in this newer, bigger Bronco. It still uses rigid axles at both ends, which is still the best way to go for serious off-roading, and the gearing works in the mud as well as on the highway. A custom dual exhaust system tucks in tight so ground clearance is unaffected and it sounds great. Brand new handsome Cragar wheels carry big 31x10.50-15 radials that fill the fenders properly.
With first-generation Bronco values soaring, the second-gen trucks like this aren't far behind. A great look, lots of room, and a smooth powertrain make this Bronco a winner. Call today!