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.
