1979 Bronco — The two-year Big Bronco peaks

This page covers U.S.-market 1979 Broncos. Ford's brochure establishes the 351M as standard and 400 V8 as optional. The widely published 104,038 total and its Custom/Ranger XLT split remain explicitly provisional because the accessible sources do not disclose a Ford production record.

Why it matters

1979 was both the commercial high point and final year of the solid-front-axle, F-Series-based second generation.

What this page covers

Market: United States; second-generation Bronco.

Body styles: Two-door wagon with removable rear fiberglass roof

What changed for this year

Rectangular headlamps: Rectangular headlamps became standard across the 1979 range; in 1978 they distinguished Ranger XLT from round-lamp Custom models. [1] [2]
Emissions equipment: 1979 added a catalytic converter and related emissions controls to both V8 applications. [2]
Captain's chairs: Taller front captain's chairs were newly available for 1979. [1] [2]

Models and trims

Custom: Custom remained the base trim with simpler cabin and exterior equipment. [1] [3]
Ranger XLT: Ranger XLT added upgraded cloth/vinyl trim, carpeting, woodgrain accents and bright exterior details. [1] [3]

Engines and transmissions

351M V8: Ford's July 1978 brochure lists the 5.8-liter 351M as standard; reported output figures conflict across later references. [1] [4]
400 V8: The 6.6-liter 400 was optional and in its final Bronco year. [1] [4]
Four-wheel drive: Four-speed manual and optional SelectShift automatic were offered with part-time or full-time four-wheel-drive configurations. [1]

Capability and specifications

Provisional production total: Historical tables report 104,038, split as 48,274 Custom and 55,764 Ranger XLT. The split lacks a currently accessible factory record and remains provisional. [2]
Chassis: The 104-inch-wheelbase truck retained its solid Dana 44 front axle and Ford 9-inch rear axle. [4]

Colors and interiors

Paint and trim codes: Factory paint and interior codes are documented in Ford truck catalog transcriptions; verify the certification label and avoid treating restored colors as original evidence. [5]

Options and packages

Free Wheelin': Free Wheelin' offered revised tri-color or chromatic graphics and dark exterior trim on Custom or Ranger XLT. A claimed roughly 10,000-unit package total is unverified and not presented as fact. [1] [3]
Handling equipment: Ford offered handling and trailer-towing packages; hardware varies and should be checked on the vehicle. [1]

Safety and recalls

Vintage full-size inspection: Inspect emissions equipment, steering, solid-axle components, brakes, fuel system, roof sealing, tires, wiring and corrosion with a qualified specialist. [1]

Owner and buyer notes

Authenticate trim and engine: Use certification labels, castings and original paperwork to separate Custom from Ranger XLT and 351M from 400; exterior parts interchange readily. [1] [3] [4]

Stories from this year

A bridge generation bows out: The enlarged Bronco sold strongly, yet lasted only two years because Ford's lighter, independent-front-suspension successor was already approaching for 1980. [2]

Sources and footnotes

Bracketed references beside a fact lead to the document that supports it.

Ford 1979 Bronco sales brochure Manufacturer factory literature
Ford second-generation Bronco history and production research Manufacturer history with documented secondary synthesis
Full Size Bronco trim research Specialist owner reference
Bronco engine and driveline specifications Specialist technical reference
FORDification 1979 Ford truck VIN-tag codes Factory parts-catalog transcription

See something missing or wrong? Send a correction or source.

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