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

1978–1979 60+ on the wall 346 documents ↓

The 1978-1979 Ford Bronco replaced the compact 1966-1977 model with a full-size truck-based design, the first of the larger Broncos that enthusiasts call the "Big Bronco." Ford built it on the 1973-1979 F-series platform, the body style collectors call "Dentside," and stretched the wheelbase to 104 inches from the early truck's 92 inches. A removable fiberglass top covered the rear cargo and seating area, leaving a fixed cab structure forward. Every 1978-1979 Bronco was a V8 four-wheel drive, with a Dana 44 front axle and a Ford 9-inch rear axle. The standard transmission was the New Process NP435 4-speed manual, with the C6 3-speed automatic optional, and the transfer case depended on that choice: manual trucks used the gear-driven New Process NP205 part-time case, while automatic trucks commonly used the chain-driven New Process NP203 full-time case. That full-time NP203 made full-time four-wheel drive available on these trucks, a setup that can be left engaged on dry pavement, unlike the part-time NP205. Front disc brakes were standard. Trim ran from the base Custom up through the Ranger XLT, with the Free Wheeling appearance package available for buyers who wanted the striped, blacked-out look of the period. The generation lasted only two model years before Ford downsized the truck onto the 1980 "Bullnose" platform, which makes 1978 and 1979 the only full-size Dentside Broncos.

📋 See the full year-by-year change log ↓

Other Ford Bronco generations

1966-1977 Ford Bronco 1980-1986 Ford Bronco 1987-1991 Ford Bronco 1992-1996 Ford Bronco 2021-2026 Ford Bronco

At a glance

  • Years: 1978-1979 (second generation, first full-size Bronco)
  • Platform: 1973-1979 Ford F-series "Dentside" (F-100/F-150 based)
  • Body style: two-door wagon with a removable fiberglass roof over the rear
  • Engines: 351 cubic-inch (5.8L) and 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) "335-series" (Modified) V8s, all V8
  • Drivetrain: four-wheel drive, NP435 4-speed manual standard with C6 3-speed automatic optional; transfer case by transmission (gear-driven NP205 part-time behind the manual, chain-driven NP203 full-time commonly behind the automatic, so full-time 4WD was available)
  • Front axle: Dana 44 solid front axle
  • Rear axle: Ford 9-inch
  • Brakes: front disc brakes standard, rear drums
  • Wheelbase: 104 inches
  • Trims: Custom, Ranger XLT, plus the Free Wheeling appearance package

Year-by-year changes

YearEnginesDrivetrain & brakesNotable changes
1978351 cubic-inch (5.8L) and 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) V8s from the 335-series (Modified) familyFour-wheel drive, NP435 4-speed manual standard with C6 automatic optional, transfer case by transmission (gear-driven NP205 part-time with the manual, chain-driven NP203 full-time commonly with the automatic), Dana 44 front axle, Ford 9-inch rear axle, front disc brakes standardFirst full-size Bronco; new 104-inch wheelbase on the Dentside F-series platform; removable fiberglass rear roof; Custom and Ranger XLT trims with the Free Wheeling package offered
1979351 cubic-inch (5.8L) and 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) V8s; emissions hardware revisedFour-wheel drive, NP435 4-speed manual standard with C6 automatic optional, transfer case by transmission (gear-driven NP205 part-time with the manual, chain-driven NP203 full-time commonly with the automatic), Dana 44 front axle, Ford 9-inch rear axle, front disc brakes standard; catalytic converter addedLast year of the full-size Dentside Bronco before the 1980 downsizing; round headlamps revised toward rectangular sealed-beam units on many trucks; emissions-driven calibration 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
By the SuperMotors Editorial Team · Last updated June 2026 · Spotted an error? Suggest a correction

Asked all the time

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.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Service Procedures (32)

Exploded Parts (20)

Blueprints (3)

Data/Spec Plates (11)

Manual Pages (10)

Wiring Diagrams (95)

Schematics (5)

Fuse & Relay Charts (6)

Vacuum Routing (7)

Brochures & Literature (11)

The wall · registered 1978–1979 Broncos

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

1978 Ford Bronco with two-tone blue and cream paint, lifted on large tires“Big78Bronco”1978 Bronco · Big78BroncoWA249 photos Tan 1979 Ford Bronco with off-road tires on a dirt trail“HillBilly Heaven”1979 Bronco · Monstermiler241 photos White and black lifted Ford Bronco SUV on big tires in a residential driveway“Turd”1978 Bronco · Ken McCarthy238 photos Older pickup truck stuck in mud on forest trail, man in bed with strap, black dog nearby“Phat Ho”1978 Bronco · 78Bronco460237 photos Dark blue and white 1979 Ford Bronco front quarter view“Blue Thunder”1979 Bronco · Thomas Nelson236 photos 1978 Ford Bronco stuck in mud, viewed from the front-right1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Kenny714228 photos 1979 Ford Bronco side profile, front fender and door visible“Betty”1979 Bronco · tcdixon224 photos Green and white Ford Bronco Ranger XLT with top removed, driver-side profile on a driveway1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · 78brncoxlt221 photos 1978 Ford Bronco with aftermarket bumper and yellow stripe“Go Fast-ish Build”1978 Bronco · CrazyBRONCOguy218 photos 1978 Ford Bronco side profile, red with black top and chrome trim“???”1978 Bronco · bajamanjc215 photos Close-up of a V8 engine with Holley carburetor and red Ford Racing spark plug wires.1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · wheelin78211 photos Maroon Ford Bronco with lifted suspension and off-road tires parked on grass next to a brick building. Two people sit on the grass in front of the veh…“Stinger”1978 Bronco · fordexp1207 photos Side view of a red and white 1978 Ford Bronco with orange and black stripes“DIRTY_D”1978 Bronco · DIRTY_D201 photos 1978 Ford Bronco, white, missing front grille, parked on driveway“biglog”1978 Bronco · whitewolf192 photos 1979 Ford Bronco, brown with white top, 3q-front view“rucketofbust”1979 Bronco · nathans79bkocustom186 photos Side view of white and red Ford Bronco SUV with off-road tires parked in a driveway“Betsy”1978 Bronco · Quader1185 photos 1979 Ford Bronco parked on gravel in front of a wooden shed and trees1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Nick Baffaro185 photos White and red Ford Bronco with hood open, undergoing repairs“Brutus”1978 Bronco · Charley Ward184 photos 1979 Ford Bronco with roof lights and fog lights illuminated at night“None”1979 Bronco · Ed Kelly181 photos Black 1978 Ford Bronco, side view, matte finish, parked on street1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · nunrush178 photos Red 1979 Ford Bronco rear view with open doors and roll cage“Rust Bucket”1979 Bronco · Steven Robison178 photos 1979 Ford Bronco on rocks“Ugly Duckling”1979 Bronco · AL Koopman176 photos Yellow 1978 Ford Bronco side view1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Huntsober167 photos Red 1978 Ford Bronco with black hardtop and spare tire on rear, parked on dirt road1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · bronc_17113163 photos Black toy 1979 Ford Bronco with flame decals on hood and sides“Bronco Toys”1979 Bronco · Greg Rusiecki161 photos 1978 Ford Bronco, maroon paint, chrome trim, off-road tires“Big Red”1978 Bronco · Nates78154 photos Faded gray and orange Ford Bronco SUV with rust and large off-road tires parked on dirt“Sam? i dunno.”1979 Bronco · happster148 photos Gray 1978 Ford Bronco with lifted suspension and large tires parked on a driveway“Bronc a Donc”1978 Bronco · natesbronco148 photos Red 1978 Ford Bronco 3q-front view, missing grille“Big Red”1978 Bronco · MonsterManiac7146 photos 1979 Ford Bronco featured in a magazine article titled 'ENGLISH'S BRONCO' under 'READERS' RIGS'“the new bronco”1979 Bronco · 579144 photos 1978 Ford Bronco body, blue with white fender, on blocks, front bull bar attached1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · akforceten143 photos White lifted 1978 Ford Bronco with roof lights and brush guard on dirt road1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Douglas Wolff143 photos Red 1979 Ford Bronco with lifted suspension and large tires, viewed from the front three-quarter angle“big orange”1979 Bronco · eastla78bronco142 photos Green and white Ford Bronco parked on street, front quarter view1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · sbissett138 photos White Ford Bronco SUV, driver-side profile, lifted with large tires, parked on a suburban street.“Whitey”1979 Bronco · chero65137 photos Black lifted Ford Bronco half cab with flame graphics on gravel by evergreens“Blackie The Friesian Half Cab”1978 Bronco · Alaskan-78XLT136 photos Ford Bronco driving through a muddy trail with trees in the background1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Lonestar_Bronco136 photos 1978 Ford Bronco front end with grille removed, raised on jack stands in a garage“Deathmobile2”1978 Bronco · deathmobile2135 photos 1978 Ford Bronco parked in front of a Food Mart“Pop's Bronco”1978 Bronco · 4XPepe134 photos Orange and white 1979 Ford Bronco parked on brick pavers“Wife's truck”1979 Bronco · steve benckert133 photos 1978 Ford Bronco with rust damage, parked indoors1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · bassmaster656129 photos White 1978 Ford Bronco with red stripe, jacked up in a wooded area1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Marty Copeland121 photos 1979 Ford Bronco, dark color, lifted suspension, aftermarket wheels, parked on driveway“JD”1979 Bronco · adamrz118 photos 1979 Ford Bronco with zebra print paint and off-road tires1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Mack687117 photos Buyer's guide page 70 on the 1979 Ford Bronco with interior and beach photos“buyers guide”1979 Bronco · Ranger429117 photos Muddy Ford SUV at low front-quarter angle crawling through cracked mud terrain near pines1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Hopper117 photos 1978 Ford Bronco with matte black paint and oversized off-road tires1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Hefty117 photos Green 1979 Ford Bronco rear wheel well with chrome trim and tire1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · bino9905116 photos Yellow off-road vehicle with large tires driving through mud and water1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · rdrash111 photos Green and beige Ford Bronco with off-road tires parked on dirt1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Mikes79Bronco110 photos 1979 Ford Bronco rear view, maroon paint, trailer hitch, license plate JP-93Z1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Mudman78110 photos Gray convertible soft top with clear plastic windows laid out on grass“jopes”1978 Bronco · Don Rowles109 photos Blue 1978 Ford Bronco with a black grille guard and off-road tires, viewed from a low 3/4 front angle“Blue”1979 Bronco · bronczilla107 photos 1979 Ford Bronco, 3q-front view, dark blue with lighter blue stripe“NAT”1979 Bronco · SVTbronco02107 photos Black 1978 Ford Bronco with lifted suspension and large tires parked on snow1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Scott Dudash106 photos Black 1979 Ford Bronco with racing decals and off-road tires parked on a sandy beach1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · rommel105 photos 1979 Ford Bronco, red and silver, parked in a lot, front 3/4 view.“El Jefe”1979 Bronco · Wilder104 photos White 1978 Ford Bronco in a garage, rear cargo area open with tools visible“creamy”1978 Bronco · jamesgang104 photos White and maroon 1979 Ford Bronco front 3/4 view“the big bronco”1979 Bronco · gulfcrestinc104 photos Green 1979 Ford Bronco with white top, person working underneath“grr”1979 Bronco · imonfireagain94103 photos
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Full year-by-year change log: 1978-1979 Ford Bronco

This log tracks the model-year changes to the second-generation full-size Ford Bronco (1978-1979) at the level of platform, body, engine, drivetrain, axle, brakes, trim, and federally driven equipment. It is assembled from 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, period factory specification sheets and road tests, and established full-size Bronco reference works and owner registries. Where a detail varied by emissions certification or by individual build, this log says so rather than asserting a single figure for the whole generation.

1978

1979

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