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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.

Brown and tan Ford Bronco SUV with white top parked on driveway, front-left view“Money Pit”1979 Bronco · 2bronco7931 photos Rear view of a 1979 Ford Bronco with tailgate down, showing 'FORD' lettering“Parts Truck”1979 Bronco · Jeff Randolph31 photos Dark 1978 Ford Bronco off-roading on a muddy trail, front 3/4 view“The Scronco”1978 Bronco · 78Scronco31 photos Lifted 1979 Ford Bronco, tan and brown, with large off-road tires1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · chris westbrook31 photos Front view of black Ford Bronco with chrome grille and bumper in gravel lot“longterm project”1979 Bronco · fourdoorbronko31 photos Front view of a lifted black 1979 Ford Bronco parked on a grassy incline1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · 1blazer30 photos Blue and white 1978 Ford Bronco with a lift kit, seen from the rear three-quarter angle“Blue Beast”1978 Bronco · StormCaller30 photos Red 1978 Ford Bronco with orange stripe, parked on grass, 3/4 front view“Disco”1979 Bronco · Ron Wiggins30 photos 1978 Ford Bronco parked in a yard with a rusty green hood“red dawg”1978 Bronco · Timothy Alexander30 photos White and red 1978 Ford Bronco stuck in mud1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · OneTuffHonky4u29 photos White and green Ford Bronco, missing rear wheels, supported by logs. Rust visible on body“The Gang”1978 Bronco · Craig Cherry29 photos 1978 Ford Bronco front end with chrome grille and bumper“airborn4x4”1979 Bronco · Tim Schober29 photos 1978 Ford Bronco front end with two people working on it“old rusty”1978 Bronco · clifford curtner28 photos Weathered red and white late-1970s Ford Bronco in a field at dusk, rear three-quarter view“Big Red”1978 Bronco · Quadzilla28 photos Blue lifted older Ford pickup on a winch bumper crawling over rocks in a creek1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Bredget Stroud28 photos 1978 Ford Bronco, two-tone brown and white, parked on a dirt path with trees in the background“Big Truck”1978 Bronco · BIT28 photos Black 1970s Ford Bronco parked on muddy snowy ground, 3/4 front view“"Stinky" - GONE”1978 Bronco · 4XPepe27 photos Black 1978 Ford Bronco with large off-road tires parked on grass“Bogger”1978 Bronco · Randy Zrubek27 photos Stripped gray and black Ford Bronco body shell on sidewalk with engine and front end removed“mudweiser”1978 Bronco · 1978mudweiser27 photos White 1978 Ford Bronco parked on a street, lifted with large tires“White Knight”1978 Bronco · Erik Sapone27 photos Brown 1978 Ford Bronco climbing a dirt hill with front wheels off the ground1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · SCOTT HARTER27 photos Yellow off-road buggy with blue seat and red flag on top“Bronco”1978 Bronco · Zack Grant27 photos Side view of a white and green 1978 Ford Bronco with peeling paint“78 bronc”1978 Bronco · philjohn5626 photos Faded blue Ford Bronco body shell with white hardtop sitting wheelless in weeds by woods“Racer”1979 Bronco · Alaskan-78XLT26 photos Silver and black Ford Bronco with black soft top parked in a garage“soft top conversion”1979 Bronco · Ranger42926 photos Front view of a lifted 1979 Ford Bronco with KC lights and a winch1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Greg Rice26 photos Blue and white 1978 Ford Bronco rear three-quarter view1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · BroncoMike26 photos Blue Ford Bronco with white top parked on a rocky riverbank, person fishing nearby in the mountains.“Double Agent”1979 Bronco · Double_Agent007926 photos Dark blue 1978 Ford Bronco parked on grass“Hulk”1978 Bronco · meatbullet426425 photos Front view of a 1978 Ford Bronco parked in a driveway, asking for front end modification ideas“Sybil”1978 Bronco · 78Project25 photos 1978 Ford Bronco, red with white top, parked outside a garage“Lil Red”1978 Bronco · mengbar25 photos 1979 Ford Bronco climbing over rocks“el Broncho”1979 Bronco · Brandon Benton25 photos Muddy white lifted Ford Bronco tilted on a wooded embankment with two men assisting“Hoss”1979 Bronco · John Robert Miller25 photos 1979 Ford Bronco, front quarter view, hood open, beige and blue“Bronchitis”1979 Bronco · jleach601024 photos 1979 Ford Bronco, 3q-front view, two-tone paint, lifted“Boomer”1979 Bronco · suicidedoors6624 photos Brown and white Ford Bronco parked on a driveway1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · matt79broncone24 photos 1978 Ford Bronco navigating a rocky off-road trail, front fender and grille visible“Grey Ghost”1978 Bronco · Bill McFann24 photos Lifted blue and white Ford Bronco SUV, rear view, big tires and chrome bumper1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · bobby doe24 photos Black two-door SUV with front end stripped down, on grass in a wooded yard“BroncoBird”1978 Bronco · Ian Timss24 photos 1979 Ford Bronco door and interior with two men standing nearby“Betsy”1979 Bronco · Travis Coomer24 photos Blue and white Ford Bronco with engine removed, flat tire, parked next to a blue pickup truck“TAZ”1979 Bronco · kamakazi623 photos White 1978 Ford Bronco parked in front of a wooden barn1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · Mike Alt23 photos Close-up of a vehicle's front grille with visible radiator behind it“460”1979 Bronco · eastla78bronco23 photos White Ford Bronco with two people in it, driving on a dirt hill. Spare tire is in the bed1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · rambo7923 photos 1979 Ford Bronco navigating rocky terrain, front grille visible“Frankenbronco”1979 Bronco · Frank Morgenstern23 photos Blue SUV front end stripped to bare engine bay with red coil springs, in a dark garage.1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Paul Mattes23 photos Red 1978 Ford Bronco with toy Bronco in foreground1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · james freitag23 photos Used off-road all-terrain tire lying flat on pavement, tread facing up1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Berne Strom23 photos Heavily rusted vehicle frame and exhaust pipe underside.“Beast Of Burden”1979 Bronco · cheepsk822 photos Side view of tan and brown camo Ford Bronco SUV with white top on a driveway“Beast”1978 Bronco · Vampiricwerewolf22 photos Dark green lifted Ford Bronco with hood up, chrome grille, large off-road tires, in driveway“spyder”1979 Bronco · steve mass22 photos 1979 Ford Bronco with hood open, child in engine bay, red exterior“MUDD DOGG”1979 Bronco · Mike Sasser22 photos Front axle and suspension of a 4x4 vehicle, showing steering linkage and shock absorber“The Beast”1979 Bronco · JJZ10922 photos Green and white 1979 Ford Bronco on a dirt road“Ser”1979 Bronco · Sergio Loyola22 photos Black lifted Ford Bronco on large tires parked on a driveway1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · Spectre21 photos Red 1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT side panel with chrome trim and white stripe1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · nacman21 photos Brown 1978 Ford Bronco front view, rusty bumper, grille detail1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · tofo21 photos 1978 Ford Bronco body in a garage, undergoing repairs with a person working on the rear quarter panel1978 Bronco1978 Bronco · WOOD21 photos Snow-covered 1978-1979 Ford Bronco in a snowy field1979 Bronco1979 Bronco · trapper4x421 photos V8 engine hanging from hoist with chrome pulleys and blue plug wires in a garage“Lazy Horse”1978 Bronco · Roger Coleman21 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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