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.
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
| Year | Engines | Drivetrain & brakes | Notable changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 351 cubic-inch (5.8L) and 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) V8s from the 335-series (Modified) family | Four-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 | First 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 |
| 1979 | 351 cubic-inch (5.8L) and 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) V8s; emissions hardware revised | Four-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 added | Last 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
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.
The wall · registered 1978–1979 Broncos
Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.
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
- Introduced as the first full-size Bronco. The 1978 Ford Bronco replaced the compact 1966-1977 truck with a full-size, truck-based design, the model enthusiasts call the "Big Bronco."
- Dentside F-series platform. The 1978 Bronco moved onto the 1973-1979 F-100/F-150 platform, the body style collectors call "Dentside," rather than the compact early-Bronco chassis it replaced.
- New 104-inch wheelbase. The 1978 Bronco rode on a 104-inch wheelbase, longer than the early truck's 92 inches, with the wider track and larger cab of a full-size pickup.
- Removable fiberglass rear roof. The 1978 Bronco was a two-door wagon with a fixed front cab and a removable fiberglass top over the rear seating and cargo area, so the back could be opened up while the windshield, doors, and front roofline stayed in place.
- V8-only engine lineup. The 1978 Bronco was V8-only, using Ford's 335-series "Modified" engines: the 351 cubic-inch (5.8L) as standard and the 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) as the optional engine. These are tall-deck "M" engines, not the 351 Windsor or 351 Cleveland.
- Two transfer cases tied to the transmission. The 1978 Bronco's transfer case depended on which transmission a truck carried. Trucks with the NP435 4-speed manual used the gear-driven New Process NP205 part-time four-wheel-drive case, while trucks with the C6 automatic commonly used the chain-driven New Process NP203 full-time four-wheel-drive case. The NP205 setup is part-time, so the front axle is engaged only when the case is shifted into 4WD and the truck should not be driven in 4WD on dry pavement; the NP203 has an inter-axle differential and can be left engaged on pavement.
- Full-time 4WD availability. Because the C6-automatic trucks could carry the full-time NP203 transfer case, full-time four-wheel drive was available on the 1978 Bronco, an option that lets the truck stay in 4WD on dry pavement, unlike the part-time NP205 manual-transmission trucks.
- Dana 44 front axle, Ford 9-inch rear axle. The 1978 Bronco used a solid Dana 44 front axle and a Ford 9-inch rear axle, both heavier units than the early Bronco carried because the truck itself was heavier.
- NP435 4-speed manual, C6 automatic optional. The 1978 Bronco came with the New Process NP435 4-speed manual as the standard transmission and the C6 3-speed automatic as the option. The manual paired with the gear-driven NP205 part-time transfer case; the automatic commonly paired with the chain-driven NP203 full-time transfer case.
- Front disc brakes standard. The 1978 Bronco came with front disc brakes as standard equipment and drums at the rear, the normal full-size light-truck arrangement of the period.
- Trim levels and the Free Wheeling package. The 1978 Bronco was offered 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 era.
- Shared hardware with the F-series. Because the 1978 Bronco is mechanically a full-size F-series, many service and chassis parts interchange with 1973-1979 F-100 and F-150 pickups.
1979
- Final full-size Dentside year. The 1979 Bronco was the last full-size Dentside model before Ford downsized the truck onto the 1980 "Bullnose" platform, which makes 1978 and 1979 the only full-size Dentside Broncos.
- Engine lineup carried over. The 1979 Bronco kept the V8-only 335-series lineup, the 351 cubic-inch (5.8L) standard and the 400 cubic-inch (6.6L) optional, both "Modified" tall-deck "M" engines.
- Emissions hardware revised. Tightening federal emissions rules brought a catalytic converter and revised engine calibrations for 1979; the specific certification and calibration varied, so confirm an individual truck against its build data.
- Advertised power varied by calibration. Published output for the 1979 Bronco reflected the year's emissions calibrations, so confirm the figure for an individual truck rather than assuming a single number for the generation.
- Move toward rectangular headlamps on higher trims. The 1979 Bronco shifted its front-end appearance toward rectangular sealed-beam headlamps on many trucks, a higher-trim freshening rather than a universal change to every truck.
- Drivetrain and brakes unchanged. The 1979 Bronco continued with the NP435 4-speed manual standard and C6 3-speed automatic optional, the same two transfer cases tied to transmission choice (the gear-driven NP205 part-time case behind the manual, the chain-driven NP203 full-time case commonly behind the automatic), a solid Dana 44 front axle, a Ford 9-inch rear axle, and standard front disc brakes with rear drums. The part-time NP205 trucks should not be driven in 4WD on dry pavement, while the full-time NP203 trucks can be left engaged on pavement.
- Trim levels carried over. The 1979 Bronco continued to offer the base Custom and the Ranger XLT, with the Free Wheeling appearance package still available.
- Replaced for 1980. The 1979 Bronco was the end of this two-year platform; for 1980 Ford fielded a downsized, lighter Bronco on the new "Bullnose" F-series body, so 1978 and 1979 were the only Dentside-bodied (full-size) Broncos.