New Bronco 50th article by Jim Allen

[Classic 4x4]

I had the opportunity to meet one of the original Bronco project engineers a number of years ago here in AZ and heard some interesting stories from him. I was surprised how small the team was - he claimed there were about 5-6 people as I recall. I'm not sure if he's still living or not - he's a snowbird so I'll have to look for him this fall at the car shows.

Todd Z.

The "next project" is not fully engraved in stone yet, but there is an upcoming project that will have significant Bronco content.

Which guy did you meet in AZ? Just so I make sure he's on my list?

 

[toddz69]

The "next project" is not fully engraved in stone yet, but there is an upcoming project that will have significant Bronco content.

Which guy did you meet in AZ? Just so I make sure he's on my list?

His first name is Larry. Last name escapes me. I was digging around in all my stuff recently for his business card and couldn't find it, but I just had a flash the other day that I think I know where it might be so maybe some digging this weekend. If I find it, I'll let you know. I recall one neat thing about my conversation with him was that he recited all the names of the design team to me; of course I wasn't sitting there with a pen writing them all down like a good historian would.

I was also floored a few years ago when one of my SAE colleagues told me that he designed, actually redesigned, the transfer case adapter on the Bronco prior to introduction because the original one was too weak. He didn't have any other cool stories other than that, but I still of course found it very interesting - and explained why that piece is so incredibly beefy.

Todd Z.

 

[Classic 4x4]

Waiting with bated breath. A "Larry" is not on my official list, but I haven't transcribed all my notes onto lists. I remember a Larry but he might be a Scout guy. It's all running together at the moment. So many facts, so little brain.

 

[Scoop]

Jim, great article. Todd, thanks for posting.

I learned a few things I didn't know. I currently own first, second and third gen Broncos and love them all. (See my garage.) I have an early 78 and was particularly interested in the development of the full sizes. I had never seen a pic of the short horn prototype done in 73. Now I'm glad they waited until 78 to upsize the Bronco! I always thought the 78 "mule" prototype was the first - BD had a good piece on it a few years back. To be honest the Bronco that has been growing on me since I've had it is my base model 84 with the 300 I6 and NP435. It's an awesome Bronco and the big six 4-speed combo is very under rated and under appreciated in my opinion.

Thanks!

 

[Classic 4x4]

Jim, great article. Todd, thanks for posting.

I learned a few things I didn't know. I currently own first, second and third gen Broncos and love them all. (See my garage.) I have an early 78 and was particularly interested in the development of the full sizes. I had never seen a pic of the short horn prototype done in 73. Now I'm glad they waited until 78 to upsize the Bronco! I always thought the 78 "mule" prototype was the first - BD had a good piece on it a few years back. To be honest the Bronco that has been growing on me since I've had it is my base model 84 with the 300 I6 and NP435. It's an awesome Bronco and the big six 4-speed combo is very under rated and under appreciated in my opinion.

Thanks!

Any chance you could scan that BD article and email it. I think I know the truck, but want to be sure.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Viper- Good clues, thanks! Can you give me a hint where I might documentation on this in '74 materials? I have a '74 Data Book but not a '74 Truck Facts Book. Don't have either for '75. I'll look more closely in the '74 Data Book in the meantime. There is a note about a "California Emissions Package" but I haven't found a list yet of what is include in that.

I'll say this to everyone: Please, PLEASE don't be offended if I don't "take your word" for everything and ask for documentary links. Perhaps not everything I write is 100 percent correct in the broad sense (barring my mistakes) but I can usually present documentation to back up my assertions. Perhaps I demonstrated that a little in this thread. Documentation is important if you are going to write about history that will someday be held up as a "fact" It's not so much if you are just a poster on an intent forum. I have been bitten in the butt too many times by not fact checking little details like this. More than that, I have learned the timeless value of getting things as right as possible. As a writer historian I have learned that among the hardest things to overcome are the incorrect facts laid down by a previous writer and now considered gospel by people who don't have access to the primary information.

Anyway, bottom line, I LOVE to be PROVEN wrong but I prefer to have that done BEFORE I put it on paper. That's why I like to find a good board like this and get my ass whipped a little.

How about the original Ford '74 Bronco wiring diagram? Printed in Aug '73.

 

[Scoop]

Any chance you could scan that BD article and email it. I think I know the truck, but want to be sure.

I'm in CO for the next couple of weeks and my BD collection is in TX! I can look for it when I get back if someone else has not sent it to you by then.

 

[Scoop]

I did find a scan of one of the pics in the article.

 

[Classic 4x4]

OK, I've seen that pic before. When you get a chance, it would be great to see the whole thing. Or at least the issue month and year. From what I see, it might have been written by George Peterson, who was one of the engineers involved.

 

[Classic 4x4]

How about the original Ford '74 Bronco wiring diagram? Printed in Aug '73.

Thanks much! Very nice of you to take the time to get me those PDFs! Do you have any of the other four pages? Don't need 'em, just wonder if it calls out something like "California Emissions Package" or something?

 

[Scoop]

OK, I've seen that pic before. When you get a chance, it would be great to see the whole thing. Or at least the issue month and year. From what I see, it might have been written by George Peterson, who was one of the engineers involved.

Will do!

Gary

 

[West Tn Dawg]

Here is another.

 

[toddz69]

Thanks much! Very nice of you to take the time to get me those PDFs! Do you have any of the other four pages? Don't need 'em, just wonder if it calls out something like "California Emissions Package" or something?

This may be helpful too. Here's a copy of a '74 document that mentions the igntion stuff. I have one from '75 that I'll scan too for you. The '74 sales brochure doesn't mention this. The '75 and '76 brochures mention "breakerless" ignition.

Todd Z.

 

[half cab]

Wish I had a "bold orange"

 

[Viperwolf1]

Thanks much! Very nice of you to take the time to get me those PDFs! Do you have any of the other four pages? Don't need 'em, just wonder if it calls out something like "California Emissions Package" or something?

I do have them but there is no other mention of it. You have to keep in mind these diagrams were for use by technicians that would be working on these Broncos (hence the Aug '73 printing), not salesmen that would be selling them.

 

[Classic 4x4]

I do have them but there is no other mention of it. You have to keep in mind these diagrams were for use by technicians that would be working on these Broncos (hence the Aug '73 printing), not salesmen that would be selling them.

Thanks. The only reason I asked is that if there were a Bronco with a "Special Emissions Package" and one without, the wiring would be different so there would either be two diagrams or the one diagram would show the differences and may call them out is some way.

 

[Classic 4x4]

This may be helpful too. Here's a copy of a '74 document that mentions the igntion stuff. I have one from '75 that I'll scan too for you. The '74 sales brochure doesn't mention this. The '75 and '76 brochures mention "breakerless" ignition.

Todd Z.

Very useful, thanks. I definitely spells it out as being part of the "Special Emissions Package." I have these LT-5 pages from other years and they provide a lot of useful information. Ford's publications department in this era was really good. I say that having collected material from many other brands as well. You should see my office!

 

[toddz69]

OK, I've seen that pic before. When you get a chance, it would be great to see the whole thing. Or at least the issue month and year. From what I see, it might have been written by George Peterson, who was one of the engineers involved.

I found the article and scanned it and will be emailing it to you. It was written by Dick Nesbitt, who according to some online forum chatter, was still actively working 5 years ago.

Todd Z.

 

[Scoop]

I found the article and scanned it and will be emailing it to you. It was written by Dick Nesbitt, who according to some online forum chatter, was still actively working 5 years ago.

Todd Z.

Thanks Todd. This is a lot quicker than I could have done.

I'm planning my 78 build to look a lot like this 78 prototype. Not a clone, more of a tribute. It was originally the same yellow with round headlights. I thought the Cactus Smasher was a nice touch for the prototype!

 

[Classic 4x4]

Oddly, a close family friend had a '78 exactly like the yellow and white one. He bought it new and had until he was in his 90s. Western Desert truck too... no rust.