1966 Body differences

[jcpetrson]

Dang it! By the pictures posted above comparing the two tailgates, my 66 actually has a later tailgate. Bummer!

The top is also not a '66. Doesn't have the lock on the window.

 

[fordfan]

Just curious, but is it true that all 66's only came with the line style tailgate as opposed to the hump? I have been looking at a ton of photos on-line and have seen a lot of 66's that claim they are original with a tailgate that has the hump and not the line. Some of the pictures I have seen were on the u13roadster.com registry. I can't imagine that so many people with 66's have the wrong tailgate. I know my tail lights are different, but I think my tailgate might actually be original. Is there any other way to find out via markings or codes that might be stamped on the tailgate somewhere?

Yes, all '66's came with the "one line" tailgate. Matter of fact....Many of the '67's had the same tailgate. Like the earlier post: the post '66 tailgate is so much easier to find, so the rusty/bent/damaged early tailgate gets replaced with the more popular "hump" tailgate. Anyway....who is going to know the difference except real Bronco aficionado! Quiet possibly the guy who swapped out the tailgate never noticed the difference!

 

[66' bronco]

The small lines above the headlight to the edge of the grill, hard to see it on an all white one. Make the pic bigger and u can see it.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[Seattle66]

Yes, all '66's came with the "one line" tailgate. Matter of fact....Many of the '67's had the same tailgate. Like the earlier post: the post '66 tailgate is so much easier to find, so the rusty/bent/damaged early tailgate gets replaced with the more popular "hump" tailgate. Anyway....who is going to know the difference except real Bronco aficionado! Quiet possibly the guy who swapped out the tailgate never noticed the difference!

Gotcha. Thanks. I appreciate the info. I am sure the only time it will ever be an issue is if I go to sell it, which hopefully I won't do for a long long time. Although there are a lot of none original types like me out there so it might not ever be an issue.

 

[half cab]

Although there are a lot of none original types like me out there so it might not ever be an issue.

True...Enjoy your your ride it looks good;D

 

[gambling209]

Was the 66 metal better prepped? Possible galvanized? Seem to find the 66's in Minnesota in better condition than the rest. Pealing rocker paint seem to unearth silver steel on several of my 66s'.[/Q
about the 64.5 mustang comment. it has been said that ford did a better job when putting them together. more seam sealer more welds. maybe this was the same with the bronco. maybe after they built them the bean counters started to cut costs with a cheaper metal and less install effort?

 

[hightime]

Wow, I'd better take good care of my last Bronco. It's a rust free '66 half cab, with all the right stuff, even the that blueish silver seat and visors. I guess the original buyer didn't like the seat and the light blue body and covered the seat and had an incredible paint job done on it. The only light blue I could find was paint flaked off on the interior of the headlight rings. I guess I should repaint. I just don't like light blue. Here it is now. I guess I need a straight end front bumper though. Anybody want to trade for the aluminum thing?

 

[RJGarza]

I'm new to the bronco scene myself, I just bought a rusty ol 66 roadster last week. It does have the "one line" tailgate but its completely rusted through and probably not salvagable unless someone can work a miracle on it. It also has the hood with the 4 support bars which is also rusted through. Im loving this thread, keep the post coming! I enjoy learning new stuff about my 66 bronco!

 

[BroncKrawler]

Not sure if this was mentioned but the front Dana 30 has a brass 90 on the fill plug.

 

[lil bronco]

Anything new??

 

[Broncobowsher]

Anything new??

No, they are all still approaching 50 years old.

 

[RJGarza]

From my understanding, 66 has a specific gauge as well. The speedometer "dots" are outside of the main MPH numbers as 67-77 "dots" are inside of the MPH numbers. Sorry for my crappy explaining lol.

 

[clarrance]

From my understanding, 66 has a specific gauge as well. The speedometer "dots" are outside of the main MPH numbers as 67-77 "dots" are inside of the MPH numbers. Sorry for my crappy explaining lol.

The 66 does have a specific gauge cluster, but the 67 looks very similar to the 66 the font is just a little different.

The 68-77 have the tick marks like you mentioned. There were several variations on the 68-77 gauge clusters from the unleaded fuel labeling, to the orange warning stripe to warn you about going too fast. LOL

 

[Bluebolt]

One thing I did not see mentioned is the reason for some of the 1966 differences is because the Bronco shared some styling cues and parts from the 1966 F100. Taillight lenses and buckets are the same without a reverse light, the styling line difference on the upper part of the tailgate is the same as the difference between a 1966 F100 tailgate and a 1967 F100 tailgate, some knobs and handles are the same. The lower rear part of the rear quarters styling is identical to 1964-1966 F100 Styleside bed design.

And although it has been mentioned on other threads on this one I did not see the different front and rear bumpers mentioned.

 

[half cab]

One thing I've noticed is most all listed is getting rehashed several times.

 

[RJGarza]

There were several variations on the 68-77 gauge clusters from the unleaded fuel labeling, to the orange warning stripe to warn you about going too fast. LOL

I'll never have to worry about going too fast with my 66. 170ci 6cyl, 3 spd manual with 31s... I'll be lucky if I can reach 60mph lol. I would love to swap in a V8 during the frame-off restoration it's about to go through but I don't have the knowledge or money for it and I'm also starting to lean more towards a stock bronco. A motor swap would really extended the restoration time as well.

 

[iwlbcnu]

Working on a Budd body, just found it had the dual tank selector holes, center is a rubber plug, both bolt holes have another style plug. I didn't think dual tanks were a 66 thing.
Saw the extra hole and plug behind drivers seat where the quarter panels join.

 

[markatherton]

66

I think it was determined that there are 106 documented unique differences on a 66 bronco. I seem to remember an extensive evaluation on this website as to the specifics.

 

[okie4570]

Working on a Budd body, just found it had the dual tank selector holes, center is a rubber plug, both bolt holes have another style plug. I didn't think dual tanks were a 66 thing.
Saw the extra hole and plug behind drivers seat where the quarter panels join.

Auxiliary tank was an option in May of 66'. The extra hole and plug behind the driver's seat, are you referring to the oblong one?

 

[iwlbcnu]

So looking back at mine, the selector holes are nothing like the used large hole with two small above, mine are all three in a row.
The extra is the oblong one.
Also I found the the rear floor brace in front of the body mount support, has angled ends, where later are cut flat.