1966 Bronco - Unique Features

[RJGarza]

Very subtle, but the number of tangs on the fender "Bronco" script emblem will be 1 or 2 less on 66 to ??. Don't pull them off to check! Lol

I pulled mine off just the other day as I will be needing new fenders. I can verify if anyone is curious lol.

 

[fordfan]

even if I found some dirty ones I could clean them and get them re-chromed.

"Clean", as referring to no non-factory bends. As Broncitis stated, The Bumper Boyz can also straighten and rechrome if they are not too bad.

 

[shamu]

There are two more rain gutters behind the dash on passenger and drivers side. Pics are okay.
Heater box is different and did anybody mention control knobs?

 

[Broncitis]

How did you know it was the first week of Aug. '65? Mine was made in Aug. but I'm not sure how soon.

It is a low VIN, it is the 17th earliest currently known, so it is likely 1st week, certainly first month.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218144&highlight=earliest+bronco

With just over 11,000 original and verifid miles (it had 9,500 when we got it in 2000), it is likely one of the lowest mileage 66 Roadsters as well.

 

[xcntrk]

Great thread!

Don't forget the different lift gate handle & lock too.

 

[hightime]

I have an August build , but it's in the 8,000's

Thanks for all the information guys. You're great!
Mine is a practically rust , dent free, 1/2 cab with the right grill and tailgate. I believe it has never been repaired. U14FL738593. It was totally repainted over thirty years ago from light blue to black and different wheels. For now I'll keep it black. So from what I've read here, there were at least 6,593 built in Aug.

 

[akc1955]

My Bronco's VIN is U14FL748225, which means it was built in September 1965. Not super early, but pretty early!

 

[Broncitis]

Thanks for all the information guys. You're great!
Mine is a practically rust , dent free, 1/2 cab with the right grill and tailgate. I believe it has never been repaired. U14FL738593. It was totally repainted over thirty years ago from light blue to black and different wheels. For now I'll keep it black. So from what I've read here, there were at least 6,593 built in Aug.

I'm not sure where you came up with that number, but if you are looking from VIN 732000 to another later August number, you can not deduce that there were that many Broncos made since this series of VINs was also assigned to other models, not just the Bronco.

My dad's U13 is 732364, but it is likely not the 364th Bronco made, but less than that. Which one exactly, who knows? All I actually know for certain at this point is it is somewhere between the 17th and 364th built.

 

[hightime]

Yes, I know that that is many other trucks, etc

 

[Broncitis]

Yes, I know that that is many other trucks, etc

Where did you get the 6,593 Broncos for August production?

That would have been over 1/4 of the entire 66 production just in the first month of a completely new model which I find to be very unlikely.

 

[BajaFresh75]

Two other items:
66 radio knobs are fluted with White centers (66 only), 67 are fluted with silver centers, a one year only as well.
66 Broncos have at least 3 different rear view mirrors, 2 are windshield frame mounted (typical for U13) and 1 is windshield glass mounted.

I own U13FL732158 and recently U13FL732223, both are Budd bodies, and both inner fenders have a seam that stops 2"short of the firewall, as the later 66's I have the inner fenders go all the way to the firewall. I'll post pictures of the differences.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

Any chance something like this for every model year gets a sticky?

 

[Broncitis]

The 66 knobs are somewhat conical with wide flutes and the white dished centers but the 67 are more disc shape similar but not exacty like the 68-77, but with a silver center that come to a slightly outward conical point in the center. Both have a similar straight knurl pattern on the OD like a quarter.

The 68-77 knobs are more rounded on the OD when looked at from their profile, and the silver center is domed, not pointed in the middle.

 

[Broncitis]

Any chance something like this for every model year gets a sticky?

The later years would have very little differences. 66 is certainly the most unique, and 67 has some odd (dash chrome trim, only available on '67 with bright package as I recall) and new things as well that carried on to later years.


There is a pretty comprehensive breakdown on some of these details over the entire production on JBG's site:
http://broncograveyard.com/support/6677specs.php

 

[hightime]

I went to that site and it said production started in Oct. '65. I've always thought Aug.

 

[Broncitis]

I went to that site and it said production started in Oct. '65. I've always thought Aug.

Yes, August '65 is also what my understanding is. Not sure where they got Oct. 1, '65?

 

[lil bronco]

Kool thread .

 

[NGABronco]

A friend ordered 2 new doors from JBG and they came with the window frame in a seperate box, like the 66' used to be. Something to do with shipping!!%)

 

[lil bronco]

A friend ordered 2 new doors from JBG and they came with the window frame in a seperate box, like the 66' used to be. Something to do with shipping!!%)

That's good to know.

 

[JGbronc]

A friend ordered 2 new doors from JBG and they came with the window frame in a seperate box, like the 66' used to be. Something to do with shipping!!%)

If you order new window frames from JBG, they come tapped for bolts too. We just got 2 new ones (one from JBG) and they were that way. I guess they made them "universal".

Also the bolt on windshield frame for '66-'67 or '68 (can anyone verify which?)

The stamped VIN on a '66 frame looks different than later years (bigger and not lined perfectly), but I'm not sure when it changed. Just saw that on a U13.