How can I determine what year the body is on my Bronco

[broncobird]

Later model striker looks like to me.

 

[Blue71]

The door post itself is 68-77. Hard to tell if the striker is round or oval but I’m betting oval.

Blue71

 

[Viperwolf1]

Well that narrowed it down! Perhaps some pictures of the other key areas mentioned above will help.

 

[toddmedin]

There are some differences throughout the years, most notably the early 66 tubs have a bunch of unique features that start to go away in 67, 68 and gone completely by 69. The addition of lower side reflectors in 68 & 69 that changed to side markers in 70. You also have the tell tale 66-67 door locks and internal handles that changed in 68, removable upper window frame on the door from 66 to 68 and then later you have the unmistakeable fuel door on the 77. There are many other differences to add with vacuum wipers from 66 through early 69. Basically the tubs remained largely unchanged from 70 through 76. Here you will have to dive into the dash panel layout as that had several changes. An internal change I have noticed on some we have restored is sometime after 73 we have seen the loss of the bulkhead fasteners in the floor since they stopped production of the half cab. The hoods remained the same from 69 on until 77. It has a unique forward rib that was 77 only stamped to accommodate the larger distributor cap. I say 69 on because I have seen some difference in the under hood structure but am not certain as to what year that was or if they were aftermarket hoods which I am sure someone will chime in on.

All kinds of good stuff in your statement...unfortunately, none of it helps in my case...
-mine didn't have full/complete doors, so nothing I can use there.
-mine didn't have wipers (still doesn't)
-the dash panel I'm sure is not the same as the tub...teal vs yellow...so Frankenstein continues.
-I bought another hood as the one with my "kit" was pretty beat up.
-the fuel door had been modified.
-the side markers had been modified.

Great info...just doesn't help me.
Todd

 

[toddmedin]

Do you now if the windshield frame is bolted or welded on? 66-68 bolted, after that welded.

I also have a Frankenstein. 68 body on a 75 frame with 76 axles, and the old hood from my 73.

My windshield frame is welded on...so, post 68.

Todd

 

[Blue71]

What does your front drivers wheel tub look like? Does it have an indented ridge on the side that faces the steering column or is it mostly flat? If it’s mostly flat it’s 66-72. If it is indented right beside where the steering column goes ( for clearance) then check out the other pics for 73-75 and 76-77. Below are some pics. Let us know which one you have.

Blue71

 

[toddmedin]

I can't tell if it's oval or round lol, what's the end look like? Rear shock is pointed to the rear, but that could have been added as well.

Here is a better picture...definitely oval...~12mm horizontal and ~23mm vertical.

Todd

 

[toddmedin]

What does your front drivers wheel tub look like? Does it have an indented ridge on the side that faces the steering column or is it mostly flat? If it’s mostly flat it’s 66-72. If it is indented right beside where the steering column goes ( for clearance) then check out the other pics for 73-75 and 76-77. Below are some pics. Let us know which one you have.

Blue71

You ready for this? I don't have "wheel tubs!" One of the POs must have been planning on turning it into a monster off roader...and cut out the 2 front wheel tubs.

So much was missing...maybe I ought to go ensure it really is a Bronco! ;D

Todd

 

[bronkenn]

I am not sure about this but my 72 has what appears to be a date stamped on the cowl/firewall right above the cable hole for the heater shut off valve. It is a stamping that looks like a date ending in 72. Ken

 

[DirtDonk]

73 and later have a box section added to make room for a PS box.

As well as the fresh air intake hole in the core support on the '73-newer ones as well.

Both of which showed up on late '72 models. I know of three '72's just around here that have both, but are registered as '72's and don't have any other '73 clues. I don't remember if they are all "P" models, as in Viper's P's & Q's thread, but I believe at least one is.

Rear shock is pointed to the rear, but that could have been added as well.

Only early '66 got the front facing rear shock. All the rest were rear facing.
But wow, you must have x-ray vision! I can't see the shock or the notch in the body. Shock is on frame of course, so could be different, but the notch in the wheel well lip would point to later '66 to '77.

-the fuel door had been modified.

You can look inside the rear quarter to see what type it would have come with, but only a '77 is different in any major way, with it's completely different shaped inner panels.

I am not sure about this but my 72 has what appears to be a date stamped on the cowl/firewall right above the cable hole for the heater shut off valve. It is a stamping that looks like a date ending in 72.

Is it an actual stamp into the metal, or one of those yellow paint stamps? The paint stamps would be a good thing to find. But I wonder if there is any stock paint left un-covered in there?
I don't have one in the spot you describe, but have found them in other places. On mine there is a yellow stamp on one fender top between the bolts and another under the dash. Seen many others, but don't remember if they were all showing dates, or just "OK" stamps or what. Good thing to keep an eye out for though.

Here are some pictures...

You carry your "parking brake" with you there Todd?;D
I've seen that Bronco before. Either here or out at an event perhaps. Seems like I remember the pain scheme from some images here on the forum.
You get it from a member here? Looks pretty cool.

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

The answer man.

Wealth of know how

 

[toddmedin]

You carry your "parking brake" with you there Todd?;D
I've seen that Bronco before. Either here or out at an event perhaps. Seems like I remember the pain scheme from some images here on the forum.
You get it from a member here? Looks pretty cool.

Paul

Yep, right now that is my parking brake...I want to put a hand operated one in...because with a manual tranny it is a good thing to be able to apply the brake by hand (usually to avoid rolling back) to keep your feet free for clutch and gas...while trying to climb over something...but, I haven't put the parking brake in yet.

I also liked your Freudian slip when you said "I remember the pain scheme." It was truly painful for a couple of years! ;D

Regarding where I got the "kit"...I live in San Diego and bought it from a local guy here in the San Diego area...I'm sure he is on this forum.

I had posted some things a few years ago...but I've never been to a Bronco "event"...although I would like to.

Here is the best picture I have of what the paint scheme looked like when I got it (obviously this is after I got it running)...with my son driving it...I "rattle canned" it later...(this Bronco will never be a beauty like so many other ones on this forum are...it is a beater...but, I like it and that is what counts).

My wife has "encouraged" me to sell it, but with so much "blood, sweat and tears" into it...and the time with my son working on it...I just can't sell it. I'll bet there are many others that feel the same way about theirs too.

Todd

 

[toddmedin]

I am not sure about this but my 72 has what appears to be a date stamped on the cowl/firewall right above the cable hole for the heater shut off valve. It is a stamping that looks like a date ending in 72. Ken

I just went and looked...I didn't see any stamped or painted information near the heater-cable hole.

I was wondering if there was some kind of date stamp somewhere I could find...but, apparently not, or it was merely painted on.

Todd

 

[bronkenn]

Paul, Mine is stamped in the metal about two inches above the cable hole. It is A5 2 72 and is stamped pretty deep in about 3/16 high numbers. Ken

 

[DirtDonk]

Hmm, I'll have to keep my eyes open for more of those.

Thanks

Paul

 

[chrlsful]

dash w/all the rectangles holding the lghts & names of the function (heater, wipers, etc) musta came after 1970 (My 70 dont have em the 77 duz).

"...appears to be a date stamped on..."
prt #, Todd?

The frame has ID info stamped on it. Even that moved around to at least 4 or 5 places.

After 50 yrs frankinstien is the usual... My 70 is on a 77 frame, 72 doors etc. I put it together frm 3 - 4 abt 30 yrs ago. @ that time I got some lami glass frm a store front to do the windshield... The motor is a '69 stang 4.1 i6, tranny '04 5 speed frm a heep, etc, Drive'n adapt to enjoy, meet a specific need!

But, yes, try'n ID every prt U can to answ the Q: "What is the best component to have that blends w/the others AND offers the very best available to meet MY Specific APPLICATION?" This is the Q to every automotive choice. Not cost, looks (unless entirely cosmetic & there's nonea dat on my vehicle)availability, copy others, etc...So to me 'frenkenstien' is a misnomer. 30 yrs a "woods wrk truck" soon to B retired to a 21 y/o daughter as DD/off rd explorer the application totally changes, the mods off OEM come on (the 5 speed, 4.1L, etc).