What is this hole for?

[f2502011]

Looks like a factory hole since it’s recessed. It’s not being used but I’m curious why it’s there and what it may have been for? 1972.

New item by Matthew

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Broncobowsher]

Trim panel?

 

[Master Chief]

Wiring harness clamp?

 

[f2502011]

Trim panel?

I don't think so under the hood.

 

[f2502011]

Wiring harness clamp?

No the hole for that is up higher closer to the top of the fender. You can see that clamp hanging in the picture just above the harness behind the hole in question.

 

[DirtDonk]

Where exactly is it? Driver's side could be for a jack handle, or jack bracket.
Passenger side, is there a second matching one higher up under the fender lip? Might be for the voltage regulator.

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

Where exactly is it? Driver's side could be for a jack handle, or jack bracket.
Passenger side, is there a second matching one higher up under the fender lip? Might be for the voltage regulator.

Paul

Good question. I thought that was the roof bolted to a quarter panel.

 

[f2502011]

Where exactly is it? Driver's side could be for a jack handle, or jack bracket.
Passenger side, is there a second matching one higher up under the fender lip? Might be for the voltage regulator.

Paul

Sorry I should have taken a better pic. It's in about the middle of the inside of the passenger side front fender. The voltage regulator sits further forward nearer to the battery.

 

[dmoses42]

My '72 doesn't have a hole there, and it is in original condition. It has the larger hole further back like the one in your pic but it doesn't have anything in it. My guess is that the one you are asking about was a ground for something a previous owner installed.

 

[DirtDonk]

While the locations of the voltage regulators did vary over the years, I think there were only three or four actual positions. So if yours was farther forward, then I’m not sure what that hole is for either.

I also thought that was a picture of a hard top bolted to the body, but it didn’t look like any location I could think of.
In fact, it didn’t look like under the hood either until you mentioned it, because that hole back there looked like it was on a raised flange. And that did not compute in my brain!
Although, at one point in production, Broncos did have some voltage regulators bolted right over a similar hole. But closer to the battery I believe.
When I saw that, I always thought it was strange, letting water get in there.
So I just assumed it was for breathability and letting water get out. Which didn’t make sense either, since the standoffish nature of the mounting flange of the regulator would allow plenty of air circulation behind it.

I can’t wait to see a wider view so we can put it completely in context

 

[f2502011]

While the locations of the voltage regulators did vary over the years, I think there were only three or four actual positions. So if yours was farther forward, then I’m not sure what that hole is for either.

I also thought that was a picture of a hard top bolted to the body, but it didn’t look like any location I could think of.
In fact, it didn’t look like under the hood either until you mentioned it, because that hole back there looked like it was on a raised flange. And that did not compute in my brain!
Although, at one point in production, Broncos did have some voltage regulators bolted right over a similar hole. But closer to the battery I believe.
When I saw that, I always thought it was strange, letting water get in there.
So I just assumed it was for breathability and letting water get out. Which didn’t make sense either, since the standoffish nature of the mounting flange of the regulator would allow plenty of air circulation behind it.

I can’t wait to see a wider view so we can put it completely in context

Yea I'll get a better pic this evening.

 

[Slowleak]

On later models the horn relay is mounted about where that hole appears to be.

 

[DirtDonk]

Good point!

 

[DirtDonk]

I seem to remember a similar one on my 71, but the previous owner had put a noise suppressing capacitor in that spot.
Gonna have to go look under the hood again I guess.

 

[f2502011]

Here's a better picture of what I am talking about. The hole is small but you can see it right above the inner passenger fender well. There's an oblong hole toward the front, the hole I'm asking about in the middle and a larger round hole toward the rear near the top.

Classic Bronco Bodies and Body Kit (1966-1977 Ford Bronco)

When building a Ford Bronco, classic Bronco bodies are a crucial component. Add one to our Bronco chassis and jump-start your build!

kincerchassis.com

 

[DirtDonk]

That’s a link to Kincer chassis. Is that what it was supposed to be?

 

[DirtDonk]

OK, I can enlarge it and just see some of the holes.
But I also meant to ask you previously, is this on your original body or new body parts?
I assume original, but figured I’d ask.

 

[f2502011]

Mine is original, but I found that picture that has the hole I'm referring to. It has to be a factory hole as it's stamped, recessed and perfectly round with no sharp edges or imperfections. Although I have no idea of it's purpose it is apparently important enough to include on a reproduction body.

 

[DirtDonk]

As was mentioned earlier, it could be for a horn relay in 73 and newer sheet metal. Wouldn’t have been there for older stuff however, at least not likely.
I mentioned 73, even though the horn relays didn’t start until the 74 model year. But in many cases with Bronco sheet-metal, the updates started early.
I can think of at least three where early sheet metal had later features.
But on a 72? Not so sure…

But new sheet metal, like the new body you linked to, would likely have all the features of all (later) years, no matter what year Bronco it was going on.

 

[Jakedog]

Good question. I thought that was the roof bolted to a quarter panel.

Me too.