What year Bronco did I buy?

[Patrick]

The Bronco I purchased was advertised as a 1972 and the title also states that. But after looking at Bronco VIN decoding pages, I'm thinking the Bronco may be a 1973. I'm hoping to figure this out before I retitle the Bronco. What do you all think?

U15GLP90276
The date on the manufacture sticker says 10/72

 

[broncnaz]

Welcome.
I'd say its a 72 as production codes for a 72 are from M-Q and 73 coes are from Q-S although I have seen charts that dont quite conside with that. I doubt that anything will change as once a vehicle is titled to a certain year thats the year it is. they usually dont change it. Many times in the past even if it was a 73 if it was sold in 72 it was titled as a 72.

 

[jkransbottom]

Now let's see some pictures! ;D

 

[Scoop]

A manufacture date of 10/72 would make it a 73 model year. But it may have been tittled originally as a 72. Do all your VINs match? (Glove box door, frame and door jamb sticker?) Best bet is to order a build sheet from Ford. See this link.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105077&highlight=build+sheet

Also 73 was a transition year - does it have a C4? Power steering? J-shift D20?

 

[Explorer]

Just go with how it's titled, changing it will serve no purpose. Be more concerned with title matching glovebox and frame vin#.

 

[Patrick]

Thanks everyone

I purchased the Bronco on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0713321169&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

The VINs match on the door jam and in the glove box. Car is all original except for the driver's front fender. Drove 175 miles home just great.

It has power steering and color code "U". It's a model U151, body 14 and axle A31.

If it is a 1973, I can get the year changed on the title easily, because Kansas left the "P" out of the title and now I have to go to the Missouri Highway Patrol to have the VIN verified and they will also verify the year of the Bronco.

I will post photos later and would appreciate any help you all can provide.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Looks pretty nice. The axle code should end in "J" for power steering. A3 is 2780lb rear axle with 4.11 gears and limited slip. Never seen that body/trim code. I would of thought it was G4. Any chance you could post a pic of the VIN tag?

 

[Patrick]

I will update my account to contributor and upload some photos. thanks

 

[Patrick]

Here are the VIN plates. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Patrick]

Color

Never seen that body/trim code.

Bronco Ohio VIN decoder has the body/trim code "U" listed for 1973, but not 1972.

It's Medium Lime Metallic.

 

[broncnaz]

Does it have a ranger or explorer emblem on the glove box door? The coding on the VIN tag doesnt really spell out ranger as it seems to have to light of a GVW. Body trim codes are very misleading I've never seen something that denotes every code out there. plus towards the end of any model year you can also have some overlap. Off to dig up my 73 Ford manual see if it has any better info. I'm thinkin it was a explorer option.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Bronco Ohio VIN decoder has the body/trim code "U" listed for 1973, but not 1972.

It's Medium Lime Metallic.

The body/trim code refers to interior color and seat options. Early years were 3 or 4 digit numbers like 796 or 9U98. Starting in '70 or '71 they were changed to 1 digit with 2 digits only when the rear seat was included. Parchment front buckets only will have a code of 3. Add the rear seat and the code is 34. Optional colors had an alpha 1st character like B, C or G. Never seen the "I" (it's not a 1) color code before.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Does it have a ranger or explorer emblem on the glove box door? The coding on the VIN tag doesnt really spell out ranger as it seems to have to light of a GVW. Body trim codes are very misleading I've never seen something that denotes every code out there. plus towards the end of any model year you can also have some overlap. Off to dig up my 73 Ford manual see if it has any better info. I'm thinkin it was a explorer option.

I'm thinking explorer option also.

U151 came standard with the 2780lb rear axle. The 3300lb axle was required on the U152. You could get the 3300lb axle with U151 though, as I have it.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Another thing to note is the front axle code. '72 used an "L" to denote front limited slip. In '73 that was changed because of the power steering option. An open front diff with power steering would have a "J" and limited slip would have a "Q". "Q" included power steering. I don't think you could get front limited slip without PS after '72.

From the looks of the VIN tag either the PS is not original or Ford didn't have a way to denote PS on the VIN on the early production run.

 

[broncnaz]

My 73 Ranger was supposedly built in jul 72(my door sticker is gone but old paperworks says july) but also has a production month of Nov ie Q6xxxx. either way it was considered a 73 year model. The Ford production numbers can be a little confusing. I know I'm confused. but mine pans out as a 73 in either case. Also my 73 is a early model no ranger emblem on the glove box and Tshift tcase.
If you really want to know get a marti auto report. Otherwise it will be up to the DMV and what there records show as being a 72 or 73 production code. More than likely I still think its going to show up as a 72 since Q is considered to be the start of the 73 production.

More pics would help. Steering setup, interior, exterior. Did I mention we like pics.

 

[Justafordguy]

My first Bronco was a 73 Ranger (same green color) but that one doesn't have the J shift like my 73 did. I wonder if someone added the power steering?

That one is nice by the way.

 

[ghost66]

I can get the year changed on the title easily, because Kansas left the "P" out of the title and now I have to go to the Missouri Highway Patrol to have the VIN verified and they will also verify the year of the Bronco.

I had the same problem with my 66 the po titled it without the L, I just got a form from Missouri motor vehicles and the local Popo verified the vin number.
Piece of cake.

 

[Patrick]

Thanks all

I will post some more photos later. Enjoying the discussion. I had a 70 mustang that I rebuilt as a teenager, but the Bronco is new to me and I'm learning a lot from this. Someone want to explain what you mean by T-shift and J-shift. Is that the 4WD you are discussing?

Really impressed how helpful everyone is and I'm excited to restore this Bronco.

 

[Scoop]

You have a "T" shift - named by the T-handle - D20. It has a straight line shift pattern. Mid year 73 changed over to the "J" shift D20 which is named by the reverse "J" pattern needed to shift the TC. J is easier to twin stick but T has slightly better (lower) ratio for low range.

 

[NY-Bronco]

You have the same issues as I have. my build date is 11/72. It was right on that border. Everything about it says 72 but the dash layout says 73. The NJ DMV titled mine as a 72.