An amber desert terrain set behind a white Ford Bronco® logo treatment

Ford Bronco®: A 4x4 Legend

In 1966, this new breed of off-road vehicle stampeded onto the scene and into wild hearts everywhere, setting the mold for the modern SUV.

1978-1979

Generation 2: Bronco Goes Bigger

Information on this page was sourced from “Ford Bronco: A History of Ford’s Legendary 4x4” by Todd Zuercher.

A two-tone vintage Ford Bronco® model parked in front of a mountainous landscape

Following its successful debut, sales reached record levels after the 1978 launch of the 2nd generation. The first two years were some of the most popular 30-year production run. Bronco shifted to a larger platform and body-style sharing components with the F-Series truck while maintaining key off-road capabilities including maneuverability, and approach, departure, and break over angles.

Bronco History Gallery

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Rugged Adventurer

Second Generation Bronco upped its toughness with off-road-ready features including optional dual shocks for the front suspension, heavy-duty rear shocks, and front and rear sway bars to improve handling. The front and rear axles were carried over from the F-Series, and horsepower amplified with two standard V8 engines.

  • A two-tone 1978 Ford Bronco® model parked at a rustic overlook

    Generation 2 offered new exterior styling terrain with a wide assortment of
bold two-tone paint treatments. A Ford truck-inspired grille and fiberglass
top added to its ruggedly handsome, and seriously capable, good looks.

  • A two-tone 1979 Ford Bronco® model being driven across a rocky riverbed

    Key updates, like an automatic transmission and the choice of part-time or full-time 4x4 system, let Bronco adapt to road conditions on the fly. Standard
power tailgate glass was operated from the driver’s seat or liftgate area. Bronco also offered up to five radio options. Three more than its competition.

  • An orange 1978 Ford Bronco® model being driven amidst a mountainous landscape

    Touted in ads as the "first 4-wheeler that puts it all together," the ’78 Bronco boasted a Big cube 5.8L (351) V-8 standard engine, choice of part-time 4WD with optional automatic, rear foot-well for seating comfort, four-speed transmission, a front quad shock option, Front stabilizer bar, and more.

  • A two-tone 1978 Ford Bronco® model being driven across a gravel terrain

    The latest “luxury Bronco” added chrome bumpers, window and body moldings, plus plush cut-pile carpeting. It also featured exclusive vinyl
upholstery and spare tire cover, additional insulation for a more comfortable cabin, and sleek wood-tone accents on its door panels.

Bronco-Worthy Style, Inside and Out

Interior amenities and standout package options leveled up life on the trail.

The red interior of a 1979 Ford Bronco® model

Front seats came in several configurations: low-back bucket seats, a bench
seat, high-back buckets and, in 1979, captain’s chairs. In back, a flip/fold seat offered room for three, and plenty of cargo area versatility, while a foot well
upped the comfort factor. Other standouts included optional sliding rear
windows and a padded “GT” bar.

A tri-color 1979 Ford Bronco® model parked on a beach with surfers meeting in the background

Available on the Custom or Ranger XLT Bronco models, this package featured tri-color striping available in orange/tan/cream or blue/white/green. Black bumpers adorned the front and rear, and the low-mount side mirrors were also blacked out. Optional wheels included a 15x6-inch white-spoke wheel, 15x8-inch white-spoke steel wheels, or yellow-painted wheels.

Old School Enthusiasts

Dig deep into some historical, all-purpose Bronco specifications.

A vintage two-tone Ford Bronco® model parked on a beach