78 Fs frame ranger body swap

78'FSB · 09-23-2012, 07:28 PM

So I'm the proud new owner of a 78 FSB. I took it off roading for the first time up in Michigan. It performed very well except for the body mounts that were pretty much gone. The whole underside of the bronco shell is very rusty and structurally unstable, even to weld reinforcements on. So I was wondering, does anyone have any info/experience swapping a first or second gen. ranger body (83-92) onto a full size 78 bronco frame? Any information would be very helpful, thanks!

96XLTJD · 09-23-2012, 08:19 PM

NO DONT DO IT.

78'FSB · 09-23-2012, 08:24 PM

Why not?

66CC · 09-23-2012, 08:29 PM

Show us some pics.

You can cut and replace a lot of tin before throwing the body away.

78'FSB · 09-23-2012, 08:45 PM

If I had to, I could do a lot of welding and reinforce it, but I like the idea of tires sticking out more then that almost 7 foot wide body, I'm building for tighter trails and if my tires are going to hit before my body does, then I can maneuver that much easier. My plan is to actually cut the front of the ranger bed out and the back of the cab and weld it together to make my own mini-bronco. I'm looking for any info to see how it fits on the frame before I buy a ranger body

78'FSB · 09-23-2012, 08:55 PM

How do I post pics since I can't add attachments?

**379sinvb** · 09-23-2012, 09:02 PM

You're a noob so I'm going to take it easy well maybe.

Here is where you post questions:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...splay.php?f=21
Here is how you post pictures:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ead.php?t=6204

Maybe search a little and read a little before we go giving us your 2 cents.
I have not seen the Ranger on 78 frame but there is one in the General Section.

***Redwagon*** · 09-23-2012, 11:57 PM

moved to correct forum....

**reptillikus** · 09-24-2012, 08:56 AM

Do a search for the user The Legend, he put a 80s Ranger body on his 77 frame. Its a pretty badass truck.

f150inline · 10-08-2012, 03:16 PM

Why a ranger body if you want to build a mini bronco? just use a bronco 2.

I6 Bronco · 11-13-2012, 02:50 PM

Dont let them sway you, If its junk its junk. Mine was.....well, it might still be. But still.

**78-79FordMan** · 11-13-2012, 06:55 PM

fix'en to do a '86 ranger on a '79 bronco frame. because the bronco is beat to crap rusted out . and has no title...

Andrew James · 11-13-2012, 07:28 PM

Put a Bronco 2 body on it.

bronco466 · 11-13-2012, 07:32 PM

the ranger body swap is not to bad at all we have done a couple of them the bronco 2 is alot shorter then the full size

**78-79FordMan** · 11-13-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew James

Put a Bronco 2 body on it.

i scraped and sold all my bronco 2 .. and even my rangers 2 years ago .. so i bought the ranger for a $100 that i am going to use.. and i don't what to use a big heavy body .. as mine will only be using a gutted out body.. i probably want use the front clip .. i will be building something like Dooley's dodge on Mudstruck.com

09-23-2012, 07:28 PM	#1
78'FSB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	78 Fs frame ranger body swap So I'm the proud new owner of a 78 FSB. I took it off roading for the first time up in Michigan. It performed very well except for the body mounts that were pretty much gone. The whole underside of the bronco shell is very rusty and structurally unstable, even to weld reinforcements on. So I was wondering, does anyone have any info/experience swapping a first or second gen. ranger body (83-92) onto a full size 78 bronco frame? Any information would be very helpful, thanks!

09-23-2012, 09:02 PM	#7
379sinvb Resurection Ranch Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,108 iTrader: (1) Bronco Info: War Horse,Blue Eyes,Black Stallion & Youngblood the newest member.	You're a noob so I'm going to take it easy well maybe. Here is where you post questions: http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...splay.php?f=21 Here is how you post pictures: http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ead.php?t=6204 Maybe search a little and read a little before we go giving us your 2 cents. I have not seen the Ranger on 78 frame but there is one in the General Section. __________________ Rick My Project- "Left for Dead"

09-23-2012, 11:57 PM	#8
*Redwagon* rolling Rolling ROLLING.... Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sol cal (west covina) Posts: 22,164 iTrader: (34) Bronco Info: 93 Cherokee	moved to correct forum.... __________________ Tim Newest token Jeep owner.... My Supermotors

09-24-2012, 08:56 AM	#9
reptillikus ate lug Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 7,251 iTrader: (4) Bronco Info: 88ish bronco(?)/96 F250; both with D60s	Do a search for the user The Legend, he put a 80s Ranger body on his 77 frame. Its a pretty badass truck. __________________ '80-'90ish Ford Something-Or-Other // 96F250HD

10-08-2012, 03:16 PM	#10
f150inline Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Wayne PA Posts: 495 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: f150	Why a ranger body if you want to build a mini bronco? just use a bronco 2. __________________ 96 f150 straight 6, d44 SAS, 4.56s, Aussie lockers, 35 inch mtrs. My build thread http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...d.php?t=213623

09-23-2012, 08:19 PM	#2
96XLTJD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 229 iTrader: (1)	NO DONT DO IT.

09-23-2012, 08:24 PM	#3
78'FSB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Why not?

09-23-2012, 08:29 PM	#4
66CC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 22 iTrader: (0)	Show us some pics. You can cut and replace a lot of tin before throwing the body away.

09-23-2012, 08:45 PM	#5
78'FSB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	If I had to, I could do a lot of welding and reinforce it, but I like the idea of tires sticking out more then that almost 7 foot wide body, I'm building for tighter trails and if my tires are going to hit before my body does, then I can maneuver that much easier. My plan is to actually cut the front of the ranger bed out and the back of the cab and weld it together to make my own mini-bronco. I'm looking for any info to see how it fits on the frame before I buy a ranger body

09-23-2012, 08:55 PM	#6
78'FSB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	How do I post pics since I can't add attachments?

11-13-2012, 02:50 PM	#11
I6 Bronco Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio Posts: 316 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 300 I6, 79 bronco Frame 84 F150 cab	Dont let them sway you, If its junk its junk. Mine was.....well, it might still be. But still.

11-13-2012, 06:55 PM	#12
78-79FordMan Ford Hoarder Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gillham, Ar. Posts: 1,038 iTrader: (10) Bronco Info: 7 of them 1978-79's	fix'en to do a '86 ranger on a '79 bronco frame. because the bronco is beat to crap rusted out . and has no title... __________________ Ford It Man

11-13-2012, 07:28 PM	#13
Andrew James Age. Fac ut gaudeam Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Batesville, AR Posts: 3,550 iTrader: (2) Bronco Info: 1989 Bronco Custom 4.9/M5OD EFI	Put a Bronco 2 body on it. __________________ 1991 Ford Bronco XLT 5.0/E4OD EFI 1996 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer 5.8/E4OD EFI 1990 Pontiac Formula Firebird 5.7/T5 TPI 1991 Ford F150 Custom 4.9/M5OD EFI 1993 Ford Mustang Convertible 2.3/AOD EFI

11-13-2012, 07:32 PM	#14
bronco466 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: monmouth il Posts: 14 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 96 bronco all stock	the ranger body swap is not to bad at all we have done a couple of them the bronco 2 is alot shorter then the full size

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