[Grey_ghost]

Hey folks,

I am currently in the deep end of the pool on a frame off resto of a 78. I am having a pretty difficult time locating a few parts and am learning to navigate the forum and follow the rules.
Seats- Looking for front buckets. one or two arm rests will work. I dont know which years have the arm rests and matching bolt patterns and if they dont. Where to find the brackets that will work.

Grille shell/ trim kit- I called around a bunch and found out that Dennis Carpenter is the main manufacturer for most shops. (they bought the dies directly from ford) They currently have a raw material supply issue so they arent in production as of 10/11/21. Anybody know any other options?

Instrument cluster- only thing i can find that is similar to NOS is the Dakota?

Heater core- Havent found a place a buy a new one, just instructions for refurbishing it. I want it done right so i aint doin it. Anyone got some tips?

these are the issues holding me back right now. Thanks for all your help in advance!!

 

[slimpartywagon]

For the heater core- NAPA has them in stock

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=Heater%20core&referer=v2

Seats- check out the seat interchange thread @miesk5 can you help out here.

Grill- look for a 75-78 Ford F-Series grill and parts at your local junkyard…. Also check out Bronco Graveyard.

 

[BigFatGuy]

These aren't cheap, but I used the '96 version in my bronco. once you unbolt the sliders you can use bar-stock to mount almost any seat you want with a bit of custom drilling.

Ford Bronco 78-79 Seat Brackets (P/S Adapts to Stock)

Over 50 years of providing the world with the best in aftermarket Street Seats, Racing Seats, Off Road Seats, Jeep Seats, Suspension seats, Seat Brackets, Harness Belts and more.

corbeau.com

(I'd call them for your use, though... I don't know what "adapts to stock" means, mine didn't say that.

 

[miesk5]

Yo Grey,
Member ZIGGY wrote, "Front seat frames for 78'-79' Bronco are different then 80' and up due to the way the floor pan is formed so to get the seats frames from a later model truck/Bronco to work will be a chore. On the 78'-79' Broncos, the drinkers (passenger) bottom seat bracket is a pan that hinges at the front to flip forward when you pull the release lever. The driver's side just has 2 brackets that bolt to the floor and the rear mounts have a fairly wide foot if I recall correctly."
See 78/79 Bucket Seat Bracket Differences From a Mid-80s Ford Extended Cab Truck @ bucket seat bracket difference

Installation Info (Aerostar) in a 78; "...I got free seats from a 93 Aerostar, and they bolted right into the stock 78 tracks. For the rear seat, I'm taking the one out of my old 83 beater Bronco because it's in nice shape. I'm also planning to relocate the rear seat mounting point to the next crossmember back, which is exactly 10". This will allow my two teenagers to ride in there without kicking me in the back like they do in the other Broncos..."
Source: by American Thunder at fte

Installation pics (99 Chevy Silverado) in a 79
Source: by chero65 (******) at SuperMotors.net

pics, 90 Bronco Eddie Bauer & Console in a 78
Source: by offroad_joe (The Beast) at SuperMotors.net

 

[BigBlue 94]

For the heater core- NAPA has them in stock

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=Heater%20core&referer=v2

Seats- check out the seat interchange thread @miesk5 can you help out here.

Grill- look for a 75-78 Ford F-Series grill and parts at your local junkyard…. Also check out Bronco Graveyard.

73 and 74 had a split grille with included headlight buckets

75-77 had a split grille with separate headlight buckets

78 and 79 had a one piece grille with separate headlight buckets, available with round or rectangle shaped headlights depending on trim level.

Seats can come from any 73-86 ford truck or fullsize bronco.

 

[79Bronco460PI]

I think the dual armrest captains chairs were only 79 and 80, after that there was only 1 arm rest

 

[BigBlue 94]

I think the dual armrest captains chairs were only 79 and 80, after that there was only 1 arm rest

I want to say the dual arm rest went a couple years longer, through 82 or 83. But correct, they were not available on the 85 or newer at least.

 

[Ziggy]

The high back captain's seats used in the 78'-79' Bronco is the exact same seat used in E-series van and I'm guessing here but I'm going to say from like 78-83ish? Unfortunately the floor brackets used in the van are different from the Bronco, I've pulled 2 sets of decent captain's seats out of junkyard vans. As for the instrument bezel/cluster, the same cluster was used in the van, there may be some differences in the printed circuit board on the back, the newer vans will have a low fuel light (if I remember right) that's not used on the Bronco. The one thing you can't do with the instrument cluster without doing some wiring mods is go from an idiot light cluster to a gauge cluster, the wiring connection on the back will plug in but the cluster won't work. As for the grill insert, try this place: Chevy Car Parts | Vintage - GMC Car, Classic Truck Parts (yes, they sell Foerd parts as well). I bought my windshield from them as they were the only place I could find that had one in stock.