Is this true?

yo,

This is from Mike M; his old site is now gone; hope he can find another Host for it again.

Tailgate Swapping
Amazingly throughout the number of body style changes from '78 through '96, the tailgate remained nearly the same. You can swap tailgates between all of these years taking note of the following:
I've broken down the 3 major changes into their respective years.

78 - 79 Type A
80 - 82 Type B
83 - 96 Type C

If your swapping within the same "type" it's just a direct swap.

If swapping A & B you have to switch the glass and glass support brackets
If swapping B & C you have to switch latches and striker plates
If swapping A & C you have to switch the glass, glass support brackets, latches & striker plates.

Source: by Mike M (MRM) at his old medicine.wisc.edu site via web.archive.net

As for the latches; Latch Safety Switch (also ref to as Limit Switch or Interlock Switch);
Miesk5 Note; In 78-82, both latches have to be closed since the interlock safety switch is mounted in the center mechanism; & their strikes that mount to the body can be interchanged with some effort. The safety switch was moved from the center (tailgate handle) to the left latch by 1983 by Seabronc (Rosie, Fred W).

Latch Safety Switch "...This shows the inhibit switch installed in its early location on the center mechanism ONLY for illustration..."

Latch Parts Break-Out Diagram in 83-96 w/ Nomenclature

yo V!
yw& thanks to Mike!

I never did the 78 to later year swaps & haven't seen one here either; but I believe Mike meant Window Regulator Bracket (On Bottom of Window)
This is AZ's info on it
Item #34555 - New
1980-96 Bronco
$42.00

Jeff's shows same pic for 78-79 but w/ a diff part number
Item #24546 - New, 1978-79 Bronco
------------------
the rollers are the same from 78 - 96; Dorman Universal Window Roller 74402
----------
but the Glass Run Channels are also diff from 78/79 to 80/96
Tailgate Track Glass Run Channels
# 34559
New
1980-96 Ford Bronco
Pair
Price: $14.00
..
Tailgate Track Glass Run Channels # 24552 1978-79 Bronco Pair Price: $14.00

Tailgate Track Glass Run Channels # 34559 1980-96 Pair Price: $14.00


==================

yo, http://www[URL="http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/254414.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fc/full.aspx?Page=22"]Here are the parts list & diagram for 78/79 by LMC[/URL]
page 22; Glass is $129.95 for clear or tinted

Parts Break-Out Diagram; "...The strike bolt is the only thing in this diagram specific to '83-96. Everything else applies to '78-96..."
Source: by Steve83 (Steve, That dirty old truck) at http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/254414

'78-82 tailgate latches are significantly different from '83-96. Because they mount differently in the tailgate, neither the latches nor the t/g skins will interchange across those years. This is the only significant difference on '78-96 Bronco tailgates.

Their strikes that mount to the body can be interchanged with some effort. by Steve83


---
'78-82 Broncos used this type of strike bolt, and a different latch from '83-96. They are not interchangeable




This is an '83-96 tailgate strike bolt installed in the hole for a '78-82 type using a large angle-iron nut plate (not visible inside). Although not ideal, it has worked fine for ~12 years of rough use. I suspect the reason it's holding up is that I keep the t/g aligned, so there's very little stress on the strikes.

It's barely visible here:


swingawaybrace1.jpg | Hits: 1385 | Posted on: 7/24/03 | View original size (412.5 KB)


It's just a 1 1/2" long piece of 3/4" angle iron welded along the inboard edge pressed against the outer skin to keep it from buckling inward if the tire carrier swings forward too hard.

The other piece of red angle iron below & to the L is the reinforcement for the '83-96 t/g strike bolt mounted through the '78-82 hole in this '82 body tub.



===========
Replacement in 78-79
Source: by Big Wurmb (John W, Bruisier, Rolling Thunder) at FSB