Ford Bronco Second Generation

1978 to 1979
Overview
Production	1978–1979
Body and chassis
Body style	Full-size SUV
Powertrain
Engine	351 cu in (5.75 L) 351M V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) 400M V8
Transmission	4-speed Borg-Warner T-18 manual 4-speed New Process NP435 manual 3-speed C6 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104 in (2,642 mm)

The redesign of the Bronco in 1978 was based on a shortened full sized F-100 pickup.It had a removable top and forward folding rear bench seat, similar to the competing Blazer.It shared many chassis, drivetrain, and body components. The entire front clip is indistinguishable from their full size trucks for those years. In 1978 Broncos were equipped with round headlights, with the exception of the Ranger XLT trim model. In 1979 all Broncos were standard with square sealed beam headlights. Ford started the redesign in 1972, codenamed Project Short-Horn, but introduction was delayed by concerns over the mid-1970s fuel crisis. The base engine was a 351 cu in (5.75 L), with an optional 400 cu in (6.6 L). A Ford 9" rear axle and a Dana 44 front axle were standard, with leaf spring rear suspension and coil sprung, laterally stabilized front.

The 1978 and 1979 Broncos featured an option for either full-time four-wheel drive utilizing the New Process 203 chain driven transfer case or, more commonly, part-time four-wheel drive with the New Process 205 gear driven transfer case.

The 1978 and 1979 Broncos also merged the rear glass hatch and tailgate of its predecessor into a single unit that allowed the rear glass panel to retract completely into the tailgate by use of an electric motor controlled by a key-operated switch on the tailgate's outside or a dash-mounted control switch. This did cause problems for some customers, as the weight of the glass panel often overheated the motor, sometimes subjecting it to failure. Customers also complained that the retractable glass panel allowed water to get inside and caused the tailgate to rust prematurely from the bottom up. Nonetheless, this design prevailed until the Bronco's end in 1996.

1979 saw the addition of a catalytic converter, and other various emissions control equipment.