For sale: 1978 Ford Bronco 4×4, clean western survivor that was sold new at Rygg Ford Sales in Kalispell, and spent most of it’s life on the dry plains of North Central Montana. Well optioned with the upscale Ranger XLT trim, tilt wheel, tow hooks, skid plates, and larger fuel tank. Rare Light Chamois Tan color with Wimbledon White accents and Saddle cloth XLT fancy interior – only 31 produced in this combo. Don’t have any info on the first owner, but the second and long term owner was a wheat farmer on Montana’s Hi-line, who stored it inside and used it as his “Sunday” vehicle. I recently purchased it from the third owner, a die-hard Ford guy who used it occasionally for pheasant and deer hunting over the last 12 years. I was told 99k miles are original, I don’t have documentation of that, but truck has a nice tight feel, and overall wear seems right. See mechanical description below, it does have a piston noise (that goes away after warmup) when cold. Original manuals, warranty booklet, brochures and Marti report included. Still has the original jack and tools under the hood.
Exterior: Mostly original paint with several small touch-ups, and presents well. I’d call it a good 10-footer. Casual observers won’t readily find fault, but car show folks will. Overall very straight with ding on driver side of hood and one high on driver door. Original paint is thin on hood and roof, and there are 4 holes at bottom front of hood where a bug guard was installed. There were a lot of chips on the lower body that I touched up with a brush. Fiberglass top is faded and could use a repaint or texture coating. Dry truck with no signs of rust other than a few small blisters on passenger side front fender and bottom rear corner of passenger door. Underside looks great including cab mounts, floors, cab supports. Frame has surface rust but of course we don’t see frame rot here out west. Can’t see it in the pics, but a section of passenger side of roof was repainted many years ago, and a softball-size area now shows paint cracking. There is evidence of previous repair over left rear wheel, also long ago – see detail pics. I don’t think this truck ever saw salted roads. North Central MT is arid country, and trucks typically survive pretty well here. No pitting on chrome or stainless, front bumper is dinged and grille has a crack. Windshield, rubber, and molding are new. Driver side lower door hinge pin and bushings are worn and need replacement, as is typical with these trucks. Again, check the detail pics including underside in the referenced Flickr album below. It’s a sharp, solid truck that seems to draw a crowd wherever I stop with it.
Interior: Original, clean, and decent with typical wear. No rodents or smells. Original dash pad is nice with no cracks. Driver side seat bottom is ripped under the cover, and original carpet is torn at driver footwell. Rear seat area and rear panels in good condition. Original headliner in nice condition. Driver door panel was broken and glued. I believe most everything on this Bronco works – lights (except gauge lights) – gauges all work including fuel, and wipers, heater, stereo, parking brake, etc all working. Rear glass rolls up and down with dash switch. Windows roll up and down and doors lock. Neutral safety switch needs adjustment, won’t start in park sometimes so you have to start in in neutral. Overall a clean driver Bronco that’s ready to use while you take it to the next level.
Mechanical: Starts, runs, and drives out well – see driving videos. Original 351 engine was rebuilt with mild cam and 4 barrel aluminum intake. Does have a noticeable piston noise cold, like a cracked or broken skirt. When warm and piston fully expanded, it’s fine. Good oil pressure, runs smooth and pulls strong. Should go a long way as is. Factory equipped with bulletproof C-6 trans and NP205 gear driven transfer case – none of that cheesy chain drive full-time 4wd nonsense. Trans shifts well and 4×4 works in high and low range. I think just about everything on the truck works- lights, heater, wipers, gauges, stereo, parking brake, rear window, etc. One front hub is sticking in lock position and won’t turn to “free”, I didn’t force it. Exhaust has a throaty bark with headers and 2.5″ duals. As with any older vehicle, it will need maintenance and repairs along the way. If you live in a state with very strict vehicle inspections, they will no doubt find something for you to fix, so expect that. These trucks are noted for reliability and build quality, and are fairly simple to work on with good parts availability. Gen 2 Broncos are fun drivers that are very capable off-road, and have a cult following that’s growing daily.
Price: Auction
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Seller's other items: bigskyamc
Location: Canyon Creek, Montana, United States
