Frame to fit my '79 Bronco XLT?
I know the '73-79 Ford F series trucks were the footprint to the second gen Broncos ('78-79), however there aren't nearly enough Broncos out there to salvage so I was wondering what other frame of Fords that will be an exact match (no mods needed) to do a frame up rebuild.
My current frame is swiss cheese on the rear driver side. As well as it's bowed out, tailgate is tied shut. The truck took some abuse from the previous owners. There is no salvaging this frame in it's current state, I got a 24"ish piece of rear driver frame I was going to weld into it but was looking at other options before going ahead with it, see if I cannot find a proper frame to build up from.
If I'm not mistaken, the first poster was correct. The only totally matching frame will be a 1978-79 Bronco. You cannot use the early Bronco frame because it's too small and none of the body mounting points will match up. As far as I know, you cannot use the 1980 and later Bronco frame because the design is different. What's the deal there? Ford went to the Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension. Is it possible to modify a 1980 or later Bronco frame to work? Sure, if you put enough effort into it but the modifications needed might prove to be more than modifying a 1973-79 Ford truck frame would. If that's the case, obviously, it would be wiser to locate and use a truck frame instead of a 1980 or later Bronco frame. You might want to double check that however, just to be sure.
What is boils down to IMHO is whether or not you really need to replace your current frame. What's wrong with it? Was your Bronco hit so hard in an accident that the frame is warped way out of shape? Normally, if that's the case the entire vehicle isn't worth restoring or repairing. If your rig was in a serious accident, my best advice is to seriously look at whether or not the rig is worth putting back together. Why? It might be wiser, less problematic and far less costly to simply find another Bronco to restore and you can use yours for parts. If you're not sure... enlist the help of a bodyshop or two to get some estimations of costs. Guys in a Bronco club may also be a great help here because many of them will be able to tell you about their rigs and how much they spent on them.
Is your Bronco rusting away due to salted Winter roads? There has to be some reason you want to replace it... but I have to say, I don't see too many frames that are in such bad shape I think they need to be replaced unless the rest of the rig needs to be replaced as well. Usually, the body gets eaten up long before the frame is. Why? The frames for the Bronco and Ford trucks for 1978/79 are made from stout, beefy steel plate. Body panels are made from much thinner sheet metal. Most of the time, all the frames need to be restored is be stripped of all parts, sandblasted and repainted or powder coated after which new or rebuilt suspension components are bolted back on. If there is one section that's bad, often a donor section of frame can be welded in to facilitate a lasting repair but even that is rare. Why? Welding in reinforcing plates or boxing the frame is the common sense repair. Bottom line here? Make sure your frame is truly unusable... for whatever reason. Remember, just because it looks ugly doesn't mean that it cannot be used. Ugly means zippo in the world of automobilia. Actual condition is what counts.
OK, assuming that you truly need a new frame... what to do? I would try to locate a parts Bronco that's mostly been stripped or that is a rolling frame. That way you'll get the frame but not have to pay for a lot of parts you don't need. You might end up having to do a nationwide search... and that can prove to be time consuming and costly. Costly because traveling around long distances to buy a rig eats up gas, money for lodging and food. Not to mention that you're not at home working at your job. You also have to have a vehicle suitable for towing AND a trailer. Be sure going that route is cost effective... most of the time it isn't. Be sure to do the math when considering how far to travel.
What else is there? Find a usable truck frame from 1973-79. Either use it to repair your existing frame or rework it to match the frame of your Bronco. Exactly what has to be removed to convert a truck frame into a Bronco frame I don't know... but what I've been told is that it can be done without too much trouble IF you have the talent and time. If I remember right, there's a section of the frame behind the cab that needs to be removed... but don't quote me on that because I just don't know for sure, I've never done it myself. I've got loads of time spent on trucks... but never on the frame of a 1978/79 Bronco. However, what I do know is that it will be obvious when you set the frames side by side and plan it out. That much I have been told first hand and I've read it in a magazine or two. The only question that remains is... can you accomplish something of this magnitude? If you cannot, you'd be best off sticking with locating another Bronco to restore or another Bronco frame.
Splicing and dicing a frame is something that has to be done 100% correct the first time. It has to be 100% safe and be 100% true so that every part bolts onto it as it would from the factory. It also has to be straight and true so there are no driving problems... such as if it doesn't track right because it just isn't square. Bottom line here? You must have the talent, tools and knowledge to pull off a job such as that. That excludes the majority of all shadetree mechanics. In the big picture, you need to get the facts together and make a few decisions. Best wishes!
78 Camaro little drift
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£37.50
