Congratulations to Chris @zip for winning July 2016's Truck Of The Month for his 1979 Bronco Ranger XLT! It's a real shame they only made this type of Bronco for two years, because in my opinion they are great trucks (well, an SUV actually!).

Chris has had this black beauty for about four and a half years so far. It has a story behind it's purchase he shared with me so I'll pass it on to you...

"I bought the Bronco about 4 1/2 yrs ago. I have another that needed a full inspection before it could be put on the road. When I started looking for another I found one priced at $500 and went to take a look. It was rough but I could drive it right now. I was the first to look at it. I looked and said I will let you know tomorrow. When I called to say I wanted it, it was gone.

I had seen this one on Craigslist. It had been listed for quite a while. The asking price was $2500. I went and took a look and made an offer and left. I kept in contact with the guy over a period of time seeing if he still had it. I made another offer which was also refused. Finally I decided I wanted it and called again. He said he had a guy coming to look at it that evening. I replied what if I show up with $2000 and a trailer in about 4 hrs. He said sold. That's that part of the story.

This fellow bought it from a friend with a blown 351 m thinking he was going to get it going. So I think this was the reason it was for sale for so long. A non runner. He had a 429 he bought sitting on a stand in a few pieces.

I loaded it on a trailer and took it home. I picked up the engine a couple weeks later along with a half dozen boxes of assorted stuff.

I brought it home and dropped in the 400 from my other Bronco and it was good to go. I get questioned often if it is for sale.It is a project that I just can't bear to park and tear into.​

Here are all the details you want to know!
1979 Bronco Ranger XLT
Engine: 400 (stock with 351 M)
4 speed and four wheel drive
High back bucket seats
2.5" suspension lift
3" body lift (which by the way I hate)

I have not done much other than run some brake lines, adjustable timing gears to liven up the engine some. It also had a natural gas system that I removed. Not many places to get it around here and the tanks were ugly.

Plans are to pull it apart at some point and freshen things up some. It's a nice 10' truck now but does have more flaws the closer you get.. Get rid of the body lift and go with a full suspension lift. Possibly drop in the 429 as well.

On the trailer when he got it home


Sitting waiting for the engine


Polished up


Took the lid off