Old vs New - Anyone know the model year?

[InbruCHes]

saw this really cool side by side of a new Badlands and an OG Bronco today. Anyone have an idea what model year the old one might be? I'm thinking something in the '70s.

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[Rivers90]

That body was from 1966–1977
I see it has the two gas tank option.
The rear fenders have been cut out and a hood scoop added.

 

[InbruCHes]

That body was from 1966–1977
I see it has the two gas tank option.
The rear fenders have been cut out and a hood scoop added.

Super helpful, thank you! Do you happen to know if any of those years were better or worse? I've been thinking about getting one at some point, but don't want to pay a couple of hundred grand...

 

[CitrusBronco]

No side marker lights, if those are original fenders anyway. If original fenders that’s a 66-67.

All years were great. There was no such thing as a bad year early Bronco, especially when buying a 50 year old 4x4.
Find one that fits your balance of cost vs work to be performed and enjoy.
Some has 6 cylinder and some 8. Later models had A/C and power steering and breaks. But anything can be upgraded on these which makes them super versatile.

 

[Beach_Bum]

No side marker lights, if those are original fenders anyway. If original fenders that’s a 66-67.

...
That is what I first noticed. But then it has the dual fuel tanks of the Ranger package.

Think it is safe to say, it is a Franken-Bronco of varying years.

 

[CitrusBronco]

Likely is, I’m not sure how many actual all original parts Broncos actually exist as drivers. I never treated my EB’s like some collectible. I used, modified and changed parts as I saw fit.

 

[Roger123]

Windshield frame is post '69 as it doesn't have the latch for the hood. She's a Frankin' Bronco for sure.

 

[InbruCHes]

No side marker lights, if those are original fenders anyway. If original fenders that’s a 66-67.

All years were great. There was no such thing as a bad year early Bronco, especially when buying a 50 year old 4x4.
Find one that fits your balance of cost vs work to be performed and enjoy.
Some has 6 cylinder and some 8. Later models had A/C and power steering and breaks. But anything can be upgraded on these which makes them super versatile.

This is really helpful, thank you!

 

[Rivers90]

Partway through 1971 the bronco went from a dana 30 to a dana 44 front axle.

Here is the window sticker from a 1973 my dad had.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/1973-bronco-window-sticker.92735/

 

[Roger123]

Front marker lights look like the larger size from the later years, can't recall off the top of my head when they changed them (maybe '68). It's hard to tell from the pics what size they are.

Column is from something else as there's no place where the shifter would have been. No EB ever had a floor shifter, would have either been a 3 on the tree, or an auto.

 

[The Green Flash]

As others have said, this EB is like a lot of them out there anymore - and amalgam of years.

Front fenders scream '66-'67 with no side marker lights. (And I believe not having the engine badge on the front fenders also marks it a post 1970 simultaneously!). Owner probably liked the 'shaved' look and modified to suit their tastes.

The larger front turn signals was a post 1968 safety thing. Grille on the Sport and Ranger trims was 'Argent' silver -- this one's white, so the white grille and the chrome front bumper don't jive either. Front fender 'Bronco' badge doenst have the red flag that a Sport trim level would have had...

The dash has the little rectangular labels under the knobs... making it a post 1974 dashboard and the dash pad is a post 1967 - the 66 &67 dash pads didn't have the larger projection on the passenger side. Transfer case has been modded to add the twin sticks.

Front bumper is original chrome, I believe chrome bumpers were on the 'Sport' and 'Ranger' level trim packages, the rest were painted white steel. The rear bumper is aftermarket and possibly home made.
.
Hood scoop also not original to the truck, possibly to make room for a larger carburetor or air cleaner, or help with cooling a 351W.


But definitely still old school cool!

 

[Scoop]

73 or later based on dash.

 

[InbruCHes]

As others have said, this EB is like a lot of them out there anymore - and amalgam of years.

Front fenders scream '66-'67 with no side marker lights. (And I believe not having the engine badge on the front fenders also marks it a post 1970 simultaneously!). Owner probably liked the 'shaved' look and modified to suit their tastes.

The larger front turn signals was a post 1968 safety thing. Grille on the Sport and Ranger trims was 'Argent' silver -- this one's white, so the white grille and the chrome front bumper don't jive either. Front fender 'Bronco' badge doenst have the red flag that a Sport trim level would have had...

The dash has the little rectangular labels under the knobs... making it a post 1974 dashboard and the dash pad is a post 1967 - the 66 &67 dash pads didn't have the larger projection on the passenger side. Transfer case has been modded to add the twin sticks.

Front bumper is original chrome, I believe chrome bumpers were on the 'Sport' and 'Ranger' level trim packages, the rest were painted white steel. The rear bumper is aftermarket and possibly home made.
.
Hood scoop also not original to the truck, possibly to make room for a larger carburetor or air cleaner, or help with cooling a 351W.


But definitely still old school cool!

These are great call outs, thank you. I'm learning a lot!

 

[indio22]

Super helpful, thank you! Do you happen to know if any of those years were better or worse? I've been thinking about getting one at some point, but don't want to pay a couple of hundred grand...

For an old 4x4 that you might want to tinker with and bang around off-road, the EB has jumped the shark. It's more a collector vehicle now with prices to match.

I'm normally an old vehicle sort of guy, but availability of a new 2-door Bronco even with manual transmission, quelled the desire I had for an EB. Personally I'd go with an old TJ/CJ as a considerably lower cost older vehicle to have fun messing around.

 

[Jakob1972]

As the saying goes if you can’t afford an expensive. EB you really can’t afford a cheap EB.

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