Making my own retro Bronco script emblem template

[Jamin K]

Hiya, folks.

I've got a 2024 OBX+Sasquatch 4-door with hard top in Eruption Green, and while I do really like the look of bronze on green, I grew up in the '70s and have fond memories of the raised chrome emblems that used to be common. So I recently got the factory chrome Bronco script emblems, and since then have been trying to figure out "proper" placement and how to best achieve it.

I spent a bunch of hours hunting for placement instructions online. A lot of the most useful info I found came from folks here, so thanks to all the others who've located or provided info on the topic. I've not been able to locate an official Ford template, though I did see a photo of one mounted on a fender, with a section cut out and the emblem placed inside the cutout. From that photo, and knowing the physical dimensions of the emblem itself, I calculated the template offsets and figured I'd use those for my emblems.

I took some reference pics and made a digital mockup where I could simulate the emblem placement to see how it looked. Initially I thought I liked the "factory" placement just fine, but then I started looking at more pics of old school Broncos noticed how different the emblem placement was back in the '60s and early '70s. I realized that I really liked that older style, which gives the "Bronco" script more room, rather than tucking it under the mirror, close to the door.

So I found some good side-view shots of classic Broncos, both LH and RH side, and loaded one of those up as a new layer in my composite image that I was still tinkering with. I scaled the old image until the vehicle proportions roughly matched the 6th gen proportions. When I got it close enough, I used the old emblem location to do a modified mockup. Now I am 99.9% convinced this is what I'll use to place the emblems on my fenders.

I made a screen recording showing the digital mockups:

I'll have to translate the digital dimensions back to real-world dimensions (easy enough) and then make printable cutout templates, just like Ford and others do, so that I can simply tape up the template cutout and place the emblem in exactly the right spot. I've got some graphic design experience, so it shouldn't be too tough to make with simple dashed lines and arrows with precise locations.

When I get that far, and I'm happy with my own results, I'll gladly share some pics and the template files I make for myself, in case they're useful for anyone else.

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[Beach_Bum]

Good luck with your process. Just know that if you look at the bottom of this page, you will find Similar Threads with the often used templates.

 

[MD24Bronco2.3]

Wow, and I thought I over-thought these kind of things! Actually, I get it, the process itself is fun. I measured, taped, measured again... Anyway, the sun was catching it just right as I sat on my porch reading your post.

 

[crenca]

You're starting to make me feel guilty. I eyeballed placement, choosing a forward position but maybe not quite as forward as yours. Then I used a ruler, level, and painters tape for positioning.

 

[Jamin K]

Wow, and I thought I over-thought these kind of things! Actually, I get it, the process itself is fun. I measured, taped, measured again... Anyway, the sun was catching it just right as I sat on my porch reading your post.

The light in this shot is gorgeous. Looks good!

 

[Jamin K]

You're starting to make me feel guilty. I eyeballed placement, choosing a forward position but maybe not quite as forward as yours. Then I used a ruler, level, and painters tape for positioning.

I don't think there's any one "right" way to do it. You gotta follow a process that YOU think is good and where you're happy with the results. I know myself well enough to know that making my own placement template is the best option for me, plus it'll be kind of fun.. The eyeball test, whether it actually looks good, is the ultimate test. It matters much more than how you got there.

 

[Jamin K]

Update!

I went so far as to make the LH printable template, exactly to specs that I reverse engineered from the digital photo mockups I'd made. Printed it out, did the cutout, taped it up, and was sitting there looking at that precise little hole in the paper when I wondered to myself...

How the hell am I going to avoid accidentally catching the edge of the paper on the backing glue of the emblem??

I thought it through for a few minutes, then switched to a new plan B:

Create reference lines with painter's tape, using body features and offset measurements, triple check the measurements with a ruler, then use eyeballs and slow, steady hands to seat the emblem on the paint.

... which is pretty much what @MD24Bronco2.3 and @crenca said they did. I reached the same answer eventually, I just had to go the long way to get there.

Here are a few pics. Thanks for the feedback as I worked through it.

NB: The template says 2.50" forward of the door seam, but I ended up shortening that a bit after I dry fit it. I thought it looked too far forward. So I used the eyeball test and settled on a location I thought looked right, then replicated that on the other side.

 

[MD24Bronco2.3]

Looks like it should have come like that! The various OEM stickers just don't do it for me.

 

[Mathnerd]

I want to add these to our Big Bend in place of the existing badges and think a grill that says Ford instead of Bronco would complete the retro look. Alas, i have not found that anyone makes one.

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