For many Ford Bronco’s are more than just a trucks, they’re a legendary piece of Ford’s legacy. We restored this 1972 Bronco alongside it’s sister build a Brittany Blue 1971 Bronco. It was a full frame off restomod process including a few modern modifications for additional comfort and safety. Our team of restoration experts took this challenge head on.
Exterior Refresh
Originally this 1972 Ford bronco was rusting through its green paintjob. Probably because we pulled it out of someone’s swampy backyard in Louisiana. Believe it or not that green rust bucket is now the suave gray bronco you see today.
Much of the original body was clearly in rough shape. We had all new panels and a frame fabricated then welded together, so we could have a safe, secure, and tetanus free body. During this process we took the liberty of making some adjustments.
As our team completed the metal working we removed the exterior door locks and handles to make room for something new. A flush electronic door handle system that has a clean streamlined appearance. In a similar fashion we removed the front fuel tank neck and replaced the rear with a flush gas cap.
Before changing up the body design this Bronco had rough factory fender cuts in the quarter panels. Now it has uniform quarter panels fabricated for the front and rear wheel well openings.
During a long period of body work we smoothed all the panel seams. Then this ride was ready for a new paintjob! A few coats later and this Bronco’s original Winter Green transformed to a solid Metallic Gray. It’s new look is sturdy and strong like cold hard steel.
Along with the main body work we updated the window design by removing the front vent window. After replacing the battered glass, weathered window stripping, and decrepit wipers it started to come back to life.
Beneath the new doors are electronic side-steps that drop down when the door opens and tuck away when it closes. These steps come with two small LED lights on each side for better visibility in the evening. A small, but convenient addition that adds to this builds ease of use.
Interior Redesign
When this Bronco first arrived at our shop it only had a busted up first row of white seats and a bare rusted floor. With all the work going into this build we wanted to give it something that provided character and the option of additional seating.
Our solution was custom vintage leather with etched branding. The bucket seats match the look of the first Ford Broncos without the headrests. Their light weathered appearance and coffee brown color create a high-end vintage vibe. During our interior updates we installed a second row bench seat to tote more passengers. This bench seat folds up for added trunk space when necessary.
Alcantara leather extends beyond the first and second rows of seating on to the dash, inner door panels, visors, headliner, and center counsel arm rest. Fine leather like this makes for a smooth and luxurious interior that has a fantastic feel.
On the floor we installed a durable black square weave carpet that covers all the way through the trunk space. This adds a layer of protection from the floor to cut back scrapes that can cause rust. It also adds to the finished feeling of the cabin’s interior.
Inside you’ll also find roll bars that were added to reinforce the vehicles frame for added safety measures. Which is especially important with addition of the back seat.
Technology Upgrades
Just about every vehicle coming out now days has a high quality AC systems that provide a far more comfortable driving experience. We needed some of that modern comfort in this build. Our redesigned front dash and rear center counsel have spherical Billet aluminum vents that can be adjusted to direct cool air in all directions. It’s all managed by Vintage Air digital controls that go along with another exciting accessory upgrade.
The 10-inch Pioneer touch screen radio with Car Play and Android Auto! Having this single change greatly improves the technology of the vehicle as it updates the radio and sound system controls along with AC. The updates to the dash don’t stop there though. For a fun touch of style there are amber LED light strips below the dash and center counsel.
When adjusting the layout of the dash to make it more user friendly we tried to strike a balance between new and old technology. Part of that was installing vintage styled gauge cluster set from Dakota Digital. This factory look-alike delivers a classic look while adding a tachometer and a host of high-tech features. We still kept a few of the knobs to control the wipers and head lights. Above those knobs is a push button emergency brake.
The upgrades keep on coming though! This build has a wireless phone charger, push to start, power windows, and IntelliKey system like newer vehicles. Most of this is thanks to the addition of the completely custom full length center counsel which is molded into the dash.
A whole new setup of high quality speakers were installed to match the quality of the new touchscreen radio. Lizard skin sound deadening was also installed to reduce road noise and improve the sound systems acoustics as well.
Mechanical and Powertrain
Under the hood we’ve got a brand new Ford Racing 5.0 liter Coyote with a 10R80 automatic transmission. This provides a major boost to the power train of this old Bronco.
To keep that hungry engine well fed is a custom built 23 gal fuel tank, and spitting out the exhaust is a 2.5 Inch stainless steel dual system with mufflers from Flow Master. It lets loose a nice roar when you hit the gas.
Suspension and Wheel Setup
As it is with many older cars, the chassis of this build was worn and rusted. It had to be completely touched up. We engineered it for a quality ride with updated suspension and brakes to restore this Bronco’s offroad prowess.
Capable brakes were a must with the power of that Coyote engine. We ended up with disc brakes on the front Dana 44 and rear Ford 9-inch axle. It also improves the overall performance and security of the build.
For the handling we installed a 3.5-inch suspension lift that includes 4-link rear and T-Rex Radius arms in the front. On top of that there’s a 2-inch body lift for a touch more height. It’s a bit floaty to drive with all that suspension, but it has plenty of trail agility.
For the wheels we went with Fuel’s Rebel wheel design in matte bronze. These have a forked design that stands out against the gray and offers a more modern appearance. Wrapped around the 18-inch Fuel Rebel wheels are BF Goodrich KO2 all terrain tires 35×12.50R18/E 123R. Behind the wheels you can spot bright red painted brake calipers.
The Future Of The 1971 Bronco
Building a Bronco that remains timeless, reliable, and ready for adventure is no easy task. Our teams grit and determination made it happen though.
As the 6th generation Bronco continues to remain popular the classics will remain a collector piece.
We’re proud to put another classic like this one back out on Route 66 near St. Louis! If you need any restoration services from basic maintenance and rewires to frame-off restorations and equipment upgrades reach out today!
We hope you enjoyed learning about this build. If you’re interested in more vintage cars view all our restoration projects.
Feel free to explore more of our custom builds by browsing our showroom!
