There’s a lot going on with this 1977 Ford Bronco, which appears to have some custom modifications made for purposes I don’t yet understand. Among them is a custom third gas tank, some odd storage partition in the back seat area, roof-mounted HVAC, and more. The front end was damaged by a previous owner, resulting in salvage title. On the upside, it looks reasonably solid and the seller has gotten it to do lot drives. Mileage is indicated as being just under 62,000, and despite the damage to the front end, the rest of the Bronco looks reasonably solid. Find it here on eBay with no reserve and bidding just over $5K.
The Bronco hails from Arizona, which explains its largely rust-free condition. The rear fenders don’t appear to be cut, and the overall vibe is that this truck was never set up for a life on the trails. Now, the third gas tank is curious, and lends itself to the demographic that wants to build a rig to go for days without stopping when the you-know-what hits the fan. Was this built as a bug-out vehicle? The reason behind the additional fuel capacity is likely far less mysterious than what I’m speculating about, but I’d sure consider a vintage Bronco for such a build if it seemed like I might need a vehicle that could survive inhospitable conditions for months at a time.
I don’t claim to be an expert on anything, really, but I’ve seen a similar roof-mounted unit in an old air-cooled VW Bus. It sure looks like some sort of auxiliary HVAC unit, but I’m fully prepared for someone to prove me wrong and very eloquently point out it’s an emissions reduction system, or something, that they equipped Broncos with for six months starting in 1976. Whatever it is, a previous owner was definitely experimenting with some home-brew concoctions that may be worth keeping if they’re useful. More useful may be the four-speed manual swapped in, or the rebuilt driveshaft the seller just installed.
The 302 will likely need some level of reconditioning, but the seller notes all he had to do was install a new distributor and fuel pump and it was able to fire up. Paired with the four-speed conversion, this Bronco seems like it’d be fun to drive as a ratty off-roader, something you’re not afraid to park next to the shopping cart carousel or take onto some washed-out trail with tree branches and brambles scratching the paint. Regardless of how you intend to use it, the only thing I see stopping someone from bringing it back to road-going use is the salvage title, but that shouldn’t matter a hoot if filliping it later on isn’t a priority. What do you make of all the non-OEM additions?
Comments on your comments… Rear fenders certainly have been cut. Increased number of fuel tanks was the norm at that time due to the ’73 fuel crisis that lasted on into the ’80s. Not only did the price go from 38 cents to 89 cents a gallon the supply was hugely reduced partly because of the increased cost of refining and transporting. Last but not least, you don’t go out into the Arizona desert without lots of gas, air conditioning, and lots of survival gear. Think 3 tanks, roof AC, and a large roof rack. Been in the Arizona desert during and after the fuel crisis and would not want anything less than a rig like this to do it in. Our ’72 Blazer had two large fuel tanks, the biggest capacity AC known to man, and permanently installed survival gear, just like this guy here.
Been to the desert on a horse with no name
@bobhess is right – a 3rd tank on these trucks is not all that unusual. My ’69 had 3 tanks when we bought it and Dad usually spent quite a bit of time at the gas station filling them because two of them filled so slowly. I distinctly remember him coming and telling him that someone waiting in line behind him yelled at him “Are you filling the back seat?” because it took so long. He made a little fixture to hold the filler nozzle at a certain spot so he didn’t have to stand there and hold it – this was in the days before all the nozzles had the little tabs to hold them in position. The one main tank I have in my truck now holds almost as much fuel as two stock tanks did.
I’ve lived in AZ for 42 years and have spent 39 of those years exploring in AZ in my Bronco – I don’t have A/C in it but a lot of people have added A/C to theirs over the years (without a lot of success since these trucks aren’t insulated at all/very well) in attempt to keep cool. As I age, I just don’t go out in the summers as much.
Until about a month ago, this truck resided in the collection of a longtime Bronco collector here in Phoenix. He sold off much of his herd, including this one to the flipper now advertising it. Too bad he put an HEI distributor in it – the Duraspark system in these is very reliable and not nearly as large as the HEI cap. This truck displays a lot of the ‘custom’ additions/tweaks we used to see in these rigs that owners with time and perhaps not a lot of $$ did to customize their rigs. The GT Technologies tire carrier on this one is a rare piece.
Probably one of the more iconic songs ever produced Kenbone.
An Arizona bronco- nice. I’m not a great body man but the hit looks like it was in the drivers door post, rocker panel and door jamb. I’m thinkin you would have to set a fender and door in place to see how bad the damage is. Could have possibly hit the front axle also. I like the a/c system as it looks like it was custom made for this horsey. Good luck to the new owner.
Stay safe and wash your hooves, Willlburrrrr
Cheers
GPC
might B a good drive train – seems frm the stick its a NP435 conversion – nice 6:1 low crawl gear (granny). And the tire carrier might have the ‘ranch hand’ on the pass’s side.
All ways gotta ck out the mods for wrkmanship & prts quality. In deffinite agreement – back to the DSII these were equiped with. Or its dizzy & an HEI 4 pin…(see go fast for less on-line to wire it up).
Thanks Jeff.
As an ‘essential’ employee its nice on time off to ck in here – thanks to all U guys for keepin it goin !