Differences between '78 & '79 Broncos
My favorite Broncos are the '78s and '79s. Even though
they look the same, and in most cases parts are interchangeable between
the two, but in my efforts to restore my '78 I've ran into a couple snags
because of incompatabilities between the two years. This is a list of problems
and fixes that will hopefully prevent someone else from running into the
same problems I did.
Headlights
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'78 Custom - Round Headlights
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'78 Ranger - Square Headlights
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All '79's - Square Headlights
U-joints -
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'78 used 1310 series U-Joints
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'79 and later use 1330 series U-Joints
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This means if you want to swap driveshafts, axles, or
your transfer case between the two years You will have to swap pinion or
transfer case yokes or at least one combination U-joint will be required.
One thing to note is that the 1330 series U-Joints are the same size used
in 77 1/2 and up F250's w/dana 60's.
Emmisions - '78s only required EGR, while the
'79s had catalytic converters and smog pumps in addition to EGR.