---
title: "Whoever Built This 1979 Ford Bronco and Super Duty Mashup Should’ve Waited for the Real Thing"
description: "Modernizing old trucks is cool... up until it isn't."
date: "2020-11-13"
modified: "2020-11-13"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/37622/whoever-built-this-1979-ford-bronco-and-super-duty-mashup-shouldve-waited-for-the-real-thing"
categories:
  - "Builds"
  - "Culture"
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Bronco"
  - "Ford"
  - "Off-Road"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Whoever Built This 1979 Ford Bronco and Super Duty Mashup Should’ve Waited for the Real Thing

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/11/Ford-Bronco-Super-Duty.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

The Ford Bronco isn't a formula that needs fiddling with—let prices for classic Broncos and huge demand for the new, neoclassic 2021 model serve as proof. But while original upholstery and matching serials may be [all the rage on Bring A Trailer](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37348/youre-not-imagining-it-old-trucks-are-suddenly-selling-for-big-bucks-on-bring-a-trailer>), they evidently meant nothing to one owner of a 1979 Bronco who, rather than restore their classic Ford, dressed it up as a modern F-series Super Duty for reasons one struggles to fathom.

After making its rounds online during the build process recently being featured on [*Ford Authority*](<https://fordauthority.com/2020/11/frankenstein-1979-ford-bronco-modernized-with-super-duty-body-parts-video/>), this Bronco Super Duty—a phrase one would be otherwise delighted to read—is now running and driving, as shown in a video posted by a YouTube aggregator. It features the out-of-place front end from a 2017-2019 [Ford Super Duty pickup](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32013/2020-ford-f-250-super-duty-review-heavy-duty-truck-hegemony>) and taillights from a recent F-150; both styling elements designed for trucks far larger than the '79 Bronco. As a result, they look as disproportionate here as Scrappy-Doo's head does on... his own body, really.

https://youtube.com/embed/96Vjn8eGR3k

Inside are trimmings that could be mistaken for a late-model King Ranch, because that's where they come from. Coincidentally, this video's uploader misspells said trim level as "Kong Ranch" in the video description; a fitting mistake given what a monstrosity this truck is.

Perhaps the only thing done right (and feel free to argue this) is the transplant of [a 5.0-liter Coyote V8](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/33658/the-ford-mustang-bullitts-v8-made-me-understand-why-people-are-obsessed-with-exhaust-notes>). Assuming it comes from the same F-150 as the taillights, its 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque are straight upgrades from [the '79 Bronco's factory outputs](<https://grantorinosport.org/bubbaf250/specs/specs02.html>) of no greater than 159 horse and 276 torqueS on the 6.6-liter Ford 400 V8. Its OBDII engine management will also make this mutant Bronco a worthy daily driver, should its owner not give up such ambitions after noticing all the stares, pointing, and laughter during their first drives around town.

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## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)