Revell 1971/73 Ford Bronco

[Atmobil]

This looks like a really nice one. I want one and hopefully it will arrive to my shores sometime in the future.

But, does anyone know, if the the suspension parts on this would be accurate to use on the Moebius F100 kits?

[mikemodeler]

This looks like a really nice one. I want one and hopefully it will arrive to my shores sometime in the future.

But, does anyone know, if the the suspension parts on this would be accurate to use on the Moebius F100 kits?

If you are wondering if this kit could be used as a donor for the 4wd components, it's a definite maybe. Really will depend on the front axle width. There are some resin casters out there that offer a 4wd conversion based on the AMT '78 Ford F350 Firestone kit.

[Atmobil]

If you are wondering if this kit could be used as a donor for the 4wd components, it's a definite maybe. Really will depend on the front axle width. There are some resin casters out there that offer a 4wd conversion based on the AMT '78 Ford F350 Firestone kit.

Yes, I already got several of the old AMT 78 Ford kits so no lack of parts as such but new tooled is possibly better than the old in term of details. Hopefully someone that already got both kits will soon make a test fit and see if they can be used.

[Rob Hall]

This looks like a really nice one. I want one and hopefully it will arrive to my shores sometime in the future.

But, does anyone know, if the the suspension parts on this would be accurate to use on the Moebius F100 kits?

I would think the track would be considerably narrower on the Bronco..those 1st gen Broncos were tiny.   I'll have to compare the parts once I get a Bronco kit.

[Fat Brian]

This looks like a really nice one. I want one and hopefully it will arrive to my shores sometime in the future.

But, does anyone know, if the the suspension parts on this would be accurate to use on the Moebius F100 kits?

The axle in the Bronco kit is a Dana 44 which is the same type of axle used in 78 F-150s but the configuration is wrong. The F series trucks have their axles mounted with the differential on the drivers side with the pinion on the top of the axle so it's called a Dana 44 High Pinion. The gears in these axles are also reverse cut because the axle is technically mounted upside down. The Bronco has the standard mount Dana 44 with the differential on the passenger side and the regular low pinion. Since the Firestones truck is badged as an F-350 the correct axle for it is a Dana 60 with the same high pinion, reverse rotation configuration.

[Fat Brian]

Andy, as someone who does see things objectively, can you tell us what's wrong with the rockers?  And how we can fix 'em?

I'm not Andy but I do see what he's talking about with the rockers, the whole thing is just too flat. The body on the real things curves under a couple inches but the kit is just absolutely flat. Compare the pic of the kit below from Chuck Kourouklis with the picture of the real thing. Fortunately, it's something that can be fixed to a large degree with a bit of sanding and maybe rescribing the bottom door line.

[mk11]

The use of cad programs can sure help with designing models, but without interpreters with a real feel for the subject the likelihood of flaws like this is becoming pretty high and consistent. The '69-'72 F100s suffer this problem too but the old amt cabs offer a good pattern to help correct it. 

 

mike

[Sledsel]

I'm not Andy but I do see what he's talking about with the rockers, the whole thing is just too flat. The body on the real things curves under a couple inches but the kit is just absolutely flat. Compare the pic of the kit below from Chuck Kourouklis with the picture of the real thing. Fortunately, it's something that can be fixed to a large degree with a bit of sanding and maybe rescribing the bottom door line.

Correct Brian, way flat compared to what it should be. The entire side is pretty flat, but does not stand out so much with the boxy Bronco. Brians pic shows the gentle roll of the body side. If you look at the front fender flare, you can see how much it rolls under below the door line. 

 This has been an issue with several Revell kits as of late (57 Ford, 49 Merc) Some strip styrene added to the back of the rockers then sanded to give it a roll will work. Otherwise the bottom of the rocker will be paper thin.

The rear quarter and front of the fender look pretty good.

Good eye Brian

Thank You Tom for the compliment on the 57. Still not done with that kit though. Need to have the front bumper replated.

 

Edited October 24, 2016 by Sledsel

[Fat Brian]

Correct Brian, way flat compared to what it should be. The entire side is pretty flat, but does not stand out so much with the boxy Bronco. Brians pic shows the gentle roll of the body side. If you look at the front fender flare, you can see how much it rolls under below the door line. 

 This has been an issue with several Revell kits as of late (57 Ford, 49 Merc) Some strip styrene added to the back of the rockers then sanded to give it a roll will work. Otherwise the bottom of the rocker will be paper thin.

The rear quarter and front of the fender look pretty good.

Good eye Brian

Thank You Tom for the compliment on the 57. Still not done with that kit though. Need to have the front bumper replated.

 

I don't normally spot these things right away but the first time someone posted a picture of the body I was like "ugh oh, that body side looks mighty flat". At least this should be fairly easy to fix.

[Oldcarsdave]

Thinking about the Rocker Panels, This is a 1966 Ford Bronco without fender flairs . They look flatter without the flairs . I hope I don't get in trouble with Myclassicgarage.com for using this photo.

Edited October 24, 2016 by Oldcarsdave

[Oldcarsdave]

I can't tell by the photo of the Bronco body , Is there a panel line on the side of front fenders were the grill bolted together like on a real one ? Should be one on the rear corners also.

Edited October 24, 2016 by Oldcarsdave

[Sledsel]

If you compare the kit built and the pic Brian provided, you can really see how much arch there actually is. Just look at the door line from the door lock to the bottom of the rocker.

As mentioned, the rocker work will relieve a lot of it. The rest will look okay.

Another mention is the front of the decal stripe, it is a bit off. Should follow the body line

Are there 2 different hub caps? Rear should be a red medallion, the fronts have the lock out hub (actually open center) Just curious if they caught that.

Edited October 25, 2016 by Sledsel

[MrObsessive]

I'm wondering if the Bronco could be had with a "stripe delete" option? IMO, it looks better without it. Also, and this is a small nit on the box art built-up--------shouldn't the door frames be chrome on the outside with body color insides?

This'll be plenty tricky to paint since the side glass and frame are molded as one. They probably couldn't do it any other way as those frames are achingly thin.

[Sledsel]

I'm wondering if the Bronco could be had with a "stripe delete" option? IMO, it looks better without it. Also, and this is a small nit on the box art built-up--------shouldn't the door frames be chrome on the outside with body color insides?

This'll be plenty tricky to paint since the side glass and frame are molded as one. They probably couldn't do it any other way as those frames are achingly thin.

Yes, may have been part of the sport package or something. I do know it was an option.

[Chuck Kourouklis]

One thing I mentioned in the other thread is that the plastic at the rockers is reasonably thin. You'll have some brackets to trim in the floor pan: 

but you might be able to use some heat to bend the lower body.  If you have a bench-mounted vise, that might help.  One tool I'm imagining is something like a dowel with a slot cut lengthwise to grip the lower rocker edge flat as you bend more of an angle into it from the rest of the body.

Edited October 25, 2016 by Chuck Kourouklis
typos

[Chuck Kourouklis]

...Are there 2 different hub caps? Rear should be a red medallion, the fronts have the lock out hub (actually open center) Just curious if they caught that.

Can't put eyes on the parts right now, but there are two different parts numbers for the hubcaps:

and if I read the instructions right, 120 goes om the front wheels, 109 on the rears.

[Harry P.]

I can't tell by the photo of the Bronco body , Is there a panel line on the side of front fenders were the grill bolted together like on a real one ? Should be one on the rear corners also.

There is a vertical panel line at the front and the back, the kit is missing them both.

[Zoom Zoom]

I can't tell by the photo of the Bronco body , Is there a panel line on the side of front fenders were the grill bolted together like on a real one ? Should be one on the rear corners also.

If you look at the reply just after yours you can see the photo of the blue painted box art model; there are vertical panel line separations for the front and rear fender end caps that are not particularly visible on the photo of the raw white plastic body. They are there, I'm looking at the body right now.

The mold lines are also at these panel lines so the cleanup is quite easy prior to paint.

[Chuck Most]

Looks to be a fairly well done kit, with the exception of those mud bogger tires wrapped around undersized wheels. Not that undersized wheels are anything new for Revell (I'm looking at you, 1981-vintage Jeep J10) but come on... measure a real wheel some time, guys!

[randyc]

Could be worse?  Could be the 1/20 scale MPC sourced Desert Dogs... Had those in parts stash from long ago.  They were just wrong for 1/24/5 kits.  Finally used them on a lindberg 1/20 Nissan.  Oh so right on there.  I have seen since that there were 1/20 MPC kits that used them.  And they look right on there.  

 

[Atmobil]

Yes, I think the tires look good. I want to use them on a slightly lifted 4x4 something.

[Chuck Most]

Tires look okay, I just don't see why Revell chose obviously non-stock tires for what appears to be a stone-stock Bronc. 

On the bright side, at least they didn't just recycle the Mickey Thompsons from the Wrangler. 

[PacificEd]

The axle in the Bronco kit is a Dana 44 which is the same type of axle used in 78 F-150s but the configuration is wrong. The F series trucks have their axles mounted with the differential on the drivers side with the pinion on the top of the axle so it's called a Dana 44 High Pinion. The gears in these axles are also reverse cut because the axle is technically mounted upside down. The Bronco has the standard mount Dana 44 with the differential on the passenger side and the regular low pinion. Since the Firestones truck is badged as an F-350 the correct axle for it is a Dana 60 with the same high pinion, reverse rotation configuration.

All of the Ford trucks from the mid 1960's through current production have used driver side drop front differentials. Doesn't matter if it is 1/2 ton or 1 ton, Dana 44 or 60, Bronco or pickup  

The 66-77 Bronco has a narrower track width than the full size models.  

Im excited to finally have this model of Bronco. I'll take the tires any day. They look very similar to the bias ply mud grips that were common on Jeeps, Scouts, and Broncos of this vintage. Thank you Revell. 

[Sledsel]

One thing I mentioned in the other thread is that the plastic at the rockers is reasonably thin. You'll have some brackets to trim in the floor pan: 

but you might be able to use some heat to bend the lower body.  If you have a bench-mounted vise, that might help.  One tool I'm imagining is something like a dowel with a slot cut lengthwise to grip the lower rocker edge flat as you bend more of an angle into it from the rest of the body.

I'd cut those little angle pieces off and glue a strip of styrene along the rocker tight to the floor and sand to shape. Then spread the body over the floor and the strip holds it in place.

Wanna get fancy, cut and sand the top of the styrene strip to follow the floor pan.

[Casey]

Tires look okay, I just don't see why Revell chose obviously non-stock tires for what appears to be a stone-stock Bronc. 

Those old soft-ish, made in Japan tires from the Jeep Honcho, 1/16 Funny Cars/Top Fuel dragsters, and others are gone for good, so with new wheels to go with these tires, the Honcho kit is ready for reissue.  I'm sure they could be made to work with a few other 1/25 Revell and 1/24 Monogram off-road vehicle kits, too. I'm guessing they simply feel they can get more bang for their buck investing in an aggressive, aftermarket style tire than a narrow, stock type tire.