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Fit for a King: Show-Stopping 1972 Ford Bronco

Can you imagine owning the vehicle you’re currently driving for 45 years? In our fast-paced “what’s next?” society, it’s hard to imagine people holding onto their rides for over four decades. Thankfully, there are those who have. Matt Hunt, owner of Matt Hunt’s Muscle Cars and Under Pressure Fabrication, was fortunate enough to have a friend looking to restore his father’s original 1972 Ford Bronco.

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Wanting to create something truly unique, Hunt and his team completely revamped the Early Bronco from top to bottom. This would include replacing the stock engine with a stroked 347 ci V8 from a ’92 Ford Mustang. Behind the 480 hp engine, you’ll find an AOD automatic transmission and Atlas II transfer case. The gear-driven T-case propels a True Hi9 third member out back and Ford 9-inch up front. Attached at each end of the Camburg axlehousings are disc brakes, which get extra clamping force thanks to a hydro-boost conversion from Wilwood.

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Of course, the custom suspension is what landed the Bronco in the King Shocks booth at the 2017 Nitto Tire Auto Enthusiast Day. Working with the custom radius arms and front coil springs are dual 2.0 King remote reservoir shocks with 4-inch-travel King bumpstops. Out back, the custom leaf springs are dampened via King’s 2.5 series remote-reservoir shocks, which were fit with compression adjusters to further dial in the ride. All of this works to cycle the 35-inch Nitto Trail Grappler tires.

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As you can see from the video at the top, the build is still quite fresh and dirt-free. Hunt states that once its show duties are over, the Bronco is heading to the desert for some ‘wheeling fun. Hopefully, we can catch up with the Bronco on the trail as we would love to see this classic in action.

HARD FACTS

1972 Ford Bronco

ENGINE 347 ci Stroked Ford V8
TRANSMISSION AOD
TRANSFER CASE Atlas II
FRONT AXLE Camburg Racing housing, Ford 9-in 3rd member, Detroit Truetrac, 4.86 gears
REAR AXLE Camburg Racing housing, True Hi 9 3rd member, Detroit Truetrac, 4.86 gears
SUSPENSION Custom front coils w/dual King 2.0 remote reservoir shocks, radius arms, custom rear leaf springs w/King 2.5 remote reservoir shocks w/compression adjusters, King 2.0 bumpstops 
STEERING Custom linkage w/King steering stabilizer
TIRES 35x12.50R17 Nitto Trail Grappler
WHEELS 17x9 Raceline 935B Defender
MISC. Warn winch, Rigid Industries LED Lights, custom ‘cage, Wilwood disc brakes, Optima RedTop battery

Love the Bronco? Ford's bringing it back in 2020.

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