Early Bronco Front Clip

Early Bronco Front Clip Buyer’s Guide

Restoring the Early Bronco front clip is one of the most important structural repairs you can make on a 1966-77 Ford Bronco. The front clip supports the radiator, grille, fenders, and ties directly into the firewall and cabin structure. When rust or damage starts here, it affects alignment, panel fitment, and overall rigidity.

If you're planning repairs or a full restoration, here’s how to determine which components your Bronco needs.

Radiator Core Support

The Early Bronco radiator core support is the most critical structural component of the front end of your Bronco body tub. It connects both inner fenders, mounts the radiator, and supports the grille.

Common reasons for replacement include:

• Rust at body mount locations

• Front-end collision damage

• Hood and grille misalignment

• A radiator that sits uneven

• Conversion from 6-cylinder to V8

Because the core support ties the entire front clip together, replacing it often restores proper alignment. Keep in mind this panel is factory spot welded to the inner fenders, so replacement requires drilling welds and welding the new support in place. Careful test fitting before final welding is critical.

The radiator support found in Inline 6-cylinder Broncos had a small opening to match the smaller radiator that was used in these models. If you are converting to a V8, you will need to either cut your 6-cylinder core support open and add radiator brackets, or you can simply replace the entire core support with our premium quality replacement.

Inner Fenders

The Early Bronco inner fenders - commonly referred to as inner fender skirts or inner fender aprons - connect the kick panels just in front of the firewall to the radiator core support and provide structural support for the front wheel wells. These panels also provide the mounting point for your outer fenders.

The most common rust area on Early Bronco inner fenders is where they overlap with the kick panels just in front of the firewall. If you are looking to purchase a classic Ford Bronco, we highly recommend taking a good look at this area to get an idea what sort of rust issues may be in store for you.

This seam is a known corrosion trap because:

• The factory overlap creates a tight moisture pocket

• Dirt and mud collect between the panels

• Cowl leaks allow water to drain directly into the seam

• Seam sealer breaks down over time

• Limited airflow prevents the area from drying

This area typically rusts from the inside out. By the time paint bubbles appear, corrosion has usually been active between the panels for years. When replacing inner fenders, replacing the kick panels at the same time is strongly recommended. Proper primer, seam sealer, and cavity protection are essential during reassembly.

Front Wheel Wells

The Early Bronco front wheel wells form the housing around the front tires inside the engine bay. These are structural panels that help define the wheel opening and protect the engine compartment from debris thrown by the tires.

Front wheel wells commonly need replacement due to:

• Rust from trapped dirt and mud

• Trail damage

• Tire rub from oversized tires

• Poor prior repairs

Because they are structural panels, proper installation helps restore rigidity and maintain correct tire clearance. If your Bronco has seen off-road use, these panels often show heavy wear. Be sure to purchase the proper support brackets when replacing your wheel wells. There are brackets on each side of the engine bay that add structural support between the front wheel wells and the firewall assembly.

WH Fender Body Guards - Inner Fender Liners

Early Bronco fender liners are not factory components. They are an aftermarket upgrade designed to install between the outer fender and inner fender.

Their purpose is simple yet extremely valuable:

• Protect the inside of your outer fenders

• Prevent rock dings from the back side

• Reduce debris buildup between panels

Without fender liners, rocks and debris thrown by the front tires can dent the inside of the outer fenders. For freshly painted Broncos, high-end restorations, or trail Broncos, fender liners are a smart preventative upgrade.

They do not replace wheel wells, and they are not structural — they are protective panels that improve longevity and preserve paint.

Kick Panels

The Early Bronco inner kick panels sit at the lower front corners of the cabin where the firewall meets the door jamb. While technically part of the cabin, they do extend past the firewall and tie directly into the inner fenders and front clip structure.

Kick panels most often rust where they overlap the inner fenders as mentioned in the Inner Fenders section above. Because the inner fenders overlap the kick panels, rust in one panel often means rust in the other. If you are replacing inner fenders, inspect the kick panels carefully before reassembly.

Planning Your Front Clip Repair

Not every Bronco requires a full front clip replacement. Many repairs involve replacing just the radiator core support or possibly the inner fenders and kick panels have rusted out. However, if multiple panels show rust or previous collision damage, replacing them together can improve alignment and prevent duplicated labor.

Since the Early Bronco front clip panels are factory welded, proper test fitting before final welding ensures correct hood, grille, and fender alignment.

Important: Before removing any original panels, carefully measure and brace the front end. Proper structural support is essential before tearing down your Bronco’s front clip.

The Early Bronco front clip is a structural system, not just sheet metal. The inner fender-to-kick panel seam remains the most common rust area, while wheel wells and core supports often suffer from age and abuse.

If you're unsure which front clip panels your 1966-77 Ford Bronco needs, the Wild Horses team can help you choose the right components for a solid, long-lasting repair.