A few years back people really started getting in to the ‘prepper’ movement. Maybe it was because of the ‘Walking Dead” series or other zombie shows and movies that were coming out. Maybe some feared a global disaster from global warming. For others it may have been out of concern for the direction our society and politics were heading.
The past 12-months have been stressful thanks to the Coronavirus global pandemic and political warfare in the United States. We saw riots, looting, and people wanting to do away with our police. Sales of guns and ammo have skyrocketed.
While trying to figure out which Ford Bronco I wanted to feature this month I came across this 1979 Ford Bronco built by the crews at 4Wheel & Off-Road and Recoil Magazines. Recoil Magazine wanted to build a bugout vehicle, and together the two (2) magazines decided to build a vehicle for getting out of town to go shoot off a few thousand rounds at a favorite local desert gun range. It’s not a full-monty zombie apocalypse machine; it’s a gun-toting dirt machine able to support whatever firepower testing they need. With that, the Ballistic Bronco project was born.
Equipped with a 460 big-block, an automatic transmission, an NP205 transfer case, and front Dana 44 and rear Ford 9-inch axles, this truck has power but is still nimble enough to go exploring. The Bronco already had a lift kit which provided room for new 315/70R17 Pro Comp Xtreme MT2 mud tires (roughly 35×12.50R17) on Pro Comp steel wheels. The ride was also improved with a pair of Smittybilt seats.
The guys at Rob Bonney Fab built a heavy-duty front winch bumper with steel steer horns and added three Explorer Pro Comp driving lights and a Smittybilt winch.
Out back the Rob Bonney Fab Rear bumper sports a heavy-duty tire carrier with a bulletproof latch. The bumper also provides secure rear tow points and a receiver.
The Recoil team has contacts at Dillon Aero, which specializes in the M-134 minigun, and was lucky enough to get one mounted on the Bronco for a media demonstration. A cage was built that will protect the driver and passenger as well as allow a pass-through to the rear turret area. The Dillon Aero M-134 minigun is a battery-powered Gatling gun mostly found on helicopters or protection agency vehicles for heads of state. The M-134 pumps out 3,000 rounds of 7.62mm per minute, and when it’s running it roars like a buzz saw.
The Bronco also received a BCM 5.56mm rifle: 14.5-inch enhanced upper receiver, 13-inch handguard, Mod4 charging handle, auto bolt carrier group. Mod 1 compensator, Mod 1 grip, folding sights, Geissele Super Dynamic 3 Gun trigger, Magpul enhanced trigger guard, VLTOR A5 system, BCM Gunfigther Stock Mod 0, FLIR RS64
Specifications
- 1979 Ford Bronco
- 460 CID V8
- C6 Automatic Transmission
- NP205 Transfer Case
- Gibson exhaust
- (3) 130-Watt halogen lights
- Rob Bonney Fabrication custom bumpers
- Smittybilt XRC 12000 winch
- ProComp 17-inch wheels
- ProComp Xtreme MT2 315/70/17 tires
- Smittybilt seats
- Fast-Trac Designs cover wrap
- BCM 5.56mm Rifle
See More At
Ballistic 1979 Ford Bronco – Part 1 (fourwheeler.com)
Ballistic 1979 Ford Bronco – Part 2 (fourwheeler.com)
1979 Ford Bronco – Blue Oval Blitzkrieg | RECOIL (recoilweb.com)
More Photos
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About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
