Our History
Chapter One: The Birth of Rust Belt Broncos
After decades of following our passion of restoring classic American cars, we at Rust Belt Broncos have specifically been focused on vintage Ford Bronco restoration since 2012.
At the beginning of our journey, Rust Belt Broncos began developing the reverse engineering process for replacement of early (1966 – 1977) Ford Bronco tubs. We met with Ford at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas and were given unprecedented access to the original drawings for vintage 1966 to 1977 Broncos from the Ford Motor Company’s archives in Dearborn, Michigan.
We spearheaded the vintage Ford Bronco restoration craze, and have remained at the top of the industry ever since. Not only do we offer the only fixtures built in-house, but we have, by far, the best built steel body tub to be manufactured to date. And we have been doing it the longest. Through our process of reverse engineering original Ford Bronco parts, we give our customers the ultimate experience in reliving their passion for a true American Classic.
The fabrication and assembly of our tubs takes place in Canfield Ohio near Youngstown. Northeast Ohio has been a hotbed of manufacturing excellence with more than a century of automotive, manufacturing and metallurgical expertise. Our team of craftsman can produce up to 4 tubs a week, four times faster than any of our competitors.
Our tubs have proven to be a hit with off-roaders and restorers alike. Our customers put their restored vintage Ford Broncos through their paces in hundreds of ways. These machines are all the better with improved e-coated steel.
At Rust Belt Broncos, we strive to exceed all of our customers’ expectations and provide them the most perfect looking and fitting vintage Ford Bronco restoration product possible. With our reproduction tubs, you too can create one of these legendary style early Broncos at an affordable cost.
Our Tubs
Our reproduction tubs enable vintage Ford Bronco owners to reproduce one of the legendary American Classic Cars—the Ford Bronco 1966 to 1977—at a very affordable cost. Our tubs have proven to be a hit with off-roaders and restorers alike, and we send them to Bronco aficionados all over the U.S.
The technicians at Rust Belt Broncos spend endless hours working to guarantee that our manufactured tubs will drop into your existing frame and drive line perfectly. Each weld on our products is made in the U.S.A. in our Canfield, Ohio shop, using our own fixtures and aligning our work to demanding specs. Only then do we believe we provide our customers with a product worthy of their investment.
To reach this level of perfection, we invested tens of thousands of dollars and thousands of hours in our machine shop to make sure that multiple fixtures replicate the factory specs. Our meticulous process of reverse engineering the original parts ensures our customers the very best quality and fit.
Before Your Restore: See Why We’re the Source for Vintage Bronco Owners
If you’re thinking about restoring your vintage Ford Bronco, we can be a great resource for how to do it right. Our tubs are born in the Rust Belt, based on original designs and take shape with finesse of craftsmanship for a guaranteed “best fit.” We’ve been focused on tub production since 2012 and we have some of the finest technicians in the country working in our shop. Once you’ve talked vintage Ford Bronco restoration with Rust Belt Broncos, you won’t need to go any further.
Here are some of the reasons we’re way ahead of the pack:
- We work with Bronco owners all over North America, and we’re skilled at every aspect of vintage Bronco restoration.
- Our staff has over a century of combined troubleshooting, tool making, design and fabrication experience.
- We have hundreds more tubs on the road than any other Ford Bronco restoration company.
- Aside from being the best, we are the most affordable vintage Bronco shop in the country! Our efficient, seamless production process helps keep costs low, without long delays.
- We deliver our tubs in a roll cart for ease of placement and helpful when it’s time to drop them onto your frame.
- Our production and fit process guarantees a perfect fit once your tub arrives.
- We produce about 4 tubs per week, four times faster than our competitors.
We’re the Only Vintage Bronco restoration company that:
- Uses original Bronco drawings from Ford Motor Company archives in Dearborn
- Custom-spot welders, jigs and other fixtures to ensure a seamless, authentic look
- All of our tubs are test-fit prior to shipping, to ensure an easy end-fit for customers
- Tub producer that makes our own tools
- Has over 1000 tubs on the road today
- Has produced tubs for all make and model vintage Ford Broncos from 1966 to 1977
Chapter 2: The Birth of Rust Belt Offroad
A year ago, amidst our unwavering dedication to vintage Ford Bronco restoration, a new chapter unfolded for Rust Belt Broncos. It marked the genesis of Rust Belt Offroad, an expansion into the realm of K5 Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy body reproduction.
Driven by our passion for preserving American classics, we embarked on a journey to develop custom fixtures tailored specifically for crafting the finest K5 Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy bodies. Attention to detail became our mantra as we meticulously honed every aspect, from gaps to spot welds, mirroring the originals with precision.
Our decision to introduce K5 Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy bodies was rooted in our commitment to serving enthusiasts across diverse automotive landscapes. With the same dedication that propelled us to the forefront of vintage Ford Bronco restoration, we ventured into uncharted territories, setting new standards in the realm of classic vehicle reproduction.
In our Canfield, Ohio facility, where automotive expertise spans generations, our craftsmen poured their skills into perfecting each body, ensuring that every detail mirrored the iconic originals. The legacy of Rust Belt Offroad was born from a desire to offer enthusiasts the opportunity to relive the golden era of American off-roading with unparalleled authenticity and craftsmanship.
As Rust Belt Offroad emerges as a beacon of excellence in K5 Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy restoration, our commitment to quality remains unwavering. With Rust Belt Offroad, enthusiasts can embark on their restoration journey with confidence, knowing that they have access to the finest reproduction bodies crafted with passion and precision.