Our History
Chapter One: The Birth of Rust Belt Broncos
After decades of restoring classic American vehicles, our passion found its true calling in 2013 when Rust Belt Broncos was born. From day one, our mission was clear—to bring the 1966–1977 Ford Bronco back to life with unmatched precision and authenticity.
At the start of our journey, we began developing the reverse-engineering process for early Bronco body tubs. During this process, we met with Ford Motor Company at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where we were granted unprecedented access to original Ford engineering drawings for vintage 1966–1977 Broncos from the archives in Dearborn, Michigan.
This collaboration laid the foundation for what became a revolution in the restoration world. Rust Belt Broncos spearheaded the classic Bronco reproduction movement, introducing the first fully reverse-engineered Bronco body tubs to the market and setting new industry standards for accuracy, fit, and craftsmanship.
Based in Canfield, Ohio, near the manufacturing heartland of Youngstown, our team of craftsmen draws upon more than a century of regional automotive and metallurgical excellence. Our shop can produce up to four complete tubs per week—four times faster than many competitors—while maintaining exacting quality standards.
Each tub is assembled using authentic spot-weld techniques, e-coated automotive-grade steel, and in-house-built fixtures, ensuring a seamless fit every time. Our tubs are designed to drop directly onto original frames, saving customers thousands in additional bodywork costs.
Over the years, our reproduction Bronco tubs have become the benchmark for restorers and off-roaders nationwide. Whether for a frame-off restoration or a trail-ready classic, Rust Belt Broncos continues to exceed expectations, offering enthusiasts a way to own and enjoy a true piece of American history—reborn with modern precision.
Our Tubs
Our reproduction Bronco tubs allow classic Ford enthusiasts to recreate one of America’s most iconic 4x4s—the early Bronco—at a fraction of the cost of sourcing and repairing rusted originals. Every tub is pre-fit and verified before shipping, ensuring a perfect fit on your frame and drivetrain.
Each weld is completed in-house in our Canfield, Ohio facility, using custom-built fixtures that replicate factory datum points and dimensions with exacting accuracy. We’ve invested thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars into fixture development and tooling refinement to ensure every tub meets OEM-level standards.
With thousands of tubs on the road today, Rust Belt Broncos remains the industry’s leader in precision reproduction—offering the highest quality, most affordable early Bronco bodies available anywhere in the country.
Before You Restore: Why We’re the Source for Classic Bronco Owners
If you’re planning to restore your classic Ford Bronco, Rust Belt Broncos is the trusted source for doing it right. Our tubs are born in the Rust Belt, engineered from original Ford blueprints, and built by some of the finest craftsmen in the country.
Here’s why we’re far ahead of the competition:
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We work with Bronco owners across North America and understand every aspect of early Bronco restoration.
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Our staff has over a century of combined experience in troubleshooting, toolmaking, design, and fabrication.
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We have hundreds more tubs on the road than any other reproduction manufacturer.
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Our production efficiency allows us to offer the best pricing and fastest turnaround in the industry.
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Every tub ships on a custom rolling cart for easy placement and installation.
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All bodies are test-fit and quality-inspected before shipping.
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We are the only company using original Ford drawings from the Dearborn archives and producing our own tools and fixtures.
Simply put—no one builds them like Rust Belt Broncos.
Chapter Two: The Birth of Rust Belt Offroad
As our reputation grew, so did our vision. In 2023, our commitment to preserving American classics evolved into a bold new chapter: Rust Belt Offroad.
What began with the Bronco has now expanded to include a full line of reproduction truck and SUV bodies, including:
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1969–1972 K5 Chevy Blazer / GMC Jimmy
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1967–1972 C/K Series C10 Trucks
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1973–1987 C/K Series C10 “Square Body” Trucks
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1967–1972 Ford F100 Trucks
Using the same fixture-built precision, resistance spot-welding, and reverse-engineered panel design that made Rust Belt Broncos famous, Rust Belt Offroad now sets the benchmark across multiple platforms.
From gap alignment to spot weld placement, every Rust Belt Offroad build mirrors the original factory fit and feel. Our craftsmen apply decades of experience to ensure each body reflects the strength, symmetry, and authenticity that enthusiasts demand.
At our Canfield, Ohio facility, we bring together generations of American manufacturing heritage with cutting-edge technology to reproduce the trucks that built a nation. Whether you’re restoring a K5, a C10, a Square Body, or a classic F100, you can trust Rust Belt Offroad to deliver the finest reproduction bodies available anywhere.
Our Legacy
From Rust Belt Broncos to Rust Belt Offroad, our story is one of craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication to preserving American automotive history. We’ve built our name on quality, precision, and integrity, and we continue to expand that legacy across multiple classic truck platforms.
Each body that leaves our shop represents more than metal—it represents heritage, hard work, and American pride.
Rust Belt Offroad: Built Better. Built Here. Built to Last.