Can anyone give me a good site or publication to track down that will show me how to tell one year from another as far as Broncos are concerned.

I know when body styles changed and all but are there more minute details to look for to tell the year more specifically?

thanks...

 

I'm not saying this is entirely accurate - I OCR'ed the bold stuff and the rest is just off the top of my head.

1966 The latest addition to the truck line was the four-wheel drive Bronco utility vehicle. Built on a 92-inch wheelbase, the Bronco was powered by the 170ci inline six, and later in the year, the 289ci V-8 became optional. The Bronco was available in three styles: the standard Bronco was the roadster, with no roof or doors and a fold-down windshield; the sports utility was a pickup with a bolted-on, removable steel roof over, the front seat; and the Bronco wagon came with a full-length roof and large side windows.
1967 New additions to the basically unchanged Bronco included variable-speed windshield wipers, padded sun visors, back-up lights, a dual brake master cylinder and self-adjusting brakes. The sports utility model is now called a pickup. A new Sport Package available for the wagon and pickup included bright horn rings, headlight bezels, taillight bezels, tailgate handle, windshield rails, instrument panel trim, side window frames, a grille, chrome plated bumpers with bumper guards, dual armrests, trimmed headboard liner, wheel covers, cigar lighter and a floor mat for the wagon.
1968 The Bronco continued with the same body shell, which now got side marker lights on the front and reflectors on the lower rear quarter panels. The front bumpers were new as well, featuring curved rather than squared off ends. The interior's door handles and window cranks were improved, and a heater and defroster were standard. Freewheeling front hubs and the Bronco's swing away spare tire carrier were new.
1969 The Bronco roadster model was deleted and the other Bronco models got minor cosmetic changes. However, many mechanical improvements were made to reduce noise and improve Bronco's structural integrity, including elimination of the Bronco's folding windshield.
1970 The most noticeable change on the Bronco was the now flush mounted side marker lamps, which were also positioned higher. The base engine was still the 170ci, 105hp inline six. The Sport Package still included bright exterior moldings and trim, an argent grille, Parchment pleated upholstery, floor mats, lighter, chrome front and rear bumpers, wheel covers and Sport Bronco emblem.
1971 Basically no changes were made to the Bronco. It did get a heavier duty front axle and 12.7 gallon gas tank. Only three speed manual transmission available.
1972 Basically no changes were made to the Bronco. When fitted with the optional 302ci V-8 engine, bucket seats and a 3.5:1 rear axle were included.
1973 Bronco now one model series, as the pickup version was dropped. Base engine was 200ci version of the in line six, and the 302ci V-8 was optional. Power steering and the Cruise-O-Matic transmission were new options on V-8 equipped Broncos.
1974 Exterior was unchanged. Selector dial for transmission was lighted and a dome light replaced the map light, which became an option. New is a different steering gear mechanism. Six-cylinder engine was phased out during the year.
1975 Exterior was unchanged but underwent several mechanical changes, including new use of a catalytic converter.
1976 Mechanical enhancements like heavier axle and front disc brakes were made. New options included front stabilizer bar, quicker power steering system and heavy-duty shocks. Also new was the Special Decor Group consisting of a blacked-out grille, color-keyed hood and bodyside tape stripe, bright windshield moldings and window frames and bright wheel covers, 200ci inline six with a 3-speed transmission. Optional was the 302ci V-8 and Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission.
1977 The Bronco had minor refinements for its last year with this body style.
1978-1979 Beginning with the 1978 model year, Bronco was completely redesigned. Bearing no relationship with the earlier models. 1978-79 Bronco is built on an F150 pick-up chassis. The 1978-79 models are identical insofar as equipment goes. Engine availability was limited to a base 351 ci V8 with an optional 400 V8 also available.
1980 The4x4 Bronco trimmed down a bit for 1980. Although the front-end treatment resembled the 1978-79 models, it was different. The grille was revised and the parking lights were now recessed directly beneath the headlights. New wrap-around taillights were used. Also new was twin beam independent front suspension, replacing the former rigid axle.
1981 Styling of the four-wheel drive Bronco was unchanged for 1981. Standard features included: Bucket seats, vinyl sun visors, padded instrument panel, armrests, door lock buttons and inside hood release.
1982 The 4x4 Bronco received a mild face-lift for 1982. The revised grille had only three vertical bars and the Ford script in an oval emblem in its center. This emblem was also placed on the lower left corner of the tailgate
1983 Styling of the four-wheel drive Bronco was carried over from the previous year. Convenience options included a headlamp-on warning buzzer. The underhood light had a 20-foot cord.
1984 Styling of the four-wheel Bronco was carried over from the previous year. Standard features included: Black front and rear bumpers; bright hubcaps and black scuff plates. Options included an underhood toolbox.
1985 Outside of some new options, the four-wheel drive Bronco was unchanged for 1985. New options included white, styled steel wheels.
1986 The attractive full-size Bronco was basically unchanged for 1986. The Eddie Bauer Bronco included two-tone paint, dual bodyside paint stripes, privacy glass, all-terrain raised white-letter tires and Eddie Bauer garment and equipment bags.

'78-82: t/g latches are smaller than the door strikes.

'80-86: lower body line arches over wheelwells, as does the EB stripe (when offered); front sway bar attached to frame tabs behind bumper; trucks without front sway bar had a heavy steel valance; A/C control panel uses 3 slides (vacuum for fresh/recirc & register select); vacuum cruise servo with underdash control module.

'80-81: "FORD" on the hood, but not the grille; door lock slides.

'82-up: blue oval on grille; pushbutton door locks.

The sliding side window option & NP-208F t-case weren't offered after '83; hydraulic clutch wasn't offered before '83; t/g latches use the same size strike bolt as the doors.

'84 (late): EFI offered on 5.0L; BW-1356 t-case standard.

The '87-early88s can be identified by their flange-type hub locks & mechanical A/C control panel (a blue pushbutton in the middle of 4 slides; vacuum only used for fresh/recirc). From behind, '87-91s can be IDed by the wraparound reverse lens and red reflector on the t/g trim panel. '87 was also the first year for the subtle wheelwell flares and straight lower body line. The EB stripe also went straight from '87-up. EFI & RABS standard on all under 8500#GVWR. The front sway-bar is attached to a heavy steel valance just behind the bumper.

'88 (mid-year): reverted to '86-style hubs and locks & A/C control panel; EFI on 7.5L; electronic BW-1356 t-case offered.

'91: frame rail fuel pump deleted; Silver Anniversary package includes burgundy paint & bumpers and special badges.

'92 began the smoke stripe on the t/g trim panel, CHMSL, drastic changes in the shade of the EB tan, 3-**** A/C control, ignition-keyed doors, torx camper bolts, rear shoulder belts, tilt/slide passenger seat base, new design for the steel rims, small reverse lens; front frame horn crumple zone.

'93: electronic cruise servo with integral control; 4WABS standard on Broncos (not offered on F-Series).

'94: forged rims offered, but rear hub cap centers still red; MAF OBD-II on California V-8s; driver's airbag on all under 8500#GVWR.

'95: hub cap centers black; overhead console & auto-dimming mirror became part of EB package; 3-screw auto hub locks; floating calipers.

'96: all Bronco engines MAF OBD-II.