Late Model (1978-1996) Ford Bronco History

Welcome to the web site dedicated to the full size Bronco. The full size Bronco was manufactured from model years 1978-1996. Sadly it has been discontinued, but with almost 20 years production, there are plenty of Mild to Wild Broncos on and OFF the road.

Rust seems to be a problem with most fullsize Broncos, especially in rust-prone regions of the world. Fiberglass body parts can provide a permanent solution to this chronic problem, as well as add a touch of flair.

In 78 Ford decided to enlarge the Bronco to meet public demand. The 78 Bronco design closely followed the 78, F-150. Most parts are interchangable with F-150's from the same model years.



Click here to see how much lift you need for a given tire size.

Click below to jump to changes for a given year:
1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 The new bigger Bronco had:

<TABLE width="100%" align=center border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>Wheelbase </TD><TD>104.0 inches</TD></TR><TR><TD>Overall length</TD><TD>180.3 inches</TD></TR><TR><TD>Width</TD><TD>79.3 inches</TD></TR><TR><TD>Height</TD><TD>75.5 inches</TD></TR><TR><TD>Angle of approach</TD><TD>37.5 degrees</TD></TR><TR><TD>Angle of departure</TD><TD>23.4 degrees</TD></TR><TR><TD>Breakover angle</TD><TD>24.9 degrees</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ground clearance
-- Front axle
-- Rear Axle
-- At Breakover</TD><TD>
8.1 inches
7.8 inches
9.6 inches</TD></TR><TR><TD>Turning radius
-- manual
-- power</TD><TD>
38.0 ft
35.4 feet</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Major equipment

<TABLE width="100%" border=7><TBODY><TR><TD>item</TD><TD>Standard</TD><TD>Optional</TD></TR><TR><TD>Alternator</TD><TD>40 Amp </TD><TD>60 Amp </TD></TR><TR><TD>Axle front</TD><TD>3550 lb </TD><TD>------ </TD></TR><TR><TD>Rear axle</TD><TD>3750 lb </TD><TD>------ </TD></TR><TR><TD>Rear diff</TD><TD>Open </TD><TD>Trac Lok </TD></TR><TR><TD>Battery </TD><TD>41 amp-hour </TD><TD>68 amp-hour</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brakes, service </TD><TD>Power, F-Disk</TD><TD>------ </TD></TR><TR><TD>Brakes. park </TD><TD>Cable actuated rear </TD><TD>------ </TD></TR><TR><TD>Clutch </TD><TD>11 in dia </TD><TD>------ </TD></TR><TR><TD>Engine </TD><TD>5.8L V-8 (351M) </TD><TD>6.6L V-8 (400)</TD></TR><TR><TD>Frame, section Modulus</TD><TD>3.95 </TD><TD>------ <TR><TD>Hubs, front</TD><TD>Free running,
part time 4WD</TD><TD>Constant running
full time 4WD</TD></TR><TR><TD>Shocks</TD><TD>Front and Rear</TD><TD>Quad front, HD rear</TD></TR><TR><TD>Springs, front</TD><TD>Coil, computer selected</TD><TD>-----</TD></TR><TR><TD>Springs</TD><TD>2- Stage leaf,
computer selected</TD><TD>----- </TD></TR><TR><TD>Stabilizer bar</TD><TD>Front</TD><TD>Rear</TD></TR><TR><TD>Steering</TD><TD>manual</TD><TD>Integral power</TD></TR><TR><TD>Tank, fuel</TD><TD>25 Gal</TD><TD>32 gal w/skid plate</TD></TR><TR><TD>Transfer case</TD><TD>2-Speed </TD><TD>2-Speed full time
4WD w/COM </TD></TR><TR><TD>Transmission</TD><TD>4-Speed</TD><TD>Cruis-O Matic</TD></TR><TR><TD>Tires</TD><TD>L-78-15B </TD><TD>Tube -type
7.00 X 15D and radials</TD></TR><TR><TD>Wheels</TD><TD>5-hole disc</TD><TD>10 hole alum
slotted alum
stlyed steel</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

1978: The Bronco was offered with a 351M or 400 V-8 engine. Both engines had a 2 bbl carb, a T-18 granny first gear 4 spd manual was standard while 3 spd automatic transmission was optional. The transfer case had a 2 Speed w/1.92 low range ratio. Rear axle was the Ford 9" while front was the Dana 44. Front disc brakes were now standard. Round headlights were standard, while square headlights came with the XLT option package.

1979: Square headlights and emissions control equipment, specifically an air pump, vapor canister and a catalytic converter became standard.

1980: Ford converted the Bronco with the Twin Traction Beam front suspension. This front axle still incorporated the Dna 44 carrier. Ford 9 " was still out back. Transfer case was now the NP 208 w/2.61 low range. Standard motor was the 300 CI inline 6 (w/ manual trans only). Optional motors were the 302 and 351 cid V-8's. 3.00 axle ratio was introduced, 3.5 was optional. Auto locking hubs were now optional also. Bronco dimensions for 1980 were reduced by 2.7 inches in length and 1.1 inches in width. Body was heavily restyled with cleaner lines and new grille.

1981: Changes included a 4 spd overdrive manual trans with a .71 4th gear The 4 spd with granny first was still available. Engine options remained. Auto-locking hubs were made standard equip. A snow plow package was offerd for the first time.

1982 Ford used up their remaining stock of 351M engines before switching over to the 351W in mid-model year 1982. All Ford products, including Bronco, returned to the use of the Ford "Blue Oval". Letters F-O-R-D were removed from the hood and the blue oval was placed in the center of the grille and on the left side of the tailgate.

1983: The I-6 was made avail with the 3 spd auto and the rear seat was now standard. 9" rear dropped in favor of new integral carrier 8.8" rear. Along with that change the stock gear ratio in the rear went from 3.50 to 3.55

1984: the 351 CID V-8, HO motor was offered. This 4bbl motor put out 210 HP at 4000 RPM vs the old 351 CID V-8 which was 156 HP @ 4000 RPM It was basically a 351W with a "Mustang 5.0 HO" treatment: higher compression and a Holley 4 barrel carb. 4.10/4.11 gear ratios were also available as an option, but not with limited slip.

1985: had some engine changes. the I-6 now had a serpentine belt. The big change was the 302, multi-port EFI. HP for the 302 was now 190 and torque was up to 285. This motor was avail in California only with a manual trans. The 351 and 351 HO motors were optional. The Eddie Bauer trim package debuts, brought to the full-sized Bronco due to fabulous success with the Bronco II. Also, midside body moulding changed from chrome to black plastic.

1986: saw the 351 CID standard engine deleted, but the 351 HO was still optional. A new overdive 4 speed automatic (AOD) was offered with a .667, 4th gear when combined with the MPI 302.

1987 featured another major body restyling for the Bronco. The new aero look was in and the Bronco followed suit. The transfer case was replaced by a Borg-Warner 1356 with a 2.69 low range. 4.10 gearing was optional. Touch drive was first offered this year. The 351 HO V-8 was still optional and the 300 CID I-6 recieved Multiport fuel injection (MPI). Rear anitlock brakes were made standard.

1988: Two 5spd manuals, M5OD and M5OD-HD(?) were available. The overdrive was .8 and the HD tranny had a 5.72 first gear. The 351 CID V-8 was treated to MPI. HP increased from 190@3800-210@3800. Torque increased form 295@2600-315@2800. The entire engine line was now fuel injected and also serpentine belt equipped. Transfer case skid plate was now standard.

1989: Tip/slide front seats were made standard to ease rear passenger ingress.

1990: brought the electronic AOD and it was now the standard auto. 300 CID and 351 CID HO engines now featured EEC-IV engine diagnostic connectors.

1991: was the 25th anniversary of the Bronco and no long-term changes were made. However, Ford did make a Silver Anniversary Edition of the Bronco available to commemorate the occasion. This limmited edition Bronco was offered only in Currant Red with gray leather interior. This was the first factory offering of leather seating on the Bronco and was only available on the Silver Anniversary Edition. The Currant Red paint was also exclusive to this edition. The E4OD became the stock automatic transmission.

1992: realized the last major body restyling in the Bronco's lifespan. This change offered much more swept front sheetmetal that curved in at the fenders. Power window/lock controls moved up the doorpanel towards the top to make them more accessible. Power mirrors are now offered for the first time. Rear passengers are restrained via integral shoulder/seat belts. Colored stripe in the tailgate bezel is changed from red to black. Leather seating is now an option on XLT and Eddie Bauer trim levels. Ford also offered the NITE option package, for only this year. The package was all black, including the top. Special graphics were applied.

1993: brought the end of the 300 CID I-6. 4-wheel anitlock brakes were now standard. Transfer case was now a New Process model 200 with low range of 2.69.

1994: brought us a drivers side airbag, side door beams and CFC free A/C. Fake rivets disappear from the optional aluminum wheels. Center hub bezel on steel and aluminum wheels changed from red to black. Californai V8's went from Speed density to MAF.

1995: Ford reprogrammed the E4OD automatic trannsmission for smoother shifts. The 351 CID V-8 went to sequential MPI with mass air in california. Lower body side trim color for Eddie Bauer package is changed from the traditional tan to bronze.

1996: last year for the Bronco, debutted OBD-II electronics. Side mirrors with integral signal lights were offered for the first time. 302 CID and 351 CID HO MPI motors were still offered. The axles were still the 8.8 inch out back offered in 1983 and Dana 44 TTB front that started in 1980. All V8's got MAF as well.

1997: Sadly, the Bronco name is laid to rest in favor of the new "Expedition" model that is based on the new F150. Pent up demand has these things currently flying out the door as fast as the dealers can unload them off the trucks (at least in Austin - they are already EVERYWHERE). Only offered with 4-doors, the vehicle is aimed squarely at the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. Dual air bags and 4 wheel ABS are standard. Venerable 302 and 351 Windsor motors are gone in favor of 4.6L and 5.4L variants of the Ford "modular" OHC motors. Front suspension is now double A-arm (a'la Chevy, unfortunately) and 4x4 models are sprung by torsion bars up front. First Ford 2WD offering in this class. I lament the loss of this proud marque but I suppose it was nice of Ford to set it up so that there will NEVER be a 2WD Bronco.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information on 1978 Bronco specifications was taken from the original 1978 Ford Bronco brochure.

Yearly Bronco update informaton was taken from Ford Truckin Magazine, Winter 1997 Edition. Article Titled BRONCO 30th Anniversary written by Trent Riddle. .


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tire Size Chart
Years Lift Max Tire Size
87-96 0"
2"
4"
6" 32"
33"
35"
36"
80-86 0"
2"
3" 32"
33"
35"
78-79 0"
4" 33"
35"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contributors:
James Oxley: (Click Here to find out why email addresses are removed from posts.)
John Strauss: (Click Here to find out why email addresses are removed from posts.)
Jason Schechner: (Click Here to find out why email addresses are removed from posts.)
Matt Kirkwood (Click Here to find out why email addresses are removed from posts.)

 

There is a link to this page in the Big Bronco FAQ's.

 

Yeah that's all good info, but just wondering what is all that for(reason posted)?
Not trying to be smart, but just curious if it was to just bring it up to everyone or what?

 

I missed this article and I subscribe to about 4 different 4x4 mags. Probably posted just for informational purposes, or for those like me who *sniff* still miss the ol' girl and like to see things about the Big Broncos.

Still looking for another Big Betty.

 

In 88 how do you know if you have a m5od or m5od-hd? My first gear is pretty low but second is too high to use as a starting gear.

 

lol. i was just posting the information in case people didn't know this info. so basically just to post for people to read. and bring up questions like rews2. Thought people would find it interesting. thats all

 

That's fine, I just wanted to know if there was some special reason.
Some info on there isn't always right, like the T cases when they swaped form NP208 to Borg-Warner 1356 in 1987, I've seen people with 85s and stock Borg warner t cases, needless to say still some good info in there.