First generation · Classic compact 4x4 · 1966–1977
1968Ford Bronco
The original compact, purpose-built off-roader that helped define the rugged-SUV idea — now a prized collectible.
Photo: “1968 Ford Bronco Pickup in Wimbledon White, Front Right (St. Ignace 2023).jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Quick facts
- Engines
- 2offered170 cu. in. inline-six → 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8
- Top output
- 195hp289 cu. in. two-barrel V8
Body stylesRoadster · Pickup · Wagon
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1968 Ford Bronco model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Complete, source-verified lineup
Find your exact 1968 Bronco
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified
We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory body/series roster and brochure-supported engine/transmission combinations. Every version shown below has its own detail page.
Verified 2026-09-01 from Ford — 1968 Bronco factory brochure (TDM 6447).
Bronco Wagon, 170 cu. in. six, three-speed manual
- Body
- Full-roof two-door wagon
- Engine
- 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Wagon, 289 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual
- Body
- Full-roof two-door wagon
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Pickup, 170 cu. in. six, three-speed manual
- Body
- Short-roof two-door pickup
- Engine
- 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Pickup, 289 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual
- Body
- Short-roof two-door pickup
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Roadster, 170 cu. in. six, three-speed manual
- Body
- Open roadster without roof or doors
- Engine
- 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Roadster, 289 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual
- Body
- Open roadster without roof or doors
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Sport Bronco Wagon, 170 cu. in. six, three-speed manual
- Body
- Sport-trim full-roof two-door wagon
- Engine
- 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Sport Bronco Wagon, 289 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual
- Body
- Sport-trim full-roof two-door wagon
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Sport Bronco Pickup, 170 cu. in. six, three-speed manual
- Body
- Sport-trim short-roof two-door pickup
- Engine
- 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
Sport Bronco Pickup, 289 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual
- Body
- Sport-trim short-roof two-door pickup
- Engine
- 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp)
- Gearbox
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1968 model year
Overview
For 1968, Ford sold the Bronco as five named models: Wagon, Pickup, Roadster, Sport Wagon, and Sport Pickup. The factory brochure retained the standard 170-cubic-inch six and optional 289-cubic-inch V8, both with the fully synchronized three-speed manual and two-speed transfer case.
Specifications
- Engines
- 170 cu. in. inline-six100 hp
- 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8195 hp
- Transmissions
- Three-speed fully synchronized manual
- Body styles
- Roadster, Pickup, Wagon
Year over year
What changed
- Ford's brochure separated the line into five models by adding Sport Wagon and Sport Pickup to the regular Wagon, Pickup, and Roadster.
- The 170-cubic-inch six remained standard and the 289-cubic-inch V8 remained the sole optional engine listed.
- The transmission table identifies synchronization in first, second, and third gears; no automatic transmission is listed.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Ford advertised a 6,000-mile chassis lubrication, engine-oil, oil-filter, and air-cleaner service cycle in the 1968 brochure.
- The brochure lists 100 gross horsepower for the 170 six and 195 gross horsepower for the optional 289 V8.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Confirm the original body and Sport-trim identity before restoration: removable roofs and decades of modification can make a surviving Roadster, Pickup, or Wagon appear to be another factory model.
- Match engine, clutch, axle, and cooling parts to the installed six or V8 rather than assuming every surviving Bronco retains its factory powertrain.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1968 Bronco on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1968 Ford Bronco. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 3
- Factory intervals
- 3
- Fitment-scoped
- 3
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil and oil filter
Exact reference available
Source: Ford — 1968 Bronco factory brochure (TDM 6447) · Page headed 'We put more into Bronco' — 6,000-mile maintenance schedule · checked
1968 cataloged Bronco engines
K&N HP-3001
Source: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1968 Ford Bronco engine application rows — HP-3001 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementK&N HP-3001
Qty. 1 · Spin-on engine oil filter · catalog-listed
K&N's manufacturer catalog lists HP-3001 for the 1968 Bronco 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp) or 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp) application. Confirm the installed engine before ordering.
Catalog: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1968 Ford Bronco 170 cu. in. inline-six (100 gross hp) or 289 cu. in. two-barrel V8 (195 gross hp) oil-filter application — HP-3001 · checked
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Engine air cleaner — service
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1968 Bronco factory brochure (TDM 6447) · Page headed 'We put more into Bronco' — 6,000-mile air-cleaner service · checked
Chassis lubrication
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1968 Bronco factory brochure (TDM 6447) · Page headed 'We put more into Bronco' — 6,000-mile chassis lubrication · checked
Collect
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Sources
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