Car Model History

First generation · Classic compact 4x4 · 1966–1977

1973Ford Bronco

The original compact, purpose-built off-roader that helped define the rugged-SUV idea — now a prized collectible.

First generation · Classic compact 4x4

1973 Ford Bronco, first-generation compact 4x4 — front three-quarter view

Photo: “UMPG Siegfried Paquet & Italian Diplomat Marco Alberti - Ford Bronco 1973.jpg” by InfoBrunhildmedia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

The 1973 model year

Overview

For 1973, Ford enlarged the Bronco's standard six to 200 cubic inches and introduced an optional SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic, available only with the optional 302 V8. The enclosed two-door Bronco remained available with Sport equipment, while Ranger was an option package rather than a separate model.

Specifications

Engines
  • 200 cu. in. inline-six
  • 302 cu. in. V8
Transmissions
Three-speed fully synchronized manual, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic (V8 only)
Body styles
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Year over year

What changed

  • The standard inline-six grew from 170 to 200 cubic inches.
  • SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic became an optional transmission with the 302 V8; Ford did not offer it with the six.
  • Ranger remained an equipment package added to or substituted for Sport equipment, not a separate powertrain model.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Ford retained the 92-inch wheelbase and two-speed transfer case.
  • The brochure identifies the automatic as V8-only, preventing an unsupported six-cylinder automatic configuration.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify the installed engine and transmission before ordering service parts because first-generation Broncos frequently received later powertrain conversions.
  • Treat Ranger identification as an equipment-package question; surviving trim, upholstery, and exterior pieces may have been replaced.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1973 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 1973 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
Scheduled topics
3
Applicability stated
3
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify 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 filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil and filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1973 · United States · Exact 1973 cadence transcribed from Chilton's period 1973–1974 Bronco table; the source is a secondary compilation acknowledged as based on Ford information.

    Published interval: 4,000 mi / 6,400 km / 4 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed pages 37–38 — 1973 crankcase oil/filter row · checked

    1973 cataloged Bronco engines

    K&N HP-3001

    Applies to: 1973 · 200 cu. in. inline-six, 302 cu. in. V8 · United States

    Source: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1973 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 1973 Bronco 200 cu. in. inline-six or 302 cu. in. V8 application. Confirm the installed engine before ordering.

      Catalog: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1973 Ford Bronco 200 cu. in. inline-six or 302 cu. in. V8 oil-filter application — HP-3001 · checked

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  • Engine coolant — drain, flush and replaceView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine coolant — drain, flush and replace

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1973 · United States · Exact 1973 cadence transcribed from Chilton's period 1973–1974 Bronco table; the source is a secondary compilation acknowledged as based on Ford information.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,400 km / 24 months · Published 1973–1974 table interval.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 38 — 24 months/24,000 miles: change coolant and flush · checked

  • Brake system inspectionView intervals, applicability and sources

    Brake system inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1973 · United States · Exact 1973 cadence transcribed from Chilton's period 1973–1974 Bronco table; the source is a secondary compilation acknowledged as based on Ford information.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,400 km / 24 months · Published 1973–1974 table interval.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 38 — 24 months/24,000 miles: inspect brakes · checked

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Ford — 1973 Bronco factory brochure
  2. Ford Motor Company — The Ford Bronco

Other First generation years

Explore the Classic compact 4x4 generation →All First generation · Classic compact 4x4 years →

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1973 Bronco

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

6factory configurations
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 — 1973 Bronco factory brochure.

6versions shown
Browse 6 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco, 200 cu. in. six, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
200 cu. in. inline-six
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, SelectShift automatic

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Sport Bronco, 200 cu. in. six, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
200 cu. in. inline-six
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Sport Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Sport Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, SelectShift automatic

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

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