Car Model History

Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based · 1978–1996

1978Ford Bronco

A full-size SUV closely derived from the F-Series pickup; the white 1993 Bronco of the O.J. Simpson freeway chase is its most famous example. (Summarized as one block here; the full-size sub-generations run 1978–79, 1980–86, 1987–91, and 1992–96.)

Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based

1978 Ford Bronco, first full-size F-Series-based generation — front three-quarter view

Photo: “1978 Ford Bronco (4972370291).jpg” by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1978 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 1978 Bronco

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

8factory 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 — 1978 Bronco factory brochure.

8versions shown
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco Custom, 351 cu. in. V8, Four-speed manual

Body
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
351 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Four-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco Custom, 351 cu. in. V8, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic

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

Bronco Custom, 400 cu. in. V8, Four-speed manual

Body
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
400 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Four-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco Custom, 400 cu. in. V8, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic

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

Bronco Ranger XLT, 351 cu. in. V8, Four-speed manual

Body
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
351 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Four-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco Ranger XLT, 351 cu. in. V8, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic

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

Bronco Ranger XLT, 400 cu. in. V8, Four-speed manual

Body
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
400 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Four-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco Ranger XLT, 400 cu. in. V8, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic

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

The 1978 model year

Overview

Ford completely redesigned the Bronco for 1978 as a full-size, F-Series-based two-door 4x4. Custom and Ranger XLT models shared a standard 351-cubic-inch V8 and four-speed manual, with a 400 V8 and SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic optional.

Specifications

Engines
  • 351 cu. in. V8
  • 400 cu. in. V8
Transmissions
Four-speed manual, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic
Body styles
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

Year over year

What changed

  • The compact 92-inch-wheelbase Bronco gave way to a new 104-inch-wheelbase full-size design.
  • Custom and Ranger XLT became the two factory models.
  • A 351 V8 and four-speed manual were standard; the 400 V8 and automatic were optional.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Ford advertised room for up to six passengers.
  • The brochure lists a removable fiberglass rear roof and part-time or optional full-time four-wheel drive.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Confirm 351 versus 400 engine and manual versus automatic before ordering powertrain or cooling parts.
  • Verify Custom/Ranger XLT identity and original four-wheel-drive equipment because trim and axles are often modified.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1978 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 1978 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
8
Factory intervals
8
Fitment-scoped
8
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

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 9,600 km / 6 months · Schedule L normal service; whichever comes first. Severe service: 3,000 miles or 3 months.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed pages 106 and 108 — Schedule L oil row and note 1; severe-service note 2 · checked

    1978 cataloged Bronco engines

    K&N HP-3001

    Applies to: 1978 · 351 cu. in. V8, 400 cu. in. V8 · United States

    Source: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1978 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 1978 Bronco 351 cu. in. V8 or 400 cu. in. V8 application. Confirm the installed engine before ordering.

      Catalog: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1978 Ford Bronco 351 cu. in. V8 or 400 cu. in. V8 oil-filter application — HP-3001 · checked

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  • Engine oil filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 19,200 km · Replace at the first 6,000-mile oil change, then at alternate oil changes; under severe service, replace at alternate 3,000-mile oil changes.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed pages 106 and 108 — Schedule L oil-filter row and notes 1–2 · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km · Schedule L normal-service replacement; severe service calls for inspect, clean and regap every 6,000 miles.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed pages 106 and 108 — Schedule L spark-plug row and severe-service note 2 · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 42,000 mi / 67,200 km / 36 months · Replace at the specified mileage or three years, whichever comes first; inspect condition annually.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed pages 106 and 108 — Schedule L coolant row and notes 3–4 · checked

  • Carburetor air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Schedule L replacement interval; service more often in severe dust.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed pages 106 and 108 — Schedule L air-cleaner row and notes 5–6 · checked

  • Drive-belt tension

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km · Schedule L inspection interval.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed page 106 — Schedule L drive-belt-tension row · checked

  • Steering, suspension and driveline lubrication

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 9,600 km · Schedule L normal-service interval; off-highway and mud/water notes require more frequent service.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed pages 107–108 — Schedule L yoke, spindle, steering and clutch lubrication rows and notes 7–8 · checked

  • Brake system inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · United States, except California · Exact Ford Schedule L for 1978 Broncos certified for leaded fuel outside California; California vehicles use the separate A/B table and are not represented by these intervals.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Inspect disc/drum components, brake lines and hoses, and master-cylinder fluid level.

    Source: Ford — 1978 Bronco Owner's Guide (preserved factory scan) · Printed page 107 — Schedule L brake inspection rows · checked

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

Sources

  1. Ford — 1978 Bronco factory brochure
  2. Ford Motor Company — The Ford Bronco

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