Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based · 1978–1996
1979Ford 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.)
Photo: “1979 Ford Bronco (23517469006).jpg” by Sicnag / 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 1979 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 1979 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 — 1979 Bronco factory brochure.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1979 model year
Overview
The 1979 Bronco continued the full-size Custom and Ranger XLT lineup. Ford retained the standard 351 V8 and four-speed manual, while offering the 400 V8 and SelectShift automatic, including a choice of part-time or full-time four-wheel drive with the automatic.
Specifications
- Engines
- 351 cu. in. V8
- 400 cu. in. V8
- Transmissions
- Four-speed manual, SelectShift automatic
- Body styles
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Year over year
What changed
- Custom and Ranger XLT carried forward for the second full-size model year.
- The 351/400 V8 and manual/automatic choices continued.
- Captain's chairs were newly promoted for 1979, but remained seating equipment rather than a separate model.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Ford specified a 104-inch wheelbase and 180.3-inch overall length.
- The brochure identifies power front disc brakes as standard.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Confirm engine, transmission, and transfer-case equipment before ordering drivetrain parts.
- Do not infer Ranger XLT identity from tape stripes or upholstery alone; compare original equipment records.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1979 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 1979 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 filter
Exact reference available
Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed pages 39–40 — 1978–79, 7 months/7,500 miles engine-oil-and-filter row · checked
1979 cataloged Bronco engines
K&N HP-3001
Source: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1979 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 1979 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 · 1979 Ford Bronco 351 cu. in. V8 or 400 cu. in. V8 oil-filter application — HP-3001 · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Engine air-cleaner element
Sourced interval available
Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 40 — 1978–79 Schedule B, 30 months/30,000 miles air-cleaner-element row · checked
Brake and exhaust system inspection
Sourced interval available
Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 40 — 1978–79 Schedule B, 30 months/30,000 miles brake/exhaust rows · checked
Collect
Bring this model year home
Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.
Sources
Other Second–fifth generations years
All Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based years →