Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based · 1978–1996
1980Ford 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.)
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1980 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 1980 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 — 1980 Bronco factory brochure.
Bronco Custom, 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, Four-speed manual
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, Four-speed manual overdrive
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, SelectShift automatic
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six
- Gearbox
- SelectShift automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual overdrive
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, SelectShift automatic
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- SelectShift automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual overdrive
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Custom, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8, SelectShift automatic
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- SelectShift automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, Four-speed manual
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, Four-speed manual overdrive
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, SelectShift automatic
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six
- Gearbox
- SelectShift automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual overdrive
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, SelectShift automatic
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- SelectShift automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8, Four-speed manual overdrive
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- Four-speed manual overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Bronco Ranger XLT, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8, SelectShift automatic
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8
- Gearbox
- SelectShift automatic
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1980 model year
Overview
Ford redesigned and downsized the full-size Bronco for 1980 while retaining Custom and Ranger XLT models. The new engine range comprised a standard 4.9-liter inline-six plus optional 5.0- and 5.8-liter V8s, with manual, manual-overdrive, and SelectShift automatic choices.
Specifications
- Engines
- 4.9L inline-six
- 5.0L V8
- 5.8L V8
- Transmissions
- Four-speed manual, Four-speed manual overdrive, SelectShift automatic
- Body styles
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Year over year
What changed
- A smaller full-size body and Twin-Traction-Beam independent front suspension debuted.
- The 300-cubic-inch six became standard, joined by optional 302 and 351 V8s.
- Custom and Ranger XLT remained the model hierarchy; Free Wheeling was an option package.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Ford promoted automatic locking front hubs as a 1980 option.
- The removable fiberglass rear roof was offered in six colors.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Identify the engine and transmission before ordering service parts because the 1980 brochure lists three of each.
- Confirm front-axle, hub, and transfer-case equipment before chassis service.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1980 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 1980 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
- 5
- Factory intervals
- 5
- Fitment-scoped
- 5
- 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
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1980 Truck Shop Manual, pre-delivery, maintenance, lubrication and emissions volume (preserved scan) · Parts 50-02 and 50-29, pages 50-02-25 and 50-29-4 — all-US-Bronco applicability and Schedule B oil notes · checked
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
Motorcraft FL-1; Ford C1AZ-6731A
Source: Ford — 1980 Truck Shop Manual, pre-delivery, maintenance, lubrication and emissions volume (preserved scan) · Part 50-29, page 50-29-4 — Schedule B oil-filter row and note 3 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementMotorcraft FL-1
Qty. 1 · Long Life spin-on engine-oil filter · catalog-listed
The 1980 Ford lubrication chart lists this filter for Bronco; verify any later supersession before ordering.
Catalog: Ford — 1980 Truck Shop Manual, pre-delivery, maintenance, lubrication and emissions volume (preserved scan) · Part 50-03, page 50-03-6 — Engine Oil Filter, Bronco, C1AZ-6731A / FL-1 · checked
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Spark plugs and carburetor air-cleaner element
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1980 Truck Shop Manual, pre-delivery, maintenance, lubrication and emissions volume (preserved scan) · Part 50-29, page 50-29-4 — spark-plug and air-cleaner rows · checked
Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1980 Truck Shop Manual, pre-delivery, maintenance, lubrication and emissions volume (preserved scan) · Part 50-29, page 50-29-4 — coolant row and notes 5–6 · checked
Chassis and driveline lubrication
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1980 Truck Shop Manual, pre-delivery, maintenance, lubrication and emissions volume (preserved scan) · Part 50-02, page 50-02-27 — Schedule B slip-yoke, spindle-pin, steering-linkage and clutch-linkage rows · checked
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Sources
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