Car Model History

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

1981Ford 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

Representative Full-size F-Series-based ford bronco; exact 1981 model-year photograph unavailable
Representative generation photograph ·

Photo: “1996 Ford Bronco XLT in Oxford White, front left.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1981 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 1981 Bronco

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

18factory 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 — 1981 Bronco factory brochure.

18versions shown
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version
Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon

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
Open exact version

The 1981 model year

Overview

The 1981 Bronco retained Custom and Ranger XLT models with the 4.9-liter six and optional 5.0- and 5.8-liter V8s. Ford listed a standard four-speed manual plus optional four-speed manual overdrive and SelectShift automatic transmissions.

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 four-speed manual overdrive transmission joined the option list.
  • Automatic locking hubs and a snow-plow preparation package were newly promoted.
  • Free Wheeling remained a package rather than a separate model.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Ford listed a two-speed transfer case and Twin-Traction-Beam independent front suspension.
  • Custom and Ranger XLT remained the two model lines.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Confirm engine and all three transmission choices before ordering powertrain parts.
  • Verify emissions-market and high-altitude equipment because Ford notes application-specific engine packages.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1981 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 1981 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

    Motorcraft FL-1-A / Ford D9AZ-6731-A

    Applies to: 1981 · 4.9L (300 cu. in.) inline-six, 5.0L (302 cu. in.) V8, 5.8L (351 cu. in.) V8 · United States · All US vehicles in Chilton's printed 1980–1981 Bronco band; this period secondary source distinguishes the separate Canadian leaded-fuel schedule.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 7 months · All US vehicles; whichever comes first.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 40 — 1980–81 all-US-vehicles, 7 months/7,500 miles oil/filter row · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Service replacementMotorcraft FL-1-A

      Qty. 1 · Spin-on engine oil filter; Ford service number D9AZ-6731-A · catalog-listed

      The exact-year catalog lists D9AZ-6731-A for the 4.9L six, 5.0L V8 and 5.8L V8. Confirm the VIN, installed engine and filter mounting before ordering.

      Catalog: Ford parts catalog — 1981 Bronco oil-filter application · 1981 Bronco Oil Filter — D9AZ-6731-A; listed 4.9L six, 5.0L V8 and 5.8L V8 applications · checked

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  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · All US vehicles in Chilton's printed 1980–1981 Bronco band; this period secondary source distinguishes the separate Canadian leaded-fuel schedule.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 30 months · All US vehicles replacement interval.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 40 — 1980–81 all-US-vehicles, 30 months/30,000 miles spark-plug row · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · All US vehicles in Chilton's printed 1980–1981 Bronco band; this period secondary source distinguishes the separate Canadian leaded-fuel schedule.

    Published interval: 22,000 mi / 35,200 km / 22 months · Drain and refill; whichever comes first.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 40 — 1980–81 all-US-vehicles, 22 months/22,000 miles coolant row · 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 — 1981 Bronco factory brochure
  2. Ford Motor Company — The Ford Bronco

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