Car Model History

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

1981Ford Bronco

The 1981 Bronco retained Custom and Ranger XLT models with the 4.9-liter six and optional 5.0- and 5.8-liter V8s.

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

1981 Ford Bronco, red full-size SUV with stripes and large wheels, front three-quarter view

Photo: Boyd Tiffin — used with permission. Model-year reference photograph; pictured equipment does not verify a listed engine or configuration.

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
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

    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 plugsView intervals, applicability and sources

    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 coolantView intervals, applicability and sources

    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

Other Second–fifth generations years

All Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based years →

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
Browse 18 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
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

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