Second–fifth generations · Full-size F-Series-based · 1978–1996
1983Ford 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: “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 1983 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 1983 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 named series roster and each series' brochure-published standard powerteam; optional powerteam permutations are outside this assertion. Every version shown below has its own detail page.
Verified 2026-09-01 from Ford — 1983 Bronco factory brochure.
1983 Ford Bronco Bronco
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L inline-six
- Gearbox
- 4-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
1983 Ford Bronco XLT
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L inline-six
- Gearbox
- 4-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
1983 Ford Bronco XLS
- Body
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
- Engine
- 4.9L inline-six
- Gearbox
- 4-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1983 model year
Overview
Ford's exact 1983 brochure presents three full-size Bronco series: the standard Bronco, luxury-oriented XLT, and sport-trim XLS. Every version used the same two-door wagon body and part-time four-wheel drive; the standard power team was the 4.9-liter inline-six with four-speed manual, with 5.0- and 5.8-liter V8s plus manual-overdrive and automatic transmission choices listed in the factory specifications.
Specifications
- Engines
- 4.9-liter (300 cu in) inline-six
- 5.0-liter (302 cu in) V8
- 5.8-liter (351 cu in) V8
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual overdrive, SelectShift automatic
- Body styles
- Two-door full-size four-wheel-drive wagon
Year over year
What changed
- XLS joined the standard Bronco and XLT as the brochure's youth-oriented sport series.
- Ford retained the 4.9-liter six as the standard engine and listed 5.0- and 5.8-liter V8 alternatives.
- The factory table offered a conventional four-speed manual, four-speed manual overdrive, and automatic subject to powertrain and market availability.
Worth knowing
Notable
- XLS is a separately marketed series for 1983, not a generic graphics package inferred from later years.
- Ford's specifications list a 25-gallon standard fuel tank and optional 32-gallon tank.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Confirm engine, transmission, axle, and California applicability before ordering parts; the brochure marks the 5.8-liter V8 unavailable in California and specifies an automatic there in place of some manual applications.
- Check removable-roof seals, tailgate glass operation, Twin-Traction Beam pivots, front hubs, steering, and corrosion around the rear body and roof mounting points.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1983 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 1983 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 and filter
Exact reference available
Source: Ford parts catalog — 1983 Bronco oil-filter application · 1983 Bronco Oil Filter — D9AZ-6731-A; listed 4.9L six, 5.0L V8 and 5.8L V8 applications · checked
5.0L factory normal-service schedule
Source: Ford — 1983 full-size Bronco 5.0L service schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 7,500-mile oil/filter replacement rows · checked
Cataloged gasoline engines
Motorcraft FL-1-A / Ford D9AZ-6731-A
Source: Ford parts catalog — 1983 Bronco oil-filter application · 1983 Bronco Oil Filter — D9AZ-6731-A; listed 4.9L six, 5.0L V8 and 5.8L V8 applications · 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 1983 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 — 1983 Bronco oil-filter application · 1983 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
Source: Ford — 1983 full-size Bronco 5.0L service schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · checked
Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1983 full-size Bronco 5.0L service schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · checked
Engine air-filter element
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1983 full-size Bronco 5.0L service schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · checked
Front wheel-bearing clean and repack
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1983 full-size Bronco 5.0L service schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile clean/repack rows · checked
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Sources
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