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Model year · Third Generation

1983 Bronco

More usable, with an axle transition

For 1983 Ford paired the standard 300 six with an automatic option, made the rear bench standard and began phasing in the 8.8-inch rear axle.

This page covers U.S.-market 1983 Broncos. It preserves two unresolved production totals—38,963 and 40,376—and treats the Ford 8.8 as the beginning of a 1983-1986 transition rather than claiming every 1983 truck received the same rear axle.

Why it matters

1983 broadened everyday usability while beginning a rear-axle change that cannot be authenticated by model year alone.

What this page covers

Market: United States; third-generation Bronco.

Body styles: Two-door full-size wagon with removable rear hardtop

What changed for this year

Automatic with the six
The 4.9-liter inline six became available with a three-speed automatic after being manual-only through 1982. [1] [2]
Standard rear bench
Historical year-by-year sources identify the rear bench seat as standard for 1983. [1]
8.8-inch axle phase-in
The Ford 8.8-inch rear axle began appearing alongside the Ford 9-inch; the transition continued through 1986. [1] [3]

Models and trims

XLS era
XLS remained a sporty appearance offering in the reported 1982-83 period. Exact package content and originality require period documentation. [1] [4]

Engines and transmissions

4.9-liter inline six
The carbureted 300 six remained standard and gained automatic-transmission availability; one secondary database lists 122 hp and 255 lb-ft SAE net. [1] [2]
5.0- and 5.8-liter V8s
Carbureted 302 and 351 Windsor V8 choices continued; secondary figures should not substitute for a certification label or engine identification. [2]

Capability and specifications

Production disputed
Published sources report 38,963 and 40,376. The latter repeats in one source for 1984 as well, suggesting—but not proving—a transcription issue; both remain visible. [1] [5]
Rear axle
A 1983 truck may have a Ford 9-inch or 8.8-inch rear axle. Identify the housing and tag rather than inferring it from the year. [1] [3]

Colors and interiors

Paint and seating
Secondary research reports 14 color choices and a standard rear bench, but verify an individual truck through its certification label and period literature. [1] [6]

Options and packages

Transmission choice
The new six-cylinder automatic option did not make every 300-six truck automatic. Confirm transmission codes and installed hardware. [1] [2]

Safety and recalls

Axle and TTB inspection
Identify and inspect the rear axle, then check TTB pivots, steering, alignment, brakes, fuel system, roof seals, tires, wiring and corrosion. [1] [3]

Owner and buyer notes

Do not order parts by year alone
Because rear axles overlapped, inspect housing shape, tags and components before buying seals, bearings or differential parts. [3]

Stories from this year

A transition hiding underneath
The visible Bronco changed little, but 1983 began Ford's gradual move from the removable-carrier 9-inch axle to the integral-carrier 8.8. [1] [3]

Sources and footnotes

Bracketed references beside a fact lead to the document that supports it.

  1. Ford third-generation Bronco history Manufacturer history and chronology
  2. Automobile Catalog 1983 Bronco specifications Secondary specifications database
  3. Third-generation axle research Specialist historical reference
  4. Third-generation trim research Specialist historical reference
  5. Blue Oval Trucks production numbers Specialist historical compilation
  6. AutomotiveTouchup 1983 Bronco paint-code catalog Commercial color reference; count only

See something missing or wrong? Send a correction or source.

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