The fourth-generation Ford Bronco ran from 1987 through 1991 on the redesigned F-series "Bricknose" body, named for the flush, aerodynamic front clip with flush headlamps that replaced the boxy Bullnose face. For 1987 Ford gave the 4.9L (300) inline-six electronic fuel injection and added rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS) as standard equipment, two of the generation's defining mechanical changes; the 5.0L (302) V8 carried over its existing electronic (throttle-body) fuel injection from the third generation. The optional 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8 stayed carbureted for 1987 and received EFI for the 1988 model year. The engine roster carried the 4.9L (300 cubic inch) inline-six as the base unit, with the 5.0L (302) and 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8s optional. The Bronco kept its full-size two-door wagon body with a removable fiberglass rear hardtop over a 104.7-inch wheelbase, sharing its structure with the F-150 ahead of the B-pillar. Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension carried over from the third generation, as did the basic engine family, so the 1987 changes were fuel injection, braking, and styling rather than a new chassis. The Mazda-built M5OD five-speed overdrive manual replaced the older four-speed manual around 1988, and the biggest later mechanical addition was the E4OD four-speed overdrive automatic for 1990. The base trim was called Custom for 1987 and was renamed XL for 1988; above it sat the better-equipped XLT and the upscale Eddie Bauer.
At a glance
- Years: 1987-1991 (fourth generation, "Bricknose")
- Body style: two-door full-size wagon with removable fiberglass rear hardtop, 104.7-inch wheelbase
- Engines: 4.9L (300) inline-six, 5.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8
- Fuel system: electronic fuel injection on the 4.9L six from 1987; the 5.0L V8 carried over its existing fuel injection; the 5.8L V8 was carbureted in 1987 and gained EFI for 1988
- Transmissions: 4-speed and 5-speed manuals, 3-speed and 4-speed automatics; the Mazda-built M5OD 5-speed overdrive manual replaced the 4-speed manual around 1988, and the E4OD 4-speed automatic arrived for 1990
- Front suspension: Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front axle, carried over from the third generation
- Brakes: front disc, rear drum, with rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS) standard from 1987
- Axles: Dana 44 TTB front axle; Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear axle
- Trims: base trim (Custom for 1987, renamed XL for 1988), XLT, Eddie Bauer
Year-by-year changes
| Year | Engines | Drivetrain & brakes | Notable changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 4.9L (300) six gains fuel injection; 5.0L (302) V8 fuel-injected (carried over); 5.8L (351W) V8 carbureted | Manual and automatic options; Dana 44 TTB front axle; Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear; front disc/rear drum with standard rear-wheel ABS (RABS) | Bricknose redesign: flush aerodynamic front end, electronic fuel injection on the 4.9L six, and standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes |
| 1988 | 4.9L (300) six, 5.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351W) V8, all fuel-injected | Dana 44 TTB front axle; Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear; front disc/rear drum with rear-wheel ABS | 5.8L V8 gained multi-port EFI, completing the fuel-injected lineup; the Mazda-built M5OD 5-speed overdrive manual replaced the 4-speed manual around this year; the base trim was renamed from Custom to XL |
| 1989 | 4.9L (300) six, 5.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351W) V8, fuel-injected | Dana 44 TTB front axle; Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear; front disc/rear drum with rear-wheel ABS | Mostly carryover; continued running changes to interior and equipment |
| 1990 | 4.9L (300) six, 5.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351W) V8, fuel-injected | E4OD 4-speed electronic automatic introduced; Dana 44 TTB front axle; Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear; front disc/rear drum with rear-wheel ABS | Arrival of the E4OD overdrive automatic transmission |
| 1991 | 4.9L (300) six, 5.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351W) V8, fuel-injected | E4OD available; Dana 44 TTB front axle; Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear; front disc/rear drum with rear-wheel ABS | Final year of the Bricknose Bronco before the 1992 OBS fifth-generation redesign; the blacked-out "Nite" appearance package was offered |
Engines and drivetrain
The fourth-generation Bronco (1987-1991) used three gasoline engines. For 1987 the 4.9L six gained electronic fuel injection and the 5.0L V8 carried over its existing electronic (throttle-body) fuel injection, while the 5.8L V8 was still carbureted and did not get EFI until the 1988 model year. The base 4.9L inline-six (300 cubic inches) was a long-running, low-revving truck engine valued for torque and durability. The optional 5.0L (302) and 5.8L (351 Windsor) small-block V8s gave more power for towing and the Bronco's roughly 4,500-pound curb weight. Manual and automatic transmissions were offered through the run. Around 1988 the Mazda-built M5OD five-speed overdrive manual replaced the older four-speed manual, and the significant automatic change came for 1990, when Ford introduced the E4OD, a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with overdrive that replaced the older three-speed automatic in many configurations. All 1987-1991 Broncos were built as four-wheel-drive trucks, with standard part-time four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case.
Axles and suspension
The 1987-1991 Bronco carried over the Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front suspension that the third-generation Bronco had introduced for 1980. TTB uses two long swing arms (beams) pivoting near the frame's centerline, giving each front wheel independent travel while retaining a live-axle-style design with coil springs up front. Four-wheel-drive Broncos paired TTB with a Dana 44 front axle, while the rear axle was a Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating unit. The Ford 8.8-inch rear axle replaced the 9-inch rear axle used by the previous generation. The TTB layout improved ride quality over a solid front axle but is known among owners for camber change during suspension travel and for alignment quirks, traits that carried straight into this generation from the Bullnose era.
What changed for 1987 versus what carried over
Two features were genuinely new to the Bronco for 1987: electronic fuel injection on the 4.9L six, and standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS), a rear-axle ABS system that helped prevent rear-wheel lockup under hard braking on a vehicle prone to light rear loading. The 5.0L V8 carried over its existing electronic (throttle-body) fuel injection from the third generation rather than gaining it for 1987. The 5.8L V8 stayed carbureted for 1987 and joined the fuel-injected lineup for the 1988 model year. The Bricknose front-end styling, with its flush composite headlamps and smoother aerodynamic nose, was also new for 1987 and shared with the F-series trucks. By contrast, the TTB front suspension, the two-door wagon body, the 104.7-inch wheelbase, and the basic 4.9L/5.0L/5.8L engine family were carried over from the 1980-1986 third generation. Buyers researching this generation should not credit 1987 with the TTB suspension itself, which debuted in 1980.
Body and trims
Every 1987-1991 Bronco was a full-size two-door wagon with a removable fiberglass top over the rear cargo and seating area, a body shared structurally with the F-150 ahead of the B-pillar. Trim levels ran from the base trim, called Custom for 1987 and renamed XL for 1988, through the better-equipped XLT to the top Eddie Bauer, the latter typically distinguished by two-tone paint, special wheels, and upgraded interior trim. For 1991 a blacked-out "Nite" appearance package was also offered. The Bricknose interior was updated alongside the F-series, with revised dashboards and switchgear over the run. The rear hardtop remained removable for open-air use, a defining trait the Bronco kept until the 1996 end of the full-size line.
What to know when buying a 1987-1991 Bronco
On a fourth-generation Bronco, the early multi-port fuel injection is generally reliable but depends on aging sensors, wiring, and the throttle body staying clean; driveability faults on these trucks often trace to vacuum leaks and worn sensors rather than the core EFI. The TTB front end's pivoting beams and the associated camber bushings and ball joints wear, producing tire wear and alignment drift, so inspect front-end components and tire condition. Rust in the rear quarters, tailgate, and around the removable top's mounting points is the most common structural concern on survivors. On 1990-1991 trucks the E4OD automatic is robust when serviced but expensive to rebuild, so confirm clean fluid and proper shifting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Bricknose" Bronco?
"Bricknose" is the enthusiast nickname for the 1987-1991 Ford F-series and Bronco, referring to the flatter, more aerodynamic front clip with flush headlamps that replaced the 1980-1986 "Bullnose" face. The fourth-generation Bronco (1987-1991) wears this Bricknose front end.
What engines did the 1987-1991 Bronco use?
The 1987-1991 Bronco offered the 4.9L (300 cubic inch) inline-six as the base engine and the 5.0L (302) and 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8s as options. For 1987 the 4.9L six gained electronic fuel injection and the 5.0L V8 carried over its existing fuel injection, while the 5.8L V8 was carbureted until it gained EFI for the 1988 model year.
When did the Ford Bronco get fuel injection and anti-lock brakes?
For 1987, the first year of the fourth generation, the Bronco's 4.9L six received electronic fuel injection and the truck gained standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS); the 5.0L V8 carried over its existing fuel injection. The 5.8L V8 was still carbureted in 1987 and received EFI for the 1988 model year. RABS is a rear-axle ABS system that reduces rear-wheel lockup under hard braking.
When did the Bronco get the E4OD automatic transmission?
Ford introduced the E4OD, a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with overdrive, on the Bronco for 1990. It replaced the older three-speed automatic in many configurations during the final years of the fourth generation.
Did the 1987-1991 Bronco have independent front suspension?
The 1987-1991 Bronco used Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension, a beam-type independent design with coil springs. TTB was not new to this generation; it carried over from the third-generation Bronco, which introduced it for 1980.
Sources
- Ford factory shop manuals, parts catalogs, and Bronco/F-series owner literature for the 1987-1991 model years
- VIN and door data plate decoding for engine, axle, and trim verification
- Established Bronco reference works, owner registries, and enthusiast technical resources
- Period road tests and Ford sales/spec material for the fourth-generation full-size Bronco
Asked all the time
What is the "Bricknose" Bronco?
"Bricknose" is the enthusiast nickname for the 1987-1991 Ford F-series and Bronco, referring to the flatter, more aerodynamic front clip with flush headlamps that replaced the 1980-1986 "Bullnose" face. The fourth-generation Bronco (1987-1991) wears this Bricknose front end.
What engines did the 1987-1991 Bronco use?
The 1987-1991 Bronco offered the 4.9L (300 cubic inch) inline-six as the base engine and the 5.0L (302) and 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8s as options. For 1987 the 4.9L six gained electronic fuel injection and the 5.0L V8 carried over its existing fuel injection, while the 5.8L V8 was carbureted until it gained EFI for the 1988 model year.
When did the Ford Bronco get fuel injection and anti-lock brakes?
For 1987, the first year of the fourth generation, the Bronco's 4.9L six received electronic fuel injection and the truck gained standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS); the 5.0L V8 carried over its existing fuel injection. The 5.8L V8 was still carbureted in 1987 and received EFI for the 1988 model year. RABS is a rear-axle ABS system that reduces rear-wheel lockup under hard braking.
When did the Bronco get the E4OD automatic transmission?
Ford introduced the E4OD, a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with overdrive, on the Bronco for 1990. It replaced the older three-speed automatic in many configurations during the final years of the fourth generation.
Did the 1987-1991 Bronco have independent front suspension?
The 1987-1991 Bronco used Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension, a beam-type independent design with coil springs. TTB was not new to this generation; it carried over from the third-generation Bronco, which introduced it for 1980.
The wall · registered 1987–1991 Broncos
Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.
Full year-by-year change log: 1987-1991 Ford Bronco
This log tracks the running and model-year changes to the fourth-generation Ford Bronco (1987-1991), the "Bricknose" full-size wagon, at the level of body, engine, fuel system, drivetrain, axle, and brakes. It is assembled from Ford factory shop manuals, parts catalogs, and Bronco/F-series owner literature for the 1987-1991 model years, VIN and door data-plate decoding for engine, axle, and trim verification, period road tests and factory specification material, and established Bronco reference works and owner registries.
1987
- Fourth generation introduced. The 1987 Ford Bronco opened the fourth generation on the redesigned F-series "Bricknose" body, with a flush, aerodynamic front clip and flush headlamps replacing the earlier "Bullnose" face. The Bronco kept its full-size two-door wagon form with a removable fiberglass rear hardtop over a 104.7-inch wheelbase, sharing its structure with the F-150 ahead of the B-pillar.
- Electronic fuel injection on the 4.9L six. The 1987 Bronco's 4.9L (300) inline-six gained electronic fuel injection, one of the year's defining mechanical changes. The 5.0L (302) V8 carried over its existing electronic (throttle-body) fuel injection from the third generation.
- 5.8L V8 stayed carbureted. The 1987 Bronco's optional 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8 remained carbureted for the model year and gained EFI for 1988.
- Standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes. The 1987 Bronco gained standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (RABS), a rear-axle ABS system that reduces rear-wheel lockup under hard braking, paired with front disc and rear drum brakes.
- Axles and front suspension. The 1987 Bronco used a Dana 44 Twin-Traction Beam (TTB) independent front axle and a Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear axle. The rear axle was the Ford 8.8-inch this year; the previous generation had used a 9-inch rear axle. The TTB front suspension carried over from the third generation and was not new to this generation.
- Drivetrain. The 1987 Bronco offered manual and automatic transmissions and used four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.
- Trims. The 1987 Bronco was offered in Custom, XLT, and Eddie Bauer trim levels, with Custom as the base trim below XLT and Eddie Bauer.
1988
- 5.8L V8 gained EFI. The 1988 Bronco's 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8 adopted multi-port electronic fuel injection, completing the fuel-injected engine lineup alongside the 4.9L six and 5.0L V8.
- Base trim renamed XL. The base trim that had been called Custom for 1987 was renamed XL for 1988, sitting below XLT and Eddie Bauer.
- Five-speed overdrive manual. Around 1988 the Mazda-built M5OD five-speed overdrive manual replaced the older four-speed manual transmission.
- Carryover otherwise. The 1988 Bronco continued the Bricknose body with the Dana 44 TTB front axle, Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear, front disc and rear drum brakes with standard rear-wheel ABS, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, and XL, XLT, and Eddie Bauer trims, with minor trim and equipment revisions.
1989
- Mostly carryover. The 1989 Bronco remained a Bricknose fourth-generation wagon with the fuel-injected 4.9L six, 5.0L V8, and 5.8L V8, receiving running interior and equipment updates.
- Hardware unchanged. The 1989 Bronco kept the Dana 44 TTB front axle, Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear, front disc and rear drum brakes with standard rear-wheel ABS, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, and XL, XLT, and Eddie Bauer trims.
1990
- E4OD four-speed automatic introduced. The 1990 Bronco gained the E4OD, a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with overdrive, which replaced the older three-speed automatic in many configurations.
- Engines unchanged. The 1990 Bronco continued with the fuel-injected 4.9L (300) inline-six, 5.0L (302) V8, and 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8.
- Hardware unchanged. The 1990 Bronco kept the Dana 44 TTB front axle, Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear, front disc and rear drum brakes with standard rear-wheel ABS, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, and XL, XLT, and Eddie Bauer trims.
1991
- Final Bricknose year. The 1991 model year was the last for the fourth-generation Bricknose Bronco before the 1992 fifth-generation redesign.
- Carryover powertrain. The 1991 Bronco continued with the fuel-injected 4.9L six, 5.0L V8, and 5.8L V8, with the E4OD four-speed overdrive automatic available.
- Nite appearance package. The blacked-out "Nite" appearance package was offered for 1991.
- Hardware unchanged. The 1991 Bronco kept the Dana 44 TTB front axle, Ford 8.8-inch semi-floating rear, front disc and rear drum brakes with standard rear-wheel ABS, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, and XL, XLT, and Eddie Bauer trims.