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1992-1996 Ford BroncoFifth-Generation Bronco (OBS)

1992–1996 60+ on the wall

The fifth-generation Ford Bronco ran from 1992 through 1996 and was the last full-size Bronco before the nameplate went dormant until 2021. For 1992 Ford restyled the truck with the rounded sheet metal it shared with the redesigned 1992-1996 F-series, the body enthusiasts later nicknamed OBS for Old Body Style after the 1997 trucks arrived. It kept the removable fiberglass rear roof, a single rear liftgate with roll-down glass, and a 104.7-inch wheelbase carried over from the prior generation. Power came from Ford small-block V8s, the 5.0L (302) and the 5.8L (351 Windsor), both fuel injected; the 4.9L inline-six that earlier full-size Broncos offered was not part of this run. Trim levels were XL, XLT, and the top Eddie Bauer. A standard center high-mounted stop lamp arrived with the 1992 redesign, rear-wheel anti-lock brakes carried over from the previous generation and were standard throughout, and a driver-side airbag was added for 1994. Ford ended the Bronco after 1996 and replaced it with the four-door Expedition for 1997.

📋 See the full year-by-year change log ↓

At a glance

  • Years: 1992-1996 (fifth generation, the OBS Bronco)
  • Body style: two-door full-size SUV with removable fiberglass rear hardtop and a rear liftgate with roll-down glass
  • Platform: shares the rounded 1992-1996 F-series body, later nicknamed OBS (Old Body Style)
  • Engines: 5.0L (302) V8 and 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8, both fuel injected
  • Trims: XL, XLT, Eddie Bauer
  • Brakes: front disc, rear drum; standard rear-wheel anti-lock brakes (carried over from the previous generation) throughout
  • Safety: standard center high-mounted stop lamp from 1992; driver-side airbag added for 1994
  • Wheelbase: 104.7 inches
  • Replaced by: the four-door Ford Expedition for 1997

Year-by-year changes

YearEnginesDrivetrain & brakesNotable changes
19925.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8manual or automatic, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case; front disc, rear drum with standard rear-wheel ABSFull restyle on the new rounded 1992-1996 F-series body (later called OBS); revised interior and dashboard; standard center high-mounted stop lamp.
19935.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8manual or automatic, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case; front disc, rear drum with standard rear-wheel ABSCarryover year with detail trim and equipment updates. The white 1993 Bronco of the 1994 O.J. Simpson police pursuit is a fifth-generation truck.
19945.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8manual or automatic, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case; front disc, rear drum with standard rear-wheel ABSDriver-side airbag added; side-impact-related interior and structural updates.
19955.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8manual or automatic, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case; front disc, rear drum with rear-wheel ABSCarryover year with equipment and option-package shuffling.
19965.0L (302) V8, 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8manual or automatic, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case; front disc, rear drum with rear-wheel ABSPowertrains became OBD-II compliant; final model year of the full-size Bronco; replaced by the four-door Expedition for 1997.

Engines and drivetrain

The 1992-1996 Bronco used Ford small-block V8 power throughout. The base engine was the 5.0L (302) V8 and the optional engine was the larger 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8, both fuel injected. The 4.9L inline-six that some earlier full-size Broncos carried was not offered in this fifth-generation run, leaving it a V8-only truck. The 5.8L gained a modest power increase during these years over the late-1980s versions of the same engine. For 1996, the final model year, the Bronco's powertrains became OBD-II compliant. Buyers could pair the engines with a manual or automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case was standard across the range; the full-size Bronco was built as a four-wheel-drive truck only, with no regular two-wheel-drive model.

Axles, suspension, and four-wheel drive

The fifth-generation Bronco kept the body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle layout of the full-size truck. It used a Twin-Traction Beam independent front suspension, the swing-axle beam design Ford ran on its four-wheel-drive light trucks of the era, shared with the four-wheel-drive 1992-1996 F-150. The 104.7-inch wheelbase carried over from the prior generation. Four-wheel-drive Broncos came with a transfer case for high and low range, making the truck a genuine two-speed four-wheel-drive rather than an all-wheel-drive crossover.

Brakes and safety equipment

The 1992-1996 Bronco used front disc and rear drum brakes. Rear-wheel anti-lock braking, which Ford had introduced on the previous fourth-generation truck, carried over and was standard throughout this run rather than being added partway through. The fifth generation then picked up a driver-side airbag for 1994. A standard center high-mounted stop lamp, the third brake light, came in with the 1992 redesign. These changes track the federal safety requirements light trucks were meeting in the mid-1990s.

Body, trims, and the OBS nickname

For 1992 Ford restyled the Bronco with the rounded front clip and smoother body sides it shared with the redesigned 1992-1996 F-series. After the 1997 F-150 switched to an all-new aerodynamic shape, enthusiasts began calling this 1992-1996 truck the OBS, for Old Body Style, and the name stuck to both the Bronco and its F-series siblings. The Bronco remained a two-door SUV with a removable fiberglass rear hardtop and a rear liftgate whose glass rolled down. Trim levels were the work-oriented XL, the better-equipped XLT, and the top Eddie Bauer, the last adding two-tone paint and upgraded interior appointments.

Why did Ford stop building the Bronco after 1996?

The 1996 model year was the last for the full-size Bronco. The two-door SUV market was shifting toward four-door family haulers, and Ford answered that with the Expedition, a four-door sport utility built on the new 1997 F-150 platform that arrived for the 1997 model year and effectively took the Bronco's place. The Bronco name then sat unused on a U.S. vehicle until the body-on-frame sixth-generation Bronco arrived for 2021.

What to know when buying a 1992-1996 Bronco

Because the fifth-generation Bronco shares its body, frame, and 5.0L and 5.8L V8 drivetrains with the far more common 1992-1996 F-150 and F-250, mechanical and many body parts are easy to source. Common areas to inspect on these trucks are rust in the rear quarters and tailgate, the condition and seal of the removable fiberglass top, and the function of the rear liftgate glass mechanism. Verify whether a given truck has the driver airbag, since it was added for 1994 rather than at the start of the run; rear-wheel ABS was standard across all years.

Frequently asked questions

What years was the fifth-generation Ford Bronco built?

The fifth-generation Ford Bronco was built from 1992 through 1996. It was the last full-size Bronco; Ford discontinued the model after 1996 and replaced it with the four-door Expedition for 1997. The Bronco name did not return on a production vehicle until the sixth generation arrived for 2021.

What does OBS mean on a 1992-1996 Ford Bronco?

OBS stands for Old Body Style. Enthusiasts use it for the rounded 1992-1996 Ford trucks, including the Bronco and the matching F-series, to distinguish them from the redesigned 1997 and later body. The 1992-1996 Bronco picked up the nickname because it shared that body with the 1992-1996 F-series.

What engines did the 1992-1996 Ford Bronco have?

The 1992-1996 Ford Bronco was a V8-only truck. The base engine was the 5.0L (302) V8 and the optional engine was the 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8, both fuel injected. The 4.9L inline-six offered on some earlier full-size Broncos was not available in this generation.

When did the Ford Bronco get a driver airbag and anti-lock brakes?

The fifth-generation Ford Bronco added a driver-side airbag for the 1994 model year. Rear-wheel anti-lock brakes were not new to this generation; they carried over from the previous full-size Bronco and were standard across all 1992-1996 trucks. A standard center high-mounted stop lamp, the third brake light, arrived with the 1992 redesign.

Is the O.J. Simpson Bronco a fifth-generation Bronco?

Yes. The white 1993 Ford Bronco involved in the June 1994 police pursuit of O.J. Simpson is a fifth-generation OBS Bronco, part of the 1992-1996 run. It was a standard two-door full-size Bronco of that era.

Sources

  • Ford factory shop manuals, parts catalogs, and order guides for the 1992-1996 Bronco and F-series
  • VIN and door data-plate decoding for engine, trim, and model-year verification
  • Established Ford truck and Bronco reference works and owner registries
  • Period road tests and manufacturer specification literature from the 1992-1996 model years

Asked all the time

What years was the fifth-generation Ford Bronco built?

The fifth-generation Ford Bronco was built from 1992 through 1996. It was the last full-size Bronco; Ford discontinued the model after 1996 and replaced it with the four-door Expedition for 1997. The Bronco name did not return on a production vehicle until the sixth generation arrived for 2021.

What does OBS mean on a 1992-1996 Ford Bronco?

OBS stands for Old Body Style. Enthusiasts use it for the rounded 1992-1996 Ford trucks, including the Bronco and the matching F-series, to distinguish them from the redesigned 1997 and later body. The 1992-1996 Bronco picked up the nickname because it shared that body with the 1992-1996 F-series.

What engines did the 1992-1996 Ford Bronco have?

The 1992-1996 Ford Bronco was a V8-only truck. The base engine was the 5.0L (302) V8 and the optional engine was the 5.8L (351 Windsor) V8, both fuel injected. The 4.9L inline-six offered on some earlier full-size Broncos was not available in this generation.

When did the Ford Bronco get a driver airbag and anti-lock brakes?

The fifth-generation Ford Bronco added a driver-side airbag for the 1994 model year. Rear-wheel anti-lock brakes were not new to this generation; they carried over from the previous full-size Bronco and were standard across all 1992-1996 trucks. A standard center high-mounted stop lamp, the third brake light, arrived with the 1992 redesign.

Is the O.J. Simpson Bronco a fifth-generation Bronco?

Yes. The white 1993 Ford Bronco involved in the June 1994 police pursuit of O.J. Simpson is a fifth-generation OBS Bronco, part of the 1992-1996 run. It was a standard two-door full-size Bronco of that era.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Data/Spec Plates

Service Procedures

Wiring Diagrams

Exploded Parts

Vacuum Routing

Schematics

Brochures & Literature

Fuse & Relay Charts

Manual Pages

The wall · registered 1992–1996 Broncos

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

1996 Ford Bronco with lifted suspension driving off-road“Broncopotamus/Badonko”1996 Bronco · Broncopotamus29 photos Tan 1996 Ford Bronco parked in snow, viewed from a low angle1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · broncodan29 photos 1996 Ford Bronco parked on a gravel driveway with trees in the background1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · scott christ29 photos Blue Ford Bronco with lifted suspension, aftermarket wheels, and "Mud Rover" tires parked on grass“bronco”1995 Bronco · matt95xl28 photos Lifted brown 1994 Ford Bronco climbing a rocky incline1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · DRBRONCO28 photos 1996 Ford Bronco stuck in snow with driver inside“Rosie (the Riveter)”1996 Bronco · TiborSom28 photos Blue dirt bike parked next to a large metal tower1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · BrickettNoises28 photos 1995 Ford Bronco“Flying Brick”1995 Bronco · redneck_rigger28 photos Dual Kicker subwoofers in a carpeted enclosure1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · Frank Grigus28 photos 1992 Ford Bronco parked in a lot with trees and a wall in the background“bronco9235”1992 Bronco · Billy Boyce28 photos 1996 Ford Bronco, white with tan trim, parked outdoors1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · Axl27 photos Red 1995 Ford Bronco parked on a street“Julz”1995 Bronco · jesco6327 photos 1995 Ford Bronco with aftermarket bumper and oversized tires parked on asphalt“Eddie Bauer”1995 Bronco · black95427 photos 1995 Ford Bronco1995 Bronco1995 Bronco · marnefist27 photos 1995 Ford Bronco front headlights taped off for painting“the_green_goblin”1995 Bronco · the_green_goblin27 photos Black 1995 Ford Bronco parked outside1995 Bronco1995 Bronco · jaminjtown27 photos 1992 Ford Bronco“Dixie Bronco”1992 Bronco · TheDixieBronco27 photos 1993 Ford Bronco“Black Betty”1993 Bronco · TX351Bronco27 photos Black 1992 Ford Bronco parked on a grassy hill with trees in the background“92nite”1992 Bronco · 92nite27 photos White 1995 Ford Bronco climbing over rocks on a dirt trail. Driver is visible“95bronc”1995 Bronco · Derik Harris27 photos 1992 Ford Bronco“Diggitypup”1992 Bronco · sscott27 photos Black Ford Bronco with a soft top, lifted, with large tires and a brush guard“NiteMare”1992 Bronco · CalicoNC26 photos Black 1996 Ford Bronco parked on grassy area with snow, 3/4 front view1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · memphisrain26 photos Red 1995 Ford Bronco on a dirt trail with mountains in the background1995 Bronco1995 Bronco · MalibuBronco26 photos 1995 Ford Bronco driving on a rocky, wooded dirt road. License plate reads 1402 NT1995 Bronco1995 Bronco · OutlawBit26 photos Red 1994 Ford Bronco with tan trim parked on a driveway“Rusty”1994 Bronco · HMFX4IC26 photos 1995 Ford Bronco“broncobilly”1995 Bronco · spbronc26 photos Black 1993 Ford Bronco parked on a rocky hill under a cloudy sky“One Fast Chicken (OFC)”1993 Bronco · Landonsofc25 photos Bronco emblem on dirty vehicle1995 Bronco1995 Bronco · jgracia8925 photos 1994 Ford Bronco“pussy magnet”1994 Bronco · reed25 photos 1993 Ford Bronco front end disassembled on jack stands, engine bay exposed“Tank”1993 Bronco · TimLang25 photos 1993 Ford Bronco1993 Bronco1993 Bronco · BostiPB25 photos Dark green Ford Bronco with red hood parked on gravel, horses in grassy field behind it1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · Kith25 photos 1994 Ford Bronco side view, covered in mud1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · mudonthetires25 photos 1993 Ford Bronco1993 Bronco1993 Bronco · tagto13825 photos White 1995 Ford Bronco with lifted suspension and large off-road tires“no name yet....”1995 Bronco · g2zephyr25 photos 1996 Ford Bronco driving on a dirt trail with trees in the background“Eddie”1996 Bronco · StanO25 photos Blue and tan 1995 Ford Bronco side view with spare tire on rear door“buffalo”1995 Bronco · 351cleveland25 photos 1994 Ford Bronco1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · RNUOVR25 photos 1995 Ford Bronco“NM156”1995 Bronco · Ojos De Stranger25 photos Dog in driver's seat of a 1996 Ford Bronco parked outdoors“Bowser”1996 Bronco · BroncZ1324 photos Side view of a dark gray Ford Bronco with a tan top and trim. It's parked in front of a Ford dealership1993 Bronco1993 Bronco · east30224 photos 1995 Ford Bronco“Rust Bucket”1995 Bronco · lamonaca92xlt24 photos 1996 Ford Bronco“EB”1996 Bronco · renmus9624 photos Blue and white 1994 Ford Bronco on a dirt hill“Blue Bandit”1994 Bronco · GODMODE24 photos Front axle assembly with steering components and shock absorber, resting on jack stands1992 Bronco1992 Bronco · Romang24 photos Blue and white 1993 Ford Bronco with red horse decal on fender“Big Blue”1993 Bronco · BroncoBoyce2124 photos Dark blue and cream 1993 Ford Bronco on jack stands, missing front wheels, with rust on wheel wells and side“Partsy”1993 Bronco · Ganuus24 photos 1995 Ford Bronco parked in front of a house, driver's side visible1995 Bronco1995 Bronco · blackbronco9524 photos Gray fabric headliner with overhead console, sun visor, and interior light1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · deadandbloated24 photos 1996 Ford Bronco1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · trh24 photos Black 1996 Ford Bronco with roof rack and shovel, parked on a dirt road“berta-jo”1996 Bronco · fasteddie199624 photos White 1996 Ford Bronco with off-road tires parked in a desert landscape1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · AlSwearengen24 photos 1994 Ford Bronco parked on a gravel road, rear view with spare tire mounted on the back“Poseidon”1994 Bronco · Poseidon24 photos engine intake manifold with red arrows pointing to parts labeled 'Remove throttle cable' and 'Remove throttle cover'1994 Bronco1994 Bronco · joelb2324 photos White 1996 Ford Bronco on snowy trail“1996BRONCO”1996 Bronco · 1996BRONCO24 photos Black Ford Bronco parked in driveway, spare tire on ground next to front wheel1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · skbishop9023 photos White 1994 Ford Bronco with lifted suspension and chrome wheels“OJ”1994 Bronco · juice94xlt23 photos Dark Ford Bronco parked on street, sun glare on passenger side“Big Bertha”1992 Bronco · bteixeira0223 photos 1996 Ford Bronco1996 Bronco1996 Bronco · Mccleary9223 photos

Full year-by-year change log: 1992-1996 Ford Bronco

This log tracks the running and model-year changes to the fifth-generation Ford Bronco (1992-1996), the truck enthusiasts later nicknamed OBS, at the level of body, engine, drivetrain, brakes, and federally driven safety equipment. It is assembled from Ford factory shop manuals, parts catalogs, and order guides for the 1992-1996 Bronco and F-series, VIN and door data-plate decoding for engine and trim verification, established Ford truck reference works and owner registries, and period road tests and manufacturer specification literature.

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

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