A 1992–1996 5.0L or 5.8L Bronco with A/C runs a 91.5-inch serpentine belt (Gates K060915). Pre-1992 trucks have multiple V-belts, one per accessory. Either way, the belt is a $30 part that strands you on the side of the road when it lets go.
The Full-Size Bronco's belt service depends on which generation you have. The 1992–1996 trucks (Gen 5) use a single serpentine belt with a spring-loaded automatic tensioner — the same setup most modern trucks use. The 1980–1991 trucks (Gen 3 and Gen 4) use multiple V-belts, one per pair of accessories, each adjusted with a slotted bracket. The 1978–1979 first-generation big Bronco also runs V-belts, but with different pulley sizes and a smaller-block engine option.
Replace the belt at 60,000 miles or sooner if you see glazing (a shiny surface from heat), cracks across the ribs, missing chunks from the ribs, or splitting along the edges. A squeal at startup or after a wet drive often means the belt is glazed and slipping on the alternator pulley. Don't bother with belt dressing — it masks the problem for a week, then the squeal comes back worse.
For the 5.0L and 5.8L Windsor with A/C and stock pulleys (the most common 1992–1996 configuration), the belt is a Gates K060915 — 91.5 inches, six-rib. If your truck has had a smog pump deleted, A/C deleted, or a different power steering pump, the belt length changes. The K060910 (91.0") fits some 5.8L configurations; the K060790 (79.0") works for a power-steering-bypass setup. Confirm the belt length by measuring the old one before ordering.
V-belt service on pre-1992 trucks is slower but uses cheaper belts. Each accessory has its own tension bracket. Loosen the bracket bolts, pivot the accessory toward the engine to slacken the belt, slide the belt off, install the new one, and pry the accessory outward to tension. The tension target is about 1/2-inch of deflection at the midpoint of the longest belt run. Too tight kills the accessory bearings (alternator, water pump, A/C compressor); too loose lets the belt squeal and slip.
There's a belt routing decal under the hood of most 1992–1996 trucks. If yours is faded, the LMR belt routing guide and forum threads cover every common configuration. Snap a photo of the old belt before removing it — that's the cheapest insurance.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Gates K060915 serpentine belt — 5.0L/5.8L with A/C (91.5") | Gates / NAPA | ~$30 |
| Gates K060910 belt — 5.8L with A/C (91.0") | Gates | ~$28 |
| Gates K060790 belt — power steering bypass (79.0") | Gates | ~$25 |
| Belt routing decal — 93-95 5.0/5.8L | Bronco Graveyard | ~$8 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.