Hi Folks,
I'm new to the forum and am interested in buying a Brono II. I know nothing about them other than they're a scaled down version of the big bronco. I'd appreciate any and all input in regards to what to look for, years to lean toward or avoid etc. I know I want 4X4, at least a six cyl., (do they come with 8's?) and 4 or 5 speed. Thanks in advance for any input.
I have heard that 2.9's are head crackers if you dont keep an eye on the coolant
2.8's well I have had 2 in a month with oil preasure problems but they are easier to work with. less probs with computer stuff on them
avoid auto trannys, durring mu search for a b2 I found 6 out of 7 auto trannys in my area with bad trannys
the manual trannys seam way better but I havnt found one that didnt leak yet
dont be afraid to climb under the b2 and look at the suspension
bushings, uneven tire wear, oil leaks, h2o leaks, look at the power steering hoses I have looked at a few with cracks in the hoses and were leaking when under preasure.
check door seals
check back door for cracks because it is not metal (fiber glass)
I'm not sure where you live at but I am in the pacific north west and there are a bunch of B2's around here
on ebay are a bunch of them also but they are all around the new york area
check out oil preasure when the engine is up to running temp because the preasure is higher when cold
just dont buy the first one you see
and be anal about checking out the whole rig
good luck
84 auto's have the good C5 tranny. 85 and later autos are the POS A4LD overdrive auto. The manual trannies can be hit and miss. The toyo koygo 4 and 5 speeds have a good rep. (84's) The Mitsubishi FM 145 and 146 (85-88) have a rep for self destructing due to an inadequate input shaft bearing, some have good luck with them. I have with my FM145, and I don't drive nice. Keep the Mitsu trannies over full on lube to keep them happy. They use gear oil for lube. The M5OD tranny is used in some 88's, and the 89/90 models only has a problem of loosing the rubber plugs and running dry on lube. Easy fix with brass plugs. They use mercon ATF for lube. Not gear oil. The earlier 2.9's have head cracking issues when overheated. With the 2.9, the cooling system has to always be in tip top shape. Later 88 and newer 2.9's are said to have an improved head that is less prone to crack. Look for manual habs and a manual shift t-case. The electric shift t-cases are known for stick shift motors, like most older electric shift cases. The auto hubs are weaker than the manual ones, but if you don't wheel much, it should be a concearn. Try to avoid 3.45 geared rigs. They are only available with a 5 speed. They suck. They have an axel code of 42 on the door sticker. Look for a 44 for 3.73's, and auto's could be had with 4.10's. Taller tires actually inprove stability. Going from the stock 205/75/15's, to 235's or 30's really inproves the handling. And no, they really aren't as tippy as they are made out to be. IMHO, the best rig to look for is an 89/90 with a manual t-case and hubs with a 5 speed. The 85 (with auto) and all 86 and newer use a CV joint sytle rear drive shaft that had issues. If it goes, it is better to replace it with an aftermarket ujoint style like what was used in the 84/85 models.
bloodwood70
I wish I could find one that was in like new shap.You have to get the best you can find and fix what you went fixed.To find one like you decribed would be VERY hard at a good price,the newest BII is 14 years old and if it was used any at all it will show some ware.Yes he should try to find the best he can, but it will be VERY hard to find one that has no problems.
All the auto hubs are weak{for serious wheelin}.The A4LD overdrive auto are weak to but there are some good ones to {my 89 Ranger has 101,890 on the clock no problems on the trans YET!!}.pat67shorty has pretty much covered the rest.
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Last edited by GrayRanger4x4; 12-07-2003 at 10:10 AM.
Your going to have to work on it
so far the stuff I have had to do has just made me pist for getting it but on the other hand I enjoy the fixing
i think find the good motor and if you need to fix other parts
Dont let auto hubs scare you away from a truck. There is a conversion to maual hubs avaiblabe from Warn. A manual transfer case is much nicer. I picked up an 89 Bronco II for $153.00....no, I am not joking. It actually ran and the air blew cold. But, the auto hubs were junk, as was the transfer case motor. Along with the gas tank...leaked like a sive. Cant complain too much for what I paid for it. Solid little truck.
a couple of days ago i bought a one owner 90,000 orginal miles BII/XLT/2.8/MANUAL TRANS/MANUAL SHIFT/POWER EVERYTHING/auto hubs for a whopping 1500.00. this thing looks like it just rolled out of the factory ( exept the head liner. it was sagging and the previous owner pulled it down) runs and looks like a new truck. love it. i even got every service record that had ever been done to the truck. brake jobs. tires,LOF, every thing. if this sucker had to have a bulb replaced, these people took it to the shop. even took it in to have the battery replaced having most of there service done at les shwab ( too pricey for me)
from what i hear this is one of the best ones to find ( exept for the auto hubs). i even purchased a set of manual hubs yesterday with everything for 40.00. i love it. its a great truck and i think youll love the bii.
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Originally posted by lonewolf-one Hi Folks,
I'm new to the forum and am interested in buying a Brono II. I know nothing about them other than they're a scaled down version of the big bronco. I'd appreciate any and all input in regards to what to look for, years to lean toward or avoid etc. I know I want 4X4, at least a six cyl., (do they come with 8's?) and 4 or 5 speed. Thanks in advance for any input.
I cannot begin to give you advice like some have; they have a tremendous amount of experience with the BII. What I can tell you is my own thoughts on mine. 86 with 2.9, 5 sp manual and 4x4. Love the thing, in town it is the easiest car I have ever driven, it will turn on a dime and park anywhere. Great in the snow, has a tendency (because I make it) to swap ends when I play in the snow. I own 6 Fords from 1930 to 2003, it is my favorite to drive. It is a bit underpowered but as long as you keep it in the power band its ok.
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Hey guys.....I have a 88 B-2, 2.9 OD-auto, manual hub, manual transfer (plain as you can get) It has over 200,000 miles on it. Everything is still a virgin exept the radio (its a Pioneer). This truck, when my girlfreind drives it........She swears that there is a 302 under the hood instead of a V6. My freind had a B2 with a 2.8 and all He had was trouble with it and anyone else I have talked to had anything with a 2.8 in it .......all I heard was nothing good. This makes my 2nd B-2 (My 1st one...I totalled it in 96') I had a 87 Ranger, 2.9 5-spd, that had 300,000 miles on it. The only thing that wasnt on it was the cat. converter. The truck ran good, got 26 MPG and got posi's in 3 out of 5 gears in a burn out. Never had a lick of trouble out of either one. I dont care what anyone says........the A4LD tranny is a good one I have seen many of them in F-250 & 350 s run up to 500,000 miles living on a 7.3 deisel. And as for the German who designed the 2.9 did his homework. Good luck!
Bill
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tell me about bronco II's
