You can always add a straight axle to a BII, you can't add a frame to a Cherokee.
The two door Cherokee and Explorer are still relatively big (long) vehicles if you try to take them down an ATV trail, as an example. The Suki is about the best bet in that size range and there are enough mods for them out there. I guess they have the same wheel lug pattern as a full sized Ford, so that is a plus.
I just came along this site. It has some nice video where you can see the underside of the Sami with the frame. Not as big as the B2, but, it is lighter.
Yanno there isn't a "replacement" for the Bronco II. No one including Ford has made a solid frame short wheelbase SUV since late 80's early 90's. I agree with whoever said S10's are fugly. The Explorer Sport isn't a bad ride but the first time you hammer on the thing it's gonna tweek the sub-frame then it's totalled. I have technically "totalled" my B2 twice but guess what, it's still driving straight. And body panels can be replaced . Personnaly I would just rebuild the engine and primer over the rust buddy. Keep on truckin'.
~Tough
I don't use the B2 off road so the frame should not be an issue. Only use the 4WD for unplowed snowy roads and driveways and driving out on frozen lakes.
I'm considering a Kia Sportage because of the small size.
But the B2 should get me through this winter, maybe another one as well.
> The explorer has a full frame that is pretty sturdy
Agreed.
In the FWIW department
Going by the 1990 sales book data
The 4x4 Explorer and 2x4 Bronco II have the exact same sized frame 6.08 x 2.28 x .150. They list the 4x4 Bronco II as .130, but, I haven't seen that difference in the 80s B2. Then again, I haven't put a digital caliper on it either to check the 2/100th difference.
My bad, the Explorer does have a full frame in earlier years. The Kia Sportage hmm. If you aren't taking the vehicle off road I don't see a problem with using any small size light weight SUV. The Sportage would probably be the lightest, hell it might even float incase of cracking ice .. haha j/k. I was at browns camp once and saw a Sportage on 31's and he saw my B2 on street skids and asked how the hell I got it up on that trail (atv trail) I guess (according to him) the Sportage was too light to get the traction that the B2's get. I don't know the actual GVW?!?! anyone?? Oh did I mention I had my older 320+lbs. Brother riding shotgun!?
~Tough
If you're not living on the edge,
You're taking up too much space!!
Last edited by ToughNut : 12-17-2007 at 09:02 PM.
Reason: forgot something
Not in like years and years .. but I should huh?? A friend of mine was just talking about running up east of Gresham into the snow ... we'll see what pans out. Why do you ask??
I'm with Khadma on this. I own both a BII and an Explorer Sport. If, as you say, you intend to use it as a winter driver; the Sport will do you proud. If you expect to go rock crawling, it would need serious modification.
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1965 Falcon Ranchero hiPo 289 9"
1979 Lincoln Versailles 351W 4v
1984 BII 5.0FI 4R70W B/W 1356 d35 & 8.8/disks
1997 Explorer Sport 4.0 OHV
Actually youy can wheel an explorer pretty hard in all but the most extreme conditions where you would need the strength of a straight front axle. For the kind of wheeling most normal people do, the explorer would be fine. Put on a modest lift, some agressive tires and a lsd or locker and you could run with a lot of the big dogs. The explorer is a good trade off for on road comfort and off road capability. The cherokee gets the nod off road only because of it's straight front axle, put a sfa on an explorer with it's full frame and you would have an extreme off roader.
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08 ford fusion, black, 4 cylinder auto with sunroof and spoiler.
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. Personnaly I would just rebuild the engine and primer over the rust buddy. Keep on truckin'.
