I'll be looking for a Bronco II hopefully within the next year. I'm actually going to be looking for a small 4x4 truck of any type, but I really want a Bronco II for the enclosed back seat.. And because I love these little machines.
I don't know anything about Bronco II's. I would like to know what are the pro's and con's. I have heard the 2.9L is gutless, but it's just like the 3.0L? If this is the case, I'm in love with the three liter and wouldn't mind the 2.9 at all. My I6 is a gutless wonder so I doubt I would even notice a difference anyway.
I have also heard Bronco II's axles aren't made for large tires at all. Would 31x10.5's be fine?
What are some things to look for in a Bronco II? Or Ranger pickup, for that matter.
Oh, it may be note worthy to add my goals are to use this as a daily driver in winter, and off road toy.
Again, I want to know the pros and cons, and I want your opinions on these Machines.
Something else too. What gear ratio's did Ford put in these little 4x4 beasts?
Bronco 2's only had the 2.9L engine in them or the older (84 to 86) had the 2.8L V6. They have 5 speed manuals and that imfamous A4LD 4spd OD auto tranny. 3.73 ratio seams to be a common one for the automatics, 3.27 for manuals from all the junk yarding I seen(reading the tags on rearend). Most had the dana 28 front and Ford 7.5 rearend unless you find the late 1990 year B2's, they should have the D35 front and 8.8 rear axles. 31" tires may be a tight fit without body lift or hacking fenders. Kernel-panic on this forum should know more about that.
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89 F250 2x4 302/AOD 4.10 gears ,now on road.
89 Bronco2 with dead A4LD again
84 F250 4x4 300/np435 3.55 gears. The BLUE MULE shut down due to cab cancer(looking for good cab)
95 E350 bus conversion 460/E4od 4.10 the new toy!
85 Plymouth Caravelle 2.5L someday to get the hairdryer treatment(turbo)
93 explorer now just a woods buggy
Bronco 2's only had the 2.9L engine in them or the older (84 to 86) had the 2.8L V6. They have 5 speed manuals and that imfamous A4LD 4spd OD auto tranny. 3.73 ratio seams to be a common one for the automatics, 3.27 for manuals from all the junk yarding I seen(reading the tags on rearend). Most had the dana 28 front and Ford 7.5 rearend unless you find the late 1990 year B2's, they should have the D35 front and 8.8 rear axles. 31" tires may be a tight fit without body lift or hacking fenders. Kernel-panic on this forum should know more about that.
Thanks you for the information. I want to say I don't plan on modding the bronco if I find one (other than what needs to be done). I don't plan on lift kits or gear ratio changes. I just want something realiable I can jump in and know the 4x4 system works.
I don't care about tire size. I'm more worried about what the Bronco can actually handle. I don't want to break anything by running too large of a tire.
With stock tires I have seen the B2's crawl through some mean mud and trails. My B2 is only 2x4 but I have had it in some slop and it handled good. It went through sugar sand better than my F250 4x4(bad case of wheel hop in 2hi). I be leary of the electronic shift 4x4. I have seen many pickups,explorers and Bronco2's stuck with malfunctioning shift controls and motors.
__________________
89 F250 2x4 302/AOD 4.10 gears ,now on road.
89 Bronco2 with dead A4LD again
84 F250 4x4 300/np435 3.55 gears. The BLUE MULE shut down due to cab cancer(looking for good cab)
95 E350 bus conversion 460/E4od 4.10 the new toy!
85 Plymouth Caravelle 2.5L someday to get the hairdryer treatment(turbo)
93 explorer now just a woods buggy
I've been doing some research and it sounds ike the B2's have a lot of problems, one of the biggest being the 2.8L V6 motors. I would rather hear from real people though. Thanks again Eddiec1564!
get a fullsize bronco with a 5.0L would be my opinion.
a friend of mine had a 87 ranger with the 2.9 i think, and it was horrendous. he bought a BroncoII which was in a little better shape, but still gutless.
You think the 4.9 is gutless? oh boy, wait till you drive something with a 2.9L. They tend to rust up quick around here too, since there general construction isnt that strong. ive heard they're offroad capability is nothing to be proud of either, but i cant really say from personal experience on that one.
get a fullsize bronco with a 5.0L would be my opinion.
a friend of mine had a 87 ranger with the 2.9 i think, and it was horrendous. he bought a BroncoII which was in a little better shape, but still gutless.
You think the 4.9 is gutless? oh boy, wait till you drive something with a 2.9L. They tend to rust up quick around here too, since there general construction isnt that strong. ive heard they're offroad capability is nothing to be proud of either, but i cant really say from personal experience on that one.
I didn't mean all four nines are gutless.. Mine sure is, though.
Yeah Chris I've been doing research and I think a BII would be a mistake. They seem to be one of Ford's mistakes. From what I'm reading, these things are plauged with problems and are prone to be Found On Road Dead.
Yes sir, and a play toy for the trails around here. I want something small. I'm even including old Toyota's if I can find one.
hmm, well i can think of a lot of good matches for that. an older 4.0L explorer would be a good option, and of course theres tons of jeeps. my personal favorite is the late 90s gmc jimmy/ oldsmobile bravada with the 4.3 v6 when it comes to light 4wds.
hmm, well i can think of a lot of good matches for that. an older 4.0L explorer would be a good option, and of course theres tons of jeeps. my personal favorite is the late 90s gmc jimmy/ oldsmobile bravada with the 4.3 v6 when it comes to light 4wds.
Oh really? Did you own a Bravada? 4.3 is a good engine, they last a good while.
I've always loved Jeeps but you can forget touching them. They hold their resale value like Toyota Tacoma's do. For me to be able to afford a Jeep it would have to be in very poor condition from what I've seen.
Of course you can always dump the 2.9 and upgrade to the 302, it can be done, I am working on the 302 swap on my 89bII its going smoothly just dont have much time to focus on that project.
Then you get that 2.9 to do its famous "Tick" ( Not to be mistaken for rod knocking )
You will definatly want to upgrade to the 302.... because the louder the tick gets in a already gutless BII is very Embarassing.
Of course you can always dump the 2.9 and upgrade to the 302, it can be done, I am working on the 302 swap on my 89bII its going smoothly just dont have much time to focus on that project.
Then you get that 2.9 to do its famous "Tick" ( Not to be mistaken for rod knocking )
You will definatly want to upgrade to the 302.... because the louder the tick gets in a already gutless BII is very Embarassing.
I agree; ditch the 2.9. I bought the BII, because I like the body style. My 2.9 has been a nightmare. Maybe I got the bad one, but I will never have another 2.9. Head gaskets and cracked heads have been my issues. Already took care of the knock/tick with a fresh rebuild. Can't get to the distributor. I thought it might be handy for the wife, but with just two doors it's not. Mine actually is kind of peppy though. Cheers
Oh really? Did you own a Bravada? 4.3 is a good engine, they last a good while.
I've always loved Jeeps but you can forget touching them. They hold their resale value like Toyota Tacoma's do. For me to be able to afford a Jeep it would have to be in very poor condition from what I've seen.
yeah jeeps are pricey.
And nah, i didnt have a bravada, but my friend had a 99 gmc jimmy (basically the same thing) that i did all the work for. Even stock it held its own offroad very well and tore through the snow. Then we added some 31's, reprogrammed the ecu, better intake, high flow cat and a dual exhaust, shift kit and the thing really came to life, you had to ease the throttle taking off from a stop or the tires would squeal in 2wd. Honestly i thought that made the best offroad rig, you had the power and grunt of a 351 bronco, but in a smaller package that could still manage 18mpg.
I've been doing some research and it sounds ike the B2's have a lot of problems, one of the biggest being the 2.8L V6 motors. I would rather hear from real people though. Thanks again Eddiec1564!
Ok, if my answers offend, sorry then......
__________________
89 F250 2x4 302/AOD 4.10 gears ,now on road.
89 Bronco2 with dead A4LD again
84 F250 4x4 300/np435 3.55 gears. The BLUE MULE shut down due to cab cancer(looking for good cab)
95 E350 bus conversion 460/E4od 4.10 the new toy!
85 Plymouth Caravelle 2.5L someday to get the hairdryer treatment(turbo)
93 explorer now just a woods buggy
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