Bronco 2 Build UP Complete
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Bronco 2 Build UP Complete
As you can tell from my user name I usually hang out on the Jeep forums. Today is different I have a free 1986 B2 at my disposal If I want it. Straight body and interior. Everything works except the tranny is trashed and it hasn’t been started in 4yrs, but has been garage kept. Here is what I would like to achieve:
Build strictly as a trail rig, but must be street legal.
Front solid axle swap. I have a d44 from a Waggoner in the garage right now. Prefer leafs to keep it simple.
Would like to keep the push button tranfercase. Don't care about keeping stock tanny or engine.
Run 33s w/ smallest amount of lift possible. I’m not afraid to cut sheet metal. I want lowest center of gravity to achieve this tire size.
Budget.
With this criteria in mind give all you ideas, experiences and ect.
Build strictly as a trail rig, but must be street legal.
Front solid axle swap. I have a d44 from a Waggoner in the garage right now. Prefer leafs to keep it simple.
Would like to keep the push button tranfercase. Don't care about keeping stock tanny or engine.
Run 33s w/ smallest amount of lift possible. I’m not afraid to cut sheet metal. I want lowest center of gravity to achieve this tire size.
Budget.
With this criteria in mind give all you ideas, experiences and ect.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: NC
Decent, but narrow, and short wheelbase. Not very articulate with IFS front end, but probably worse with straight axle. Solid body construction makes it very stiff, and strong. If you can widen it a touch somehow, and make the suspension travel, you may be on to something. Rancho makes a good articulate suspension, as does Superlift.
Good luck. Sounds like an overall fun project.
Dan Q
Good luck. Sounds like an overall fun project.
Dan Q
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
The best and easiest way to do 33s, put a Dana 35 front, 8.8 rear in from a 1997 and under 4.0 Ranger. Almost a bolt up affair. Ditch the push button and go manual 1356 and manual hubs. 3 inch body lift, heavy springs front and back with fender trimming in back and you should clear 33s on 10 inch rims.
Get a manual from a 4.0 Ranger, grab the flywheel and starter while you are at it. It will bolt right up to the 2.9.
Straight axle and springs are more hassle then they are worth, even with a free axle, since a Dana 35 TTB from the Ranger will do swell with 33s off-road.
4.10s are hard to find in a Ranger, 3.73 is easy. Shop right and you could do it for well under $1000 not counting tires. The transmission will be the most expensive part out of a Ranger. You can find manuals for the BII at $200.
Get a manual from a 4.0 Ranger, grab the flywheel and starter while you are at it. It will bolt right up to the 2.9.
Straight axle and springs are more hassle then they are worth, even with a free axle, since a Dana 35 TTB from the Ranger will do swell with 33s off-road.
4.10s are hard to find in a Ranger, 3.73 is easy. Shop right and you could do it for well under $1000 not counting tires. The transmission will be the most expensive part out of a Ranger. You can find manuals for the BII at $200.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: petersburg
the 35 is a front axle found in the later rangers around 90 up and the 90 to 94 exploders have the d35 front axle and 8.8 rear its easer to find the exploder around my part so i would use them. the d 35 is a direct bolt in and the 8.8 depending on what the donor is is a direct bolt in. the explorer 8.8 just have to cut of the spring pads and relocate them to the top of the axle for the exploder is a spring under. while your at it get the rear leaves out of the exploder and relocate the spring pads to the top of the axle and it will give you an easy 2 in of lift. add a 2 in block and youve got 4 in of lift in the rear. the call up skyjacker or who ever and get the 4 in lift for the front and wala youve got a 4 in lifted trail ready rig that will run 33 with a little fender trimming and get you where you want to go. the stock d 28 and 7.5 wont hold the 33's and would probably break on the trailif you need anything else drop me a line always willing to help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
Personally, I would stick the D44 and 9inch from a fullsize, that would give you the width and you could probly fit 35s with a 3" body and fender triming.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Kelso,WA
Hello, I agree with 77 monster if you check out the axle spotters guide in the free off-road Adventures mag. you'll find that the ttb35 front end from another Ranger or Explorer is indeed an excellent choice. The TTB front end is Known for its long term durability and can comfortably handle a 33 inch tire due in part to its 297 spicer axle shaft joints the same joints found on dana 44's, and the 8.8 when equipt properly handles a 35" tire.
Go to your local Wrecking yard and get these parts you wont be sorry. I promise!!! make sure they are in good shape though not junk. GOOD LUCK!!! but you wont need it.
Go to your local Wrecking yard and get these parts you wont be sorry. I promise!!! make sure they are in good shape though not junk. GOOD LUCK!!! but you wont need it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: petersburg
thats why i was saying to use the explorer rear springs and 2 in blocks then get a 4 in lift from a repuable company then youll have a good 4 in lift all the way around get a set of bushwacker cut out fender flares and 33's here you come. you defently need 4 in of lift
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: petersburg
yes the d 35 ttb is used in the front of 89 up rangers and 91-up explorers and it is a direct bolt in for the d 28 ttb there is also rumor ive heard about useing the 35 innards and put them in the 28 houseing but im not sure
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: petersburg
Dana 28 to Dana 35 swap - www.ford-trucks.com check this out its a simple write up about the swap from a d28 to a d35 but its basically all you need to know. Explorer8_8 and this is the rear 8.8 swap a little nicer write up this is what i sugest to do and as i said get the explorer rear leafs cause them alone will give you a 2 in lift in the rear hell if you want get 2 in coil spacers from a 2wd f150 leavleing kit thell bolt right in to the bronco II and lift it 2 in in front then trim the **** out of the fenders and stuff thoses 33's
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: petersburg
forgot to say the explorer 8.8 is a better axle then the ranger cause all explorers came with 35 spline axle shaftes where the rangers mostly had 28 spline shafts Explorer8_8 here try the link again it dont seem to be working in the last post
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
I think the rangers, B2s, and exploders, used the 8.8 equivilent, the 7.5.
And I beleive only the 1/2 ton 9" and 8.8 came with 31spline, the 35 spline is after market. I could be wrong tho.
And I beleive only the 1/2 ton 9" and 8.8 came with 31spline, the 35 spline is after market. I could be wrong tho.