Advice needed. My 1985 Bronco II has sat motionless for 2 1/2 years. After letting it sit for so long I am ready to do something to it. Any advice you can give me about fixing it or forgetting it would be apprecitated.

The last time I drove her the engine overheated...badly (It sounded like a whistling tea-kettle). It would not start up so I had it towed to my house. I let her sit a couple of days and decided to take her to a local shop. I was able to drive it although it was chugging pretty bad and sounding like it was really missing. The "mechanics" dismantled the engine right down to the block. They told me it was not fixable because "one of the pistons had melted and scratched the cylinder." They gave me back to truck totally torn apart with parts left in soup cans and pieces tied onto the frame with some rope. Needless to say I was furious but couldn't do anything becasue they were unwilling to put it back together. (Remember it was driveable when I took it to them--not 100%, but it still drove.)

Now comes my problem: Do I attempt to fix/rebuild the engine myself (there are no mechanics around here that I trust) so at least it is driveable? OR Do I just sell it as is?

The vehicle: I have had her for about 15 years. 5 of which she was my daily driver, but then became just my 4x4. After she blew I bought an '83 Full size Bronco so at least I could do some 4wheeling. The Bronco II is an '85 4WD 2.8 V6, automatic transmission. It has about 150,000 miles on it. I did have the engine rebuilt once about nine years ago). THe tranny was rebuilt about 6 years ago and was working well. THe body is in really good shape except for one front fender. The interior is nice and clean. Excellent wheels and like new Cooper Discover tires. It was a fun rig to drive and the 4WD worked great.

My mechanical skills are average. I have replaced clutches, axles, alternators, starters, etc. I have rebuilt the carb on my big Bronco. I like getting my hands greasy but don't have a shop or garage. All my work is done in my back yard. I have never rebuilt an engine, but have Haynes and Chilton manuals that I use.

If I sold her I would probably get $500 if I was lucky. To me that seems so worthless especially since the wheels and tires were at least that much. (Not to mention the additional hundreds of dollars I spent).

Sorry to ramble on, but I really need some advice on what to do with this vehicle. I would appreciate any suggestions, hints, tips, etc. that you all can give me. Thanks for taking the time to read this long winded post!

 

It seems like too much truck to just sit there or sell for what you could get out of it as is. There are plenty of 2.8s in the scrapyards that are usable look for a crashed vehicle. or if the emissions laws are not to bad in your area sounds like a good 302 project to me. I would hate to see a bronco2 go to waste they don't make them anymore plus they are pretty tuff for their time. not to mention they get decent fuel mileage and are very appealing. Just my 2 cents.

 

Well you may be in luck my friend, now Im not sure if it is worth rebuiling it, but I have a 1984 ford bronco II and it has 90,000 miles on it here in cali and I just passed smog with flying colors in the stricktest state of them all for emissions. Now if there is anything you need help with I have instructions for everything in detail. When i got my truck I was blessed with the shop manual that covers everything in the greatest detail. it even explains how everything works and exactly what it looks like. I also have a scanner so i can e-mail you some pages if you decided to go through with it. I am a junior mechanic myself and I try my best but there is no doubt in my mind that you can fix the truck right up, its actually not that bad. My shop manual has every answer you could think of for the 2.8 carb V6, I love it. So if you go through with it It is very possible, heck this thing even covers the Diesel motor that was put into them, even though I have never seen one or heard of anyone having the diesel bronco II.

 

Hi thanks for being willing to share information. That would be great. What shop manual do you have? I will definately be in touch. Thanks!

 

Its the manual from ford itself, its the 1984 truck shop manual and im sure it would be no different for your 2.8. Its about as thick as 4 hayes manuals. I have the hayes manual but i only use it for trouble shooting, and once I figure out what it is i need to do i go straight to the shop manual.

 

I have the same book for a '85 B2. When I bought mine the engine didn't work so I bought one for $200 and it runs great.

Canadianice: I think that the diesel only came in the Ranger.

 

ahh you are right I think, now that I look at the cover of the book I see that its for both, so you are right. It would have been cool to have had that option tho.