87 2.9 strength

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Nov 15, 2005 | 06:42 PM

jgreen

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87 2.9 strength

hey guys, i just bought an 87 bronco II 4x4 w/ a 2.9L v-6 and have read it only has about 150 hp/torque. i only plan on running 32's on it (got a big ford for big tires

) and was wondering if there is anything bolt on you can do to pump these little motors up? new here so treat me nice. this is gonna be my daily driver so i am not gonn put a 302 in it. well not right now anyways. thanks in advance. btw, what kind of rear end is that in there? where can i get a locker or posi for it?

Nov 15, 2005 | 06:50 PM

jgreen

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oh yeah, i forgot, i have a set of 31's that i am going to put on it as soon as i start driving it, will i need any lift. not worried about a little rub right now, but do want to be able to turn. mostly gonna be my dd, so a 2" body lift maybe?

jt

Nov 15, 2005 | 06:56 PM

ford390gashog

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From: Brentwood,CA

well the 2.9 is maxed out in stock form so pushing it will make it worse.

Nov 15, 2005 | 07:38 PM

Ken00

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From: South Jersey

You can do a free flowing exhaust, cold air intake, headers, port/polish the intake, free floating rockers...might give you a few more.

I bet you have a 7.5 rear, are you sure it not a posi. Check the door sticker, two numbers is open, letter & number is posi. If your going with that big of a tire you may want to get lower gears since the larger diameter tire will change your final drive ratio.

Nov 15, 2005 | 08:33 PM

97Centurion

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From: Lawrence, KS

Ken mentioned most everything. Gears would help alot with those tires. I'm running 35's and leave it in 4W-lo all the time. I only wheel with it, no on road use but I would kill for lower gears. Also a 4.0 conversion would make an excellent daily driver.

Nov 16, 2005 | 11:05 AM

mrshorty

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From: UT

I expect you'll get more bang for your buck getting lower gears in the differentials. There just doesn't seem to be much (cheap) that can be bolted on to the 2.9 to make a lot more torque/hp. If you must play with the engine, the 4.0 OHV is reportedly almost a drop in affair (same motor mounts, same transmission lineup).

Typically, it is said a BII needs a couple inches of lift to fit 31's, though there are a few who claim to fit them just fine with no lift. My '87 is running 235's and only rubs on the sway bar (if the sway bar is installed). I have put the 31's from my Explorer on my BII, and they were drivable (on the street), but they did rub quite a bit. You'll probably have to experiment with yours to see how they'll do.

Nov 19, 2005 | 07:11 PM

jgreen

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well, i checked my axle code today and it does have the posi. i've got a leaky valve cover gasket on the driver side, and that needs to be addressed first, so i wont be lifting it yet. the front is 1.5" lower than the rear, correct? so i can put a spacer under/over the coil spring to get that extra 1.5" and that will clear my 31s wont it? well, i have an f150 4x4 with a 8.8 rear and d44 front that is about to get one ton axles, i could throw those under my bII couldn't I? give it a little more strength and a wider track, not to mention drop it to 3.55 without regearing. and the 8.8 has a factory posi too. ideas, ideas, where will i find the time!!

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Feb 28, 2012 | 11:10 PM

Orygunw

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I have had plenty of bronco 2's if I where you I would put 2" spacers in front.
No on the F-150 axles if you want it to bolt up.
Ford explorers on the other hand have an 8.8 rear and a Dana 35 front pumpkin with Dana 44 everything from the axles out. If you have a good junk yard find one that's a limited edition so you can have 4 wheel disc brakes. All you will need to change is the auto hubs to manual. That requires everything on the outer axle from the rotor to the hub. The rear end will need SPRING OVER plates for the right height. Also grab an explorer transfer case and drivelines so you can get rid of the internal slip front d.line.
Besides under parts. 4.0 does rock. Heck spend $500 on craigslist and get a domed explorer cause you'll Need the wiring computer and dash. Anythings possible, just ask yourself how much you love your B2...