Well, I am presently in limbo. There are projects I would like to get done (A/c to air conversion, throttle upgrade, new seats and what not) but at present my truck seems to want to dictate to me where I spend my money (Recently- new cats, high pressure sender, heater core, etc...). It may be until next month before I can get anything done. I don't mean to project my boredom on anyone but... In the mean time (And by that I mean 'broke' time) I have run out of questions to ask. So, this is my idea..

A fantasy rebuild

An obviously used but stock '88 Bronco II 4x4, 2.9L fuel injected, 5 speed manual (As, although hardly stock, this is what I drive) will be the vehicle to start with. Money-no-object, anything goes but kudos to those who 'bargain shop' will be the rule.

One quick thing... The object is not to build a race car. If I wanted to read that I would just spend $5 for the magazine... I want to know "How we roll in Littledick Arkansaw" (And by that I mean NO offense to anyone from Arkansaw). Lets try to keep it real and in the garage at home. NO NOS OR BOOST SYSTEMS! Keep it utilitarian. The thought here is to get an idea, from a multitude of experiences, of what the ideal or perfect Bronco would be.

Try to keep frame mods to a minimum. Intake systems, computer chips, hot coil and ignition, p&p heads, headers, electric fans, stereo system, axle swaps, paint, tires, valves, pistons, battery, bumpers, lights, alternator, winch, tranny, transfer, lockers and anything else you can think of is fair game.

So, if you have a minute or two, drop a suggestion. I'll do my best to keep track of the rebuild. Hey, you never know.... If we can get a big enough response, maybe we can get one of the site sponsors to pick up the project (Hint.. Hint.., Ok, yeah whatever) Go Ford!

 

Ok, it is apparent that some of you are a bit shy, so let's start with this... I know of the old saying: "There is no replacement for displacement". So the first question would be.... Keep the 2.9L, or dump it for something larger? Personally I think there is enough to be done with the smaller plant to offer more than enough 'non-competition' power to warrent keeping it small and light. I would assume after some pretty serious suspension mods, and if bumpers/winch and whatever come into play, the weight may become something of a consideration later...

 

if you want to keep it light, then dump the 2.9 for its bigger cousin the 4.0 ohv would be easier to install from a 90-92 model. dump the fm-146 5 speed for the M5ODR1 5 speed, add the hurst shifter. how about doing a SAS conversion using the dana 44 from the 77 EB, and add the 9" rear from the EB as well. this way you can run 36" tires with no fuss from the axles, go with a Sky Jacker 6" lift. that would make for a bad unit. if you didnt want to do a SAS then i would atleast get rid of the dana 28 front for the dana 35. being that the 4.0 is mass air you can mod that thing out. they make a stroker kit that pumps it up to a 4.5l. if you had the money you could SC or turbo it. though for 4x4 off-road i would go with the Super charger. lower rpms need and better low end torque. plus turbos dont like mud and dirt. just my ideas. for the inside how about a good 6 disc changer, some good highs and mids in the dash and doors, full range speakers in the factory location at the rear seat and some 2 12" subs in the rear. and if you must 1 lcd roof mount sreen for the passengers in the rear.

 

Cool. I am curious of your thoughts on OHV vs the SOHC 4.0 with more power to start. Must be the upgrade options. I like the sound of the stroker and maybe the SC.
SAS. Hmmm.. I think it is a good idea. Like I said, don't want a race car . I think the new M50 is a must, at least. Any thoughts on a clutch? Oh, and I think the mass air is a definite plus. Sounds like a sweet dream rig. How about some ARBs to go with those 36"ers and big axles?

 

well the wiring of the OHV would be easier to adapt than the sohc. but if you have the patience then go with the sohc. since the new stangs have the 4.0 sohc in them future mods should be on the way. im a bigger fan of Detroit lockers than i am of the arb lockers. i would run at least a 4.56 gear (to off set the tire, the end gear would avg 3.73 or so). ad far as a cluth i would go with a stage 2 centerforce or ZOOM clutch.

 

i don't ever post in this forum, but here it goes (only i am going to start with my 87 BII)

3" suspension lift, cut fenders, explorer D35 and 8.8, 4.56 gears, stock 2.9, 5speed, and the set of 35x12.5 all terrrains i have in my garage. lock right in the front and rear. mile marker 8000lb winch, roof rack with my 2 kayaks!!!

this is actually my plans for the future, i'm tryin!!!!

justin

 

Right on Justin, thanks for sharing your thoughts..... Man, it all sounds great and you definitley get a vote for the kayaks! I am curious as to the stock 2.9 though...... Are you saying "stock", as in no future tweaks at all?

 

"as far as a clutch I would go with a stage 2 centerforce or ZOOM clutch."

Hmmmm...... Purple or red, purple or red........

 

For the 4.0 question, the OHV is going to be the best way to get power (unless you're swapping in a V8), the SOHC will barely fit and then you have to have the tranny from the donor too.. one more problem: you have to find a SOHC 4.0 with 4WD so you can get the transfer case, but then you also need new driveshafts.. see where I'm going with this? The 4.0 swaps into a 2.9 auto tranny (A4LD) but it's not recommended, since they're not that strong, but it would still work. But you would need a new tranny if you have a manual. I've done plenty of info digging on this build (around 50 hours of reading). But the 4.0's do have turbo kits (there's even some dual turbo's out there for it), which made me interested in them.

However, you can get into a lot of money with all of that (full engine rebuild, forged parts, blah blah blah..), so I'd prefer a 302 with upgrades on it (heads, cam, lifters, headers, more blah blah..) matched with a C4 and a decent transfer case, with D44 up front and a 9" rear with 4.10 gearing. I already have a 4" lift installed and some other stuff. The sound system is already in and everything (full Eclipse) but I'm just waiting on an engine right now, my B2's been down 9 months and 19 days *tear*.. haha.

 

I'm a little confused by your comment here, could you clarify?

 

I've read from several places that the bellhousings only can be transfered with the auto, I'll look more into it later and give the specifics on it.

 

I'm aware that the 4.0l SOHC has a slightly different bellhousing, although I thought it would work, just that not all the bolts lined up. But I'm sure the OHV 4.0l is interchangeable, although the block is widened to accept the longer stroke crank, it is from the Cologne family and uses the same bellhousing AFAIK. The input shafts are the same length, any difference there may be between them can be fixed with the correct clutch disc, I'm just not sure what I'm missing, all the research I've done shows that the OHV 4.0l is a bolt-in swap for either a 2.9l or 2.8l, it's just wiring that is a nightmare...

 

The SOHC is totally ran by the computer and the comp also controls the speedo, tranny, and just about everything else. You have to use a tranny that comes with the SOHC engine from all that I've read because nothing will work. The wiring would be complete trouble and everything. I've spent tons of time researching it because I wanted to do it in mine. Basically the SOHC swap is not worth it.

 

If you're going to swap EB axles in, just use the 2 or 3.5" Duff EB coils up front, drop the rear leaf shackle mount a la FSB shackle flip, and go with "stock" or similar 11-leaf superflex leafs. You may have to actually get lifting leafs or in the process of making a "new" custom rear shackle leaf frame mount go with different shackles to achieve a level ride front to rear. This is how I plan to do my drivetrain / suspension upgrade. I'm also going to at least get the radius arm extensions and use 78-79 FSB radius arm mounts, if needed, for extra flex and better handling.

 

Pretty cool stuff. This is becoming somewhat of an education. Is there a specific year in mind for your EB SAS? And are you considering dl/spline/carrier upgrades and wms width problems? And will any of this effect the 78-79 FSB radius arm mounts?