If you read my signature, you will see that I am looking for a SWB F150 flareside, havent had much luck. (has to be a 1985/86 as that year was the only year for a EFI engine with the 80-86 styling.) Picky I know, but I have my tastes. Nuff said on that -

I have given some thought to a Bronco II. As well as a new 09 F150, but they are probably out of my price range. So back to the Bronco II - Not in place of (my thoughts would be to replace my Olds with the Bronco II), but in addition to a F150 - I really only like the looks of the 80-86 Ford trucks, so that is probably the style of Bronco II that I would be looking for. I have thought about a Ranger, but I really don't want to end up with two trucks, I would like to have a back seat for occasional extra people hauling.

I don't know a lot about these Bronco II's, other than the reputation that they roll over easily. Not to concerened with that, I am not looking for a road racer.

I only drive fuel injected vehicals now and automatics, at least in the case of my personaly daily drivers - I carry a CDL and I get plenty of shifting practice at work, so NO manuals. I am rock solid on that point. I almost always go for the smallest engine / highest mileage alternatives. But I do like the creature comforts, and I would be looking for a 4x4, but stock height / tire size.

Given that, what year did the 4 - cylinder get EFI on the Bronco II's ? Were the Bronco II's hobbled like the Chevy S-10's (later models) in that if you wanted four wheel drive you were forced to get the V-6? What would my chances of finding a well equipped 4-cyl, automatic 4x4 bronco II? Have any of you seen something like this out there?

Other opinons if I was stuck with a V-6? I have heard some scuttlbut about the V-6's having issues, but they may be rumors ?? any one want to comment on this ? I have noticed some nice 1986 Eddie Bower Bronco II's, I beleive those were a V-6 with EFI ?

Open to any thoughts, but I am not looking for anything but a automatic / 4x4, along with the 80-86 Ford truck style.

Thanks, David

 

> Given that, what year did the 4 - cylinder get EFI on the Bronco II's ?

None, the BII (at least in USA/Canada) only came with the 2.8L V-6 carb (84/85) and the 2.9L V-6 EFI (1986-1990).

> But I do like the creature comforts, and I would be looking for a 4x4,
> but stock height / tire size.

Buy a Eddie Bauer or XLT model. You can usually find both models loaded with power windows, p.locks, cruise, A/C, nice seats, nice cass. with amp, etc. I would suggest manual hubs and manual transfer case and avoid the automatic hubs with the center/overhead console.

Very easy to find an automatic 4x4 BII. Assume it will need a rebuilt transmission sooner then later.

 

Thank you - I sure agree on the manual hubs / trandfer case. I like them a lot better also. Looks like it will have to be a 2.9 V-6 then.

David

 

I bought an '89 2.9L B2 manual tranny, push-button 4x4 last year in August. I had an outstanding deal of $1600 cash and bought it from the original owner. The only problem I have had with it is the driveshaft needs replacing currently(for the 2nd time).

That being said my father used to own a mid-80's 2.9L B2 auto tranny, manual 4x4 when I was younger. It had been well used but it felt underpowered due to the automatic. Just before he sold it, it wouldn't shift into 4wd. The lights said it was in, but only 2 wheels would spin. But again it had been offroaded heavily before we bought it, and used for hunting when we owned it.

 

Uh, the only 4-banger BIIs were 1985-1987, and they were 2.3L turbodiesels. The more common BIIs were equipped with a 2.8L carbed V-6 in '84 and '85, and a 2.9 EFI V-6 from '86-'90. I can't remember if the diesels in the BII were EFI diesels or mechanical injection off the top of my head.

http://lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/0009.asp <-- VIN number explanation / info for BIIs. Note the engine codes

 

I agree with the other fellas. The 2.9 is a pretty solid and reliable engine and before I began my rebuild--my engine had 240,000 miles and was still kicking hard--just make sure that you change the oil and filter religiously and do its regular maintance and it will give you many years of fun and service. I agree with the manual hubs over automatic--they are simply more reliable. I wouldn't worry about the gas milage being too bad on this V6 simply because it is a 2.9L and it will be stock. The whole roll thing--I have had my B2 for well over ten years now and I have never rolled and I do a lot wheeling in it. I figured that if my truck that has a lift and oversized tires and it goes wheeling a lot--has not rolled--you will be fine with a stock version. They are great little trucks and a good buy for the buck. Good luck Dave.

 

> None, the BII (at least in USA/Canada)

This was the qualifier

> Uh, the only 4-banger BIIs were 1985-1987, and they were 2.3L turbodiesels.

Show me anyone in the world that has one in a BII from the factory !
I double dare you

A VIN listing does not mean it was ever installed in a BII, though you might them in Rangers.

 

Thanks to all that posted, I appreciate all of the advice, thoughts and opinions.

I have looked on Autotrader for one, found a few locally that looked good to me but they were all manuals, other than one carb'd 2.8 litre, so I will keep looking. Seems that I might be able to get my Ford fix sooner with one of these than with a Flareside F150, although I am not abandoning that search.

David

 

By the way the EFI was only available on the 5.0(302) for 85-86 F-150's and some 85's were carbed.

 

Good luck.

 

> I have looked on Autotrader for one

E-Bay and Craigslist are your best bets.

There are 15 just on the Seattle list (another list in WA might have more - I just picked the biggest list).

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/363511325.html

This one for $600 looks like the most promising

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/car/363708567.html

 

Anyone in the world? You're kidding, right? While I admit that a 1985-1987 2.3L Diesel BII is probably a Unicorn and may be rare, especially in the USA, IF they exist at all... you have obviously never been overseas or outside the USA. The only countries I can think of where these would more than likely be available would be Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the U.K./Europe... but there could be more, like Zimbabwe or something, who knows. I don't think Ford would have given out info on optional engines and VIN codes for one of their products if it didn't exist or it wasn't possible.

The one thing I know of the diesel Rangers is that they are rare and most of 'em in the US and Canada are probably reborn as a container ship sailing to and from China. You just don't see them much, if at all. I mean, even when they were NEW, I think I only saw a handful of diesel Rangers in my entire travelings of the state of Texas, let alone the lower 48. Who knows about Alaska or Hawaii, not to say I haven't been to either state at one point or another *shrug*

I think more imporantly on this point is, why don't you show me that there is 100% proof that they don't exist?

 

Both of these wikipedia articles reference the 2.3L Diesel:

"A small 86 hp 2.3 Diesel engine was also offered through 1987, this engine was rarely used and not marketed well for being a poor performer."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronco_II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Bronco_II

I also found this manual on eBay:

1985 Ford Ranger/Bronco II Diesel Electrical/Vac Manual

And also found this body lift kit with reference :
Performance Accessories Body Lift Kit, Bronco II

 

[QUOTE=rebocardo]> I have looked on Autotrader for one

E-Bay and Craigslist are your best bets.

There are 15 just on the Seattle list (another list in WA might have more - I just picked the biggest list).

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/363511325.html

This one for $600 looks like the most promising

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/car/363708567.html[/QUOTE]

Thank you - I have been looking on Craigslist, I saw the first earlier, it was not what I was looking for as it was carb'd, but I missed the second, and looks very interesting to me. I have a email into the seller! so we will see.

David

 

> Anyone in the world? You're kidding, right?

No, I am serious, if a Bronco II ever came with a diesel from the factory, show me, if you can't then they do not exist as far as I am concerned.

BTW: Catalog listings and especially wikipedia (which most schools consider so inaccurate you can't use it as source material for a paper) listings mean nothing. Just another catalog repeating bad information from another catalog repeating bad source information from Ford. Simple as that.

> you have obviously never been overseas or outside the USA.

No need to get personal if you can't provide the proof.
BTW: I have been outside the USA more then most.

> I don't think Ford would have given out info on optional engines and
> VIN codes for one of their products if it didn't exist or it wasn't possible.

As someone that worked at Ford and Chevy dealers during the 1980s I will try not to laugh too hard While in sales (manager, sales, ordering cars) I have seen zone and plant managers make up listings (available in diesel*) just so they could run ads counter to the competition and make up "models" just so they could say they "used" the parts or so they could run ads to dump extra product.

Then when the car came from the factory, SURPRISE, it doesn't have the engine or transmission combo ordered, but, it sure does have that pretty paint and strip package that was suppose to come with it.

Then its your job to sell the mistake which they knew they couldn't deliver, but, forgot to tell you. Though I have to admit, Chevy was the worse at producing these factory nightmare cars noone in their right mind would order.

You said they exist, all I am asking for is proof positive, not repeating a general VIN listing for an engine that never was produced in a Bronco II repeating a lie/mistake/omission from Ford just because they lumped the Bronco II in with the Ranger listing.

FWIW: I have seen a fair amount of 2.0L Rangers, I even worked with a parts guy that owned one (1-60 in 60 seconds with a tail wind). Never seen, never heard, never saw the option of ordering a Bronco II with a diesel. Simple as that. Ranger yes, Bronco II no.