Which one
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Surrey B.C. Canada
Which one
The time has come that Ive found 2 BII's for sale. I want both but cant afford both. The same old story so now Ive got to pick which one.
My BII Looks good but theres always room for improvement
So Ill ask The FTE crowd what they figure??
Now truck number 1 is the same year as what I have but it has different features in which I would incorporate into my truck It has a real nice body very Little rust and the features are that it has power windows, nice mags cruise control and A nice running 2.9 it also has the back glass that lifts up instead of the whole gate.Its a very nice looking truck But its only A 2 wheel drive Automatic. I would even take the 2.9 and rebuild it as well.
And then you've got this other one with the Power windows the Cruise control The Mags ( personally I like these mags ) another 2.9 And Id probably strip the Interior out and put it into my truck as well as the complete front clip. It is also an automatic but 4x4.
So now you have it which one do you think would best benefit my truck. Both the trucks you have seen here are the same price but one would benefit it better then the other. Which one do you people think would be better?? To buy in the long run??
Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
My BII Looks good but theres always room for improvement
So Ill ask The FTE crowd what they figure??
Now truck number 1 is the same year as what I have but it has different features in which I would incorporate into my truck It has a real nice body very Little rust and the features are that it has power windows, nice mags cruise control and A nice running 2.9 it also has the back glass that lifts up instead of the whole gate.Its a very nice looking truck But its only A 2 wheel drive Automatic. I would even take the 2.9 and rebuild it as well.
And then you've got this other one with the Power windows the Cruise control The Mags ( personally I like these mags ) another 2.9 And Id probably strip the Interior out and put it into my truck as well as the complete front clip. It is also an automatic but 4x4.
So now you have it which one do you think would best benefit my truck. Both the trucks you have seen here are the same price but one would benefit it better then the other. Which one do you people think would be better?? To buy in the long run??
Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Surrey B.C. Canada
Right now... Im thinking about parts.. But it could turn into a second project.. The 2wd BII has a real nice body and I was thinking of a body transplant onto my 4 by.
How come I knew youd be the first to comment?? LOL How the heck you doin man..? Your still out there. ( Japan ) Dont know if thats good or not but its good hearing from you.
How come I knew youd be the first to comment?? LOL How the heck you doin man..? Your still out there. ( Japan ) Dont know if thats good or not but its good hearing from you.
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From: IOWA
I would say buy the first one and do a body swap. It is a clean looking truck, and if you are only using it for parts, it being 2wd shouldn't be a big issue. I do like the idea of the back glass opening by itself, that would be great!!
I also like the older style grille better, but that's me. My first BII was like that, until it got wrecked, then I "upgraded" to a '90 with the newer front clip.
I also like the older style grille better, but that's me. My first BII was like that, until it got wrecked, then I "upgraded" to a '90 with the newer front clip.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
Yeah, I would use the first one if it's for parts or possible 2nd project down the road - especially since it's the same year as yours. Only drawback on that is it's 2WD, so not sure if all your 4WD indicators, etc. in the dash will have the wiring or not, etc.
Yeah, still here in Japan... probably until sometime later this year / early next year. Part of me can't wait until I'm out and retired from it, part of me wishes I had more time and could get back to the States on shore duty somewhere!
Yeah, still here in Japan... probably until sometime later this year / early next year. Part of me can't wait until I'm out and retired from it, part of me wishes I had more time and could get back to the States on shore duty somewhere!
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From: Surrey B.C. Canada
Well I went and put some money down opn the truck.. Ive noticed a few differences and dont realy know why they changed. One of the biggest mysties to me is why is there a vent window in the 2wd and no vent window in the 4X4 how come any ideas?? And also the back hatch.. The back glass lifts up. Very stange
And now I need a tranny for the 2wd.. What fits and what dosent.
And now I need a tranny for the 2wd.. What fits and what dosent.
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Posting Guru
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I've never seen a BII without vent windows on the doors. I would suspect that if it's the cleaner of the two trucks you showed us, the owner used Ranger doors prior to repainting the truck 
Never know, though - there may have been some base model BIIs with no vent windows, but like I said, I have never (personally) seen a BII without them.
There were two different rear hatches on these, ones that had the moveable glass, ones that didn't. Usually, the ones without the movable glass had the outside tire carrier and rear window wiper/washer setup - especially on the XLT, XLT+ and Eddie Bauer models. I have seen some with the movable glass with the external tire carrier as well.
The 2WD BIIs came with a dummy transfer case, so any BII or Ranger 4x4 transmission will work - but the thing to keep in mind is your driveshafts, as I believe there were some differences in the lengths - at least on the rears. I have seen people swap out the transmission / dummy t-case for a Ranger / Aerostar / Explorer / Navajo 2WD transmission and have a new driveshaft made up.
Never know, though - there may have been some base model BIIs with no vent windows, but like I said, I have never (personally) seen a BII without them.There were two different rear hatches on these, ones that had the moveable glass, ones that didn't. Usually, the ones without the movable glass had the outside tire carrier and rear window wiper/washer setup - especially on the XLT, XLT+ and Eddie Bauer models. I have seen some with the movable glass with the external tire carrier as well.
The 2WD BIIs came with a dummy transfer case, so any BII or Ranger 4x4 transmission will work - but the thing to keep in mind is your driveshafts, as I believe there were some differences in the lengths - at least on the rears. I have seen people swap out the transmission / dummy t-case for a Ranger / Aerostar / Explorer / Navajo 2WD transmission and have a new driveshaft made up.
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From: Surrey B.C. Canada
I know. My DD dosnt have one either but the new one does..
As for the dummy transfer case youd expect it to have a shifter of some sort but if you look in the cab it dont have anything sticking outa the floor. I haven 't looked under the truck to see if it has one but nothing coming outa the floor. These other ones you've seen. Did the tranny hook up to the 2.9? The last time I checked the aerostars were either a 3L or a 4L never a 2.9 and the same with the other ones.. Would they hook up??
As for the dummy transfer case youd expect it to have a shifter of some sort but if you look in the cab it dont have anything sticking outa the floor. I haven 't looked under the truck to see if it has one but nothing coming outa the floor. These other ones you've seen. Did the tranny hook up to the 2.9? The last time I checked the aerostars were either a 3L or a 4L never a 2.9 and the same with the other ones.. Would they hook up??
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
The following engines will swap, or rather, transmissions bolted to them will: 2.6 (older capri's and pintos), 2.8, 2.9, and 4.0. The 3.0 is a completely different bolt pattern. From what I am finding, some '86 Aerostars had the 2.8L - I am guessing leftovers from Ranger and BII production, but that just doesn't sound right; I would think it would be the 2.9, considering, but. '87 - '89 Aerostars had the 3.0; '90-'97 Aerostars either had a 3.0 or 4.0. The dummy t-case used in 2WD BIIs did not have a shifter or gear / chain setup for 4WD period. It was basically an 'adapter' with a single shaft, bearings, seals, IIRC. Explorers and Navajos are basically the same, aside from the exterior trim and badging. A 2.8/2.9/4.0 Ranger transmission will work, 2WD or 4WD, but you have to be somewhat careful, especially with the A4LDs, there were 2 different models, one with just the TCC solenoid, one with that as well as the 3-4 shift solenoid, IIRC. Also, the later-model AWD Aerostars are different, IIRC. Hope this helps a little more 
there kernel... I really do appreciate the insight
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
No problem! Yes, I try and look up things as much as possible IF I don't have the answer staring me in the face OH, and back to the vent/no-vent door thing, I guess there were differences depending on which model (base, XL, XLT, XLT+, Eddie Bauer). I just have not seen any of the BIIs without the vents - of course, most of the ones I have run across are XL models and up. Going back to reading... and research... I guess nobody has ever thought of doing a T-18/19 or NP-435 swap into an otherwise stock BII. I've found adapters to adapt a V-8 bellhousing to the stock transmissions, but nothing to go the other route other than for a T-4 or T-5 tranny. Guess when I get around to that particular idea, I got some measuring and fabricating to do I have considered doing a T-18/19 or NP-435 swap with possibly an NP-231 Jeep t-case into a BII... for better crawlability in low range. I can't wait to get back to the states... all this time and boredom is making me brainstorm some pretty scary stuff 
OH, and back to the vent/no-vent door thing, I guess there were differences depending on which model (base, XL, XLT, XLT+, Eddie Bauer). I just have not seen any of the BIIs without the vents - of course, most of the ones I have run across are XL models and up. Going back to reading... and research... I guess nobody has ever thought of doing a T-18/19 or NP-435 swap into an otherwise stock BII. I've found adapters to adapt a V-8 bellhousing to the stock transmissions, but nothing to go the other route other than for a T-4 or T-5 tranny. Guess when I get around to that particular idea, I got some measuring and fabricating to do I have considered doing a T-18/19 or NP-435 swap with possibly an NP-231 Jeep t-case into a BII... for better crawlability in low range. I can't wait to get back to the states... all this time and boredom is making me brainstorm some pretty scary stuff
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From: Surrey B.C. Canada
Well Kernel. I went ta see the BII again and give the man some more $. It dosnt have a transfer case or even a dummy transfer case hooked up. As I was reading on ranger station by what you were telling me and what I have read as well ... It should have one. But it dosnt?? In away that in its self is awesome. That means that I wouldnt have to mess around with crap.
So now Ive got myself another brain fart LOL. How bout putting an aerostar motor and tranny into the two wheel drive I think that'd be wicked and easy. Or even a 5.0 outa a mustang Both horses. LOL
So now Ive got myself another brain fart LOL. How bout putting an aerostar motor and tranny into the two wheel drive I think that'd be wicked and easy. Or even a 5.0 outa a mustang Both horses. LOL