4x4 Conversion
 

Hey everyone,
My 5 speed '89 B2 is 2WD but I'm considering converting it to 4WD. I've seen multiple posts on how to do the actual conversion and it seems (as compared to other vehicles) that if I part out the right donor vehicle its pretty simple (like I said, as compared to other vehicles). What I am wondering is, which other Fords should I be looking for to snag the parts? For example, what range of B2 years would fit this mold- would an '87? Can I also search for the same year Ranger or standard Bronco?

If I didn't search the forum well enough, shoot me the title to a good thread.

Thanks!

Where are you located? I've got a '90 4x4 Eddie Bauer Bronco II, and all of the running gear is in excellent shape. However, I just tore everything out of it because I'm swapping to solid axles from a '76 Bronco, and a 5.0 HO with a C4 and D20 transfer case. So I've got the front axle (rear too, although you may not need it if your gears are the same), and the transfer case and transmission, and even the drive shafts. the only thing is mine was an automatic. Also, as a bonus, I've got the much better Dana 35 front axle that only some '90 Bronco II's had, compared to the weaker Dana 28's that all other Bronco II's had.

Since you have an '89, your interior would even be the same as mine for the push button 4x4 switch near the middle vent.

I'm in Missouri. I'd sell all the stuff I just took out very reasonably.

Hey Jagerzzz,

Much appreciation for the reply and good info to know. Unfortunately I am a bit far away (in Virginia) so that probably isn't viable. How did the 5.0 swap go? How much time did you have to put into it?

The 5.0 swap is just getting started. Right now, I've just got everything torn out. I'm having the solid axles sandblasted as we speak, and having other suspension parts powder coated, and I just dropped my C4 at a transmission shop to have it gone through. (I don't know anything about it, so figured I'd have it rebuilt before just throwing it in there and crossing my fingers that it worked. It's from a '76 Bronco, so it's bound to have some issues being that old.)

I'm making a large order of parts today or tomorrow from James Duff, and several other places to get a lot of the parts that I need. I've been sitting on this project for several years now, but it's all moving at light speed right now. I figure it will get pretty far in the next few months, but then it will likely stall a little when I start getting into the more nitty gritty stuff like wiring and trying to get the gauges all working. That's the part I'm most concerned about. But it will be a fun project either way. I plan to have some body work done and get the whole thing painted once the drivetrain is all good to go.

So long story short, I've got a long way to go...

My oldest son was looking at a near mint Bronco II not long ago that was also 2wd. So my first thought was I'd use all my stock 4x4 parts to swap into it. But I don't think he's still looking at it because he bought a full size Bronco project. Then when I saw your thread, I thought this might be perfect. Too bad you're not closer. We could have really helped each other out.

Good luck on your build. Your absolute best option would be to find a 90 Bronco II 4x4 with a Dana 35. Then you'd have everything you need including the drive shafts. But a 4x4 Ranger or Explorer up to '94 should also have most of what you need, besides the drive shafts. But I'd highly recommend getting a '90 or later that has the better Dana 35 front axle. They are a much better axle than the older Dana 28. Also, the 8.8 rear axle out of some later year Explorers are a little heavier duty, and are also a couple inches wider than what's in your Bronco II. I put a limited slip one out of a '99 Explorer in a '94 Ranger I had once. It was a nice upgrade.

Thanks again for the tips, that certainly helps me refine the search. Let me know if you upload any pictures of your progress, would sure love to see how your project turns out.

No problem! Here's a pic of my Bronco II before any axle work and with no motor or tranny in it.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...94e02f2b65.jpg

And here's one with the new axles and suspension parts under it. Front has solid axle D44 from '76 Bronco and James Duff extended radius arms, dual shock mount, and 3.5" lift for gen 1 Bronco, which is about a 5" lift for a Bronco II. All have been powder coated red. Rear has Ford 9" out of '76 Bronco, and a set of leafs that are about a 4-5" lift. We're still playing with the lift amounts a little. There is no motor in it in this pic either.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...518cad8d0f.jpg

Great build info--- did you notice you have a low tire :-)

How did the lifts turn out?

Turned out pretty good. Still need to block the rear up just a smidge, but I'm not going to worry about that right now. The build went fast and then stalled. The motor, tranny, and transfer case are in it now, but I still need to fab a cross frame member for the transfer case, and no drive shafts have been built yet. I also don't have wiring, heater box, or radiator in it right now.

Here's a pic of the rebuild and powdercoated transfer case, and one of the lift with the weight of the motor and tranny in it with 31's on it, and another showing the width difference of the gen 1 front axle with 8.5" wide wheels.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...a7a92e0af2.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...91eb1d6f9e.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...63b8ddd653.jpg