given 90 bronco 2

henryk-yonza · Mar 21, 2016

I was given a truck last week.
Body is in great shape.. And that's about it.
It was a project that a friend had decided to abandon
So I asking advice on what you would do if you had what I have.

1990 bronco 2 small v6 5speed 4 wheel drive and I think 373 gears
and a rear axle From a 97 explorer with disk brakes and 411 non posi gears (Not installed)
Pros
Free
Body and interior are in great shape.
Engine is reported to run great
Cons
Transmission hard to get into first and second (synco gone?)
Power steering leaks bad
Radiator leaks
Brakes abysmal all around
Shocks appear decorative.
Fuel pump died an hour after I got it home

So if you had this... What would you do?
I'm modestly mechanically inclined.I have re and re'd engines, transmissions, swapped bodies, axles, custom build body lifts and can do light welding.
I enjoy doing things myself over paying some one else to do them.

I'm thinking long term project to build a nice mountain explorer..
I like the idea of a good fuel efficient crawler of Decommissioned logging roads that stretch on forever. Not so much into mud or winching my way up cliffs.

Or give up now and find a better project

alwaysFlOoReD · Mar 21, 2016

On another forum I would say "YOU SUCK!" You have a great start to a great trek vehicle. I would love to have what you got [and a place to work on it]. Go for it.

adsm08 · Mar 21, 2016

What do you mean by "shocks appear decorative"?

Also, a B2 isn't a truck. It's an SUV. A truck has a bed. An SUV has a cargo area behind the rear seat that is open to the passenger cabin. A Ranger is a truck. A Bronco II is an SUV.

bronco2fan · Mar 21, 2016

Fix it and have some fun. Doesn't sound like there's a whole lot wrong with it. If the body is real nice I wouldn't make it into a crawler at all. Good bodies are getting hard to find. Modest lift, tires, rims. Go threw it and see what it really needs first, then make your plans based on actual intended use.
Change all the fluids, make sure there's brake fluid in the master. Sounds silly but some folks never check them. Check the brake cylinders for leaks and shoes for wear, not hard at all. And most importantly keep us posted.
Pictures are needed too, helps us help you and we get a look at your freebie lol.

4x4junkie · Mar 21, 2016

Welcome aboard! :beer:

×3
You've definitely got the start to something good there. Those issues (except maybe possibly the trans) are pretty simple fixes... If the trans does end up being something you don't want to mess with, the better M5OD from a later Ranger or Explorer w/4.0L engine is a bolt-in swap (chances are you have the Mitsubishi FM146, though reports of 1990s having the M5OD factory do exist also).
You might have the better Dana35 front axle up front too (found in about half of all 1990s, along with a BW-1354 transfer case), this is another plus if you get to putting bigger tires on it (like the Ex 8.8", there's literally tons of aftermarket support in the way of lockers and gear ratios).

The fuel pump likely died because of old gas in the tank (not an unusual occurrence when you fire up a rig after it's been sitting for years). Probably be a good idea to replace the fuel filter too.

adsm08 said:
What do you mean by "shocks appear decorative"?

Also, a B2 isn't a truck. It's an SUV. A truck has a bed. An SUV has a cargo area behind the rear seat that is open to the passenger cabin. A Ranger is a truck. A Bronco II is an SUV.

Probably means the oil has leaked out... hence "decorative" lol

The term "SUV" has really only been in use maybe 25-30 years... I seem to recall the Bronco (BII), Blazer, Suburban, Jeep Wagoneer, etc. all being called "trucks" before then (maybe occasionally "wagon" for the Jeep)... the ones with beds were more specifically called "pickups". IMO, there is nothing really "sport" about any of these trucks in terms of sportiness. :icon_confused:

adsm08 · Mar 21, 2016

4x4junkie said:
Probably means the oil has leaked out... hence "decorative" lol

I was thinking maybe they had little flashing lights wrapped around them and glass balls hanging off some spots.

dirtcowboy · Mar 21, 2016

Gee Whizz I have a KW T800 in the shop, and it doesn't have a bed. What to do........

shadetreebronco · Mar 22, 2016

If you are going to replace the radiator a 91 - 94 explorer radiator has more rows for better cooling , drops right in but you will have to modify the upper hose , the explorer radiators upper hose is angled towards the PS fender.
Good luck with the new rig.

Kayakcrazy · Mar 23, 2016

With a little work it could be a fun truck. In basically stock form you can have a ball in the b2s. I've driven the 3 b2s I've had many miles on logging roads and in the woods hunting a camping with no more mods than tires. I'm having a blast Building my current on and know they can be very capable and more extreme if you catch the bug.

Just have fun with it. You can't beat the price

Kayakcrazy · Mar 23, 2016

Also, a B2 isn't a truck. It's an SUV. A truck has a bed. An SUV has a cargo area behind the rear seat that is open to the passenger cabin. A Ranger is a truck. A Bronco II is an SUV.[/QUOTE]

And mine is still a b2 according to the codes :icon_hornsup:

Shoddy Cologne · Mar 28, 2016

B2 is an MPV. It says so in the door jamb iirc loll

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given 90 bronco 2

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