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1988 Bronco II Virginia Trail Build


RumPunch

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Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
I hate to drive away from American made but honestly at this time I’m afraid of the rest of the hardware, it would cost me 200 dollars to go replace all the hardware most likely
 


Uncle Gump

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Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
I'm really not a suspension expert... but I know a little.

Are those leaf springs 2 1/2 inches wide? Because they look narrow on the spring perches. Maybe it's just the pictures but it almost looks like the shackle and frame bracket is drawn in to the spring width too. For reference... a picture of my Bronco II Skyjacker spring on the perch. I know I have to loosen and retorque to correct the wonky u bolt on the passenger side. But the point is the spring is full width of the perch...

1663935219518.png
 

RumPunch

Well-Known Member
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Messages
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Points
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Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
I'm really not a suspension expert... but I know a little.

Are those leaf springs 2 1/2 inches wide? Because they look narrow on the spring perches. Maybe it's just the pictures but it almost looks like the shackle and frame bracket is drawn in to the spring width too. For reference... a picture of my Bronco II Skyjacker spring on the perch. I know I have to loosen and retorque to correct the wonky u bolt on the passenger side. But the point is the spring is full width of the perch...

View attachment 82743
I'm not positive on width. I know they are the same as original and same as add a leaf from Duff. I will measure when I get home though.
 

RumPunch

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Law Enforcement
Joined
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Messages
779
Reaction score
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Points
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Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
Springs do measure 2 1/2" wide.
 

Uncle Gump

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Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Must be your pictures making them look smaller.
 

RumPunch

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Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
Maybe so. Measured the donor Bronco out back and original springs all the same.
 

bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
I always hog out the holes and run 9/16 u bolts.....on my truck 5/8. They can have that wormy stuff.
 

bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
And I use a hammer when installing to keep them in shape....
 

RumPunch

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Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
Wanted to mount both rear lights and then mock the bumper on and make sure it cleared. But in typical fashion of this project one light I bought probably a year ago is missing the mount.... Go figure. Got one mounted and the bumper mocked on. Pretty happy, clears good, fits pretty nice for being made for a later Ranger.

Had to notch the tabs on the bumper. Fit perfectly between frame rails.

IMG_20220915_190251878_HDR.jpg


IMG_20220915_190735968_HDR.jpg


Mounted without falling on my foot this time. (it hurt)

IMG_20220925_132448735_HDR.jpg

(One light probably would have been enough..?)

Packed the bearings installed the seal, wanted to make sure the door was going to clear the door and actually latch correctly
IMG_20220925_132830097_HDR.jpg


IMG_20220925_140758009_HDR.jpg


The pup just provided moral support

IMG_20220925_140232623_HDR.jpg


His lead isn't that tight, it's 100 ft he just likes to wrap it around anything that will fall prior to lying down
 
Last edited:

Uncle Gump

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Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
I sure do like that bumper.
 

RumPunch

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Law Enforcement
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
779
Reaction score
827
Points
93
Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
Me too Gump! I'm beyond happy with gambling fitment!
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
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Supporting Member
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Reaction score
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Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Did you get the support brackets to work?

I know my bumper gets twisty when the spare is swung out.
 

RumPunch

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Law Enforcement
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
779
Reaction score
827
Points
93
Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
Did you get the support brackets to work?

I know my bumper gets twisty when the spare is swung out.
I didn't use them at all. Just jammed the bumper between the frame rails. It was a tight fit, rubber mallet to get it in all the way. I only have 2 3/8" bolts in it I have quite a bit more drilling to do. I just wanted to make sure the door would open with the tire carrier on there cause it was close to the stud on the right. Now that I know it fits I'll drill it all out to 1/2 holes and hardware. I believe it will be pretty stout but we will see. I hope to be able to add the hutch back on as well.
 

RumPunch

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Law Enforcement
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
779
Reaction score
827
Points
93
Location
Walkerton Va 23177
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
31x10.50R15
I'm really not a suspension expert... but I know a little.

Are those leaf springs 2 1/2 inches wide? Because they look narrow on the spring perches. Maybe it's just the pictures but it almost looks like the shackle and frame bracket is drawn in to the spring width too. For reference... a picture of my Bronco II Skyjacker spring on the perch. I know I have to loosen and retorque to correct the wonky u bolt on the passenger side. But the point is the spring is full width of the perch...

View attachment 82743
Hey wait is that a skid plate over the fuel tank!? Factory?
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,668
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

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