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89 B2 diesel build thread


J-logan

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I may possibly when I get it all figured out
It a v2203di out of a reefer unit out of a wrecked truck.
Fired right up and runs like a champ
Free so pretty much all I’m going to have in it is a bunch of time
 


bobbywalter

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seems a bit weak . there are a few in little trucks running around though.
 

Northidahotrailblazer

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seems a bit weak . there are a few in little trucks running around though.
Yeah, I’m getting close to being done with my OM617. I should have just went tdi. There are some things I like about the OM617. But I’m not dumping $2500 plus into it to get into a stock tdi range. But we’ll see I’m going to just limp the om617 along for now.
 

bobbywalter

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...sorry north....i was referring to the v2203di.

the 617 with mid build sbf money put into it can make really good power and still achieve decent economy. definitely exceed the rated numbers on my setup which is 160 hp and 300 ft lb.....and unlike mine...wont break in half if you push air through it.


i would never have guessed i would have run the 6.x diesel in NA form this long. it is slow....but steady. runs on crap fuels.... i really dont mind it because its ridiculously reliable....scavenged together from 4 different engines to get by for a bit and now has over 200 thousands of miles.

the om engines are all of that and a bag of chips if you know how to source parts.. the big one in the late 90s bmw i had goals on...and then the v10 toureg in the 2ks engine really had me drooling.... but uhhhh... for the most part.... my project budgets are in the 100s of dollars to 4k. so that wasnt happening.



what really surprised me, is that young bob actually really likes it now....he just traded his 600 RR off for a 250 f which made mom real happy...he has a 350 Z with a v8 swap and a 450f....plus my KLX650 to crank on.....but between the bronco and ranger he was really bitching about how slow they are when he was 15 - 17.... now he appreciates them as tools.

i always intended to do a mid tune tdi to the bronco....now that is up to a ecoboost... but probably a 5.3. the 4.0s hold thier own though.

again....costs. time and money.


all i can say is enjoy those kids while you can...keep em involved. i love seeing them with you out in the rigs... i regret working and being away from my family....
 

Northidahotrailblazer

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...sorry north....i was referring to the v2203di.

the 617 with mid build sbf money put into it can make really good power and still achieve decent economy. definitely exceed the rated numbers on my setup which is 160 hp and 300 ft lb.....and unlike mine...wont break in half if you push air through it.


i would never have guessed i would have run the 6.x diesel in NA form this long. it is slow....but steady. runs on crap fuels.... i really dont mind it because its ridiculously reliable....scavenged together from 4 different engines to get by for a bit and now has over 200 thousands of miles.

the om engines are all of that and a bag of chips if you know how to source parts.. the big one in the late 90s bmw i had goals on...and then the v10 toureg in the 2ks engine really had me drooling.... but uhhhh... for the most part.... my project budgets are in the 100s of dollars to 4k. so that wasnt happening.



what really surprised me, is that young bob actually really likes it now....he just traded his 600 RR off for a 250 f which made mom real happy...he has a 350 Z with a v8 swap and a 450f....plus my KLX650 to crank on.....but between the bronco and ranger he was really bitching about how slow they are when he was 15 - 17.... now he appreciates them as tools.

i always intended to do a mid tune tdi to the bronco....now that is up to a ecoboost... but probably a 5.3. the 4.0s hold thier own though.

again....costs. time and money.


all i can say is enjoy those kids while you can...keep em involved. i love seeing them with you out in the rigs... i regret working and being away from my family....
I hear you, the problem with my OM is not its fault. It’s worn out, I needs a rebuild. And I can’t justify the cost of a rebuild and doing the turbo and injection pump upgrade. I can do a tdi swap for what it will cost. I could try to find another used motor but dam there 40 plus years old now. It’s just what it is, to find something that’s runs good is hard. A tdi is way more modern. Yeah it has its faults. But I didn’t put a big enough radiator in for my om617. I’m gonna run it until it just dies. So we’ll just see!

and thanks I try to drag my boys out with me every time I can. I’m trying to keep them hooked on the bronco as long as I can! Haha
 

Northidahotrailblazer

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Well I went to take it to work on Tuesday, got a few miles down the road and I noticed my hydro boost was screaming every time I hit the brakes and I was having to use more force on the brakes. I could hear the power steering pump screaming also. Ever since my trip to naches I noticed it was making noise. Idk it’s reman one. Not very old. Olwell I upgraded to a wj pump which has more flow and pressure since on a Jeep it runs a hydraulic fan also. It was a pretty easy swap. B2 is back on the road!
 

bobbywalter

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i run the g van unit. reman for sure hit and miss.
 

Northidahotrailblazer

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I saw this on one of the overlander Jeep guys on YouTube. It was like 13 bucks on amazon. I got one with a zipper bag, idk already looks helpful. My collapsible bowls, went right up there, tire repair kit. Should be able to stuff some pillows up there, and some other stuff. Pretty handy really! Took like 3 minutes to install.
 

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Northidahotrailblazer

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Well just a few days until my trip into Canada. Going to whipsaw trail system. Mostly new broncos, one ranger and me. Managed to store, my driveline and my tie rod over the fuel tank body lift to come in handy! Haha hand to install a new steering box, old one started leaking pretty good. Test drive into town with the boys. Man it drives so much nicer with a new steering box.
 

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Northidahotrailblazer

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Well the old B2 has conquered whipsaw trail in BC Canada. Spent two nights on the trail. Had a bad thunderstorm warning on the 3 rd day so the group decided not to do a 3rd night on the trail. Boys were tired so we came home. Didn’t break anything. Almost did everything I pointed it. I have to change the coils in the front. They are way too stiff and do nothing but unload. I just picked up some early bronco 3.5 lift coils I’m going to try out. It was an awesome trip.
 

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dclack

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Looks like some fun trips. I recognize the grey first gen Bronco on your Naches trip. He lives here in town.
 
Last edited:

bobbywalter

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sawzall?
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My credo
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Well the old B2 has conquered whipsaw trail in BC Canada. Spent two nights on the trail. Had a bad thunderstorm warning on the 3 rd day so the group decided not to do a 3rd night on the trail. Boys were tired so we came home. Didn’t break anything. Almost did everything I pointed it. I have to change the coils in the front. They are way too stiff and do nothing but unload. I just picked up some early bronco 3.5 lift coils I’m going to try out. It was an awesome trip.

i had concerns with your ride height and overlanding requirements.


i ran soft xj coils at that height but incorporated air springs for road duty. just a few psi totally changes its manners with the ttb. off road getting full travel the soft springs made a big difference....you actually need limiters

for what you do i would be tempted to run full width superdoodies in it at that height. because they are so cheap . the stability with fullwidth axles is definitely nice.

but some airlift bags(cheap and easy).... and when money allows buy a really good sway bar really help for the road.
 

Northidahotrailblazer

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Solid Axle Swap 4x4
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8 inches
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Well took the boys on another adventure. Hauled it this time, northern Nevada. Went from elko to ely on back roads, part of the pony express trail. Spent 2 nights on the trail. Never had to put the b2 in 4 wheel drive haha but definitely would have needed it if I didn’t have a rear locker. The b2 gave me some trouble. I couldn’t keep it cool. Idk what do do at this point. I like some parts of the OM617 but I’m down to I have to make a core support to fit a bigger radiator. But idk it might be an engine problem to. Idk part of me just wants to TDI swap it and be done…. But I’m not sure. I really just need to compression check it but I really just don’t want to know lol early bronco coils work good.
 

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bobbywalter

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4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
hell yeah. looks like a great time.


you may be overfueling a cylinder....usually raw diesel smell and prodigious smoke though. seems a head gasket would be obviously causing other issues. timing is critical and elevation as well.

regardless.....under load they simply make allot of heat. even the tdi.

i run heavy in my lightest configuration for 150 hp at 6000 plus pounds.

weigh it in trail configuration.

this is why i suggested to gut the core and maximize radiator capacity.

i only have issues towing unless over 5k feet. it runs warmer over 6k ft. its the main reason i want an inline pump....easy to adjust compared to the rotary.
 

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