An '84 BII that's in need of love.

[Hoosierman]

Someone up the road from me has decided that it is time to sell their dad's old 1984 Bronco II. It's rough, but not scary rough. Here are the details he told me about it, I do not yet have pics as I did not have my phone with me when I looked at it.

It last ran 3 years ago. His dad was driving it and it stalled, had to have it towed home.
Will not run
2.8 V6
Automatic gearbox.
No battery (no problem, plus new cables are installed)
Last time it was ran, it ran fine until it died.
4x4 is believed to still be functional.
New floor pans were welded in at some point in the last ten years

The bones look good, the body panels either need patched or just replaced outright.

We haven't negotiated the price because I have not made up my decision yet. Now, being that I currently own a 1988 Ranger with a 2.9 and 5-speed, I know a little bit about these already.
What I want to known, from the more seasoned BII owners, what would you suspect I am likely up against here? I believe I can get it cheap and he'll even trailer it to the house for me.
Engine? Ignition? Electrical? Fuel pump? If it's sat for 3 years, should I expect to replace the tank and fuel lines?

I would like to make a project out of this. I have always wanted a BII, I think they are awesome little rigs!
Bonus: It already comes with a lot of parts and a new fuel tank.

 

[RobbieD]

This one is easy . . .

Get it, Duraspark it, convert it to a manual.

You'll live happily ever after . . .

 

[Hoosierman]

Toonces... I remember that.

Was there ever any major concerns with the 2.8?

 

[RobbieD]

Was there ever any major concerns with the 2.8?

The original engine management; the carburetor was controlled by the PCM, and all the sensors and actuators involved means that 40 years on, it's a lost cause to try and work with the original management system (which wasn't great when new). Parts are hard to find, but the Duraspark conversion eliminates all of that, and basically turns the 2.8 into an old-school motor. I like the 2.8; my '84 has been a reliable, stout runner (it's Durasparked). There's articles in the tech section, and tons of posts that be searched out on the Duraspark conversion.

The only other weak area (I see) is if it's an auto, an '85 will have the very first year of the A4LD. It it works, great, but these are problematic transmissions. A manual conversion would much more reliable, and much more fun. I *think* that a later, and better, M5OD could be used.

If, as you say, the bones look good and the pans have already been done, it sounds like a good "save" candidate.

B2s are a blast to drive, and a good example of a first-year B2 will only increase in value.

Toonces would drive the hell out of it . . . just not very well. And if the truck's been sitting that long, take some wasp spray, or honey, in case you run into the Killer Bees.

 

[bobbywalter]

godzilla. it needs......a godzilla.

 

[bobbywalter]

GODZILLA>2.8

 

[Hoosierman]

Bottom line, if I hook up a battery to the thing, I know I should reasonably expect it to at least do something.
Is the M5OD the 5-speed that went into the Rangers? My '88 is a 5-speed. Just curious.

If it sat for three years, should I expect to have to make replacements in the fuel system? I realize that gasoline varnishes over time...

 

[RobbieD]

Yes, the M5OD is the better, later transmission.

The 2.8 has a mechanical fuel pump, on the motor, so if the truck includes a new fuel tank, it'll be a piece of cake to blow out the line and put a new rubber short hose on between the hardline and pump.

 

[bobbywalter]

GODZILLA.....10 SPEED.

 

[Hoosierman]

Right, the Godzilla mated with a 10 speed, duly noted.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The original engine management; the carburetor was controlled by the PCM, and all the sensors and actuators involved means that 40 years on, it's a lost cause to try and work with the original management system (which wasn't great when new). Parts are hard to find, but the Duraspark conversion eliminates all of that, and basically turns the 2.8 into an old-school motor. I like the 2.8; my '84 has been a reliable, stout runner (it's Durasparked). There's articles in the tech section, and tons of posts that be searched out on the Duraspark conversion.

The only other weak area (I see) is if it's an auto, an '85 will have the very first year of the A4LD. It it works, great, but these are problematic transmissions. A manual conversion would much more reliable, and much more fun. I *think* that a later, and better, M5OD could be used.

If, as you say, the bones look good and the pans have already been done, it sounds like a good "save" candidate.

B2s are a blast to drive, and a good example of a first-year B2 will only increase in value.

Toonces would drive the hell out of it . . . just not very well. And if the truck's been sitting that long, take some wasp spray, or honey, in case you run into the Killer Bees.

+1

It has all the downsides of both carburation and EFI with the advantages of neither.

 

[Hoosierman]

I'm intrigued by this Duraspark you speak of. I would like to know more!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

2.8L Duraspark Conversion - The Ranger Station

Duraspark II Ignition Basics - The Ranger Station

Tons of info here in general:

Ford Ranger Tech (1983-2011) - The Ranger Station

 

[RobbieD]

I'm intrigued by this Duraspark you speak of. I would like to know more!

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/duraspark-ii-ignition-basics/

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/2-8l-duraspark-conversion/

That' a start.

The "search" box here on TRS will bring up tons of posts on "Duraspark", and same term googled will add more from other websites.

Plain and simple, a Duraspark conversion is the bomb for the 2.8, it's just that parts, like the distributor, are damn hard to track down these days.

 

[bobbywalter]

Ford V6 Cologne Engine - Bosch Type Electronic Distributor From Accuspark | eBay

This distributor is to replace the traditional points distributor in the Ford V6 Cologne engine. THIS DISTRIBUTOR DOESN'T FIT 2.9L V6 ENGINES. (Distributor has a 6mm allen key oil drive).

www.ebay.com