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Project Budget(ish) Bronco.


ecgreen

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Messages
720
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Location
Dunbarton NH
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
33


Sweet-85'

Member
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Messages
180
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Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
Progress!






Geometry seems to be a little off with the front axle, looking into some radius arm drop brackets...
 

Sweet-85'

Member
Joined
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Messages
180
Reaction score
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Points
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Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
Picked up a set of radius arm drop brackets, that should correct the front axle and even out the lift level I think. I'll continue posting progress when I get the chance.

In the meantime, I noticed all my original progress pics were gone, so here they are again:
























It started out as a MUCH simpler project than what it's become lol
 

ecgreen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
Messages
720
Reaction score
287
Points
63
Location
Dunbarton NH
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
33
Picked up a set of radius arm drop brackets, that should correct the front axle and even out the lift level I think. I'll continue posting progress when I get the chance.

In the meantime, I noticed all my original progress pics were gone, so here they are again:
























It started out as a MUCH simpler project than what it's become lol
It always does...lol Well done!
 

deathbypsi

06/2012 STOTM Winner
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TRS 20th Anniversary
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Location
Mich
Vehicle Year
88
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3turbo
Transmission
Manual
Cool project so far!
 

ecgreen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
Messages
720
Reaction score
287
Points
63
Location
Dunbarton NH
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
33

Sweet-85'

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
180
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
Next question...any pics of the snorkel install? How did you hook it to the air box?

Unfortunately, I was out of town when the snorkel was installed. The engine is the carbureted 2.8L, so there was no air box to speak of, like you'll find on a fuel injected engine. I have a sealed intake tube with filter (another Ebay special) hooked up to a carburetor plenum. This creates a sealed system. I'm stopping by the shop today, I'll get a few pics of the under-hood setup.
 

Sweet-85'

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
180
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
As promised, here are pics of the sealed setup underneath the hood.





I would imagine this would be similar on a fuel injected engine, just to a throttle body instead of a carb plenum.

Been having some issues getting everything level on the lift. :damnit1:
The original lift was simply a 2.5" front coil spacer, and a 2" rear block. My "just add an inch and a half" plan didn't really work. :badidea:

The first shot is 3.5" rear blocks, and the front has Rough Country 1.5" leveling springs, plus the 2.5" spacers. The front still sits lower.



The second shot is still 3.5" rear blocks, but the front now has 4" skyjacker coils and a small spacer to make sure the 32" tires clear at full lock. The rear sits just a little lower, but we still have to put in a 6 degree shim to get the pinion angle right, we are hoping that gives the rear just a little boost to level it out.



This is a comparison between stock, 1.5" leveling, and 4" coils. Also the original spacers and the new short spacers.

 

deathbypsi

06/2012 STOTM Winner
MTOTM Winner
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
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Messages
718
Reaction score
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Mich
Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3turbo
Transmission
Manual
Have you thought about using some Belltech shackles on rear for 1-3" adjustability?
 

ecgreen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
Messages
720
Reaction score
287
Points
63
Location
Dunbarton NH
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
3"
Tire Size
33
As promised, here are pics of the sealed setup underneath the hood.





I would imagine this would be similar on a fuel injected engine, just to a throttle body instead of a carb plenum.

Been having some issues getting everything level on the lift. :damnit1:
The original lift was simply a 2.5" front coil spacer, and a 2" rear block. My "just add an inch and a half" plan didn't really work. :badidea:

The first shot is 3.5" rear blocks, and the front has Rough Country 1.5" leveling springs, plus the 2.5" spacers. The front still sits lower.



The second shot is still 3.5" rear blocks, but the front now has 4" skyjacker coils and a small spacer to make sure the 32" tires clear at full lock. The rear sits just a little lower, but we still have to put in a 6 degree shim to get the pinion angle right, we are hoping that gives the rear just a little boost to level it out.



This is a comparison between stock, 1.5" leveling, and 4" coils. Also the original spacers and the new short spacers.

Thanks for the pics!
 

Sweet-85'

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
180
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
Have you thought about using some Belltech shackles on rear for 1-3" adjustability?
I have not, but I'll have to keep that in mind! I think we're pretty much level, just getting the rear driveshaft figured out now...
 

Sweet-85'

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
180
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
Rear driveshaft situation solved! We simply drilled and tapped the flange on the 8.8 to accept the u-joint assembly from the BII, which is a ridiculously tiny 1210 joint. I'll get some photos when I have the chance. But the point is, it's drive-able now! :yahoo: Still have to wire up the lights, install a air compressor/tank in the rear, and a power inverter. There are a few other odds and ends, but that's about it!
 

Ranger850

Doesn't get Sarcasm . . .
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Location
Tallahassee Florida
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Born with a 3.0, looking for a donor V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock 2"
Tire Size
Stock
My credo
Doing things wrong, until I get it right.

Sweet-85'

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
180
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Hastings, MN
Vehicle Year
1984
Make / Model
Ford Bronco II
Engine Type
2.8 V6
Engine Size
2.8L 171CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is!
As promised here are some fresh pics...
Front axle detail with steering linkage installed:


Detail of the crazy small BII u-joint mounted to the larger 8.8 flange:



Improvised radius arm drop brackets, he built these before I had the chance to tell him they could be purchased lol:


An update on how the truck sits now:

 

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