Thinking of Buying this BII... Should I?

[projectRanger93]

The RBV bug hit me, and i came across this BII that will be up for auction soon. Should i pull the trigger and go for it?
What i know of it: 1988 2.9L V6, 2WD, Manual Trans, straight looking body, semi-clean looking interior, looks reasonably stock, and supposedly runs and drives. Odometer says 2029 miles, but from the available vehicle report, i suspect it being 102k. Has the 7.5" 3.45 rear diff. Also looks like the XL version.

Is it worth it? Anything special about it?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Check the engine oil, look for coolant contamination. Lifters are commonly noisy.

4wd is a bolt on conversion if you are so inclined, I think it has a dummy t-case so all you would need is a t-case, front driveshaft and front axle.

 

[projectRanger93]

Check the engine oil, look for coolant contamination. Lifters are commonly noisy.

4wd is a bolt on conversion if you are so inclined, I think it has a dummy t-case so all you would need is a t-case, front driveshaft and front axle.

I have read up on the conversion, and i think there's a b2 at my local junkyard with 4wd, so I could gather the parts for that real quick.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have read up on the conversion, and i think there's a b2 at my local junkyard with 4wd, so I could gather the parts for that real quick.

Opinions vary but if it was me I would go ahead and grab a D35 out of a second or third gen Ranger (or first gen Explorer) It is a lot stronger and is exactly the same to install.

I would shop for a similar year BW1354 t-case with the fixed front output and front driveshaft too.

 

[projectRanger93]

Thanks for the advice! That will be on the list then if i get this afterall.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Asking price for it?

Cause uh... I see a big ol tall plenum in there...


First gens are a special kind of vehicle; there's nothing on the road like them. Never will be again, either.

@85_Ranger4x4 once quipped that they broke the mold on those trucks. He is absolutely correct.

Hell, if i had to choose between my 1988 and my 2011, the 1988 wins every single time without contest.

 

[projectRanger93]

Asking price for it?

Cause uh... I see a big ol tall plenum in there...

It's an auction so TBD, but there's an unknown reserve on it.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Just from looks alone, 800 would be my absolute limit.

As-is, unknown condition if running or not, 500-600. Its missing a few chunks.

The way I'd look at it would be total investment.

Whats your total idea of it finished when you spotted it?

 

[projectRanger93]

Yeah i was thinking between 500 to 700 would be my top limit too. I did notice its missing the ac condenser. What else did you notice?
Well i'd like to convert it to 4wd, with beefier differentials, a lift and 31s or 33s and maybe fender flares. Long term goal would be to swap in a 302.

This would be a long term project, not done super quickly like my ranger.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

B2 has a lot of potential. @deathbypsi has one (hes building the second) of the nicest B2's I've ever seen built ("Gilligan").

So, IF you'd go either V8 or even building the V6, figure on at least (short term)

Dana 35 front
Explorer 8.8 rear
Lockers, L/S, or torsens for them
tires
wheels
interior stuff like seats, carpet, headliner, plastics, etc.
paint
leaf springs
coil springs
shocks
brake and fuel lines
TONS of little stuff.

All-in-all, you're going to wrap up at least $2-5K in one. Its really easy to do.

BUT a B2 is not a common truck, and its up there with the CJ2a, Suzuki Samurai, and T100 for off road capability.

TBH, if that exact B2 came up for sale here, I wouldn't break a sweat dropping $800 on it - finding one with a body that isnt a solid wad of cancer here is impossible.

 

[projectRanger93]

I have seen Gilligan on youtube, so that's been influencing my decision a lot haha.

I know B2 isn't common and i heard its 4x4 stock capaibilities blow, but it's corky style really intrigues me, despite its flaws. Interior-wise i'm indifferent, so i'd keep it as is, but cleaner of course.

Thanks for the tips, if all goes well i think i will snatch it up. There's not many i've seen ever here in the city.