Bronco 2 project for my son

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Got the motor dropped in today… Also pulled the transmission out of the back of it in preparation to be installed… it’s sitting on its own weight for the first time in a while! Just got the calipers in today along with the brake hoses, so that’s the next step.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

It’s been a while since I’ve been on due to life circumstances, but here is the run down of the little bit of stuff I got done.
Went to put the transmission in and it’s been too long… are the transmissions that different as far as size is concerned from 89 to 2006?
Im using a OHV 4.0 and a M5OD from a 2006 ranger. Long story short I couldn’t install the transmission from under the truck… the front of the bell housing is too big/tall. So I ended up pulling the engine (only had motor mount bolts) just to install the transmission onto the engine and drop them in together. It’s a tight fit but I managed to do it (have done it before just been a while)
Now that it’s in I’m pretty stoked with the progress. Got the fx4 level 2 floor plate installed and the shifter is just sitting there with the carpet pulled back (just to see it in a b2)
Gonna be putting the transfer case in tomorrow and crossmember as well.
Does anyone know/remember if there are any rear driveshafts that bolt in? From an explorer? Explorer sport etc? Or does it have to be made?

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

For some reason it won’t let me upload pics??? I’m not sure why…. Will try again later

 

[sgtsandman]

As far as I know, the M5OD hasn't changed externally, even with the HD model.

Could it have been how the engine was sitting in the truck?

I did have a bear of a time getting the transmission back in the 2011 after I changed the slave cylinder but that was more because I didn't have a cradle to hold the damn thing upright than a clearance issue.

As far as the drive shaft, if you can find one from a Ranger with the same cab and bed, it should bolt right in. I can't say on Explorer or other vehicle drive shafts.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

As far as I know, the M5OD hasn't changed externally, even with the HD model.

Could it have been how the engine was sitting in the truck.

I did have a bear of a time getting the transmission back in the 2011 after I changed the slave cylinder but that was more because I didn't have a cradle to hold the damn thing upright than a clearance issue.

As far as the drive shaft, if you can find one from a Ranger with the same cab and bed, it should bolt right in. I can't say on Explorer or other vehicle drive shafts.

I had the trouble getting it between where the floor and firewall meet and the radius arm crossmember… I don’t remember it ever being that difficult. Gonna be fun doing a clutch in the future

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Here are a few pics including the tires we decided on

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Got the transfer case in but not doing the crossmember quite yet since I still have to figure out the exhaust … have all the stock exhaust still in it but everything behind the cats is worthless as it’s rusted out…

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Good to hear from you! I have a HD behind my 92 4.0. Just missing the one bel housing bolt.
Is it lifted at all? If it is an explorer shaft might fit.

do you work at elite?

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Good to hear from you! I have a HD behind my 92 4.0. Just missing the one bel housing bolt.
Is it lifted at all? If it is an explorer shaft might fit.

do you work at elite?

No I don’t have any kind of lift but I can say these explorer springs brought the front up to where it looks like it’s got Carolina squat!
I don’t work at elite but my buddy Paul does…. I use to work on the other side of town at Gription tire pros

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

So I have another question for the wiring guys out there…. I have these 4 plugs (2 on either side) right behind the marker/corner lights…. What are they to and do they get replaced once I swap dash, radiator support wiring and engine harness… I’m using everything from the donor vehicle … are these 4 plugs something I need to concern myself with?

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

And this is where I left off. Not bad for a few hours.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

And this is where I left off. Not bad for a few hours.

I can’t remember but I think those atleast one of those plugs is for the door harness? If I remember right something is different there.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Yeah I have explorer coils and coil spacers, swapped the explorer rear leaf springs and some xj lift shackles. It’s around a 3in lift. I also swapped in the 8.8 which I went spring over. So that added some lift also.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

As long as that’s door harnesses then I can live with that… I just wasn’t sure if it was anything that’s going to effect it running… I’m going to be putting manual doors on it anyway so it’s not a huge deal … I have the perches and everything to do the 8.8 swap I just have to pull the rear axle from the donor. I have a 96 with a 302 and has 3.73 limited slip. Just rebuilt and has all new brakes!

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Small update if anyone was curious…. Been a little preoccupied with my sons 97 b4000 (nightmare) but now I think that one is about tied up.
As for the bronco, got the front dress on and also got the dash and steering column in from the Navajo… I do have a silly question for anyone with first hand experience/knowledge…. Got the dash in and on the driver side there are 2 rectangular plugs that’s are black and gray…. Assuming that’s doors or something I won’t be using? I’m not sure…. Also not 100% sure where the plug for the blower motor is? I used the wiring harness and radiator support harness from the 92 Navajo and I don’t see the plug for the blower motor? Maybe I’m over looking it? Trying to get this thing on the road to running/driving….. life has me taking my sweet time with this thing lol