Bronco II body removal?

[rusty ol ranger]

Couple questions...

How hard is it to remove the body from the B2 frame? Obviously i know you have to unhook steering, wiring, etc. But is it as daunting as it seems?

Secondly....how big of a pain would it be to use a carburated body with an EFI running gear? Or do the 2.8 trucks have a hole already in the right spot for a ECM harness?

And last but not least if one was to get an auto rig to swap onto a frame with a manual trans whats involved in swapping pedal assemblys?

 

[fastpakr]

I can only speak to the EEC wiring question - there should be the appropriate pass through for that already since the 2.8 ran EEC-IV to handle the ignition, feedback carb, etc.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I can only speak to the EEC wiring question - there should be the appropriate pass through for that already since the 2.8 ran EEC-IV to handle the ignition, feedback carb, etc.

Kinda figured that was the case but wasnt sure if it was in the same spot as a 2.9

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Stay within the same generation obviously

If you are going to junk the old body things get a lot easier to remove...

If the new body has a good title it would probably be easier to powertrain swap than body swap.

If you can beg/borrow/steal a two post lift your life will be a lot easier.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

@holyford86 , anything to add?

I never fully removed the body. My 88 I was removing body mounts and working on fixing stuff when things got sidetracked. My 89 Choptop I jacked up one side at a time to do body mounts and a body lift. Without the rear glass or top over the rear it was pretty light relatively speaking.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have a vague memory of moving a body onto a frame using an engine hoist thru the back door. Doors removed. The body was bare. This was about 20 years ago so the details are vague. I think I used a ratchet strap across the front door openings, not sure exactly where I hooked to. Then ran a short strap from the rear up the the hoist hook. So basically hooked at 3 points.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Stay within the same generation obviously

If you are going to junk the old body things get a lot easier to remove...

If the new body has a good title it would probably be easier to powertrain swap than body swap.

If you can beg/borrow/steal a two post lift your life will be a lot easier.

The reason im not considering doing powertrain swap is because mine drives and runs and shifts excellent. Its just the body thats shot. I feel like i would eventually end up swapping motors, tranny, axles, etc...seemed eaiser to do the body...not to mention all the running gear and engine stuff ive done on mine.

Im going to attempt to fix it again....but im not so sure. Both drivers side body perches are basically gone, the floor by the seatbelt is gone, the door wont even shut cause the post is so rotted....ill pry eventually start a thread on that too.

I have a vague memory of moving a body onto a frame using an engine hoist thru the back door. Doors removed. The body was bare. This was about 20 years ago so the details are vague. I think I used a ratchet strap across the front door openings, not sure exactly where I hooked to. Then ran a short strap from the rear up the the hoist hook. So basically hooked at 3 points.

I was thinking about running straps through the wheelwells and bringing them up to a central point...then maybe renting a bobcat and some forks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The reason im not considering doing powertrain swap is because mine drives and runs and shifts excellent. Its just the body thats shot. I feel like i would eventually end up swapping motors, tranny, axles, etc...seemed eaiser to do the body...not to mention all the running gear and engine stuff ive done on mine.

To me... I would rather do that than swap a SUV body.

It is all plug and play mechanically, swapping parts would be pretty easy. The wiring will be a PITA but there is no finer person I would wish that on.

A pickup cab would be much easier to swap.

You could just swap on a Ranger cab and build a little flat bed

 

[rusty ol ranger]

To me... I would rather do that than swap a SUV body.

It is all plug and play mechanically, swapping parts would be pretty easy. The wiring will be a PITA but there is no finer person I would wish that on.

A pickup cab would be much easier to swap.

You could just swap on a Ranger cab and build a little flat bed

I kinda like the SUV thing though. Plus its handy to toss the dogs in...keeps my wifes fusion alot cleaner lol.


I talked to the guy who welded in the rear sill...showed him a few pics...hes confident he can fix it. So i think ill give him a whirl at it. He did an awesome job on the back end. Itll just sit there for a year before he gets around to it lol

 

[bobbywalter]

its easy.

done alot of them with cherry pickers.


just take your junk to my house and do it there....i have two post lifts and shit and if you time it when i am there it will be even easier...

but young bob is getting pretty good

 

[bobbywalter]

but that fuggin gremlin will probably want money.....i will work for food.