bronco II parts car questions

[ranger1911]

I have a '85 ranger v6 4x4 and have been looking for a bronco II with the vent windows, and i stumbled upon a 84 bronco II that fit the bill (450 bucks). Figures I would find a parts car that runs better than my truck, haha!

After getting the bronco home and checking it out, it has:
class 3 trailer hitch
square steel front bumper (perfect for winch)
30" tires with about 80% tread (with full size spare)
brand new radiator (i think it's a double core?? It's like 3 times as thick as the radiator on my ranger).
New bilstein shocks on the front.
new muffler (no cat, sounds good, but it's all welded instead of flanged)

I think i got a hell of a deal Will post pics tomorrow probably.


Here's where I need a bit of guidance; I'm a parts car newbie, haven't ever bought a parts car before. Just look for all the parts that are in better shape and put them on the ranger, right? Anything specific to look for? Are certain parts low cost to rebuild?

already planning on switching the following from bronco to ranger:
doors (vent windows + better mirrors)
rear leaf springs (driver rear on ranger is collapsed)
front / rear bumpers
radiator
trailer hitch
gauge cluster + dash pieces
cruise control, power lumbar bucket seats

As far as the drivetrain goes, are the axles / 4wd pieces all the same? I think the ranger has a longer driveshaft since it's a longbed but i havent gotten under to measure for sure.

After I got all the parts I need I will part out the rest and what doesn't sell will get torched into pieces and sold for scrap.

**edit** I figured it would be better to post this in the ranger forum since my project is the ranger. if not, move it **/edit**

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If it was me, I'd keep the BII if it's in that good of shape, lol.

You might run into issues swapping the rear bumper and hitch, IIRC the back of the Ranger frame rails are a lil wider than a BII, but I could be mistaken.

Drivetrain is the same except for the driveshafts for those year trucks. If the BII has a U-joint rear driveshaft, save it! They're a good find and plenty of BII owners (myself included) keep an eye out for them (the rest of the BIIs had this rear CV driveshaft that has big tulip looking things on each end... and is prone to failure...)

 

[ranger1911]

I li ke the BII but i like having a truck bed way more than 2 extra seats

There is another BII for sale here for cheap but I have to sell a vehicle first, 4 is too many LOL (89 honda crx si, 94 dodge ram van, 85 ranger 84 BII)

Here's some pictures, including some of the driveshaft:

 

[idriveafordranger94]

I'd be a little skeptical about swapping the BII leaf springs into your Ranger. I think the BII ones aren't as heavy duty as the Ranger ones. I'm not 100% sure though.

 

[ranger1911]

The BII has a 5 leaf, and the rangers got a 4 leaf setup... I haven't checked to see which is thicker. If nothing else I might try to repack the leaf springs some from each. That is definitly something i could use more advice on

 

[adsm08]

If it was me, I'd keep the BII if it's in that good of shape, lol.

You might run into issues swapping the rear bumper and hitch, IIRC the back of the Ranger frame rails are a lil wider than a BII, but I could be mistaken.

Drivetrain is the same except for the driveshafts for those year trucks. If the BII has a U-joint rear driveshaft, save it! They're a good find and plenty of BII owners (myself included) keep an eye out for them (the rest of the BIIs had this rear CV driveshaft that has big tulip looking things on each end... and is prone to failure...)

I thought the B2 frame was the wider one. Either way, I know for a fact that you are right about the frames being different widths.

 

[country0001]

Don't kill the BII. It don't look like its in that bad of shape.

 

[straycat]

Man, I would keep that Bronco2!! Not much work needed there with the body. If the interior is in good shape or it needs to have the seats recovered just swap them out for some nice racing seats and enjoy that Bronco2. You could even cut out the back section (along the side and rear glass) and I have seen soft tops to make it into a custom. Add a roll bar and take it to places it is screaming to go!!!

Good luck
Straycat

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The BII has a 5 leaf, and the rangers got a 4 leaf setup... I haven't checked to see which is thicker. If nothing else I might try to repack the leaf springs some from each. That is definitly something i could use more advice on

BIIs got a thin 5-leaf soft pack with no overload. They are notorious for often taking a shape resembling an M eventually. If you want to rebuild a pack or strengthen a pack, use Explorer leafs.

I'd ditch the dodge van an take the BII, lol.

That is the better driveshaft.

 

[ranger1911]

I took off the front bumper from the ranger and put it on the bronco, they will interchange and all the bolt holes match up.

The bronco is in pretty good shape but a truck is much more useful to me, thus the bronco will be parted out. I'll post eventually with some pictures of what's left and then anyone will be free to rescue the remains (rust-free remains at that).

Got the steering knuckles off the ranger and sandblasted em, and I want to paint them black. Any suggestions on what type of spray paint to use?

 

[adsm08]

Where are you. If its close enough I'll take that B2 off your hands, whole thing, $500. Just put the ranger parts on it so I can drive it home.

 

[ranger1911]

I'm in southern arizona. I'll keep that in mind and let you know when I'm done with it.

 

[adsm08]

That's too far.

I'm in Northern PA. That is literally across the country. I'd have driven as far as Ohio, but Arizona is a bit far.

 

[B2 Addict]

Don't kill the BII. It don't look like its in that bad of shape.

+ infinity!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTH?!?!?!?!? Part out a B2 that is in that kind of shape?!?!?!?

----

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, at least try to sell it. Even with mis-matched doors and the bumpers from the ranger, you can probably get at least your money back.

These things are getting rare and I want one so bad, but I just can't find one that is worth it. A guy up the street from my parents has had his up for sale for a year and half now, its an 87, 2.9L, he had a plow on it (a big detractor for me) but I would still snap it up in a heart beat... if he didn't want $2900 for it!!! Won't budge on the price either, so it just sits there with that $2900 sign in the window until the snow comes, then the plow goes back on until spring comes 'round again.