Craig's Bronco ll build

[Craig_S]

I have two Bronco lls, a 88 and 89. I always wanted one and finally found a really nice basically rust free 88 Eddie Bauer in VA a couple years ago. It needed paint and unbeknownst to me, when I took it to a local painter, my dad talked to him, agreed to pay for the job, and had him put the most beautiful paint job on it I've ever seen. Unfortunately, that nixed any off roading plans for it forever.

So now I'm working on a rusty $100 89 XLT doing a custom build (changing to 84-88 front, V8, lift, solid axle swap, 8.8 rear, etc.). Should've built the 88 but I have to do everything the hard way...

So I got this thing home last winter and didn't touch it until later this year. For an ex plow vehicle it wasn't nearly as bad as it could or should be. I wish I could keep the bench seat but the hinge on the door side is rusted really bad and I need to fix the floor anyway. My plan is to cut a lot of the floor out of the Explorer and use it and the bucket seats / console too since they will bolt right in after I do the swap. Thoughts? Oh, I didn't mention the Explorer yet...

I recently got a nearly free, very well maintained 97 5.0 Explorer. I'll be using it for the engine brackets, ps pump, 8.8 rear, and possibly a bunch of other stuff. Already have a 90 Mustang 5.0 engine with only 4k miles from new (bought it in 94 for a Fairlane project and never used it) so I haven't decided which engine to use yet. Also undecided on the transmission. I do have an early Bronco D20 transfer case though.

 

[Craig_S]

Recent progress on the B2:

Drivetrain and interior are out. I want to get the gas tank out and swap rear ends with the Explorer so that's done. The more I get off the Explorer the sooner it can leave.

I tell you what, this really sucked. They jammed that engine in there and it isn't fun getting it out. Just pulling the heads in a junkyard would be a pita!

So now I have 2 completely destroyed SUVs. I'm trying to completely strip the Explorer to get rid of it, then I'll get on to strip the front suspension out of the Bronco.

 

[Craig_S]

Almost forgot. I picked up a 78-79 full size Bronco front axle. This is a high pinion Dana 44. It will need narrowed and gone through but since I found it at a buddy's junkyard I snagged it.

 

[ecgreen]

 

[gaz]

Nice looking XLS ..)

 

[BlackBII]

Cool! I had a blue one with those same stripes.

Can't wait to see progress!

 

[Craig_S]

Nice looking XLS ..)

Thanks. It's actually an XLT with a sport body package. I have the window sticker and when I remember I'll post a picture.

 

[gaz]

I thought that the sport body package was know as XLS. It is the back of the front fender wells, rocker panel and leading section of the rear fender wells .

 

[Craig_S]

Pulled the 7.5 out of the B2 today. Most of the hardware on the Explorer's 8.8 was loosened when I had it on the lift so I'm hoping it comes out quick. Gotta do that part in the driveway and it's COLD outside!

 

[Curious Hound]

and it's COLD outside!

I know. It was way down in the upper 50's when I mowed the lawn this afternoon.

 

[Craig_S]

Oh brother...don't get frostbite now! Here's what it looked like yesterday when my son and I were in the woods.

 

[ecgreen]

Wow...I am in NEw Hampshire and it is 45 degrees out. Weird world.

 

[Roert42]

Must be NW Pa, SE Pa is hardly getting below freezing at night.

 

[Craig_S]

Yeah we're a little north-ish of Pittsburgh. Up until Monday I was working in the driveway or the garage with the door open. Got up into the 50s every day. Came to a crashing halt Tuesday. My friends in Altoona barely got a dusting. Sure wish I had this Bronco done so we could've played in the snow!

 

[Craig_S]

Cool! I had a blue one with those same stripes.

Can't wait to see progress!

@BlackBII do you have any pictures of the blue B2 with these stripes? I haven't decided how to paint this yet but I am definitely a blue vehicle kind of guy.

Thanks