Gil's b2 build

[Gilbee01]

So I have an 89 B2 Eddie Bauer with 2.9 auto with all the little extras . What I would like us everyone's expertise. Gonna do a "Rico " chop ( look for his build). Smash in a 4.0 from explorer and put in a rough country lift. If any one has advice tips or comments throw them on here. I will have pics on today for "day 1 " pics. I have owned 2 other b2 before this one but one father sold when I was on MOB and other was sold because of starting a family. Git this one just over a year ago and I want to keep it. So gonna make mine.


-gil-

 

[Gilbee01]

-gil-

 

[4.0B2]

IF you have the patience and time... piece your front lift together instead of using the RC kit. IF you're doing the d35 swap you'll have to have different axle pivot bracket instead of the drop plate anyway... but the TTB lift coils leave a lot to be desired, they are stiff.

 

[Gilbee01]

Are you talking about using the F150 suspension on the B2? I think I read that in a form somewhere .


-gil-

 

[Surrey]

The RC lift kit uses a plate to lower one axle, rather than a whole new bracket. If you upgrade to a d35 front axle, that plate will smash a hole in the pumpkin. The springs that come with it are also crappy. You are better off to look for used skyjacker parts.

Thats a nice looking truck... Looks kinda like mine.
Or exactly like mine haha

edit - I was going to choptop mine, but the body is in such nice shape I dont even wanna trim the fenders on it yet. Gotta get it smashed up offroad some first. Im thinking whenever I blow one of the back-side windows is when I start thinking chop top now...

 

[Gilbee01]

Ok so I have been told that I shouldn't chop the top. Here are the pics of the interior:

-gil-

 

[Gilbee01]

-gil-

 

[MeanMark87]

That's a pretty clean interior. I'm not a fan of chopped tops on BII's. Just not my thing.

I like the second gen interiors a lot. I've got an EB myself and while I like the pine-tree pattern I dig those '89 seats a lot too. I've got 2nd gen doors on mine and the interior trim doesn't match up color-wise to the rest of my interior... so I salivate looking at your tan door trim panels, lol.

 

[Gilbee01]

None of the doors or dash has cracks. The only thing that really needs to be changed is the center console . ( so drool). And the button on the seats is a lumbar adjustment built into the seat.


-gil-

 

[Surrey]

I wish I had a cargo cover like that!

Chopping the top is really a personal thing between you and your truck.
Nobody can really tell you whether or not to do it, and if thats what you really wanna do, then go for it. There are some obvious downsides to it though. Reduced structural integrity and losing use of your back seat are two that come to mind real quick, but depending on use of the vehicle these are both negligible.

Bottom line, its your truck, do what you want to it.

 

[Gilbee01]

Pics if the engine as requested. Gonna pull and sell if anyone wants anything.

-gil-

 

[MeanMark87]

Damn man I wish I could just take that whole engine.....

Mine's rusty

 

[GentleRF]

Mark,

Yours may be rusty, but mines tired.

Rick in East Bremerton

 

[RICO9]

I like it. It looks like a good platform to start with!

 

[CurtisP87]

I would say if you're gonna put a 4.0 in there, might as well do the axle swap too...if the trucks been ran hard enough for the motor to be tired, the axles probably aren't in much better shape. I wouldn't trust em to run with a fresh 4.0 for very long.

Donor exploders are pretty easy to come by, if you shop around you can get motor, trans, and both axles all in one stop.


P.S. - jealous of that interior