interchangable panels?

[2ruble]

I've been searching here and broncoiicorral; I recently purchased an 89 BII a little over one month ago and have completed some neglected maintenance (oil, IAC, IAT sensor, motor mounts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, brakes, etc). I have the opportunity to pick up an 88 b2 and was wondering about the front body panels and doors. I know that the front end is different so I was wondering if anybody can tell me if I get this 88 can I take the fenders, hood, bumper, lights, grill, etc off of one and bolt it up to the other? OR, is there fabrication required for any of that?

Basically the question is can I swap everything from the doors forward between an 88 and 89? I like the front end of an 88 better and the doors on mine could be better, lol.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

IIRC there is a difference between the core support between the years. But it is as simple as using a drill bit meant for spot welds and drilling out the welds and re-attaching with sheet metal screws or small bolts. I don't remember exactly how many spot welds there are but about 30 per side. You can detach either at the front of the fender to core support or at the fender to cab. Either way you will have to remove the fenders and if at the cab, the doors too.

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[2ruble]

So, just for reference, you're stating that if you recall correctly, everything should bolt up accordingly with the exception of how the core supports were designed between the years? So I would need to swap those as well to be able to change out the front panels?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Correct. IIRC There is a difference in how the lights and grill mount.

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[2ruble]

if its just the lights and grill, could they be made to fit? or is swapping the core support the best bet? and thank you for your help thus far. The one I'm looking at also has a hinged lift gate window and I read earlier about swapping the throttle body from the 2.8 for the 2.9 for a little boost in power (not likely a lot, hah). At least until I can muster up money for an explorer to swap all that, lol

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

IIRC, to get the 1983-88 style front end on the 1989-90 you have to change the radiator support (and all the stuff that attaches to it like headlights and grill), change the hood and the fenders. Really not a terribly hard swap, just a bit of work.

Swapping hatches isn't hard to get the hinged window (although you lose the rear wiper). The hardest part is dealing with the weight of the hatches (you'll want a friend or two).

Throttle body swap. You want one from a 2.9L with EGR. I want to say that was around the 1986 vintage. It doesn't add a lot of power, but it does make the 2.9 a bit more responsive. If you really want to help the 2.9 out for power...

1) Bigger throttle body
2) Port (gasket match) the intakes and heads. Note that I don't say polish.
3) Free-floating rocker arm assemblies (machine shop work)
4) headers and a custom exhaust
You'll also want to do a 4.0 radiator swap and 180 degree thermostat


Of course, all that said, since you have a 1989, a 4.0L swap is relatively easy and provides a nice step up in power...


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[2ruble]

Regarding the hatch, the one I'm looking at is an 87 (not 88, my bad) and the bottom of the hatch is broken - I should be able to swap it over with a little fab though right?

Regarding the 4.0 swap, I've been looking at the write ups and reading about the motors and was looking at trying to get like a 97 explorer to get the SOHC 4.0 along with the axles and rear discs all in one sitting. My question is there an issue with using that? Or is it the same "easy" swap as a 91-94 4.0?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Hatches swap between all years of Bronco IIs with no real fab to the best of my knowledge.

I want to say that all of the SOHC motors used the PATS anti-theft, so no, it would not be an easy swap. You would either have to find a way to bypass the anti-theft or you would have to find a way to add the anti-theft to your truck. Neither would be particularly easy. Not to mention, the SOHC had problems with the timing chain tensioners up until 2005.

91-94 4.0 swaps only require a few spliced wires to work.


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[2ruble]

Gotchaaaaa.... so, in summary, a little effort to it but gen1 front end can be transferred to a gen2, hatches and doors are all interchangeable. Regarding the 4.0 it would be best to get a 91-94 explorer for that motor due to the ease of the swap. I should go ahead and grab the front end off that right? Because that should be a D35 shouldn't it? And then just source a 95+ explorer for the 8.8 and disc brakes?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Gotchaaaaa.... so, in summary, a little effort to it but gen1 front end can be transferred to a gen2, hatches and doors are all interchangeable. Regarding the 4.0 it would be best to get a 91-94 explorer for that motor due to the ease of the swap. I should go ahead and grab the front end off that right? Because that should be a D35 shouldn't it? And then just source a 95+ explorer for the 8.8 and disc brakes?

You got it.

All 4.0L Rangers and Explorers with the TTB had the D-35 front end. 95+ Explorers all had the disk 8.8, the front was an IFS 35.


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[2ruble]

Cooool. Thanks for the help! A follow up to the motor and front axle (mainly about buying as much in one swoop, lol), I currently have a manual and would honestly like to keep it a manual. Might it be easier to find a 4.0 manual ranger donor and then take 4.0, d35 and trans? And then when I find a rear end, I can put all in truck "at once" and then I guess figure out t case and driveshaft?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yea, look for a 1990 to early 1993 Ranger (I know, that's into the third gens, but I've seen early ones with second gen dashes). Those would be the easiest for wiring, but anything up to 1997 should be do-able.

Transfer case you can use yours or the one from the Ranger. Or the Explorer one. Rangers, Bronco IIs and Explorers all used Borg Werner BW-1350, BW-1350e, BW-1354, and BW-1354e transfer cases. The e signifies it is an electric t-case and the 1354 was a little more robust, but they all work.

When I put my 1989 Bronco II choptop together, I pieced it. 4.0 from an Explorer, wiring harness from a Ranger, used the FM-146 manual that was in the BII (no telling how long it will last), BW-1350 t-case, D-35 (plated and custom long arms), and a 7.5" from another BII. It's sitting on 35s with 4.10 gears right now. I used stock driveshafts, the rear is a u-joint shaft, not CV.

I do have a disk 8.8" that will go in at some point. Mostly because I want a disk rear. The 7.5 has held up well.


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[2ruble]

Awesome, thanks for all that. You've been a huge help! I'll probably be hitting you up again at some point, lol

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Haha, not a problem! I would say to try and get a manual transmission from behind a 4.0 for your project if you can. I'll answer any questions I can. Really miss being able to wrench on my stuff right now, but I should be back to it before too long.


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[2ruble]

There's a pretty clean 93 4.0 manual ranger going to auction in a few days; it says it has mechanical issues. I intend to essentially have the motor rebuilt when it gets pulled so that's not a huge concern. My question regarding that is you mentioned a 93 (only reason I searched up to that year, lol) and mentioned that you've seen it done. Is there anything you think would be an issue? Or should it be pretty simple splicing like you were saying before? Do you think?

Also, this ranger is only 2wd, does that make it non usable? Or would I just have to source and oil pan and pick up or something to make it work?