mn_smokeater's Bronco II resurrection Build

[mn_smokeater]

Since i have Da Beast back i want to work on making it a better running and more modern functioning. This will be a slow build up as it will take time to get the funds and the parts and of course the skills needed to make it all work.

one big thing in the bringing it to the moden times is of course the Engine Swap but that will be a big thing as i need to change alot of things to make it work.
I plan on running the 2.8 until it dies or is near death. i did want to do a TBI on the 2.8 but if i do the Swap im not sure if its worth it. Another thing is what engine, the 4.0 is the best candite as its the top of the tree in stock engines in RBVs V8s notwithstanding. im going to see if i can find a fellow member whos doing a V8 swap and wont be needing the pulled engine/tranny so that could net me a 4.0 or a 3.0.

im going to loose the dash interments and replace them with the aftermarket gauges in the place of the old ones set into a metal plate. or perhaps a dash swap.

im going to add more to this as i pull together the plans and thoughts. so stay tuned.

 

[4x4b2]

you know the rule, where are the pics?

 

[Grey_04]

 

[mn_smokeater]

you know the rule, where are the pics?

yeah i slacked off lol

 

[adsm08]

YAY!!! Build thread!!! YAY!!!


I have a brushed aluminum dash fascia for the 83 to 85 RBVs if you want. It's in perfect shape.

 

[mn_smokeater]

YAY!!! Build thread!!! YAY!!!


I have a brushed aluminum dash fascia for the 83 to 85 RBVs if you want. It's in perfect shape.

thats exactly what iv been wanting for a look silver dash and red backlit gauges with a red lighted cd player to match the outside that wil go red and silver.

whats it look like actually i forget

 

[disciplerocks]

Subscribed. I found me a brushed aluminum face plate for 89-92 RBVs at the u-pull the other day for $1.

 

[adsm08]

thats exactly what iv been wanting for a look silver dash and red backlit gauges with a red lighted cd player to match the outside that wil go red and silver.

whats it look like actually i forget

Here is the one I have:

The only problem I can think of with red backlighting is that the gauge faces are actually tinted blue. The blue tint plus the yellowish light from the incandescent bulbs makes the gauges look green. That means putting red bulbs in your cluster will give you something closer to purple.

 

[mn_smokeater]

will the muiltgauges work with the 4.0?

 

[adsm08]

will the muiltgauges work with the 4.0?

The dual head setups work with the 4.0 with a few flies in the ointment. The fuel gauges operate in different ohm ranges, and the tach won't read right if you have one.

The fuel gauge can be worked around by putting a 4.0 pump on a 2.9 sender. The tach is just an issue. I'm not aware of any way to make it work right with the factory unit. Far as I know, they just stay pegged all the time.

 

[jhammel85]

Sub'd!

Getting one of those bezels is the best thing you can do. I replaced my brown "woodgrain" one with the aluminum one I got from Mclaren.

Good luck w/ the build!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

good luck with the build smoke!
that silver dash will look really nice there.

 

[mn_smokeater]

is there a idiots guide to 4.0s?

 

[dangerranger83]

I will say the TBI swap put me to the test, did get it to work but just didnt have enough time to tune it using the 3.8 computer and harness etup, though it is do-able. I tried restricting the flow of fuel but didnt get to in-depth on it but had an idea that may have worked but never got to testing it. Buit people that have done it have used a 2.9 harness and computer along with the emissions things and have got it to work nicely. Just hook the wires together and to the injectors, since the 2.9 is batch fire, and the 3.8 injectors are the same way, hooked to one and another. I had 8mpg at best with my setup, nice power until you put your foot down on the skinny pedal and then you chugged and looked like a diesel going down the road.

 

[mn_smokeater]

is there a aftermarket tach that will fit into the spot where the oem tach goes?