my Bronco

[bulldawg1081]

I figured I'd post a picture of my little Bronco,I actually just traded an old dirt bike straight across for it, its in surprisingly good shape however it was very poorly maintenanced, the oil was the dirtiest I've ever seen, the radius arm bushings were non existent and a few other odds and ends. Its got cold air the cruise works well the interior is clean and in good shape and the body has zero rust, I've since fixed all the problems and now I'm ready to play with it,I want it stock looking with a small lift and 31 inch tires with 8 inch rims,I'd like to repaint it the original color or just solid maroon and go with a billet grille. I want it more or less to look new, no chopping or hacking or making some kind of river buggy out of it like most people I've seen do with theirs(it's bad around this area with the river), you don't see many of these anymore.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sounds interesting, but I don't see any pics.

Richard

 

[bulldawg1081]

I had to figure the picture posting thing out but it's there now

 

[wildbill23c]

Nice trade. I really like my bronco 2 even though mine isn't anywhere near that good of shape.

 

[bulldawg1081]

It just takes time and patience, depending on what you're wanting to do with yours I bet you make a transformation on yours really easily depending on the parts availability whet you live...I run across all kinds of parts all the time especially sheet metal,I might could help you find something

 

[bulldawg1081]

Has anyone ever saw any rims like I have on this thing?I think they are ugly as all get out but I don't know if they are factory or not, they have the bolt holes for the center caps but I've never seen rims like these before

 

[wildbill23c]

I see them occasionally but they're not very common, those actually look like they're 14 inch wheels. Your B2 is 4WD so the 14" wheels on it should actually be 15". Wonder who changed those out. At least your wheels match LOL, mine are all mismatched and the tires are crap, course my largest issue other than tires is getting the rear main seal replaced, and tackling all the rust problems.

As for the tires the 31's will fit with some slight rubbing if I remember correctly without adding a mild lift.

 

[B2 Addict]

Looks like a good score, especially w/cold air!! Good luck with the resto and keep us updated... By the way, those wheels look like the ones that were stock on my '84 Ranger 2wd.


B2

 

[wildbill23c]

Looks like a good score, especially w/cold air!! Good luck with the resto and keep us updated... By the way, those wheels look like the ones that were stock on my '84 Ranger 2wd.


B2

Kind of reminds me of the ones on mine as well. Those are definitely not the correct size wheels for the 4WD models that's for sure. Wonder how far off the speedometer is with those smaller wheels.

 

[bulldawg1081]

They are 15 inch rims I just put 2 new tires of the rear this weekend just to get by until I put 31's on it, they are 215/75/15's...do you think it would sit level if I put explorer leaf springs on the back and f150 coils on the front? It would be nice to lift it 2 or 3 inches without having to spend a ton of money

 

[Lil-Pony]

New tires on the front always. Also those are stock spare rims. Had the same rim on the back of mine till i got rid of the swing arm, broke to many hatches

 

[Spede Demn]

Nice lookin B2,

31s will rub on the forward edge of the front fender when you turn, and they also require regearing, I put on stock 15x7 Ranger rims(deerfoot) with the original 31s but took them off after a week, truck was guttless at highway speeds, I put 235/75/15s on the same ranger rims and I like these, still noticablly less torque than the oem 215s at highway speeds but not too bad. I still needed 1/4" spacer plates behind the rims or wheel weights didnt clear the tie rod ends.

 

[bulldawg1081]

You got a sharp looking little Bronco,I like the front clip on the older ones like yours better than mine but I guess we can't have it all right? As for the rubbing I wonder with after market rims with some offset if that would fix some of the rubbing? Because factory rims suck the tires in too far

 

[Spede Demn]

I doubt wider offset rims will help, it would only change the spot where the tire rubs, a lift would help on level ground but it would still be able to rub off road unless you cut the fenders out. Plus I didnt like how it drove with 31s, it tended to wander a bit in between the ruts of the highway, but with the 235s it tracks nice and straight. 31s will also put more stress on the steering linkage so that would need to be beefed up, and then the gears, even tho my motor is good and strong it really was lacking torque above 50mph, no power to pass anything.

I tried it, didnt like it, and dont care to spend the money I think is needed to make the 31s work, if your gonna do the work then do it first, then put the 31s on, but IMO... 31s simply do not work well on a stock B2. 235s work quite well tho, I live on a farm and drive in fields or pastures often, I hunt with it, and I drive 30k highway to work daily, it works well enough for what I need.

 

[bobbywalter]

for a cost effective upgrade i would run a 150 setup....some well worn 150 springs with 150 arms and relocated stock radius arm brackets with adjustable bushings. a long add a leaf and shackles out back with over axle traction chains.

when money allows bolt in a d35.


would be pretty good like that and likely under 300 bux to do it all yourself with junkyard parts and some trips to the hardware store.