Picked up a cherry 89 BII XLT 2wd

[85crownHPP]

This is my 1st truck but my 4th Ford...
Got this off a customer at work who didnt feel like putting a radiator in it and dealing with the other small problems, so he offerent to trade it to me for a set or tires for his daughters nissan sentra.
Yoink!
No rust... the paint will shine up nice... so nice Im thinking of keeping it instead of doing the old fin n flip like planned...

I have plenty of noob questions like do the valve cover gaskets really take 3 hours to change??? (2.9) and Im getting a little low speed/low rpm growling out of the drivtrain somewhere... anything common regarding that??
I'll have more questions in the proper place to come...

My two crown victorias have been fun to tinker with... upgrading them with OEM goodies like police suspention parts, lincoln towncar things, and various electronic mojo...

the 85
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/764698

the 91
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2563336


Pete

 

[TwoWhels]

Very nice, Not many 2WD Bll"s out there.
Fix it and keep it.

 

[compleckz]

usually i hate red interior, but that looks pretty cool!

 

[Jspafford]

That can be converted into a very capable 4x4 for very little money. It is all a direct bolt in swap too..

Something to think about.

 

[compleckz]

That can be converted into a very capable 4x4 for very little money. It is all a direct bolt in swap too..

Something to think about.

so 2wd rangers are not bolt on swappable to 4wd, but b2's are?

 

[Jspafford]

so 2wd rangers are not bolt on swappable to 4wd, but b2's are?

Correct. A 2WD bronco II all you need is the transfer case, front driveshaft, and complete axle beams to make it work.

It will bolt right in, now Rangers front crossmembers are not compatable like the B2.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome aboard. Keep it; the gods have smiled upon you.

If you haven't put that radiator in yet, look at the early Explorer radiator. Went that route on my '90 B2; about the same cost, it's practically a bolt-in, and much better cooling capacity.

Nice Vics, too.

 

[XLTbeater]

It's nice to see a familiar face mang. You know me as Packman from grandmarq.net. I can't wait to see what you got planned for that Bronco II. I have the same low speed growl from my Ranger as well.


XLTbeater

 

[85crownHPP]

small world!

thanks for the compliments... I wish i had known about the explorer radiator earlier... Im all about an OEM upgrade. The one for the truck was already ordered, looking at me saying "install meeee" while the BII said "save meeee"... it would have either been donated to charity and most likely sold at auction and scrapped, or wound up in the hands of my co-worker who would have pulled the motor for his own bidding and scrapped the shell... he actually feels I took it out from under him and got pissed as hell... evidently his laughing and walking out at the guys asking price and comment "I just got one for free a week ago.." really meant he was just trying to lowball the guy... I even offered the truck to him after for the tire deal, but no he wants to stay mad at me...
anywho... the steamy oil fumes almost killed me while flushing the coolant, so the valve cover gaskets will be next, then shocks and road time.

A 4x4 swap sounds fun but I have a big brake swap and semi HO swap the 85 is waiting patiently for...

 

[RobbieD]

Ah! Don't sweat it; she'll like a direct replacement radiator just as good, and it's a done deal anyway. I think it's just great that you ended up with with this poor 'lil homeless BII. And, I think that you'll have a ton of fun just driving it. Those are nice Cee-Vickeys that you have, honest to goodness, but I think you'll get a nut on how nimble that BII is after being used to the serious cruisin' iron. The BII's got what, about half the wheel base? Even though it's 2WD, you'll enjoy it!

 

[85crownHPP]

by nimble you mean on non-road surfaces yes???
Ive been wanting to drive it around the backyard though Ive seen 2wd explorers get stuck on wet grass so Ive been hesitant. As far as I can tell its got an open 3.73 rear...

 

[85crownHPP]

been driving her more lately, she is quite nimble. Im loving the turning radius too.
Just took her on a 6 hour trip - got 22mpg doing 70 most of the way.

 

[mhughes165]

one of my personal qualms with the bII's are the size of the stock tires...same as the fullsize bronco's....the stock tires are just to small for the truck, upgrade to some bigger rubber and itll handle ALOT better aswell, dont have to lift it just wider then OEM for the sake of safety and looks

 

[Rangerlvl2]

Wow nice trade, and looks to be in good over all shape.

 

[85crownHPP]

thanks! it been a pleasure both the drive and to work on... and yes the tires are much to skinny... once I find the wheels I want for the 85 crown vic, the 16x7 black steelies will go on this with some 235/65/16 treads they are currently 205/75/15