Prerunners B II under construction (finally!)

[prerunner]

I've reached the point where I'd better start documenting building that 1990 Bronco II thats been my lawn ornament for a few months.

This thing has been built by Craigslist, btw. Yesterday I scored a '96 Exploder with 201,000 km on it for $500. Its triple green in ugly but runs well so the 4.0 will replace my current 2.9. The BII was a $500 bill come to think of it. Add that to some other collected parts and now: Its on.

Pause while figure out how to load pix (they'll still suck though).

 

[prerunner]

What I'm starting with: $500 worth of happy.

The dent that that came with it....

The "organ donor":

 

[prerunner]

Lets not forget the lovely red 'whorehouse' interior in this thing.

Too bad the Exploder has an even more attractive green interior. I would like to swap the dash though...

 

[prerunner]

The plan for now is to swap as much of the Explorer guts as possible into the Bronco. Not just the 4.0 but the 4R55E trans, computer, steering column (mines busted) and maybe the dash too. I'll change the seats, console and maybe the rear springs (though, I found a lift on Craigslist too!)
I'm fortunate that my B II was built with the Dana 35 so no worries about swapping the front axle, just as well as the '96 doesn't have one. lol
I have an 8.8 from a '95 Exploder with the perches and shock mounts already modified. In the long run, I'd like to change the truck to a 5 on 5 1/2 pattern. Pretty sure it can be done.

The Exploder has "Control Trac" whatever that is. The Bronco has an electric shift T-case and I've picked up a manual shift T-case that might be missing some shifter parts. Not sure which to use yet. The Control Trac T-case might go in there by default because its hooked to the 4R55E trans. If its too strange I'll swap it out though.

Its a long weekend. Time to turn wrenches.

 

[prerunner]

Just for the record, I don't work for Craigslist. LMAO.

 

[prerunner]

Picked up the '96 Exploder tonight. Tranny is acting up, seems to go into neutral while upshifting. RPM's spike about a 1000 up, depending how hard I'm on it. Does anybody know what this problem is?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Doing a little research on TRS and it kind of sounds like the infamous 'leaking valve body gasket' in the 4R55E. Can't say I'm looking forward to it, but not something I can't do.

 

[prerunner]

I can't say I'm proud of my progress. I keep getting sidetracked and when I do find time to work on it I find my tool collection lacking things like metric sockets, wrenches and I don't have any Torx at all for the driveshafts.
I'll hit the local Cambodian Tire tomorrow for a few tools.

The Exploder engine compartment is very different from the Bronco II. But I like what I see in there. The rad is huge compared to the one in the B-II, I hope its the one to use. lol
I've also decided not to try to put the whole Exploder wiring harness and dash in this thing. I want it as simple as possible so I'll hit the JY for a '90 - '92 4.0 Ranger or '91 - 94 Exploder engine compartment wiring harness. Hopefully the '96 computer will work with that harness. I think it will since a few guys have that harness on 4.0 SOHC swaps.

 

[Steiger Man]

Keep it up...post more progress pics.

 

[4.0B2]

subscribed...

i see you love that red interior as much as i do... lol

 

[prerunner]

subscribed...

i see you love that red interior as much as i do... lol

I feel your pain.

Too bad for me the parts Exploder has the equally hideous green interior. Terrible match for a red & silver truck.

 

[prerunner]

Keep it up...post more progress pics.

Thanks. More coming...

 

[prerunner]

Ok. Finally a little progress, got around 5 hours into it today. I'm not entirely sure what to pull and not to pull out of here so I'm being a bit conservative. Also unplugging everything - haven't cut one wire yet so it looks like a rats nest in there. I know this isn't plug-n-play but I'm trying to keep the splicing to a minimum.
Before (from yesterday):

 

[prerunner]

And tonight:

 

[prerunner]

Couple more:

 

[prerunner]

Its funny how after you get that much clutter off the engine it suddenly looks not much bigger than a Briggs & Stratton.