Recent Acquisition; my '3rd '89 Bronco II XLT

[retrorich77]

Overpaid a bit for this truck, but it was everything i wanted in a Bronco II.
It's in overall good shape, but the body needs lots of work. lotsa rust, that was attempted/half ass fixed. But the PO has put close to $2500 in parts & labor in the past year.
Will spare the entire list of parts/work. but lets just say it covers the entire front end, motor, clutch, fuel system, and suspension.

It does have a slight lifter tick, but it's nowhere near as loud once it warms up. Has a stock exhaust mainly, gutted cat, and thrush muffler, and PO's son put a CAI on it, does sound nice. but will be replaced.

matching size tires (215/75/15's FTW.

After driving it, I have noticed the clutch lets out rather high, It Grabs pretty good, and doesn't slip if you put it in 4th going like 15 and just give it gas.

Shifter is tight. All gears work good.
Transfer-Case Shifter and Hubs work good.

The body work is the kicker on this project. :/

Other than the bodywork, and the lifter tick I don't feel too bad about the price i paid, $1450. I've yet to come across a 5spd '89 and fewer still with all manual options (Trans/Windows/T-Case/Hubs/Locks).

Not great with bodywork, but have a few friends who are pretty good with it, so gonna get whatever i can't manage myself done by them.

More than likely keeping the Original Color, or something close. If Not, Either Rhino-Lining (or any other brand of that), or camouflage.

This is my 2nd Bronco II with a red Interior.

Been looking for another one for a long time. sold my previous one in august to buy a E36 318i, big mistake. Sold that to pay some bills and wait off the remainder of a License Suspension I've had since i was 16. Turning 21 in a few months. So It's been a while.

Plans aren't really huge with this. I don't hardcore wheel or anything. I go down tight hunting paths, and a few muddy trails near my house. and work for a Landscaping Business, Need to be able to pull a trailer and carry 2-3 more people. so this fit the ticket.

-Upgrade the tires to most likely 225 or 235/75's And mount them on some 97 Explorer Wheels,

and drive it. I'll most likely be doing the bodywork first, so it'll be solid by winter.

Well Onto the few pics i've gotten, which are from when I bought it.

On one plus side, it did come with just shy of 3/4 Tank of Fresh Gas.

my brother also acquired his '93 Ranger STX 5spd for a good deal on the same day too, 88k Original Miles; Confirmed by Carfax and Dealer PO's mother bought it new at.

Reccomendations for exhausts for the 2.9 V6? anyone make headers for an '89 2.9 with 4x4?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think you did OK if the mechanicals are as good as indicated. It'll be interesting to see what's under the old bodywork. Whats that on the bumper, a step? Is it stock/optional? Good luck on the bodywork,

Richard

 

[retrorich77]

Well it's what was supposed to be the PO's Idea of a Hitch, it has the small part of the reciever, chopped of the hitch, and welded onto the bottom of the bumper, the two little bar things, are i guess to give it strength, i'm taking it off, and replacing the bumper with another factory one that isn't goofed up like this one. and buy a Class III hitch for it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm talking about the black rubber{?} thing to the right of the hitch on the bumper.

Richard

 

[jhammel85]

Doesn't look bad at all! Well...except for the hitch

 

[djhitz]

Interesting hitch. Why you no like it, Jim? I'd like one too. I hope you have good, Explorer leafs to support, a tow/haul. That step is for the, external, spare tire in which he is need of a gate for one. Good B2 score!

 

[retrorich77]

I was actually planning on installing a used/new set of Explorer Coils/Leafs to give it a little more height and to help with the weight of a trailer.
I'll only be towing a small utility trailer with a mower, trimmer, and a leaf blower.

Anyone know where I can get patch panels? I really only need the lower quarter panels behind the doors, rockers, and a passengers door.

Am thinking about giving it a paint job, but not sure if I'm going to change the color or keep it Red.

Also thinking about tires/wheels. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna use 96-97 Explorer Wheels, but not sure what tires I can use if i use those wheels. I know I can fit 235/75's but was considering trying to squeeze 265/75's, 30's, or 31's. haven't decided yet.

Hoping to have the body work done by the end of the summer. We'll see what happens, and heres a few pics of my previous bronco II's.
both were '89 XLT's, both Automatic as well. my current one is my first 5spd Bronco II.

this is the 2nd.. had 94k on it when i bought it. my dad daily drove it for 2 years while I was serving my license suspension. Body rotted out, and I had to let it go. it was beyond saving. although the motor and transmission were in perfect shape. paid $600 for it, and sold it for $1400 to a kid in town. Miss it everyday.

and heres the one that started my obsession..

also an '89 XLT, but had a Electric T-Case. Blue Interior (Ugly), had alot of rust, but wasn't bad. Paid $350 for it needing brake lines, put brakes in it, and sold it a few months later for $1100 to a guy a few towns away, who put a plow on it, and has ran it ever since.

Also along the way had a '94 Explorer XLT, bought it for $50, didn't really investigate it much. Started it, not realizing the oil pan was gone, and killed the motor. Body was terrible on that, sold it to a scrap guy for $450.