Terrys 88 Bronco2 Restore

[Terrys87]

I just got the Bronco2 Home today.

Looks good in pictures and it is in great shape overall but does need lots of work to get it to where I want it. I do have front brake calipers on order I will be picking up in the morning. Needs a battery that I will get tomorrow as well. Front brakes and all new tune up parts is first on the list.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Nice... you're working towards a collection to be envious of.

I did move your post to the Bronco II forum where these build threads should be.

I'll be following along and watching your progress.

 

[Terrys87]

Thanks Uncle Gump... I thought I opened it in the correct section. Thanks for getting it to where it belongs as it is going to be a build thread. I really plan on having this one done fairly quickly. Its not in real bad shape at all, then I need to get on one of the bigger projects.

 

[RobbieD]

I'm following this one with interest.

Would love to see some interior pics, as you get a chance.

 

[Terrys87]

Seats are in great shape. Got several things in back but if I remember the backs were out of the sun and looked new.

Front seats are not ripped. Faded but in great shape. Owner gave me a factory speaker. I won’t install it but cool to have as New Old Stock.

Needs a good cleaning. It does come with a V8 upgrade radiator which cooling system is in bad need of cleaning. Also behind front seats you can see the factory tarp cover.

Driver door panel is warped. Window motor not working. A common issue I will figure out how to fix or replace motor.

An option I never had and only seen a couple of times.

Defrost option. Never seen as I can recall.
Does not look like it has been touched. Just age related.

 

[Terrys87]

I could not get a battery the correct size at Battery Outfitters but they had a refub. Ordered several parts from Rockauto and Orielly. I want to keep track of expenses. Bought truck on 4/10/25. I expect about 2000 in parts to have truck finished and tons of elbow grease.
Truck 1400
Battery 70
Plug,wires,cap,rotor, calipers,O2 Sensor, 230
Heater core and driver window motor 88
Brake pads after core 17
Battery cable 41
Brake fluis and radiator flush 26

 

[RobbieD]

The factory radio is a plus, just because it's evidence that the truck hasn't seen much molestation.

If that spare tire cover has the "Bronco II" logo, and is salvageable, that's a win.

I think that the locking side boxes in the rear were an up-option (versus open cubbies). It may have even been tied in, packagewise, with the roll-up cargo cover.

Thanks for the pics; that's some good classy Ranger Porn right there!

 

[Terrys87]

Thanks RobbieD… Thus seems to be a highly optioned truck. Can’t be to far from the Eddie Bauer. Never owned an Eddie Bauer. I plan on getting the things out of the truck and seeing what all goodies I got. So far everything is just age on it.

 

[Terrys87]

I think this major leak may just be the valve covers. Once I get the brakes working, replacing the valve covers on and tune up done is on the list today. I expect 4 hours just getting that done. What it took me on the Ranger.

The passenger brake was froze, took some effort getting it off. I don’t think adding manual hubs is a direct swap. Something I may look into later.

 

[Terrys87]

I got my calipers and pads on.

Previius owner said it had a leak in the rear. I think I found out what he meant. No one around to pump brakes to find exactly where at so will move on to other things for the moment.

He did install a new Master Cylinder before I bought it. A win for me. Wahoo!!

He also has a V8 radiator in the truck. I have used a blue bottle of cleaner before. Can’t think of name of it. I have been told this brand works well. I will pull thermostat and run it and flush several times. I think it needs it. Lol

 

[RobbieD]

Servicing the radiator would be a great time to check if the truck has an auxiliary ATF cooler.

The A4LD really needs one, in my opinion.

Even Ford saw the need, as they became factory-equipped at some point. My '90 B2 had one.

 

[Terrys87]

While waiting for wife or kids to show up, thought I would check electrical. Many times I have seen windshield wiper pump not working. Just about every time I have pulled the bottle and just keep reversing direction of polarity and get them working again.

You can see spray down low.

Another PSA. Hook up hose before filling.

 

[Terrys87]

Hello RobbieD. I think this is the first truck I have seen one on. I was going to add one and I will eventually get one that is bigger. The transmissions are not bad in these as long as you keep them in limits. They get a bad rap. I know in my last automatic I ran in drive until over 55 then I would put it in overdrive. Never a problem. When they put them in an Aerostar van fully loaded with people, they did burn up. Actually a good transmission if treated right.

 

[Terrys87]

AC pump is nearly locked up. Removing it will make valve cover replacement easier. AC will get fixed.

Wow!!! This truck has tilt. Did not know this was an option.

Lever not working. Could be debris from cowl. Seen that on the Ranger.

Rear Defrost lights up. Yea!!!

 

[RobbieD]

View attachment 126447
Hello RobbieD. I think this is the first truck I have seen one on. I was going to add one and I will eventually get one that is bigger. The transmissions are not bad in these as long as you keep them in limits. They get a bad rap. I know in my last automatic I ran in drive until over 55 then I would put it in overdrive. Never a problem. When they put them in an Aerostar van fully loaded with people, they did burn up. Actually a good transmission if treated right.

Good. That's the exact setup my '90 had (had- I converted it to 5-speed manual).

I basically agree with you about the A4LD. But I could not keep the flex-plate from breaking in mine, then OD went out. I'm convinced that the transmission case was machined out of spec when it was made as to why it ate flex-plates like it did.

I love driving the little B2 with a manual. Funny thing- the only regret that I had in converting it was, that I wanted at least one truck in my collection to have the column-mounted shifter.

Add for your last post: Push and/or pull on the top or bottom of the steering when you're trying to pull the adjust lever. When the wheel is toward the ends of its adjustment, it kind of binds the release.