410Fortune - 88 Bronco II, sort of

Those are some recent various shots.

Here is what she looked like about 7 years ago when I first got the truck from my older brother for $500. This old truck has been my daily driver since then:

OK here we go:
VEHICLE SPECS:
1988 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer
STOCK: 2.9L V6, Mitsubishi 5 speed, Borg Warner 1350 "touch drive" transfer case, D28 TTB front, 7.5" rear with 3.55 gears, open
Cruise control, A/c, premium sound, aluminum wheels, electric locks and windows

Now:
93 4.0L OHV engine

KKM intake, 95 ranger intake tube, 70mm Granatelli MAS, BBK 66mm TB, JBA headers, Custom Y pipe, 2.5" pipe, 2.5" high flow cat, 2.5" FloPro muffler, 2.5" pipe straight out the back, Taylor Spiro 8mm wires, Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, Ford 3 core radiator, 180 Shaw super stat, Mobil 1 10W-30 synth, Motocraft FL-1a filter, cusotm wiring harness for 93 4.0L into 88 BII, Custom power distribution wiring harness, 98 Explorer 130 amp alternator, Optima RED top re-located for cold air intake, cold air feed to KKM, Autometer mechanical oil pressure and water temperature gages

93 A4LD custom built by Brian @ Transwerks
Hayden Motorhome transmission cooler w/ runner lines
Ford auto trans cooler in radiator
Ford 11 blade super cooling fan and clutch
Bronco II 4x4 fan shroud
Custom Aluminum transmission pan
adjustable vacuum modulator
Autometer Phantom trans temp gage
84 BII 2wd Floor shifter and bell crank assembly
93 Explorer kick down cable
AutoFab transmission mount

Borg Warner 1354 electric shift t case
93 Explorer front driveshaft, custom built by Front Range Driveline in CO.
93 Explorer rear driveshaft, custom built by Front Range
rebuilt shift motor

93 Dana 35 TTB with custom 3" cut and turn, 3" additional track width

Custom passenger outer axleshaft
4.10 Spicer ring and pinion
ARB locker
Raebestos ceramic brake pads
Autozone calipers
Moog upper and lower ball joints
Moog 2.5 degree camber shims
Warn manual locking hubs
Spicer U joints
Ford rubber axle pivot bushings

97 Explorer disc brake 31 spline 8.8
4.10 ring and pinion
Factory limited slip, rebuilt
coverted to spring over for BII leaf springs and pinion angle
autozone calipers
Raebestos metallic pads
Ford e brake hardware w/ custom cables/brackets

Front Suspension:

6" Skyjacker TTB coils
James Duff 2" axle pivot drop brackets
3" cut and turned beams
Skyjacker extended radius arms/poly bushings
Skyjacker transmission x member
Rancho 9000 9 way adjustable shocks
Bronco II sway bar with Explorer rear "dog bone" links
Custom sway bar disconnect pins
Superlift 4" rubber brake lines

Rear Suspension
4" Skyjacker leaf springs
New Ford Bronco II shackles
2" Superlift tappered lift block
Custom U bolts, shock mounts, spring pads
Rancho 9012 9 ways
Sway bar disconnects
modified stock brake line

Body
Maaco cheap-o paint job (needs new)
Isle of Capri Dark Blue w/clearcoat
New chrome grill, rock guard
Hella H4 5x7 headlights
PIAA driving lights
Clear front parking lamps
AutoFAB 3" fiberglass fenders
Explorer antennea cover
Tiger 5' whip antennea (CB)

Protection
James Duff receiver bumpers front and rear
Gas tank skid plate (BII)
Transfer case skid plate (BII)
TTB skid plate, 8.8 Rock ring (in the works)
Additional skid plating for transmission pan (in the works)
Huskey liner floor mats

Interior

Custom 88 BII dash pad and trim
White face gage overlays, stock tach and speedo
260K miles on odometer
90 BII Eddie Bauer Mocha door panels, interior trim, kick panels, side panels back seat (cloth), floor mats, steering column, and headliner
97 Eddie Bauer mocha leather power buckets
98 Eddie Bauer sun visors and sun shades w/ vanity mirrors
Custom mocha center console
Dash switches: PIAA, KC roof lights, ARB compressor, ARB front locker,
Radio Shack CB radio
Garmin Ique 3600 GPS palm

Stereo and Alarm
Kenwood Excelon X91 in dash MD
Kenwood Excelon Music Keg (10 GB)
Alpine V-12 680W amp
MTX 8000 12" 2 ohm DVC sub
1 cu ft sealed enclosure
rear: 6.5" Soundstream SPL mid and 1.5" tweeters
front doors: 6" Rockford Series II mids and 1" tweeters
front dash: Soundstream 4" mids and 1.5" tweeters
Ungo alarm

Other:
33" x 12.50" Remington Mud Brute tires
15" x 7.5" Superior Startech chrome wheels
ARB on board air setup for inflating tires
Spare tire mounted where back seat goes (back seat only used when needed)
Stock tire carrier mounted for 33" spare
Superlift Superrunner Steering system
Superlift 2" drop pitman arm
Yakima Roof Rack (not installed, only when needed)
5x7 KC lights for front bumper (not installed, only when needed)
95 Explorer disc brake master cylinder (with new hard lines to rear axle)
93 Explorer brake booster
Custom hot water bypass on heater core (winter/summer)
Warn receiver shackle
8" drop down hitch
Husky cargo liner (custom fit)
Explorer cargo area tie downs


Replaced: (hahaha, besides listed above)
water pump
motor mounts
power steering box and pump
tensioner pulley
idler pulley
02 sensors
TPS, IAC, IAT, NSS, BOO, and various other sensors
fuel lines
water canister (fuel system)
vacuum lines and system
blower motor
wiper motor
heater core
fuel pump(s)
All lights, switches, signals, bulbs and wires

Still original:
Frame
Dash
Most of the body besides paint
side mirrors
carpet (not for long)
bottom of dash
hood
windshield trim
steering wheel

PLACES WHEELED
Bear Creek Colorado (all over), Top of the World (CO),
Vail, Winter Park, Guenella, Slaughterhouse Gultch, Rampart Range, Colorado Springs, Red Cone Pass, Grand Junction, and just anbout every other part of Colorado I can think of

Moab: Golden Spike, Top of the World, Metal Masher, Gemeni Bridges, (4 times now, various trails, didnt know all the names)
Los Coyotes Indian Reservation
Truckhaven (Salton Sea, CA)
Big Bear (Holcom Creek, John Bull)


Future:click here

Sliders
roll protection
carpet
A/C (going back in)
soft windows
custom two piece taligate
35's
D44 outers
ARB rear locker
New 4.0L OHV with power adders
Beefy tire carrier
sunroof
window tint
custom center console
coilovers, rod end radius arms, shackle reversal and custom leafs

Here's what she might look like if I chopped the top (dont think I havent thought about it, but I wont)

Here she is pulling her boat, half the reason shes built the way she is, for towing. 2001 Bayliner 195 Capri LX 4.3L Merc, I/O

 

[jobunn]

Looks sweet. I passed you and RangerX this past weekend in Arrowbear just when the snow was getting really bad. Your rig looked like it was 8 feet high.

 

[410Fortune]

Hey I thought I recognized a lifted red Explorer! It's got 6" suspension on it and 33's
Fun in the snow!!

my tires were at 12 psi all the way down the hill
Sorry we missed you wheeling...

 

[4X4 X]

Hey 410...... the BII is looking awsome, I'm in the middle of building up mine and hope it comes out looking good like yours.


4X4 X

 

[410Fortune]

Hey thanks!
Funny thing is I look at these pics and I am like, thats changed, oh thats changed too, ow wait thats different now..hahaha

Like in that interior shot, lets see you can see the 5 speed shifter, shes been an auto for almost a year and a half now, there are some new gages in there and the ARB switches and CB have been mounted. The pedal covers are gone, and the bottom of the dash has been painted. Thats just an example hahaha

Thanks for the compliments, I cant say enough about the BII platform. I try to do things that set my truck apart form the typical BII wheeling rig, and its only gonna get WORSE! hahaha

 

[Stic-o]

Hey Jamie...Had an Idea for ya...

You know the strip in the middle of the dash. The one that runs from door to door behind the headlight switch. Anyway that suker just pops off. If you take it off and paint in black, it looks really sharp. I did this on my first truck ('85 Ranger) Just an idea for ya....

 

[410Fortune]

hahahahaha oh man....

Thanks for the tip! I painted my trim mocha, as well as the dash pad. I am also on my 3rd fake wood piece, due to 1 with a burn in it, and one got cut for a stereo.
Everything on the dash has been re-done a few times, except for the metal underneath, even the switches are rebuilt/new.

I plan to make either a real wood piece or replace all the plastic trim with carbon fiber....

My other option is to upgrade to the 89+ sytle dash, but I kind of like the classic look, the 88 is the last year with the old style front clip and the old style dash.

 

[410Fortune]

updated pics from Moab....still waiting to develop my film then I will have even more!
Another sucessfull trip, this time on 35's which STUFFED perfectly!!

Nothing broken, nothing to be fixed She did very well again! I am sick of taking the bypasses however so on the plate now is a roll cage and a tow rig and trailer.....

 

[FMExplorer]

410 - How hard was the engine swap?

J

 

[410Fortune]

Well now that is a loaded question! I have worked on a few 2.9L to 4.0L oHV conversions, and each one is a little different. Everything pretty much bolts up. there are alot of little things that bite you, like fuel lines, exhaust, wiring, etc.

Alot has to do with what year 2.9L and what year 4.0L.
Why do you ask?
Out of all the engine conversions the 2.9L to 4.0L is probably the easiest as far as fitting it in and similarity of equipment, but then the most complicated when it comes to wiring.

 

[FMExplorer]

Why do I ask? Well - that too is a loaded question...

I got permission from the MRs to begin another project - as long as I can store it in self-storage after completion (she wants HER garage...)

So - that being said, I am going to start TRAMP Part Deux this fall. Not sure what - thinking a BII or an Ex Sport. I will do the cut and turn D35 this time and run 33" tires. Locked front and rear this should go anywhere the South has to offer. A BII with a 4.0 would be cool. The issues are finding the D35 and powertrain. I would want the 5spd tranny instead of the auto (I think).

Speaking of the A4ld - how is yours holding up?

J

 

[410Fortune]

Bronco II's kick ass.
the 4.0L can really move a BII. Yes the 5 speed is a good choice.

I personally would like to build a Ex sport, I would take it a step further, drop in a 5.0L and a solid axle up front. The sport has a better wheel base for the type of wheeling I like to do.

The BII is alot easier and cheaper to build however and they can really rip it up off road, when set up prooperly. Its kind of a catch 22 they both have good and bad things...

My A4LD, well WOW is all I have to say about that. This thing is a monster, it drives awesome. Transwerks knows how to build them, that is for sure..

 

[410Fortune]

HAHAHAHA to my post above:

I blew up the transwerx A4LD last week, not sure what went wrong but something did.
It now sits on the floor in the shop. Here is the bottom line, no A4LD, I dont care how well built or upgraded can handle what I throw at it (apparently). 35's, wheeling, roadtrips, locker, and especially the 19' Bayliner killed this $1800 rebuild in less than 8 months (towing form CA to CO in that timeframe....

A4LD never got hot (220 max), and it was babied.

So here we go! I always loved the power and torque that my 93 OHV 4.0L made, but I will not give up my OD (C4) (read road trips) and the 700R4 conversion is not an option for me (too much $$$) so out with the old in with the new.
Truck has been stripped down to nothing except axles and body, in the next few months I will be converting to the OBD-II, EEC-IV 1997 pushrod 5.0L GT40 from a 97 Mountaineer with 50K on the clock. I will be using the 4R70W automatic from the same truck, I will ditch the AWD T case and most likely run the AA adapter to retain the BW 1354 electric shift ( I personally love the touch 4x4). I may go Atlas II but we shall see...

So the project begins, this is right up my sleeve, plans are 2-3 months of down time tops (starting last Sat) and approx $3500-4000 total, iincluding the $1500 for the donor.

I will be using:
Ford lightning fuel pump
Ford 5.0L cooling
4.0L AC
L&L motor mounts
Some sort of shorty header with custom Y pipe, into single 3" exhaust
some seriously *******ized wiring (from 2.9L to OHV 40L, now to EEC-IV 5.0L)
aftermarket camshaft for the 5.0L
electric fans (possibly)
Floor shifter
and I am sure a bunch of other stuff......

Full detailed rundown of my conversion to follow when all is finished.
I will also very likely have a bunch of 4.0L and A4LD stuff for sale, but I will hold on to it all until the conversion is complete, it is likely I will use a OHV 4.0L in another project (read BII chopped top trail rig)

Wish us luck! I will have much help from my friends during this conversion, Brett and Joe and I have all been here before

The only thing that will let others know there is something mean under the bonnet of my BII will be the single 3" pipe coming out the back and the distinctive rumble of the ford small block.....MUAHHH HAHAHAHA

Oh brother.......here we go again!! At least this time I know what I am doing (sorda)

 

[Premier]

Holy chit! I just read this, and nice bronc man. And your still adding on

 

[section525]

Jamie.. what do you need still for parts?

 

[410Fortune]

Section, well I have everything from the 97 Merc donor, well Brett does but as soon as the check comes it will be mine. I need the L&L mounts and the AA adapter most of all
Everything else I will get as I go, as usual.....Why? Whaddya got?

Premier, hahaha I am ALWAYS adding to her, she is my WIP, its called truck evolution.....next time I'd do it all at once, buy a BII, chop the top, solid axle up front, OHV 4.0L with a C4 and BW 1354 Manual t case..........and a cage, stuff 35's and YOUR DONE!!

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

410 - you selling the 4.0 mods (kkm & bbk) or not...i PM'd u twice - let me know and i'll have $$$ to u right away to help offset the cost of your swap...

Either way, let me know...

thanks

 

[Rhett]

The only thing that will let others know there is something mean under the bonnet of my BII will be the single 3" pipe coming out the back and the distinctive rumble of the ford small block.....MUAHHH HAHAHAHA

Oh yea, a sleeper. That's the way I like it too. No one knows what you've got in there until...

It would be nice to be around when you do that swap, the 4.0 ---> 5.0 in a Bronco II/1st gen Explorer front end. I am thinking of doing it to mine once the A4LD goes out (which will probably happen long before the OHV quits).

I was thinking of sticking with OBD-I (as in, mass air stang (89-93) or MarkVIII drivetrain, with AOD) but now I'm thinking with all these NICE programmers and chips for OBD-II, I might as well grin an' bear it and go OBD-II. Besides, it's not easy finding a decent drivetrain from that time period (89-93) anymore.

 

[410Fortune]

Well we shall see how tricky the OBD-II wiring is Of course my truck is different because I have already gone from 2.9L to OHV 4.0L wiring and integrated alot of my accessoriy wiring into the 4.0L power distribution harness, I also eliminated alot of the wiring that was not needed, or re-routed. So instead of starting over I will integrating the new 5.0L computer harness into what I already have

Now here is where the SOHC conversion becomes very tempting, because you can get teh OBD-II SOHC engine to run using your OHV OBD-I wiring and computer , so bolt it in, change a few things, and BLAMO SOHC drivetrain, using the SOHC automatic may require some additional wiring or a stand alone controller.....

 

[Rhett]

Will a SOHC fit in there? I mean, with the size of the heads and all...
Yeah, do that, and just cut the hood. hehehe. It could look pretty mean.

I know your truck probably has Frankenwiring in it from all the transformations it's gone through. That's the thing with me, I have some experience with OBD-I wiring harness and 302's but I have not messed with OBD-II much! I'm sure I'd miss some things all over the place. But, gotta learn by doing sometimes..

Oh and good luck with your conversion, if I didn't say so already. You're already lucky finding a 97 Mounty with only 50,000 miles on it, and at that price. I assume it was a wreck with body damage or something. Or else you really pulled the right strings (dealer auction??) to get it so cheap!