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My 88 Build Up.

HahnsB2

Well-Known Member
Joined
March 15, 2008
Messages
781
Reaction score
1
City, State
Battle Ground WA
Year, Model & Trim Level
88 Bronco II
Copied from my B2.org thread.



Well I dont have any pics of when I first got it because my comp had to be reformatted.
Heres the specs which I will try to keep up-to-date.
88 EB edition
2.9
FM146 5 speed
Manual 1354 swap
Warn manual Hubs
U-joint rear driveshaft
D35 front with Aussie locker and e-clip eliminator
7.5 Lock-right rear
4.10 gears
3" PA body lift
34x10.50 Swamper LTBs
Custom made bumpers front and rear
Rear sploder springs with overloads removed
Full 2 1/2" exhaust, flowmaster 40 series and a before tire exit that run between the frame and body so I cant smash it.
58mm throttle body
4.0 radiator
On board air using an AC pump
Half Doors for wheelin
2X100Watt off-road lights
Oil pressure, water temp and vacuum gauges added
Heres right after I put the wheels and tires and brush guard from my parts rig on it, last spring break.
630091457_l.jpg

Heres a pic of me on that same rock pile with snow.
1487816367_l.jpg

Had to add this. See my sweet windshield crack?
858090399_l.jpg

I made onboard air for free with **** I had laying around!
onboardair15ku.jpg

onboardair22hi.jpg

Next came the 3" body lift and tires.
l_f1227129b0e8b80ddff27fcf9414422e.jpg

l_94b953eceafadb9a04b34f16f585aef1.jpg

Body lift gap fix.
2383636_14_full.jpg

The I finally settled on an exhaust I like and one that i cant smash. Flowmaster 40, no cat (I have hi flow im gonna install) full 2 1/2" pipe and a 12" long 3" tip.
exh1qj5.jpg

exh2dd1.jpg

exh3vr3.jpg

exh4sm5.jpg

I have done many more things to it, I just dont have many pics...

Installed the rear 4.10 LS axle tonight, took it for a test drive and it feels like a rocket compared to what it used to!!! It also got rid of the terrible drivetrain slop it had. I hope to get the front in by sunday but I dunno.
Only pic I got.
rearswapyl6.jpg


Well still havent got the damn 4.10 TTB in yet :banghead: Weathers been crappy on my days off and the days I work its been nice (like right now). Ive only ben able to do small projects. I pulled the crappy non a/c rad out and slapped in a good auto w/ac rad thats twice as big and flushed the cooling system, hopefully it wont get over 200* anymore up in the woods. I also pulled my grill, masked it and painted the center portion gloss black. It lookin like the ttb wont be in till after spring break is over because I work all but 3 days of it and the 3 days im not worin ill be in newport :banghead:
grillho2.jpg


My Lock-Right arrived today! Cant wait to put it in! Thanks Todd!
lockrightts8.jpg


Well as I pormised, the 4.10 ttb went in today and we managed to get the lockright in too, what a *****!!! Had to swap in an open carrier to use it, had to grind down the ring gear to get the full crosspin in, the notched 4.10 crosspin wouldnt allow us to put the c-clips on with the lock right because it didnt allow the spacers to move inwards, so out came the dremel and in the went the stronger un-notched crosspin.
I took it for a quick drive, couldnt feel or hear it click, deffinalty pulls to one side after you let off and give it gas but its only for a second and according to the booklet its normal, deffinalty wants to go straight if ya give 'er gas while makin a sharp turn, all in all it seems pretty damn streetable, im impressed! Of course its dry right now, it could be another story when its wet...
Out with the old 3.45s, Took about an hour to remove, not bad...
345fo2.jpg

In with the 4.10s! took about 2 hours after swaping camber bushings, brake rotors and bearings.
410wj7.jpg

Dad grinding on the ring gear, note the tape everywhere to minimize metal shavings in the diff.
grindtc6.jpg

Lock-Right in! Total time spent on the locker was about 8 hours! Who needs spider gears?!?!
lockersd9.jpg


I put the 4.0 radiator in today with some free time I had. I got the rad from Brian, its from the Danger Ranger.
Heres a pic comparing it to my old radiator from a 2.9 auto which is twice as thick as a 2.9 manual! So in short, the 4.0 auto rad is 4 times thicker than a 2.9 manual!
comparoym9.jpg

Heres it is installed, hopefully this means cool running for the 2.9.
radac5.jpg


Picked this up from Joe (BRONCMAN) this morning, and I installed it before I went to work, its pretty stout and fits very well. I had to do some minor grinding at the end of the frame. Its also made a for a 2" body lift, so it sits up like it should and the gap is much less.
bumper3kf6.jpg


Well I finally grabbed a door from the parts rig and started cuting it down today for half doors. I didnt get too carried away but I took a good 8"s out if it, I just cut then folded it over and welded it. I then too some of that black plastic trm stuff and put it over the the area I cut so I dont cut myself ( I already cut my finger before I put it on, damnit). I also slapped on an extra flag mirror to keep it "legal". I think Ill paint em black when Im done or blue if I can find a close match to my paint in a rattle can.
halfdoorrx5.jpg


Finished chopping the other door. Now I just need to get another thing of that plastic trim and some spray paint and they'll be ready to slap on for some wheelin. Not sure how Im gonna work around the fact that my doors have power windows and locks so trying to snake the wires through the fenders is going to be a *****, maybe a coathanger would work?
halfdoorsqg7.jpg


Here they are on the rig. They dont appear to be cut a whole lot but theres enough of a cut out to lean out just fine.
halfdoorsonoy2.jpg


Well I started work on this bad boy! I added 4" c channel to my Smittybilt push bar and ditched the stock bumper, still lots of work to do like add metal on the top, d-rings, finish the ends, ect. Im happy with it so far :thumby:
bumper1bh6.jpg

fbumper1zi7.jpg


I added some aluminum diamond plate to the top for now, not sure if Im gonna keep it or go with steel...
87432951zx1.jpg


Well I bought some d-rings today for it. I went down to the shop again after school today and started welding on it and reinforcing it and added the d-rings on. Only real thing left to do now is finish the ends and the front pie shaped piece that will blend the inner and outer pieces together. I like how my welds turned out, too much spatter but changing wire speed wouldnt solve the problem so I just kept welding, it seemed to have good penetration.
I used some square tubing to help reinforce the outer pieces.
fbumper6ov8.jpg

D-rings welded on.
fbumper7ww0.jpg

Heres a shot of the brace again.
fbumper8av4.jpg

Here it is installed.
fbumper9bm2.jpg


Well I did a lil more work today. Added the angled pieces that tie the ends into the center section and used a blending wheel to make it pretty smooth. I also capped off the ends of the c channel. I just need to beef up the mounts and get some bedlinder on it!
bumper10jj3.jpg


Thanks Pat! I plan on beefing it up soon before any major pulls happen. I bought some Duplicolor spray on bedliner today and sprayed it. I like the way it turned out! I still need to beef up the mounts soon but at least its protected from the weather now! I left the diamond plate bare, Im gonnaa see how I like it in the long run, if I end up not liking it Ill coat it too.
bumper11fa6.jpg

bumper12zs6.jpg


Well I started work on the spare tire carrier. I plan to make a hi lift mount too and possibly a jerry can mount. I just need to cap the tubes, weld on the latch and bed liner it.
tirerack1hz1.jpg


Well the tire carrier is pretty much done now, its nothing fancy like the piece of art BRONCMAN made, I just needed somethin functional for now, I bed linered it and the bumper I got from BRONCMAN, the only tweeking it needs it that I need to cut the mount and extend it a couple inches so the tire fits without contacting the tubing, Once I get a chance that'll take all of 10 minutes. I still plan on making a hi lift mount but since I dont own a hi lift right now, Ill wait till that time comes.
tirerack2gg6.jpg

tirerack3vp6.jpg


D35 out and apart, notice mikly gear oil :eek13:
hpim0417hc5.jpg

Beam pressure washed and wire wheeled.
hpim0420lk0.jpg

Letting the torch work alone on the radius arm bolts.
hpim0421vd1.jpg

Aussie in, notice the rusty spot on the carrier, I'm sure it has something to do with the mikly gear oil, I'm not worried though, my original 7.5 had rust halfway up the inside of the diff and the ring gear was all pitted when I got it but it never gave me any trouble.
hpim0424sf9.jpg

E clip eliminator spring.
hpim0426eq9.jpg

D35 in.
hpim0427ex8.jpg

Fawk you spider gears!
hpim0428ol3.jpg

Sticker
hpim0429fh1.jpg

Poser shot.
hpim0431gw0.jpg


Put the manual 1354 in today after work, it was 99* outside. I had to put on the small lever from the 1350 because I'm not using an M5OD yet and the one on it was bent for the M5OD linkage, then in low range the linkage hit the driveshaft yoke/cardan joint, and had to be heavily clearanced with a grinder.
I took her down on my lower property to test 4x4 and everything seems well, the Aussie is silent, you get some pull on the wheel when you turn that tries to straighten out but it's really not bad at all.
Only pic I got was me tightening the flange on the rear since it was loose, I put the yoke in the vice to keep it still. And yeah it appears the output seal leaks but whatever, I just wanna wheel.
hpim0432di1.jpg


4Wheel parts had everything 10% off so I went down to the store today, 34X10.5 LTBs, came to $600 even and that included the no questions asked warranty and shipping for the other 2 tires from seattle which should hit my house on wednesday. The front fenders are gonna take trimming.
ltbssk3.jpg



Some fender trimmage. Just like I thought, only had to trim the forward and rear openings on the front, the rears have like 1/2" of clearence on either side of the tires when stuffed. They don't even hit the radius arms at full lock on the front :D . I want to extend the bumper a bit to fill in the spot where I cut.
ltb5wc4.jpg

ltb6yh3.jpg


Got my winch mounted up. Needs more welds on the back side but I ran outta wire. I also added large mounting plates that bolt to the side of the frame rails instead of the wimpy tabs that bolt in the stock location.
hpim0461aq8.jpg

My welder.
hpim0460ij7.jpg

I'm probably going to mount my lights up top like Ron did.
2316428_71_full.jpg


Thanks
I bought some FelPro intake manifold and valve cover gaskets for the 4.0 before I put it in, hopefully get started on the swap next weekend!
I bought myself a HiLift. Here's a pic of testing it out.
hpim0475xs9.jpg

Here's how it's "mounted", untill I build a new rear tire gate, I was never really happy with the one I built (mainly the pivot part), it'll have a mount for the hi lift and a jerry can.
hpim0477mw0.jpg

Random flex pic.
hpim0474mn0.jpg
 



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very nice build, thanks for sharing

Did you get the metal trimmed to clear those meats?
 






Yep the fronts are trimmed. The rear appeared bo fine, I only flexed it stuffing the passenger rear which was fine, for whatever reason when I went wheelin last weekend the drivers side rubs just enough that it cut up the tire pretty good. I decided since they're only $150 a piece I'm going to head over to 4WP, and get a new one, and use the tore up one for a spare.
 






my drivers rear quarter panel was cutting up my tires at full stuff too, even after trimming. I figure its because the leaf sprung rear forces the axle to walk a bit when flexing (travel curve), not the same as a driveway test LOL

I run explorer disc 8.8, 35"x12.5x15 MT's on steel 15x10 with 3.75 backspacing. 6" Skyjacker leafs (so more like 3 of lift but SOFT springs) - with stock shackles/hangers (not for long) and a 2" tappered superlift block.
It will stuff the 35's all the way to the floor and with a true 5" suspension lift and no body lift it just barely clears those suckers.... when I installed urethane body bushings last year I think I also lost .5" of clearance on the whole truck (V8 and trans = TIGHT FIT) I need to trim those rear quarters just a bit more... or if I get real crazy I will finally re work the entire cargo area of the truck (cage) and pull the sides out like they do with Ranger bedsides..
truck is *****in now go wheel it and report back! :)
 






Thanks. From the bit of wheelin I've done it performs awesome with the front locker and 34s (hell it did really well with just a rear locker and 31s).. I've got a 4.0 and an M5OD sitting in the shop waiting for me to get off my ass and swap them soon. I want 4.88s but I think that will be too much for the 4.0 (I'm running my 31s for street, will probably upgrade to 32-33s for street) and I should go with 4.56s as well as use it as an opportunity to learn to set up gears. I'll sell my 4.10 D35 and re-gear a different one (I have 2 3.27 and 1 3.73 pigs laying around), no sense in dismantling a highly desirable and probably the most rare of RBV diffs and swap in an 8.8 at the same time.
 






Since last friday the B2 has sprouted a 4.0 and M5OD, it fired up last night but I've still got many things left to put back together over the next couple days. Can't wait.
 






congrats! I remember that day!
I drove around the block with my 4.0L and 5 speed and I was VERY happy with no more 2.9L... took me another year to work out all the bugs! LOL
 






Thanks. A weekend and 3 days of work after work isn't too bad to get a 4.0 swap running I dont think.
Man it's got some balls down low now, I'm having problems getting the clutch bled all the way though, it's barely driveable now, also have a random missing problem under load I haven't diagnosed yet. Overall I'm pleased, I'll be super pleased if I can work out the bugs soon.
 






Here's a glimpse of what's to come. 3" JD lift, home made extended arms I got from 84EB on B2.org for a pretty cheap (I'll beef em up a little since I've got a welder/time) and a 4.56 D35 pig.
liftpv1.jpg

Boxed radius arm with 3/16 plate.
ralx4.jpg
 






Started work on my sliders agian yesterday, got the passenger side mounted up today, I will be running one more brace down to the bottom of the frame rail and it will use the same holes as the t-case skid plate. The main mounts bolt to the body mounts on the frame. The drivers side will be a bit more tricky because of the parking brake cable. The last picture it's hanging down a bit further than it it normally does because the bolts werent tight. They stick out a bit further than I anticipated but it'll give a bit more protection from things from the side and it'll be easier to get a hi lift on and you can stand on em as well.

slider1kl1.jpg

slider2zs7.jpg

slider3yk3.jpg
 






nice sliders, can we see how they are mounted?
 






Sorry don't have any of how they're mounted yet.
Tires came wednesday, mounted them yesterday but didn't have my camera or phone till after dark. 33x10.50 BFG MTs. Since I mounted them myself they aren't balanced, had it up to 65 and no vibes though. They are just as tall as my 34s which will be nice when I get my 4.56s in, it'll be just barely lower geared than with 4.10s and 31s.
33spz7.jpg
 






Winching the sploder 8.8 out of my dads ranger, with springs and tires it's stupid heavy.
88ik3.jpg

Tore down
88wh9.jpg

The goodies, 4.56s, I also have a new Aussie Locker for it, not pictured.
gearzoe9.jpg

Regearing is taking a lot more time than I thought it would...
 






your b2 is looking real good man,it look real stout with those 33's.I bet you cant wait to get those 4.56's in, have you started on the install front pig yet?I love the way that side pipe is and it's tucked up nice on the pocket you cut out.Does the frame rails pertect that pipe.i cant really tell because of the angle of you pic.
 






I probably won't do the pig till after I get the 8.8 in.
Here you can see the pipe goes over the frame, I purposely built the exhaust so it can't drag on anything like the stock style tail pipe.
exh1qj5.jpg
 






Oh yeah I saw that picture already that is how my 73 nova was set up in 2003 except duals on on each side, then i changed it out to dump behind the tires.The exsaust stained my 18 inch daytons I end up selling them after the shop painted the spokes black, rim was salvageable but the spokes were'nt.I think it cost 380 bucks to have a shop fill in the panel and blend the paint then paint the spokes.(didnt mean to hijack i wanted uou to know about possible damage.)

Im sorry for not being more thero.I meant does the slider actully protect the exsaust end.
 






*drools* I love it! If only I didn't have a 94 ex half apart already I'd pick up a BII. How does the 2.9 feel when wheeling? I'm sure the gears will help but does it feel underpowered at all?
 






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