So I am looking to buy another B2

[chriskm1968]

I want a nice one, interior etc. as stock as i can get. Is there any thing to look for, What I mean to say is, a trick or patch someone used to disguise a major problem. Trying to avoid getting screwed. Hard to find honest sellers now days. Thanks in advance.

 

[ncranchero]

My only recommendation would be to stay as close to the 89-90's as possible. The '86's had auto trans design faults but then they have bound to have all been replaced by now.

I have a set of real nice seats from an 89 if you ever need them, gray and 60/40 fronts.

 

[chriskm1968]

Thanks, I had one, an '88 model. It had a cracked head but it was around the exhaust side and never leaked badly. The releif valve in the oil pump would stick sometimes( had to watch the light when you cranked it )
My wife cranked it one cold morning while I was showering to let it warm up.
I heard it when I stepped out! Must have run 20 minutes with no oil pressure!
But it was still running! Lifters all collapsed. And that was the end of the old girl.

 

[chriskm1968]

I don't mind buying a new engine or transmission, would just prefer to do it a step at a time.

 

[WNYBroncoBill]

I have seen many 86-88's for sale in the South on Craig's list. Usually as was mentioned is a "cracked head" as these had the earlier design heads. I purchased my 88 XL a year ago in Greenville, SC. Yes, it had a cracked head. I installed new heads from Alabama Cylinder Head (about $460 including shipping). Not a bad job to do. I have been driving it since. The new heads have the larger castings where the rocker studs attach. This is where they commonly crack.

Bill

 

[chriskm1968]

Thanks bill. I would probably buy a new engine instead of heads just so I could know everything was cool in that department. I intend to drive it everyday and would actually prefer a 2wd, But as I see these are kind of rare.
I wouldnt mind an earlier 84 or 85 but I'm not sure about replacement carburetors.
I emailed someone about a 1985 and asked if it was a carburetor engine.
Their reply was " I do not understand, what is a carburetor? "
Man am I getting old!LOL

 

[WNYBroncoBill]

Chris,

I would highly recommend an 86-90 due to the fuel injected 2.9L. If you can find an 89-90 they are really a more refined vehicle - engine/interior/body.

As far as a 2WD, I have seen them on Craig's list in Florida. Must not be too much snow or mud there! Just boat ramps and sand where a 4WD would be handy.

If you can find a clean "Eddie Bauer", you have found a very nice vehicle.

Bill

 

[chriskm1968]

I had an 84 ranger with the 2.8, it was louder because of the solid lifters,but was a heck of a truck. The 2.9 in my B2 seemed a good bit more powerful and was quieter. I plan on installing the electric fan and canning the mechanical fan.
All in all both vehicles were excellent and had very few problems. The bronco 2 is the vehicle I loved the best, I would buy a new one today if they started making them again.
My wife has an explorer, It just ain't the same animal.LOL

 

[WNYBroncoBill]

Chris,

I never liked Fords until I accidentially got a Bronco II about 12 years ago. I needed a winter car so that I didn't need to drive my BMW. Still have that BII, it is a snow plow now. It never failed in it's 91K miles. Last year I got interested in buying another BII. I ended up with 3 more, 2x88's and a 90 my son has now.

My 88 that came from SC is great, manual hubs, manual 4WD shifter and an "ice cold" air conditioner. It is in winter storage now, wish I was driving it instead of my 96 Blazer winter car.

Bill

 

[chriskm1968]

That's cool! I'm really gonna hold out for a good one. I don't know how many of these Ford made but I have been pleasantly surprised to see so many.
I saw one on ebay about a month ago, 1987 xlt with 43,000 original miles.
It was a beauty! It really gave me the fever to have another.
With the rising cost of vehicles I could restore one for less than half the cost of an average new vehicle, and be able to drive what I like.
I had found a nice one on autotrader in IN, but it had no ac. LOL

 

[WNYBroncoBill]

You can buy nice ones on Charlotte or Upstate South Carolina Craig's list for between $800 - $1800. With a bad engine usually $800. Then install a new Jasper engine, new clutch and Jasper installation kit and a new radiator (recommended).

In the end you only have around $4000 in a vehicle that should last a long time without major problems.

Bill

 

[WNYBroncoBill]

Which city?

 

[ncranchero]

You want a fixer-upper? I suspect you can buy it for $500. Have no idea what's wrong with it now. Charlotte area.

It was top notch when I sold it and I don't know WTH they did to it.