Bronco II Help!!

[phatfoto]

I was at moab and i blew up my motor. It only had 92k original miles. It is the 2.9l v6. I am trying to decide if its worth putting another motor in or selling it how it is. I have a lot of money and time into it. How much does it usualy cost to put in a new motor. I know that people usualy put the Ford Explore 4.0 in it and some people put the Ford 5.0 . What would you guys do if you where in my shoes?
Thanks for the help

Revisiting this thread, when you say you "blew up my motor", was just the headgasket, or did you throw parts on the ground? Just curious about condition of the existing motor. This can determine whether you repair, rebuild or replace... Since you mention replacing the headgaskets later in this thread, that's not a horribly difficult thing to do. I'm a fan of new gaskets and seals, but if the heads were warped they can be resurfaced at a machine shop not much. If you have (common) cracks in the heads, that can drive the cost up quite a bit. Of course, if you threw parts on the ground, a new/replacement engine is in order. If its just gaskets, then its well worth the time and trouble to do an entire top end gasket set, and don't forget to get seals for the injectors.

Unlike the other RBV guys here, all I really have experience with is the 2.3 (great little motor!!!) and the 4.0 OHV. For our project, the 1990 2.3 and 5 speed 4x4 truck was fun to drive almost anywhere, except the highway. With 4.10 gears and 31s, 5th gear was almost never used and as long as you weren't in a hurry and let the truck run the way it was happy, you got where you were going. So the bump in power moving to the 4.0 has been a great project. The little truck has pulled trailers from SLC to Cedar City a few times. We used the Explorer's 3.73 gearing and axles. Since we wanted Cruise Control and AC to work like it did in the Explorer, we used the entire wiring harness from the lights to dash and steering column. I had to alter the Explorer interior harness a good amount for a few reasons. But we were happy to have the truck running in 2 weeks. Took a bit longer for more parts and other details to get buttoned down. But less than a month total. But I digress... Overall, this project has been about 5 years to get finished and we really didn't have a clue where we were headed a few times. The 4.0 swap last summer was planned a few months ahead of time and gave me lots of time to research and plan. A straight engine swap, same for same, can be done in a few hours. We just had a lot more to do along the way.

If you are set on a 4.0 swap, there isn't a lot to altering the wiring harness.

I have someone currently interested in the 2.3, 5 speed, t-case, harness and all. But if this doesn't pan out, I would love to snag an older B2, with a dead or worn out 2.8. The 2.3 is down about 15 HP to the 2.8, but with the 5 speed, ought to make up some of the difference in power. A 2.3 B2 wouldn't be a gnarly trail rig, but more street machine. Yup, looking for a freebie 83/84/85 B2...

 

[B2-Bomber]

If you are set on a 4.0 swap, there isn't a lot to altering the wiring harness.

yours was a ranger from the 4.0 generation, yours didn't need a lot of altering.

MadMike's will, you can't compare your swap to his. and despite that, by the sounds of it your swap still took near a month.

a 2.3 is less power than a 2.8, a 2.9 is less power than a 2.9, a 2.9 is less power than a 4.0.


madmike's 2.9 makes 144hp, a 4.0 makes 155, so for him the swap is an increase of around 7%

the 1989-1995 2.3l ranger made 100hp, so for you the 4.0 was a monumental increase of 55%!

so since you gained 785% more power than mike would, i would say for you the amount of work was about 785% more worth it, than it would be for mike

your swap was totally "apples-to-oranges" compared to a bII swap

 

[phatfoto]

I'm guessing the OP has a 89 or 90 B2. But I'm not a B2 owner as stated.

Since we did far more than just an engine swap, or altered wiring, our time frame wasn't horrible. There was the one day we put the engine in and had it running before finding an oil leak and pulling it back out, fixed, and back. Then had it running the next day. And thats not an unreasonable point of reference for my comments.

I was more commenting that if the OP did a 2.9 for a 2.9, it wouldn't be that bad timewise. I also wasn't questioning power. And agree, percentages of power make some upgrades not really worth the effort.

 

[B2-Bomber]

i was more commenting that if the OP did a 2.9 for a 2.9, it wouldn't be that bad timewise.

i agree 100%

I also wasn't questioning power. And agree, percentages of power make some upgrades not really worth the effort.

i wasn't really arguing with you, according to the internet this is a "direct swap" and i am just laying it on pretty thick that it really isn't. i just want play the devil's advocate here and possibly prevent another guy doing the 4.0 swap, just to find out it isn't really worth the amount of work it is. i have just been using your posts to banter off of

the 4.0 swap into b2s seems to take most guys (on their first one) 3-5 weeks of tinkering after work their first time. they get suckered into it by RBV forums making it sound like a "direct swap"

to be fair, most guys say that "if they did it again" they could do it in half the time. its just that first time that takes your rig down for several weeks. over the winter that is fine
but this is prime wheeling season, and i was hoping to go wheel with MadMike one of these days, not to mention i'm sure he wants to wheel too. so having his rig out of comission for near a month would be a bad thing. and walking away with a mere 7% gain to show for it? that's just adding insult to injury.

 

[phatfoto]

Ok, I don't mind on the Devil's Advocate... The mechanical phase of our swap was 80% done in 2 weeks. The rest was as my son could get to it. Mostly weekends. So, maybe 3 weeks of nonstop work. Now if there were more performance parts for the 4.0, this would be a different argument altogether.

Curious how much needs to be done to MadMike's rig...

 

[Marsh99]

I was at moab and i blew up my motor. It only had 92k original miles. It is the 2.9l v6. I am trying to decide if its worth putting another motor in or selling it how it is. I have a lot of money and time into it. How much does it usualy cost to put in a new motor. I know that people usualy put the Ford Explore 4.0 in it and some people put the Ford 5.0 . What would you guys do if you where in my shoes?



Thanks for the help

Are you still located in orem?

 

[MadMike]

yes I am still in orem

 

[Marsh99]

The reason I ask is I have a neighbor that has been working on your rigs twin.

 

[MadMike]

I bet his is running. haha

 

[B2-Bomber]

we'll help you get running in any way we can. and one option, to risk going completely against my stance from previous posts. Skiboarder has picked up a chevy 350 that he is planning to put into his, maybe he would set you up with his 4.0, and already modded harness for a good price? then it is just the mechanical matter of putting it all in.

 

[Gravy]

The B2-Bomber is what we called my friend's Bronco II in high school... but for an entirely different reason....

because it liked to randomly blow up... like drivelines, u-joints, ring-pinion, motor (head gasket) and header gasket, 4wd linkage, etc...
I'll bet he put twice what he bought it for into it...
Driving up to the ski resorts on the weekend with that tiny v6 it was handi-capable at best.
We got shanghighed in Silver-Thorne when the rear constant velocity driveshaft exploded and the repair was over $400 and we got stuck for 2 days only 75 miles from home with no 4wd in a snow storm.
And stock for stock when I borrowed my Dad's Durango it was still more capable and reliable offroad.

There aren't many vehicles I can say are bad across the board... usually it is poor maintenance or abuse but without serious mods: most BII's suck
and Dodge Dynastys
and the Mercury Mistake.

Ditch it.

 

[B2-Bomber]

Yeah, go buy a cookie-cutter jeep, or as they are called jeeps (the cookie cutter part goes without saying)

Thinking for yourself is overrated

 

[skiboarder]

The B2-Bomber is what we called my friend's Bronco II in high school... but for an entirely different reason....

because it liked to randomly blow up... like drivelines, u-joints, ring-pinion, motor (head gasket) and header gasket, 4wd linkage, etc...
I'll bet he put twice what he bought it for into it...
Driving up to the ski resorts on the weekend with that tiny v6 it was handi-capable at best.
We got shanghighed in Silver-Thorne when the rear constant velocity driveshaft exploded and the repair was over $400 and we got stuck for 2 days only 75 miles from home with no 4wd in a snow storm.
And stock for stock when I borrowed my Dad's Durango it was still more capable and reliable offroad.

There aren't many vehicles I can say are bad across the board... usually it is poor maintenance or abuse but without serious mods: most BII's suck
and Dodge Dynastys
and the Mercury Mistake.

Ditch it.

What was that? Your blatant myopic view and your diatribe are not appreciated. Please refrain if that is all you have to offer.

 

[Marsh99]

:amy:

 

[skiboarder]

:amy:

That's great. Love it.

 

[Gravy]

The OP asked in his original post whether he should sell the BII or repair it.
I gave my opinion based on personal experience with a BII. (All the things I listed were documented failures I personally saw).

Seems like if he did a cost vs. benefit analysis sheet: factoring time and cost to replace the motor vs. end reliability and resale value. The answer would be clear.

I didn't say anything about what he should replace it with.

And I even precluded my opinion by saying, "...without serious mods..." which should cover Mr. B2-Bombers rig (since his Ford has about as many stock components as my Pile-o-Parts .)

"There is one thing you will always find if you are looking to be offended."

Additionally, I believe both of you two have enough personality that what you drive doesn't define who you are.

Peace.

 

[Bart]

Yeah, go buy a cookie-cutter jeep, or as they are called jeeps (the cookie cutter part goes without saying)

Thinking for yourself is overrated

This makes absolutely no sense at all. I wouldn't call any of my past Jeeps, nor any of the Jeeps on this forum, "cookie cutter". To each his/her own.

 

[TJDukit]

What was that? Your blatant myopic view and your diatribe are not appreciated. Please refrain if that is all you have to offer.

Is it so wrong to point out that a stock BII makes about as much sense as a wheeler as a Mustang II since they are built to about the same standards of toughness. There are so many weak links in a BII and the engine is just at the front. I think most people would guess that if you are posting up on this forum you have some interest in off roading and the BII isn't a great platform to start with without some pretty decent mods.

So if you plan on driving strictly on the street it can be a good vehicle but that 2.9L will blow up again. If you plan on wheeling it the axles will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. I'm sure the transmission and t-case are built about as tough as the rest of the truck so the entire drivetrain needs to be swapped out for reliability.

So as for the OP's question it all depends on how much your BII is worth to you. If you want to swap in another 2.9L just to be back to the some problems the 2.9L already has that's fine. If you want to spend the time doing the 4.0L swap it can work out as well. A V8 swap opens up a whole can of worms that will require the correct amount of research and a willingness to replace your entire drivetrain. Either way you look at it it boils down to what is your time and your rig worth to you.

 

[TJDukit]

Yeah, go buy a cookie-cutter jeep, or as they are called jeeps (the cookie cutter part goes without saying)

Thinking for yourself is overrated

Gonna have to go after the "cookie cutter" crap here.

Your rig is by no means a "cookie cutter" rig. Actually it really doesn't even qualify as a Ford anymore since you replaced it with all Chevy stuff. A guy driving around in a BII that's all off the shelf aftermarket parts is no different than a guy driving in a Jeep with all off the shelf aftermarket parts, at least as far as the "cookie cutter" part goes.

There is nothing wrong with a guy that wants to own and drive a BII(I know I make jokes but it's all in good fun as far as I'm concerned and if that offends anyone well they'll get over it) Just like there is nothing wrong with Toyota's and Jeeps.

You seem to think that if a guy owns a Jeep he then has no ability to think for himself, I don't see how your rig is any different than choosing a rig like a Jeep that is already capable and reliable. Other than the fact that it took you way more work to get to a reliable rig. Chevy stuff is tried, tested and proven, Jeep's are tried, tested and proven and BII's are tired, tested and failed unless you do what you did to yours. I know BII's are not reliable I used to own one and when I did I did as much research as I could and all the research I did told me they are not reliable.

I'm sure lots of people would love to build the rig of their dreams and it appears you have done that and you feel that it's the only way that's right and I'm happy for you but it's not for everyone. Some people don't have the tools, the know how or the space to change out a bumper let alone do a complete custom frame swap. I don't see anything wrong with those people and I'll still go wheeling with them even if they drive a Toyota or Ford for that matter.

I realize I'm getting way off topic here but hey that'll happen.

 

[B2-Bomber]

Gonna have to go after the "cookie cutter" crap here.

but of course you are, you're a jeeper. whose jeep couldn't be picked out of a lineup from at least 5 other users on this board. and 5,000 other rigs in Utah.....not cookie cutter at all, my apologies