Resurrection of a Bronco II

[rdbjr]

I have owned an '88 Bronco II (2.9L, unknown transmission -- 3rd one since I've owned it, 4wd) for about 12 years now, but it has seen better days. Now that my life has settled down a bit I am in the planning stages of a resurrection of this beast.

Since the engine is on its last legs (presumably cracked somewhere important as coolant is leaking into the cylinders), the clutch is dead, and this particular vehicle has needed a new transmission every 35,000 miles (heavy commuting up and down mountains when I was in college did not treat it well) it makes sense to start from the ground up and try to get some help from those who came before me.

I have figured out the following objectives for this vehicle:
1) street legal in NJ
2) more power than as delivered from the factory
3) heavier duty clutch/ transmission/ transfer case (and if necessary other components)
4) needs to continue to have a manual transmission
5) keep the A/C if possible (it has never worked for as long as I have owned it, but it's worth a shot)

At this point, as long as I am not going to spend $20k on the vehicle I think the project should be able to go to completion (I am married and spousal justification for that kind of expenditure would be a bit rough given that I could buy a new Escape with a manual transmission for a little bit more -- even if it has a smaller engine).

If anyone has a street-tested combination for the powertrain with more zip and endurance than the factory configuration, I would love to hear suggestions. Unfortunately, I have no experience welding, swapping engines, or generally removing parts heavier than myself from vehicles.

Thanks for your time!

Rudy

 

[CopyKat]

4.0L with M5OD.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

4.0L with M5OD.

+1, that combo setup correctly should be legit about anywhere.

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

and that tranny will outlast the 4.0

 

[CopyKat]

and that tranny will outlast the 4.0

I Broke 2

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

I would say its the strongest in STOCK form that he could put behin it, and I doubt he will put one through the same abuse that you do

 

[ZMan]

You have to be sure that doesn't have any leaks...M5ODs will toast the bearings if you let the fluid leak out of them.

 

[rdbjr]

Thanks for the suggestions! I am not that familiar with the transfer case and axles regarding durability (I do vaguely remember replacing the universal joints at around 100,000 miles). Do you think the stock ones would work with the power the 4.0 could put out, or would there be a better combination?

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

yeah your stock axles will be fine, unless you plan on doing some serious offroading, then you will want an 8.8 and a Dana 35 out of a newer ranger, preferably an explorer.