Spinnakerblue89 Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 I always got a kick out of FoMoCo naming cars like they were a sequel, So I had to make something out of it. Bronco II: The Revenge. It took a while and a little negotiating, but I acquired a 1984 Ford Bronco II: Bronco Strikes Back. It has the 3-speed C5 automatic transmission, a 2.8 carbureted V6, and one whack paint job. One side is primer, the other is blue. It doesn't run at all, but I can get it to start for a few seconds with starting fluid or with pouring gas down the throat. I got a bunch of parts with it, including a new gas tank. The body actually has very little rust altogether, it has a new floor panel on the driver side. I'm really glad I learned a lot on the ZJ and Comanche before I bought this. It's evident that this Bronco II: Bronco Returns also has electrical issues and its grounds need refreshed! (Thanks Cruiser!) Okay, I've had my fun with the name. Without further ado... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 Ahhh my XJs direct competitor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted October 25, 2024 Author Share Posted October 25, 2024 31 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said: Ahhh my XJs direct competitor The BII is to Ford what the XJ is to Jeep... The Ranger is to Ford what the Comanche is to Jeep. One found more success with the SUV, the other found more success with the truck. It's a very interesting dynamic, and I happen to own an '88 Ranger. I guess now I only need an XJ Cherokee..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 An interesting dynamic indeed. Course I don’t think the bronco II was a great name which probably didn’t help to sell it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 Ah yes, a Bronco Twice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted October 25, 2024 Author Share Posted October 25, 2024 1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said: An interesting dynamic indeed. Course I don’t think the bronco II was a great name which probably didn’t help to sell it. Right, it followed the Mustake II. Didn't exactly set a great precedent, if you're a fan of Mustangs, at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 1 hour ago, Spinnakerblue89 said: Right, it followed the Mustake II. Gotta give credit where credit is due though. Because of the Pinto and Mustang II, we’ve got one of the best front suspension systems for old cars now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted October 25, 2024 Author Share Posted October 25, 2024 I didn't know that. I know the BII is different, and I know maaaaaany a mechanics who hated the twin I-beams. What's the scoop on the Pinto/Mustang II front end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 The Mustang II front suspension is just what most hot rod aftermarket suspensions are based off of. Definitely a far cry from the twin I-beams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted October 25, 2024 Author Share Posted October 25, 2024 6 hours ago, 89 MJ said: The Mustang II front suspension is just what most hot rod aftermarket suspensions are based off of. Definitely a far cry from the twin I-beams Ah, so sort of a game changer, you might say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted October 25, 2024 Share Posted October 25, 2024 41 minutes ago, Spinnakerblue89 said: Ah, so sort of a game changer, you might say? Exactly! Sorry for hijacking and talking about the other Ford sequel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted October 25, 2024 Author Share Posted October 25, 2024 Hey I don't mind, I learned something at least, and anyways, Pinto/Mustang II couldn't help but creep back into the discussion... I realize I never started my intention with this thing!!! 1. Get it running (really more of an afterthought...) 2. Convert to Pinto/Mustang II Duraspark ignition. 3. Redo the interior. 4. (A huge maybe) Repaint it a deluxe tu-tone blue and white using the same blue it once was. Give it back it's '80's shine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drahcir495 Posted November 2, 2024 Share Posted November 2, 2024 It's been so long since I've seen one of these! Brings back memories. I will be checking in on this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted November 4, 2024 Author Share Posted November 4, 2024 On 11/2/2024 at 9:00 AM, Drahcir495 said: It's been so long since I've seen one of these! Brings back memories. I will be checking in on this Funny you say that, it's the most common answer I get when I mention it. I have to say this...... After I replaced the mechanical fuel pump and the starter this weekend, I immediately went to work refreshing and adding the grounds. No doubt out it, these could use it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted December 7, 2024 Author Share Posted December 7, 2024 Jeez, between reading about the GM 2.8 V6 and the Ford 2.8 V6... It makes me wonder if they were invented just so the company can claim that had a V6 for a certain application... Grounds ahoy! Been adding and refreshing grounds to this thing. Was wondering if anyone has ever had any experience with spraying Zinc coating or some sort of anti-corrosion film of a finished ground before? I ask because someone at work was mentioning it and I'd never thought of it before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted Wednesday at 07:58 PM Author Share Posted Wednesday at 07:58 PM 16 July, 2025 Update: It ain't a project til ya paint the valve covers!! I don't have other rocks going on but basically, it runs and it doesn't run. I did the Duraspark Conversion that surprise-surprise- some Jeep owners do as well. Before I did the conversion, it would start, but had a gas leak at the carb. Not only that, the valve covers were leaking and the valve lash likely needed set anyways. So because of the perfect storm, I decided instead of rebuilding the old feedback 2150 Motorcraft carburetor, I'll just start the conversion process. Now, this is mostly for the Full-Size Jeep crowd, as I understand it. A lot of older, really end-of Malaise Era Fords up to about 1985, have a lot of government intrusion under the hood and a lot of that- including the computer- can be done away with if you set up a Duraspark or similar ignition systems. My knowledge is fairly limited on the subject, but I believe that similar-era Jeeps that utilize Motorcraft carburetors can be Durasparked as well. The benefit is debatable, but noticeable. Meaning, whether you get improved fuel economy or power is hit or miss, I think. But what is noticeable is the cold starts are improved, engine idle and performance in general is improved. Reliability is improved. There are less sensors that get in the way. Really, an expert can tell you more. The really way to make the new ignition system shine is by utilizing a GM HEI ignition module, which simplifies and improved reliability, as well as spark output. So truly, it's a hybrid ignition system. Lots of wires, a computer, and relays were removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted Wednesday at 09:00 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 09:00 PM That engine bay will make anyone appreciate the XJ/MJ 4.0Ls lack of room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted Wednesday at 10:18 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 10:18 PM This very much reminds me of my Eagle. I ripped off the computer controlled garbage and slapped a 2150 and HEI dizzy in its place. Felt like it doubled the horsepower of that car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted Thursday at 03:57 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 03:57 PM 18 hours ago, eaglescout526 said: That engine bay will make anyone appreciate the XJ/MJ 4.0Ls lack of room. Funny you should say that. The picture doesn't do justice at all. But hear me out: There actually is plenty of room to do just about everything. It actually has more room than my 4.0 MJ and certainly my 4.0 ZJ. However there is one supremely serious flaw to this layout. Equipped with AC from the factory, spark plug #3 is extremely difficult to replace. On the left side of the picture, you'll notice a large black box mounted to the firewall, and a disconnected silver tube sticking out kinda below it... Yeah, that's all in the way of cylinder 3. This is one of those things that make me say "sometimes those Chevy guys do get the last laugh." 17 hours ago, 89 MJ said: This very much reminds me of my Eagle. I ripped off the computer controlled garbage and slapped a 2150 and HEI dizzy in its place. Felt like it doubled the horsepower of that car. I was not aware the Eagle shared that mod with its Jeep cousins. How was the idle? How were the MPGs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted Thursday at 04:52 PM Share Posted Thursday at 04:52 PM 54 minutes ago, Spinnakerblue89 said: Yeah, that's all in the way of cylinder 3 Yikes! Reminds me of cylinder 1 on the 2.5L with AC mounted on top of the radiator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted Thursday at 04:54 PM Share Posted Thursday at 04:54 PM 55 minutes ago, Spinnakerblue89 said: I was not aware the Eagle shared that mod with its Jeep cousins. How was the idle? How were the MPGs? The idle smoothed out a lot, but all of the stuff I pulled off had sat for years and probably wasn't tuned perfectly. I'm not sure how much the MPGs improved because I didn't drive it on the road with the old stuff, but I get around 16 with the new stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted Thursday at 04:54 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 04:54 PM 2 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said: Yikes! Reminds me of cylinder 1 on the 2.5L with AC mounted on top of the radiator. Was that all 2.5? Or just the XJ/MJ platform? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnakerblue89 Posted Thursday at 04:55 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 04:55 PM Just now, 89 MJ said: The idle smoothed out a lot, but all of the stuff I pulled off had sat for years and probably wasn't tuned perfectly. I'm not sure how much the MPGs improved because I didn't drive it on the road with the old stuff, but I get around 16 with the new stuff. Right! Can't ask for too much from these older rides! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted Thursday at 05:16 PM Share Posted Thursday at 05:16 PM 19 minutes ago, Spinnakerblue89 said: Right! Can't ask for too much from these older rides! Exactly. The lack of overdrive definitely hurts the fuel economy with the 3.54 gears and the fact that I drive it like a regular car doesn't help either. It gets driven in stop and go traffic and spends time idling, which kills the mileage too. I bet if I just went on a nice cruise in it, it would be in the 20s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted Thursday at 05:20 PM Share Posted Thursday at 05:20 PM 24 minutes ago, Spinnakerblue89 said: Was that all 2.5? Or just the XJ/MJ platform? I haven’t looked at HO but I know Renix era for all the 2.5Ls were like this with the factory AC set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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