Justa wanna put in a 4.0 with 5 speed

[straightbII]

What is the simplest 4.0 5 speed combination that I can get to bolt into my 85 BII that is currently a 2.8L with OD automatic? BII is in excellent condition, just bought it rust free and running fine for 900 bucks. But didn't realize that it was gutless. My 1986 3.0 L 5 speed BII that I put 250 thousand miles on was really great power wise. Don't know if the extra liter or the automatic is bringing on the gutless problem. Also, anyone driving the OD Automatic could tell me if the thing is any good, though a gutless combination. How bullet proof is the tranny. Seems like it has to rev pretty high between automatic shifts.

I'll have a lot more questions on this little 4wd. Don't know why they sell so cheap frankly. I like them better than the jeep. And I like them better than the Early Broncos'. I may buy a few more and put them in the barn. I suspect they are sleepers that will come up in price. Specially where fuel is right now. I got 20 MPG on the new BII even with the OD Auto and 2.8 at 65 MPH.

Thanks ahead of time for comments and help

[Nobody]

Check out DBrowns 4.0L swap here
http://www.broncoii4x4.com/4.0L-swap/4.0L-swap.php

For the most part it's a straight swap, and you can use your existing tranny. Unfortunately, none of the Bronco II transmissions are bullet proof.

I have a 302 in mine and I wouldn't have it any other way, and it opens doors to bulletproof transmission. It's not nearly as easy as the 4.0L swap though.

You're on the right track though. The 4.0L will let you keep up with traffic And the transmissions should last quite awhile if you are nice to them.

And you are right, the Bronco II's are sleepers. Most folks either love them or hate them. They've gained a ton of popularity in the last 5 or 6 years. As you've found, they are cheap, and do decent offroad.

[DBrown]

I owned a 2.8L auto 84 a long time ago and I can honestly say it was the slowest truck I owned. the 2.9L manual 86 I had last was better but when I put in the 4.0L in it was real nice.......I was using the stock tranny untill I could track down a M50D from a 4.0L truck. if you go looking look for a 4wd ranger or explorer with a 4.0L and a manual. that will be the motor/tranny combo you will want. just a heads up though you will probably have better luck looking for a ranger because I have only seen a hand full of exploders with the manual option.

the years you will want to look for are 90-94.

[straightbII]

Thanks everyone for the replys so far. Hopefully a few more will come in. Regarading the Ranger 4.0 and manual transmission. Is it a drop in option or is there cutting and fitting associated with that? I would imagine ford made the bronco II bodies so they would accept clutch brake or automatic brad peddle locations?? How about the transmission tunnel, is it set up for manual transmission sticking through as well as the current T handle shifter??

[DBrown]

if you read the swap info you will see it is a direct bolt in as far as mounts, tranny, and body. the problems you will have is fuel lines and wiring. you might want to grab the radiator also if you can I just used the 2.9L radiator and got away with it.

[Dreded]

iv had a Auto and a manual BII before I found the manual one to be just right power wise maybe a little underpowered for its weight class but pretty good I found the auto to be undrivable by my standards it was so damn gutless

[ranger5.0]

The 2.8 was a racing motor they used in capris in the seventies. Solid lifter cam and a gear drive helped it win the 1977 can am championship of its class. It is a high reving motor thus not making power until 3500 rpm and above. It is a poor choice for a 3500 pound four wheel drive truck (especially with an automatic) unless you know how to use the powerband. I enjoyed mine with a 5-speed and 4:10 gears. That is why it will seem to rev so high between shifts. I would manually shift the rig in town and probably stay in second until about 45 mph and above. You won't hurt the motor. Mine consistently rev to 6200 rpm (rev limited) and has seen 7000 with the mallory distributor.