i basically just need a daily driver until i get a car to play with. i plan on only doing minimal mods (headers-back exhaust, intake, etc.), because i just can't resist. if i get the bronco ii, i may do a 4x4 conversion after getting a car, but probably not.

ranger 4x2:
2.8l carbed v6
5 speed
~60k on replaced motor.
interior looks almost new. just needs a new tailgate (rust holes) and maybe a paintjob. very sound mechanically. drives with no problems. regulary maintained and repaired. clutch is fairly new, etc. manual windows, radio, tilt and cruise... very basic really.

bronco ii 4x2
2.9l injected v6
5 speed
~200k on original motor.
again, the interior is in suprisingly good shape. maybe needs to carpet due to a few stains. despite the miles, there are no readily known mechanical issues. it is also well maintained and driven somewhat regularly. xlt was the top trim for the year (excluding special editions such as eddie bauer), so it has power everything, etc.

which would you get and why?

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:35 PM. Reason : .]

1/28/2009 4:25:48 PM

you fucking crazy

get a different line up, and spare the $$$ on the header-back/intake

1/28/2009 4:27:39 PM

i forgot to mention either one is only costing me $500.

a cat-back exhaust for the ranger is only $100 (dynomax iirc).

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:32 PM. Reason : .]

1/28/2009 4:31:41 PM

doing I/H/E on either of those cars is about as dumb of an idea as could be dreamed up. so is doing a 4x4 conversion--just buy one with 4x4 if that's what you want.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:34 PM. Reason : i'd get the pickup, just for the replaced and rebuilt expensive bits]

1/28/2009 4:33:33 PM

here's the recipe: garage boys will vouch

(1) bronco II
(1) 302 v8
(1) sm465
(1) transfercase to match - someone holla

Dana 44 front, 9" rear

35's

lots of tube


sawzall the hell out of the top



....profittt

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:37 PM. Reason : i wanted to do this to the gf's bronco, but she soldded it]

1/28/2009 4:36:49 PM

haha, that is a lot of drivetrain for a little truck

1/28/2009 4:37:53 PM

twould be one helluva super-mini-truggy

1/28/2009 4:41:17 PM

i agree it'd be dumb if i were looking at spending $500+, but i'm talking about a measely $100-$200. i can't leave 'em stock. i gotta do something and there really isn't too much to do (barring motor swapping). and either one will essentially be a back-up/parts hauling/beat the shit out of it vehicle once i get a car.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:43 PM. Reason : .]

1/28/2009 4:41:22 PM

spare the header


pull-a-part for chambered mufflers on the cheap, or cherry bomb... make it loud.

clamp on filter from advance

WAIT:

2.3 turbo swap what what

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:43 PM. Reason : 0]

1/28/2009 4:42:54 PM

browsing the interwebs, it's apparently easier to put a 302 in the 2.8l ranger than the bronco ii. motor swap would be waaaaay down the line though, if ever.

1/28/2009 4:45:21 PM

i'm leaning towards the bronco at this point because a) more off-roading potential and aftermarket should i decide to spend the $$$$$; b) i've always liked bronco ii's, and never liked rangers (prefer the s10); c) it's black on black (me likes), but the ranger is white on red (go 'pack).

the ranger has more life in it though, because of new parts. hmmm... then again, i hope to have found a nice car within the next 3 months, so i don't need either truck to last too long.

1/28/2009 4:52:41 PM

"2wd bronco" and "offroad" dont belong in the same thread, btw

I just reread the statement - that bronco package i mentioned above is a tested combination, btw.


I'd get the cheapest shitbeater and see how little i could spend on it. come back to tww when you get that new car

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 4:56 PM. Reason : -]

1/28/2009 4:54:58 PM

but it's a "2wd bronco now" maybe to be reborn as a "v8 powered 4x4 off-roader".

yeah, the "cheapest build possible" thing is what i'm going for. i've learned a good bit about off-roading/building jeeps once i bought the '97 zj i had, but i don't know shit when it comes to off-roading or general performance potential of these two trucks. i didn't search out either of the vehicles. a good friend of mine's uncle just has few extra vehicles laying around his land, and they know i'm in need of a vehicle.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 5:01 PM. Reason : .]

1/28/2009 4:57:24 PM

Bronco II.
Save the upgrade $$$ for repairs. They're not going to do anything for that motor.
Sell the truck and buy a 4x4 if you decide you need a 4x4.

The BII is one of the most tippy vehicles ever made. You're best bet is to put some full size axles under it if you're going to lift it up. The axles are relatively weak anyway, so you'd want to do that if you were doing big meats or V8 power anyway.

It's not going to be "cheap" after you stuff in a 302 with matching tranny, swap the axles, and add a transfer case. Heck, the $500 for the truck is next to nothing just compared to the cost of the tires and wheels you'll need to buy. If you want a cheap wheeler search for someone's project that they got tired of and spend a little more cash.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 5:05 PM. Reason : l]

1/28/2009 5:01:52 PM

i meant cheap project right now. i'm aware of the daunting task of swaps and conversions, but that's years from now if anything (i try to keep my vehicles as long as they don't get totaled/crushed )

1/28/2009 5:35:23 PM

"i basically just need a daily driver" + "only costing me $500" = save the mod money for the maintenance and repairs that either of those shitboxes will need

1/28/2009 5:43:46 PM

^^BUILT NOT BOUGHT, SON



ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH A WELDER, SAWZALL AND SOME TUBE

1/28/2009 5:44:34 PM

With the plethora of nicely built YJs, TJs, and Samis out there I ain't building shit!

1/28/2009 10:58:47 PM

i thought you bought a decent zj for a dd not too long ago?

1/28/2009 11:36:46 PM

Here's something you need to STRONGLY consider before buying either one if you plan on doing a 4wd conversion: your only real option is to do a leaf-spring hung solid front axle...and then you'll have to lift the rear accordingly.

The 2wd and 4wd ranger/bII trucks are built on different chassis, and the 4wd stuff can be bolted up, but the 2wd frame doesn't have a necessary clearance hump.

I personally have a weakness for the 2.8L engine, as it's one of the original Cologne built and designed narrow angle V6s. They are notorious for top end oiling issues, however, and I wouldn't do one without using solid lifters and adjustable rockers. And brand new pushrods that AREN'T plugged up.

The 2.9, while injected, just isn't nearly as easy to mod or tinker. It's got the damn Ford EEC-IV electronic ignition, and you can't play around with it much. The 2.8 has timing gears; the 2.9 has a chain. The 2.8 is also a fairly short stroke engine.

The 2.8 comes with one of my favorite carburetors of all time: The Autolite/Motorcraft 2150 two barrel.

1/29/2009 8:29:56 PM