I have a 1984 Bronco II that I purchased as a project/ daily driver. It runs just fine right now, it only has 100,000 miles on the 2.8 carburated (spelling?) v-6. I want to put a bigger 6-cylinder in it though, as well as a new transmission, transfer case, and possibly axles, if I need to. I was thinking about either the 3.3 or the 4.0 out of an early 90's ranger, but I don't know which is better. Transmission and transfer case I know know jack about so any advice on that would be spectacular. I would like to go with a 5-speed transmission is my only tranny preference. The axles I don't know if I even need to change them, this is going to be a hunting truck, and it is going to get beat up, but it is also going to be a daily driver. Any info on engine swaps or advice on what I should use for tranny, transfer case, or if I should change the axles would be great, you can respond here or send me an e-mail at morlhug@aol.com. Also lockers? Do I need them? Most of my off-roading will be in rocky terrain.

p.s. I know that this is a lot of mechanical work, but it will be spread out over several years. I am going to get all the new components together before I start tearing apart a perfectly good running truck.  

Hey I don't have an Answer for you right off but i know the guys at explorerforum.com would deffinatly be able to help out... there is a wealth of information on BII, Explorers and Rangers on the site. Hope this helps....  

go with a 4.0l, it has way more torque and power, as well as reliability and more after market support.

what tranny is in it right now?  is it a 3 speed automatic?

if it is i have a mazda M5OD 5 speed manual in my bronco 2 behind a 4.0 in great shape, just needs a clutch that i would trade straight across for the auto.

if it is an overdrive auto, swap it before any other mods cause they are junk!!!  and just throw it away.

what size tires are u going to run?

the stock axles are not capable of much more than 33" and that is pushing it. lockers will be a great traction adder and really benifit u in rocks so u dont have to use the gas so much (speed kills; trucks)
but will cause the axles to be more vulnerable to break.

great axle swaps in there would be an 8.8 from a '96 explorer with disk breaks in the rear, and a HP dana 44 from an early bronco or a dana 44 from a wagoneer with short track width.

the stock transfer case is a decent unit but the borg warner 1456 in the '90's explorers are stronger and have a kardon front drive shaft wich eliminates the slip yolk u currently have, much better setup.

stack is comming out with an adapter for the 25 spline output, but is rather pricy, as well as advance adapters ATLAS 2 case.  aside from that there is not a whole lot out there for RBV's.


some good web site are rangerstation.com and broncoII.org along with the explorer forums.

good luck and have fun building and wheeling the little pony!!!  

I run a 5.0 HO from '93 Mustang GT in mine with a NP435 4-speed and NP205 all gear drive transfer case. If I were doing a swap, I'd go 5.0 personally. An F-150 bellhousing will mate the 5.0 right to the NP435 tranny. Either way there is a wealth of info on both the 5.0 and the 4.0 swap and anything else Bronco II realted at these sites.

www.broncoii.org
www.broncoii4x4.com

87 Bronco II
5.0 HO
Dana 44 front (full width)
9" Ford rear (full width)
NP435 4-speed
NP205 all gear drive transfer case
35" Pro-Comp MT's on Eagle Alloys  

check out www.broncoII.org they have tons of info and the site is dedicated to the bronco II's and you could also check out www.broncograveyard.com they have a bunch of parts for swaps and such. good luck