Thread: CopyKat's BroncoII

Here is a short build on my truck.

The build started off as being a trail rig (Rocks and Mud) and Daily Driver. But it's been more of a Daily driver/weekend toy.

Bought the truck in the summer of 2004 for $500. Didn't start building untill the winter of 2005. It was on the road by the fall of 2006.

I'll skip the boring trail truck part of the build but get to some of the nitty gritty bits.

Specs:

Truck: 1987 model year BroncoII. Original chassis was bent as the fram e was hitting the exhaust manifold collector flange on the passenger side. That had to go and was replaced with a chassis from a 1989 model. Alot of floor repair was done before the cab was placed on the newer chassis. New body bushings and a 1" body lift was added.

Front axle: D35 from a 1991 Ranger. Plated, boxed and trussed beams. 4.10 gears and D44 knuckle conversion. Suspension is a home brew long travel setup. After years of trying things on a ranger I was able to use that knowledge to put this together. Home built extended rad arms and 4" drop brakcets locate the axle under the truck. Early Bronco wildhorses 5.5" lift coils keep the frame above the axle. Rancho RS9000XL shocks in a quad configuration. 14" travel shocks infront of the coil and 12" travel shocks behind the coil. Modified F150 coil buckets and a custom shock hoop sit on top of the coils. A Modified Superrunner linkage round out the front suspension.

Rear axle: 1990 ranger 8.8 with 4.10's and a lockrite locker. Modified caliper brackets to use explorer disc brakes. 1.25" wheel adapters for the width and bolt pattern change. Dodge Durango leaf springs with an explorer leaf stuffed in the mix. Custom built shackle drop bracket moved back for proper geometry. Shocks are Rancho RS9000XL's in a 10" travel setup on a custom shock tower.

Powertrain:
Engine: 1991 4.0L bottom end with ported 95TM heads. Hedman headers. Modified throttle body, home brew cold air intake. Dual batteries and a 130 Amp alternator. Saginaw powersteering pump with cooler. Electric fan.

Some may know it had a 1991 4.0L that I turbocharged but since blowing a headgasket and warping a head I removed it and will eventually build up another block more suited to be force fed.

Transmission: Mazda M5OD 5 speed with 2.9L gearing (Lowest 1st, 2nd, & 3rd)

Transfercase: BW1354 manual shifted.

Exterior: Custom built front and rear bumpers. Roof rack. Home built fiberglass quarter panels. Custom front grill.

Interior: complete 1990 BroncoII interior, bedlined floor. Aftermarket gauges.

Tires and wheels: 15"Aluminum wheels with Kumho KL-71's in a 33x12.5 size.

With all the specs out of the way here are some of the pictures.

Here are some pictures out on the trail. The same year i got it on the road and the first wheeling trip with it.







After some mods









Back out in the rocks for more carnage.







Almost burnt the truck down on this run. Melted the wire harness for the fuel pump.





Here are a couple from this spring after the turbo was installed.

Thing has came a long way that's for sure. I think you are due for a paint job.

I've got newer rust free doors already. I just need to fix a couple spots around the rockers and get it prepped for paint. I was planning to do it this summer yet. Just need to find the time to fix the rust and finish off the fiberglass quarters.

You know what would look really sweet? A custom made fiberglass dash.

I have to admit, when you first posted that you were going to build your own fenders, I thought you were nuts. I will never doubt you again.

You have a ton of work in that thing. One of my favorite things is that early grille. Between that and the custom glass, nothing else looks like it. Way cool.

Originally Posted by Brandon_Charley

You know what would look really sweet? A custom made fiberglass dash.

Yes...Yes it would!

Originally Posted by squirelmurphy

I have to admit, when you first posted that you were going to build your own fenders, I thought you were nuts. I will never doubt you again.

You have a ton of work in that thing. One of my favorite things is that early grille. Between that and the custom glass, nothing else looks like it. Way cool.

Lots of people told me I was crazy, I was starting to think so too.

There is more to come however. Front axle swap #3 will be happening soon as I now have the 4.09 gears and the proper carrier.

My fender link is in my siggy. The durango spring swap is on the forum somewhere. Same with the turbo setup. So if anyone is up for a read and intersted search it out.

Originally Posted by Brandon_Charley

You know what would look really sweet? A custom made fiberglass dash.

LOL! that means updates on the fiberglass dash thread!!!

This thread needs an update. Not too much has happened other than paint.



Added splash guards out back.




Decals on the crap rusty doors.

nice bII!... came a long way from when you first got it and it must feel good being able to do everything from fab to fiber yourself!

truck turned out really cool. like the color!

reminds me of this fj a little. by far my favorite fj...

the glass work looks great with the fresh paint on it, and I love the grill looking like an early bronco's

pfft do you ever lie, you have your dash ripped apart, and you also did the buldges in your hood so ha!

but after seeing your beams in new paint and knowing how crappy they look now, i think its time to bring them out and repaint!

Originally Posted by batman45

pfft do you ever lie, you have your dash ripped apart, and you also did the buldges in your hood so ha!

but after seeing your beams in new paint and knowing how crappy they look now, i think its time to bring them out and repaint!

OK ya I've done other things but they hardly warrant a sentance about them.

The other thing to note is that I stepped up to 35's, you see in the pictures.

As for painting the beams. that's not going to happen. If I pull them out it will be for the D44 TTB to go under. THAT will get painted.

Here are some new pictures.

that thing is sweet! good work.

I have always hatted Bronco II's for some reason ....But your has made me change my mind pretty sweet man........ Ecspecially for CANADA EHH!

God i though Colorado was far outta the scene...

Ya the truck is kinda a sore thumb out in these parts, but it gets looks, and it is unique.

Been watching this thing for along time, still remember when everyone talked crap when you made your fenders but MAD F-ING props dude! Nice B2!!!!!!!!!!

really wanna give you made props for the Headlights i think i really gives it a nice change also ... Kinda funny ive been stalking this little bronco 2 i really like the way yours turned out man!! im gonna borrow some of your glass ideas ..

B2's get overlooked so much. There are lots of things you can do to make them better.

I'm glad I got mine. The ranger was getting cramped inside with just 2 people. I've got alot of multi purpose mods that make it so much better.

I'm far from done on this project. More things comming.

i agree with most everyone else, good job making your own glass fenders. seems like they turned out great

Thanks guys.

I've got some work to get done on it soon. The hood risers I bonded on the hood popped off on me the other day. Going to put them back on and make a quick mold, and make a hood skin. Cut the frame off an old hood I have and bond the fiberglass skin on. I'd also like to do lower door skins the same way.

So the engine in the truck had issues. I picked up a donor Ranger that has a super running 4.0L. Swapped the engine over last week. Much smoother and none of the valvetrain clatter most 4.0L have.

Man I miss my Bronco now!! Sweet job!

Does anyone else sometimes forget that Copykat≠410Fortune?

It's like having a built Bronco II automatically makes you a guru in at least one offroad related field.

Originally Posted by Brandon_Charley

Does anyone else sometimes forget that Copykat≠410Fortune?

It's like having a built Bronco II automatically makes you a guru in at least one offroad related field.

Haha. I've been into rangers since 95, and have always owened one or two at a time. There is not one inch of the truck that I have not had apart or modified.

I'm far from an expert but I do know my way around these trucks.

Originally Posted by Brandon_Charley

Does anyone else sometimes forget that Copykat≠410Fortune?

It's like having a built Bronco II automatically makes you a guru in at least one offroad related field.

so lost are you saying copycat is a new screen name 410fortune made?

-=Jason=-

No, we are not the same guy. Jamie still goes by 410fortune. He's on here every now and then. I'm a different dude.

The Bronco is soon to retire from DD status and be upgraded to Play toy.

Things that are in the works. Collecting parts and dreaming of ideas.

Once the ranger is on the road the teardown will begin. I already sold my front suspension. I'm talking everything. Beams lift etc.

Starting over with a D44 TTB. Have 4.09 gears and the 4.10 split open carrier for the pig. It's going to stay as an open Diff. Conversion brackets I have already. Picked up a pair of F150 Deaver 5.5" lift coils. Plan to do a ball joint cut and turn to get the alignment back to spec. Fox 2.0x14 resi shocks will get mounted infront of the beam/coil. Extended radius arms and upper coil bucket/shock tower will need to be designed.

Interior will get a simple cage.

Custom fiberglass dash.

The rear I wasn't going to touch but carlover and my buddy Batman45 convinced me that a Mezzi setup will be kick ass. More on that when the front is complete.

back from the dead! nice

Never really died.

Here are the front coils and the shocks that will go on all 4 corners.

and a turbo?

here is the front shot and side shot. those are 15x8 with 4"bs. Im going to be running 16.5x9 double bead locks with 2inch back with 8lug hubs up front and a sterling in the rear.