If I do get a Bronco II from a freind who owes me money. I was thinking of stripping it down to the bare frame, and making a buggy out of it, but is the Bronco II frame strong or weak?
Thanks thats all I need to know.
Otherwise I can just part it out, and if some of you need B2 parts PM me.

what are you going to do with it? i have a b2 with a 302 in it along with many of othere people, the frames can get weak due to rust though, you will have to check it out and see how it looks

Originally posted by wilber
what are you going to do with it? i have a b2 with a 302 in it along with many of othere people, the frames can get weak due to rust though, you will have to check it out and see how it looks

I will repeat it again, I would make a buggy with a cage out of it, if the frame is supposed to be strong enough, if not just part it all out.

if you're "tubing it out" and you do it properly it will be fine, but you might be better off work wise to just start with a couple sticksof rectangle tube, it will be stronger and you won't have to "work the bends" of the existing frame into your design....


:usa:

Originally posted by YellowSub1962
if you're "tubing it out" and you do it properly it will be fine, but you might be better off work wise to just start with a couple sticksof rectangle tube, it will be stronger and you won't have to "work the bends" of the existing frame into your design....


:usa:

Thanks, but however I don't really have the resources (capital) to do that, but I was just looking at a cheap buggy out of that frame.

not sure I understand then...It seems to me the only "capital" would be two sticks of rectangle tubing (like $100), then you use everything off the BII and transfer it to the "new frame"...you're still building a cage in either case, but you're starting with brand new, thicker, stronger, non rusty, straighter frame rails thats all....




:usa:

The ranger and belive the BII frames are made of C channel and are pretty flexy. Im sure a cage welded on would stiffen it up very well. The part most people have problems with on the frames it teh cross memeber under the motor when you install a cheap lift kit on it. It will eventually start to crack the cross member. I Also bent mine on the passanger side under the door when i lost a line and the truck fell like 3 feet and hit a pointy rock. I also had a friend bend his frame when he jumped it off the top of a sand dune on accident. Unless you plan on keeping the POS TTB front end i would just do when yellow sub said and start with some square tube. If you plan on useing the stock front end have fun making it live with anything over 33" tires if you are lucky. i broke mine constantly with 31"s

Matt

My brother made a tube buggy out of a broncoII and the frame held up fine. He kept the full running gear stock and just cut up the body to go wheeling. He just ran a lift and 33's and it did pretty well. As far as the frame, I don't think you will have any problems out of the frame at all. He currently runs all F150 running gear with a mustang 302 in his ranger. The only frame problems that i know of were around the steering box that he added off the F150. But just look up John Deere Ranger and you will find him he is on here pretty often. Did I mention he is also running 39's. :D

I've never seen a broken BII frame. As mentioned, they are made of thin channel and hold up to flexing quite well. It would be a light foundation for a buggy, and you can always beef it in the appropriate places.

i know your going to make a buggy, but what? stock motor? or v8? if your gonna run the stock drive train without a body and just add a cage then do it, it will be basicly the same thing i got but without a body

Me and a friend was talking about doing the same thing. I'm glad you brought this up. What will you use for drivetrain?

the b2 frames are like has been said fairly thin and flexy for a toy it works great the frame adds to suspension flex as a basic foundation and a learning tool it would be great. you tend to learn more by actually doing this way when you have more capital you will have an idea of what does work for you and what does not work.... the frame I'd use it unless it's rusted out right now I'm building up an 85 ranger with essentially the same frame the only problem I expect to have is if I add a 351or bigger engine or built 302 or a tire much bigger than 33 on the factory axles or 38 on a fullsize solid but thats down the road

I've had no problems with theframe cracking or bending on my BII. As people have said, they are rather flexy though.
I have however had problems with my F-150 frame cracking all over, strange isn't it.

Also do yourself a favor and junk the TTB setup, it flat out sucks, not to mention the axles are tiny on the dana 28 front end.

What kind of wheelbases you guys running no the BII?
If I do one I would at least put a EB D44 up front and a matching 9" rear.