I'm looking for opinions on the Ford list, because I'm a Ford man.
But here's my options I own both. 84 4runner 3" susp. carb,
solid axle.....
and a 85' B2 4"superlft, stockaxles.... Both are 5 speeds.
I want something to drive besides my Fullsize on the street and off road too, once in awhile....
I do have a 78 Bronco parts truck D44solid, 9". Soo.. yes I also have that way of thinking too, on completing which ever one might become the lone small one in the family. I would like to also hear from the hardcore B2 guys as I've read alot from the 4Runner's and the toyota's are on the trail here as well. But bring the 4runner vote too. I'm just looking for a vote or opinion.
I'll have my flame suit near for bringing the 4runner idea here just in case. Thanks.

bigsquirt

In stock form, the runner has a better(stronger) drive train. Personally I'd rather have a BII than a school bus. I like wheelin a BII because there aren't many out there. Everyone else seems to wheel yotas and heeps.

When it comes down to it, it really doesn't matter. Everyone ends up swapping engines and axles, chopping and extending wheel bases etc.....

I've been wheelin my BII for 10 years, and I don't care to have anything else. Not exactly hard core, but it gets me where I want to go.

got a few pictures of my junk here www.BroncoII4x4.com :usa:

It depends on what school were going to.. lol



C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\15_Steve.jpg
Some people say I drive a schoolbus. :D
Hardcore I'm not, like you I just want to enjoy some trails.
Although having a back up will be nice to also use as a daily driver too. Thanks for the input

I would pick the bronco II. I just like it a lot more though. It does seem like everyone is wheeling a yota.

Wes

Actually I'm leaning towards the B2. That's why I posted on the Ford tech side... It's better to hear it from inside the house first, so to speak... I had a B2 back in 87' "85B2"it served me well, until the family outgrew it in 92'. Plus I've had the B2 torn down before and can get parts all day at the boneyard cheap. I bought four used working man. hubs for $20... That should get me bye until I destroy or get tired of the D28..
Also I can get much more money for 4Runner... Can anybody say "daily driver" money... :D Well some of it anyways.:rolleyes:

i'm kinda partial to the b2 also. but as nobody stated, most people wind up swapping axles and motors anyway. you can always get a sploder(ranger) 35 and 8.8 for a little more beef. i found a set for the kid across the street for 550 bucks. he's sittin on the 8.8 and were just waiting for an oppurtunity to swap in the 35.
but in the end it boils down to personal preference.
shon

Originally posted by bigsquirt
It depends on what school were going to.. lol



C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\15_Steve.jpg
Some people say I drive a schoolbus. :D
Hardcore I'm not, like you I just want to enjoy some trails.
Although having a back up will be nice to also use as a daily driver too. Thanks for the input

:chuckle: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Desktop/15_Steve.jpg :chuckle:

A BII will cost you more in the long run to fix up. *trust me, i know..* You will have to upgrade the axles right off the bat if you plan to run a tire bigger than 31". The v6 is a dead horse. You will have to upgrade to a 4.0l v6 and or a 302/5.0l v8. With that comes upgrading the transmission. The frame is weak and thin. You will have to renforce it in a few places. If you dont go solid axle, you will find that TTB is a waste of time and money.

The only plus side to the BII is the fact that body panels are cheap to replace, and the dimentions are small enough to get you into the tight trails. *same dimentions as a vintage bronco*

Is the B2 frame thinner than a Ranger frame? My Ranger's frame is the same thickness as any other 1/2T truck I've looked at.

And TTB isn't necessarily a waste of time and money, either. Try working with it sometime. theres plenty of potential there, although it would have to be at least a D35 axle. Skyjacker is one of only two companies making decent lift brackets. You WILL want to ditch that Superlift and its drop "plate" bracket.

The Mitsubishi trannies aren't too great, but the Mazda ones are decent. I haven't confirmed their existence in B2s yet though. These were in Rangers and Explorers.

T-case is plenty strong, but theres currently little in the way of low gear options. KluneV was going to release their junk for it, but they've dropped the ball, it seems.

More aftermarket options abound for the toyotas, but only because everyone and their mother-in-law has one.