Are bronco 2 really prone to flipping easily?

[MaD]

Seriously considering buying one at a dealer. 86 with the 2.9 4x4 Eddie Bauer edition. It's 16k but in pristine condition. I don't plan on using it for anything crazy other than driving it here n there and baby it and continue to preserve it. Mainly buying it as a prize possession. I would buy one to fix it up my self but they non existent. I would also highly consider getting a full sized one but they're also hard to find and when I have come across one they want an insane price for it. Thoughts??? I really love the color and seats in the bronco 2 I'm looking at.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If you remember youre driving a high sitting, short wheelbase, SUV youll be fine.

Will they flip eaiser then a civic? Absolutly. But they are no less safe then anything else in their class of vehicle.

Just drive it for what it is youll be fine.

....and if you buy it post pics

 

[rumblecloud]

It would be a lot more stable if you showed us what it looks like...

 

[ericbphoto]

It would be a lot We would be a tiny bit more stable if you showed us what it looks like...

FIFY

 

[19Walt93]

We sold an absolute pile of Bronco II's and I never saw one that had rolled over. If you lift it, it will be more prone to roll over. Keep the tires inflated and drive it, you'll be fine.

 

[sgtsandman]

The biggest thing you have to worry about in the Bronco II and the older Rangers that had the twin traction beam suspension was suspension jacking but it isn't dangerous or a big problem if you are aware of it and know how to handle it.

The other comment about it being a shorter vehicle somewhat applies too but the Bronco II isn't notorious for being prone to flipping.

You just need to learn the vehicle's mannerisms and not push it to it's limits until you feel confident and comfortable enough with it to do so. Just like any other vehicle.

 

[fastpakr]

It's definitely more roll prone than a lot of the vehicles that have come since, but I can only think of one time in years of ownership where one felt even slightly squirrelly. And at the time I was unquestionably driving like a moron.

 

[RobbieD]

My experience with these trucks is that the B2 can feel "tippier" than a Ranger or an Explorer in some conditions, but it's only a problem when the B2 is driven like something it ain't. It was designed for capable off-roading, not road racing.

The main thing working against the B2 in road handling is a high center of gravity (CG) versus the tire track (i.e.- width); the added high roof metal and glass does affect the CG versus the Ranger body. Then the short wheelbase comes into play because it reduces the turning radius, which can increase the lateral force in turns. Suspension jacking is yet another factor.

It all just means that turning too quick going too fast can roll the truck.

As others have said, driven reasonably the B2 handles fine. Drive like an idiot and anything can be dangerous.


On another note, I honestly believe that the dummy transfer case used in the 2WD B2s starting in '86 was mainly used to keep the CG lower in the 2WDs. Ever wonder why the beefiest RBV stock sway bars are specifically on 2WD B2s?

Or that the dummy t-case was a 2WD B2 item only? I don't know that it was used anywhere else in all of Fordom. The last month, or few months, B2 production used 2WD transmissions same as the Ranger (note as it was "building out"). Why wasn't that done all along?

 

[broncc]

Not yet, but I'm working on it. I drive like a real maniac with a big lift, driveway alignment, and lots of home made parts. I think it comes down to 90% taking it easy (shouldn't be hard with a 2.9) and 10% hoping you never have to do a "moose test" type maneuver.

 

[bobbywalter]

bronco 2s with dana 28 are tumble weeds.

that is all.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Also, note that 55mph is circled on the speedometer.

That was the national speed limit so roughly about there was part of a 80's vehicle design parameter.

Go stick in on a interstate with a 80mph speed limit and cruise with it pegged out... you could be the next Tom Cruise trying to go mach 10+

 

[ericbphoto]

bronco 2s with dana 28 are tumble weeds.

that is all.

Well, when you let your son drive it up a Boulder til it's nearly vertical then climb the rock on top of that boulder with just one wheel...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well, when you let your son drive it up a Boulder til it's nearly vertical then climb the rock on top of that boulder with just one wheel...

To be fair he told said son what was going to happen if he did that, and then kid totally did that and dumb ol' dad wasn't so dumb afer all (that time anyway)

 

[bobbywalter]

Well, when you let your son drive it up a Boulder til it's nearly vertical then climb the rock on top of that boulder with just one wheel...

no....this is not what i mean. and this will depend on where in the country you live.


my bronco lifted with dana 44 front axle, fresh springs and bushings, on 33 inch radials will corner harder then a stock b2. not even close to keeping up with me on the number 7 trail. that surprised me.....never would have dared to think that. i figured it was the 4.0 over the 2.9....but it was the damn thing wanting to lay over that slowed em down.

the ttb in certain conditions has the propensity to jack and unload and the inherent mis-alignment kicks in and does not help. this is the width and wheelbase.

a b2 with a d35 is much different then one with a d 28. i have had both. and really thats all they needed. its subtle until you push it. add 5 inches of wheel base and it would have been golden.

after spinning out on exit 227 on i75 in northern michigan my wife refused to drive one in the winter anymore.


i have had many b2 axles in my ranger because back in the day there were so many rolled. out of nearly 30 units...this was early 90's....only two or were not rolled. as time rolled on(yeah i said that..) this improved.


down south though....that was not the case. .there were two rows at one place and none looked rolled...and out in cali it was maybe 1 in 5 were rolled at the yards i visited...at that time there were a row or so and a row or so of explorers... cant even hardly find one now.





all that said. they are dangerous for people that do not have the good sense that god give a grasshopper. people ...the nader people....unsafe at any speed.



a stock b2 with a dana 28 i do not care to drive in the winter from personal experience. and i mean winter.....north of the 45th...

but if i did not have a choice....or it was my only vehicle....just drive easy. gonna be fine as long as you dont have to dodge and make evasive maneuvers for spinning minivans.

 

[bobbywalter]

and yes....we watched lots of desert racing b2's as well....way back when.



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