1984 Ford Bronco II XLT 2.8L V6 2BL OHV 4WD with 4-Speed Manual Transmission

1984 Ford Bronco II XLT 4WD 4-Speed Manual Transmission 85k Miles Additional Info:

This auction is for a 1984 Ford Bronco II XLT 2.8L V6 2BL OHV with rear-wheel-drive and 4-wheel drive via locking front hubs in addition to a 4-speed manual transmission. The four-speed manual transmission is extremely rare and only about 5 percent of all Bronco II’s were produced in manual transmission between 1984 and 1990. This vehicle was the Bronco II's first year of production and considered the premium package. I believe (due to markings on the end gate) that this might have been number 97 produced. This Bronco is extremely clean and solid for its age and would make for an outstanding full restoration or restro-modified vehicle. Most of the “heavy lifting” has been done and the future owner will not have to worry about many of the previous headaches that were already properly addressed. Lastly, this Bronco has been selected to be on the cover of the LMC Truck catalog for April 2024. Documentation can be provided to verify this feature.

I’ve invested a lot of time and resources into bringing this Bronco back to life. The vehicle has received an overwhelming abundance of compliments and interest everywhere driven, especially when I took it to Colorado. It’s a very rare and super cool classic truck that will make for an outstanding project – especially for someone who’s capable and or has the resources to finish the job. I’m selling it because I’m in a transitional time of my life and will likely be relocating back to an urban area soon for professional reasons. The vehicle is currently being stored in the driveway at my parent’s house in Shaler Township (Pittsburgh, PA metro area), and I’ll be here to execute the sale in addition to addressing questions concerning the vehicle and parts.

Vehicle History and Condition

I’m the fourth owner, though I've been told that there were only two prior to myself, and a significant amount of restorative work has been performed on this vehicle with no corners cut. I’ve purchased this vehicle in the spring of 2021 while still a resident of Colorado, as I’ve been between there and my home state of Pennsylvania. The vehicle is located at my parent’s house in the Pittsburgh metro area, and this is where most of the recent work has been performed. The vehicle has been cleaned up both inside and outside. When originally purchased, the vehicle needed welding done to repair some holes and rusted out areas inside the cab in addition to body mounts and a centralized hole in the front right frame shock tower area. These items have been fully addressed by Beatty Welding, Inc. in Saxonburg, PA, a reputable welder who’s from a family with a deep background in automotive racing and restoration. Furthermore, this Bronco needed several parts replaced that were considered “unicorns” since they’re vehicle-specific to the 1984 Ford Bronco II, and all were obtained. It's been minimally driven with one round trip from Pittsburgh to Leadville, Colorado, and a few hundred miles of local driving in Western, PA.

I’ve obtained new OEM Y-Pipes, a new Ford OEM end gate latch with two keys, like-new Ford OEM rear leaf spring mounting brackets, and like-new Ford OEM valve covers. All these items have been installed apart from the Y-Pipes. The original Y-Pipes have several rusted-out holes and will need to be replaced. Additionally, the interior has been gutted out for repair work and would make for an easy installation of a liner such as Lizardskin, Line-X, new carpet, or simply painted. All molding has been permanently removed with the exception of seat-related components. The seats are in immaculate condition with the only exception being the driver’s seat, which has some holes, previous repair work done haphazardly, and needs new cushioning. The rear seats fold down and are in mint condition. According to the previous owner, the Bronco has spent considerable time stored in a warehouse in NJ. It was originally blue and red and repainted black. However, the paint job was obviously done on a budget, and it looks “rough”. There’s obvious bubbling and fading of the paint in numerous areas on the vehicle – the paint isn’t intact.

Repairs and Restorative Work Performed

Since obtaining this vehicle in April 2021, a significant amount of restorative work has been performed by Hesse Service in Wexford, PA and Randy’s Auto Repair of Marshall, Inc., in Marshall, Ill. The work performed in Illinois was during a trip from PA to CO to have the vehicle registered in Lake County, CO where I had residency and business operations. The combined work between Hesse Service and Randy’s Auto Repair between June 2021 and November 2023 has totaled around $5,000.00. Additionally, the OEM air filter cover, replaced OEM leaf spring mounting brackets, and replaced OEM valve covers were all chemically cleaned, and powder coated by Dylan’s Coatings in Plum, PA. Restorative work includes:

• Replaced rear leaf spring shackles
• Replaced rear leaf spring bushings
• Replaced rear leaf spring mounting brackets with a near-mint pair that were obtained from a 1984 Ford Bronco II from Desert Valley Auto Sales in Arizona (these brackets were fully restored, and powder coated in Satin Black by Dylan’s Coatings in Plum, PA)
• Replaced rear shocks with JBG shocks and black boots
• Replaced the end gate latch with a new Ford OEM latch including two keys and retainer clips (this part is vehicle-year specific and difficult to obtain)
• Replaced valve covers with a pair that were obtained from a 1984 Ford Bronco II XLT from Desert Valley Auto Sales in Arizona (these valve covers were fully restored, and powder coated in Ford Engine Blue by Dylan’s Coatings in Plum, PA)
• Installation of new Felt Pro valve cover gaskets
• Oil change including new filter, plug, and gasket
• Replaced alternator with a Powermaster 7078 Alternator
• Replaced all belts
• Replaced brake booster and master cylinder
• Replaced original carburetor with a high-choke carburetor
• Replaced fuel pump with a Carter high-performance fuel pump
• Replaced headlights
• Replaced wiper blades
• Replaced battery box with a new one that was welded into place
• Rewired negative terminal to chassis
• Replaced battery cables
• Replaced battery (NAPA battery that was obtained in the spring of 2023)
• Replaced ignition module
• Replaced solenoid
• Replaced distributor cap
• Replaced ignition distributor cap
• Replaced fuel filter
• Replaced air filter
• Replaced air cleaner diaphragm vacuum motor
• Replaced spark plugs
• Replaced spark plug wires
• Replaced the entire brake system including calipers and wheel cylinders, brake shoes, brake pads, brake hoses, brake lines, and more.
• Replaced driver’s side door sill and threshold plate with an aluminum one
• Replaced driver’s side door mirror with an after-market replacement (adhesive-backed tabs) (only the mirror was replaced and not the mounting bracket which is original)

In November 2023, welding restorative work was performed by Beatty Welding, Inc., in Saxonburg, PA. Beatty Welding, Inc. is a very reputable shop that has a profile in the racing scene throughout the Pittsburgh metro area. The cost of the welding was $1,300.00 and the welder confirmed that this vehicle is very clean and ideal for a full restoration. The frame was thoroughly checked and was concluded that it’s solid – especially after the repairs were performed. Welding work included:

• Plated and welded both side-front body mounts
• Repaired and plated the front frame and shock tower area
• Repaired and plated the floors (front floor panels, floorboards, and cargo bay)

In November 2017 under the previous ownership, a substantial number of repairs were performed by ASC Automotive in Atlantic Highlands, NJ that totaled nearly $2,000.00. Restorative work included:

• Checked fuel system
• Checked differential
• Replaced rear differential pinion seal
• Checked and repaired fuel system leak
• Replaced clutch master cylinder
• Replaced fuel tank
• Replaced fuel lines
• Replaced sending unit
• Replaced ignition coil
• Replaced clutch slave cylinder

Repair Work Needed

Some repair work that this vehicle needs includes additional minor welding inside the cab (there’s a small hole below the rear passenger side seat and a small hole next to the driver’s side seat mounting bracket (one of the rear bolt heads has snapped off and might need to be extracted, though it could possibly be removed from underneath the cab). There’s some rust along the outer side of inner wheel wells (in the crevice directly beneath the rear window on each side in addition to below the front seat belt mounting platform). The front shocks need to be replaced. There’s rust damage on the passenger side corner of the front of the hood in addition to a few small dents. The hood could probably be saved with minimal repair work including welding. The damage on the inside of the hood was caused from an apparent battery explosion during the original ownership. The original battery tray was also damaged, and I had it removed and a new one welded in by Hesse Service in Wexford, PA. There’s some rust damage to the fenders and underneath the doors. However, the doors are in great shape and can probably be salvaged with minimal repair work. The roof drain rails near the front need some minor restorative work as they’ve leaked (especially the passenger’s side). There’s some rust on the inside and outside of the front corner of the drainage rail on the passenger side, and recent welding has temporarily addressed these issues, but it’s not complete. Lastly, there’s some minor surface rust along the inside front of the ceiling (directly above the dashboard) caused from condensation when in storage between the first and second owner. This can easily be sanded off and painted over without any additional work.

The speedometer gear box started to not work during my trip from Pittsburgh to Colorado in June 2021. It could be the cable and transmitter, which are included in the auction, or the speedometer might have to be fixed or even replaced. Since the last official documentation of mileage, only a few thousand miles have been put on this vehicle. According to AutoCheck and CarFax, the odometer readings are consistent, and the mileage could literally be in the 80,000s as notated. A few other items that might need to be addressed are the U-Joint for the 4WD system and the driver’s side rear brake backing plate as it’s slightly bent. I’ve had it fixed by Randy’s Auto in June 2021, but it might need to be replaced. Randy’s also informed me about the U-Joint and suggested that it appeared to need replaced (they’re relatively inexpensive to replace).

Powder Coated and Restored OEM Parts

I’ve purchased a few items from Desert Valley Auto Sales in Arizona (an automotive specialist and salvage yard with a large selection of parts that’s been featured on a Discovery Channel documentary). I’ve obtained like-new OEM valve covers and leaf spring mounting brackets from them that were taken off a pristine albeit salvaged 1984 Ford Bronco II. These items were in excellent condition as they were taken from a vehicle that’s spent its life in the Southwest. I had them chemically cleaned and powder coated by Dylan’s Coatings in Plum, PA. According to Desert Valley Auto Sales, the existing Bronco II has a nice hood, exhaust manifold covers, and swing out spare tire carrier in case the future owner is interested in replacing those items. They might also have an OEM brake backing plate if the new owner decided to replace it with an original part.

Current Operation and Performance

The engine, transmission, exterior lights, rear seat belts, end gate (both upper glass and entire end gate), wipers, wiper fluid squirter, heat, air conditioning (works, but needs charged), blower fan, original stereo, and gauges (except for the speedometer) operate normally. The current hood latch has been problematic since the front end was removed for the installation of the new headlights. It appears that the spring in the latch is worn out. I have an entirely new latch and cable system included in this auction. Currently, it takes two people to open the hood as one must keep the hood release held out while someone else opens the latch from outside. The current dash lights are dim and new ones are included in this auction, but they haven’t yet been installed. The original front seat belts have been removed and new front lap seat belts along with related hardware are included in this auction. The driver’s side door opens and closes normally but could use a minor alignment.

Parts Included

Brand new parts included in this auction include the following:

• Replacement OEM Y-Pipes (these are difficult to obtain as they were specific to the 1984 model as it had a 2.8 liter engine as opposed to the 2.9 found in later models)
• Hood latch and cable (this might be installed before the auction ends)
• Speedometer cable, speed sensor, and related hardware including transmitter
• Replacement door and end gate lock cylinders with keys
• Heater core, blower motor and heater fan
• Replacement rubber gasket for driver’s side door (this might be installed before the auction ends)
• Moog replacement leaf spring shackle brackets and bushings
• A pair of heavy-duty retractable lap seat belts (in black) with mounting hardware
• Replacement review mirror
• Original end gate latch (needs repaired)
• An assortment of spare door handles, end gate window handle, and miscellaneous items.

I can provide copies of invoices for all repairs and restorative work performed since 2017 in addition to invoices for parts that were purchased separately (not through mechanics). These invoices will show repairs and restoration work totaling in excess of $7,000.00. Parts have cost around $1,000.00. Furthermore, I can provide a CarFax report from the summer of 2021 that shows a consistent mileage history and no reported claims or damage. There's been one recent comprehensive claim over the summer of 2023 from a small branch that hit the hood, but this damage hasn't been repaired (a few dents and blemishes in the paint). The current title is clean and from Colorado. I'm currently in the Pittsburgh metro area along with the vehicle.
Please let me know if you have any of questions and make sure to check out the Bronco's YouTube channel for additional videos of the engine, interior, welding, and driving. You can find it here (mostly shorts and two longer videos):https://www.youtube.com/@1984FordBroncoIIXLT
Good luck and please contact me with questions through eBay or on my cell phone at (212) 729-9676. Offers will be entertained!