Which way should I go.

[CoBroncoMark]

I own a '96 that I love. His name is Slayer and we have been over many a pass together. He was struck (interesting story) in a way that pretty much ruined him for closing the gate. I can buy a 91 here in my home town which is minus the 351 (I have a 302). The easy (!) way would be to transplant my 302 into the 91. It even has power windows and buckets and a straight rust free body.

To pull the doors, buckets, wiring, plus 1/4 panel and tailgate would be a lot of work. But it has identity. Plus the value of the last year it was made is worth something? Maybe?

See how he even bent the spare rack? He hit right on the spare hard enough that it spun the parked Bronco 45 degrees! I love Slayer and don't wanna get rid of him but I can't close the back up and it's cold out there.

 

[L\Bronco]

Hey there cobronco, that was a hard hit for sure, not sure if it tweaked the frame. (Hit high on the spare) the 1/4 panel and tailgate might have taken the brunt.
If you can live with the wrinkles, try bolting on the tailgate from the 91 (it will fit)
If it will close, you are in business.
The 96 is OBD11 and the 91 is OBD1
Not much is the same in the engine controls. It will be more work to re-wire the 91 to accept the 302 than the bodywork.
The 96 is way more truck all the way around. If the frames not bent, Id go the try and fix it route.
(I hate to see a good Bronco die.)
We saved mine from a guy that was parting him out.
Good luck
Cheers

 

[Tiha]

Quite a bit of different stuff when swapping from 96 to 91. I wouldn't generally think the two are comparable at all.

The 96 will also be designed to work with R134a freon while the 91 would still be R12. So if you like your AC that is another thing to consider.

The 96 if repairable. But I know insurance companies can be tough to deal with. I would run it by a body shop or two and get an opinion from them and not just take what the insurance company says.

Or are you talking about putting the 91 rear body on your 96 frame?

 

[CoBroncoMark]

Hey there cobronco, that was a hard hit for sure, not sure if it tweaked the frame. (Hit high on the spare) the 1/4 panel and tailgate might have taken the brunt.
If you can live with the wrinkles, try bolting on the tailgate from the 91 (it will fit)
If it will close, you are in business.
The 96 is OBD11 and the 91 is OBD1
Not much is the same in the engine controls. It will be more work to re-wire the 91 to accept the 302 than the bodywork.
The 96 is way more truck all the way around. If the frames not bent, Id go the try and fix it route.
(I hate to see a good Bronco die.)
We saved mine from a guy that was parting him out.
Good luck
Cheers

Thanks. How can I check the frame for sure? I got this from a dealer that had cleaned it up, no history. I has always driven squirrely and I can't get anyone to take it seriously. No one will just measure the frame and tell me. They want me to pay for alignment and then wait until they cant straighten it to determine the frame is bad. (!)
Interestingly it's drivability actually improved from this accident. Maybe "corrected" a previous damage? Seems that if you pull the frame and running gear across the asphalt sideways by pulling on the body, it would likely twist the body right off the frame. The body shops scoff at my concerns.

On the other direction, I have everything I need in my '96 that can be brought with the 302, engine wise. It has stuff I would like, like power windows, buckets, etc.
But it's not Slayer.

 

[L\Bronco]

Frames are tough to measure with the body on. The frame shops used to have gauges they hung on the frame at specific spots (called datum points)
Now they have a computerized rig that sits under the truck and an arm is placed at each of the datum points so see if the frame is swayed, twisted or diamond. Look really closely at the frame, especially in the rear, look for spots near crossmembers where the dirt is flaked off or there is “fresh” surface rust, this usually indicates bends. Its not very accurate though.
The best way honestly is at a frame shop.
Wish I could be more help, sorry.
Cheers

 

[lynchsg]

Quite a bit of different stuff when swapping from 96 to 91. I wouldn't generally think the two are comparable at all.

The 96 will also be designed to work with R134a freon while the 91 would still be R12. So if you like your AC that is another thing to consider.

The 96 if repairable. But I know insurance companies can be tough to deal with. I would run it by a body shop or two and get an opinion from them and not just take what the insurance company says.

Or are you talking about putting the 91 rear body on your 96 frame?

A lot of the mechanicals are compatible as are a lot of the basic body components.
The wiring, engine & transmission controls, hvac systems and body trim (obviously) are different.

 

[CoBroncoMark]

A lot of the mechanicals are compatible as are a lot of the basic body components.
The wiring, engine & transmission controls, hvac systems and body trim (obviously) are different.

Only options I've thought of were taking body pieces (and seats and doors) from the 91 to the '92. I'm pretty sure it would all fit. Second option would be to move the motor to the '91. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna keep the '96 unless it's just not straight. It's a toy so that affects the decisions quite a bit.

 

[lynchsg]

If you go stock set up (ie computer control, cats, etc.) and put a 302 where a 351 was, you’re going to need to change the engine control unit and maybe some sensors.
If you live where you don’t need to smog your Bronco, go carb, headers and traditional exhaust.
Where did the 92 come into the picture?