Converting a '96 to an Alt-fuel?

[clucking]

Hope this hasn't been covered, at least too recently. I have a '96 full-size Bronco that I bought new, has just over 110k miles, and I love it, but I'm looking to step into the 21st century. Options I've mulled over include liquid propane, compressed natural gas, ethanol....I'm open to suggestions. I'm also open to suggestions for a competent (read: excellent) person to do this kind of work, since it's beyond my art. Does anyone have any experience doing this sort of thing, or ideas/thoughts/suggestions? Any and all opinions are welcome. I realize the idea of this might be repugnant to some, but again, I'm open to any and all opinions.

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Hope this hasn't been covered, at least too recently. I have a '96 full-size Bronco that I bought new, has just over 110k miles, and I love it, but I'm looking to step into the 21st century. Options I've mulled over include liquid propane, compressed natural gas, ethanol....I'm open to suggestions. I'm also open to suggestions for a competent (read: excellent) person to do this kind of work, since it's beyond my art. Does anyone have any experience doing this sort of thing, or ideas/thoughts/suggestions? Any and all opinions are welcome. I realize the idea of this might be repugnant to some, but again, I'm open to any and all opinions.Thanks,

Charlie

Don't know much abotu compressed natural gas or liquid propane.

Ethanol is a drain on our resources and is a political chip, to make a difference we would need to grow corn on 50% or our land mass, its a waste and eventually the population will realize that. We just lost huge crops to flooding and they were pulling so much already that cattle, pig and chicken ranchers are having a **** of a time affording food, huge amounts were diverted this year to make Ethanol, and so your price in the store is going up on meats. I can't support that stuff, its more harmful than good.

Then only thing I have seen that makes sense and is financially secure in alternative fuels for existing vehicles is Bio-Diesel but you have to have a diesel engine. Heck, you can produce your own fuel for around $1.25 to $1.50 per gallon, but even with that you must buy the equipment.

Going 'green' (God I hate that term....political bullcrap) in an exisiting rig will be close to impossible until the science is released to the public. Don't let Al the full of bullcrap Gore make you think your killing the planet, 1/2 digree of climate warming in the last 100 years, which were the most industrious in recorded world history, ain't that bad.

Sorry, I got to ranting there towards the end. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Rick in Orlando

 

[Outkast]

besides iv heard that cows are contributers to "global warming". Also Al Gore and other rich people may talk all they want about "global warming" but right after go get in their big suburbans.

 

[clucking]

Um, I really wasn't looking to begin a political discussion, just seeing if anyone had any info on converting to a fuel that:

A: doesn't cost $4.50 to drive me 13 miles, and

B: doesn't cause my country to be beholden to the interests of the middle east.

Completely agree on the corn issue, by the way. I talked to one fella who converts deisels to bio who said he always wanted to put one of his custom biodiesel engines in a bronco, but he was quoting $8k-ish and that's a touch more than I'd like to pay.

Thanks for the responses.

C

 

[Justshootme84]

I think you're best option may be propane, as there are some conversion kits that you may be able to adapt to the 96 Bronco. I've run propane on a couple rigs in the past, as well as having some that wewre formewre conversions retro'd back to gasoline. Propane is a viable alternative, but my bigge4st beef with it is it's ******* valve seals. you might want to research topics on propane conversion, leaded vs. unleaded gas, and the pros/cons of propane vs. unleaded gas. your 96 motor is set-up for unleaded gas, so in theory, propane may be harder on the seals than an older engine. IF you really dig deep, some of the Aussie's run LPG, or liquified petroleum gas, as an alternative to pure gasoline. In my experience down under, that's often more an issue of supply than fuel mileage. IF you're 200K from the nearest station, you may very well need an alternate fuel source. JSM84

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Completely agree on the corn issue, by the way. I talked to one fella who converts deisels to bio who said he always wanted to put one of his custom biodiesel engines in a bronco, but he was quoting $8k-ish and that's a touch more than I'd like to pay.

That's the point, there is no need for a conversion or "custom biodiesel engine". Biodiesel runs in your diesel with no conversion needed. Wasn't trying to go political, just giving you the low down on the details, and one of your reasons is political ( B ). But I agree with you entirely on why you want to. Me too.

Rick in Orlando

 

[swampthing]

you could always build a still and brew some corn whiskey...my grandpop used to run it in his cars

 

[miesk5]

I have often thought of someday putting the 96 away for another time instead of selling it at a very low price due to MPG issues.

or thought of going to bio-diesel; if I had the $$$ to do so

but, our state of NJ would not let me drive it on the highway because I "have changed the ( a big list, will post only the major issues):

Emission System

Exhaust System

Fuel System

and the 3rd thang they do is hook up a scanner to the OBD II connector; if it doesn't power-up or is ready for da "Drive Cycle", ... forget the rest. I yakked for hours with State DMV folks and know that they will never change. So I deleted all my info I have accumulated about the bio-diesel and the electric drive conversion (one of my Navy/DoD jobs was with Electric Drive in Navy ships and electric motor noise reduction; as well as Sub batteries).

Propane is a good choice; but I can't see getting it past the Inspection process here;

anyway, here is some onfo, but for earlier years;

Conversion info & pics, Dual Fuel (propane/gas) in a 78

Source: by Douglas W

more by Doug

 

[RBuffordTJ]

and the 3rd thang they do is hook up a scanner to the OBD II connector; if it doesn't power-up or is ready for da "Drive Cycle", ... forget the rest. I yakked for hours with State DMV folks and know that they will never change. So I deleted all my info I have accumulated about the bio-diesel and the electric drive conversion (one of my Navy/DoD jobs was with Electric Drive in Navy ships and electric motor noise reduction; as well as Sub batteries).

Question, why would you not consider bio-diesel? It requires no change over. No adaption. No computer changes. The emissions are lower than regular diesel so the exhaust testing will be better. The exhaust actually smells slightly sweet, several of our city buses here in Orlando are running it and the results are good, they did nothing to modify them, simply pumped in the bio-diesel and cranked them up. I know NJ is different but....

Just wondering.

Rick in Orlando

 

[miesk5]

Rick,

I wrote; thought of going to bio-diesel; if I had the $$$ to do so.. but it won't happen in NJ:

& I know some have done the propane conversions, but on 78-79 Broncos. But they have gotten state insp at a priv shop ($$$)

Anyway, off topic now Rick...

figuring I have some time now and this issue rally bugs me; I have a rant about NJ MVA and their contractors.

The NJ State Inspection Stations are manned by contractors w/state supervision & guidelines. They will not allow any conversions (exc for some who Do KNOW the laws and regs here, see below CARB EO). The 3rd set of items they ck for, after driver's license, updated reg. and insurance card, then all lights, is the OBDII check on OBD II vehicles such as my 96. If that OBDII test can't be done, then the vehicle is failed. I have seen a lot of 96 Broncos and F series fail bec. the OBD II test power ckt is dead due to a blown fuse. It shares same ckt w/cigar lighter and the wiring often chafes on the rear of the lighter's frame. It happened to me twice when I did my own cks with my scanner for a DTC. I finally found the short after a few hrs.

Anyway, it won't happen in NJ. btw, the newest addition to Insp cks failure is a tranny leak! These paid-off lawmakers are killing us little guys without the $$ to go for a new vehicle or lease or relatively time consuming/$$$ repair to avoid this circle **** on little maint issues.

EDIT; found da all-encompassing NJ law after a few hours and a call to a relative;

"39:3-77. Selling or using unapproved devices or equipment

No person shall have for sale, sell or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle any unapproved device or equipment of a type which is required to be approved by the commissioner.

No person shall have for sale, sell, offer for sale or use any device, part or accessory which changes or is intended to change the design or designed performance of any device or equipment required to be approved..."

NJ MVA thus sums this up in their site as:

"...To pass a safety inspection, vehicles are expected to be maintained according to the original manufacturer

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Rick,The NJ State Inspection Stations are manned by contractors w/state supervision & guidelines. They will not allow any conversions. The 3rd set of items they ck for, after driver's license, updated reg. and insurance card, then all lights, is the OBDII check on OBD II vehicles such as my 96. If that OBDII test can't be done, then the vehicle is failed. I have seen a lot of 96 Broncos and F series fail bec. the OBD II test power ckt is dead due to a blown fuse. It shares same ckt w/cigar lighter and the wiring often chafes on the rear of the lighter's frame. It happened to me twice when I did my own cks with my scanner for a DTC. I finally found the short after a few hrs.

Anyway, it won't happen in NJ. btw, the newest addition to Insp cks failure is a tranny leak.

I know some have done the propane conversions, but on 78-79 Broncos.

Thats a pain. I know some states still use those inspections, a lot have quit but I have a feeling that will change.

 

[miesk5]

edit failed..lost power while I was out

 

[miesk5]

Thats a pain. I know some states still use those inspections, a lot have quit but I have a feeling that will change.

Yep Rick,

Sorry, I went out while editing my comment above.

NJ is killing us on minor details now. I went thru a Circle discussion recently on my 96's 4WABS trouble light; a few calls to state DMV and a nice lady told me it "is Not an automatic failure, as long as the brake system passes the electronic type brake test"

What she failed to add is that the INSP. station will pass it "conditionally", meaning I have 30 days to repair or replce the HCU which is not avail new anywhere and was over $1,400, by Ford up to 3 or 4 yrs ago.

I can get used ones for under $125.00 but still.... then the HCU bleeding is another $ drainer.

be well Rick. I need to move soon.

 

[RBuffordTJ]

be well Rick. I need to move soon.

Yes, yes you do. Dang!

Rick

 

[clucking]

Anyone have any new interesting info on converting a '96 (non-deisel) Bronco to an alternative fuel?

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[bobstrat]

a friend of mine has a bronco that is a former security vehicle of some sort. it is designed to use either natural gas or propane (from my forklift motor experience, it appears to be propane, but i don't know much about natural gas), i'm not sure which since i have ignored it as there are no motor parts i can pilfer from it. i will try to get some pics of the motor and more information as to whether or not this was a ford option or an aftermarket conversion. hopefully some time in the next week i'll have a chance to stop by there.