The joys of Ford

This particular little vehicle will cause you much pain and suffering if you ever do repair work on them...which is inevitable when its 19 years old and pushing 300K miles

Problem isn't the repairs themselves...its the parts for those repairs.  To start there is 3 different engines put in the 89's, and with every last one of them the parts are completely incompatible which each other, as well as its an odd year where newer and older models tend to be quite differnt   Being this old there are a lot of parts the stores just don't tend to keep on hand, but they can be ordered.  Fan blade for the radiator...this was a couple years ago when this had to be replaced, the old one was about to fly apart.  Junk yards could not find any in better shape, so had to order new...only 3 existed in the entire country and were in different warehouses.  $125 just for a plastic blade   Then came the front brakes, friends had 3 weeks while I was over in Taiwan to get the new pads, rotors, bearings etc.  Came back to find it up on jacks.  Theres 10 inch rotors and theres 9 inch...they got the 9, it takes a 10.  Special order, took 3 more days.  Fuel tank...theres an interesting one.  Took forever to track one down. 

Back brakes, even better, again 10 inch and 9 inch.  Mine has 9 inch...got the drums and springs for the 10 inch and the pads for the 9...another 3 days up on blocks before that mess got sorted as there was no way to use what was left of the old ones...then theres just many other little things that I've had to fix and 90% of the time means returning parts to get the right ones.  Its guess work as to which ones mine actually has if we haven't fixed it before. 

Engine is also very compact and crowded for something so old...so some repairs can be frustrating.

Exhaust is another fun issue.  The original had rusted so bad it left me picking up its pieces off the road one late night after rough bump.  Had two ways to go about replacing it.  Brand new original setup...$750...or run true dual strait pipes for $240.  It now roars down the road with strait pipes but at least thats better then no exhaust at all   Reason the original system is so expensive is a double catalytic converter that runs $300 new.  So now no cats and technically not legal...but I wasn't about to shell out the extra money for that thing

Theres also a full size Bronco...which became the issue today.  Up till now I've done all the repair work.  A little over a year ago my drivers side interior handle broke off...they are pretty cheap plastic.  Was told I would just about have to get a new door.  So all this time I've been putting down the window to get out...which was fine till the motor crapped out, stripped a gear but have to have a whole new motor because the way they are made.  So have to force the window down and back up.  Not a big deal till winter hit and ice began to become an issue, could get in but couldn't get out   Many climbs over to the passenger side.  But its handle is about to snap to...same hard to open as the drivers side was.  The last straw was when I went to open the hatch about a month ago and its handle turned right off.  Exterior handle is the only way to open it, its one solid door instead of 2 halves like some.  Could order all the parts but the way the doors are constructed I would never have the tools or the patience to mess with them.  So with tax money I found a shop that would do it for $200 including parts and labor...lot cheaper then I had expected so decided to go with it.  Took it in this morning.  Got a call a couple hours later, the parts he had ordered and what he got were 2 different things.  The parts they sent were for the full size Bronco...not the Bronco II.  Of coarse they ain't even close.  So now I have it back and still forcing the window down and up.  He will have the parts by Tuesday and will take it back in Wednesday morning...hopefully all will go well and I will have working doors and windows once again.  Only issue is the massive rain turning to ice and snow storm we will be getting Sunday night...was really hoping to have it fixed before that.  I really don't want to fight with that window anymore...and it would be nice to open the hatch again

Another problem is the fuel gauge that doesn't work, guessing miles doesn't always work...many nights stranded in BFG ...have all the parts to run a new dash mounted one but have yet to find the time or a warm place to install it.  The new one will be completely separate from the original, the float on the old one will be cut off and a newer, cheaper sending unit will be installed off to the side, then new wires and gauge mounted on the dash.  Much cheaper and faster then trying to find out where the problem is with the original.

Overall its a great little road toad to run around in, not the best on gas, about 12-13 miles per gallon is doing good.  But it was my first vehicle and is now my project.  Will hopefully be rid of the thing in the spring.  Just trying to get a few minor details fixed before selling it, most people like working doors...I know I do   Suspension is shot but thats the next guys problem   Just glad its no longer my main vehicle.  Trusty 92 Chevy Silverado 1500 now holds that position, till recently, guy ran a stop sign and T-boned me about a month ago...still drivable but now insurance is straitened out and it went into the shop yesterday for its repair work, about another week before its done  

So, rant over I suppose.  Just never buy one...its a huge mistake, only plus side is parts are generally cheap.  FORD..."Fix Or Repair Daily"

Ivan wrote on Feb 15^th, 2008 at 5:36pm:


Not called the Beirut Taxi for nothing.

Matt

If you want to get a new pickup try the Toyota Hilux ......almost completely indestructable as proved by the UK's Top Gear team. The latest model is the first car ever driven to the Magnetic north pole. The older model was crashed .... burned ...... blown up.... immersed in sea water for 6 hours and with a bit of tinkering to clear the water out the engine ..... started first time.