1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

[Gsmblue]

Also,

I am going to try and get 2 more estimates on Monday.. for now, I am going camping!

[FuzzFace2]

Is there a spud shaft between the transmission out put shaft and the transfer case in put shaft to join the 2 together?
This spud shaft would be in the transfer case adaptor, maybe he meant adaptor?

The only Ford stuff I played with was a C4 & think Dana 20 or 30 transfer case in a first gen Bronco back in the early 80's. The adaptor & spud shaft had to be changed as the truck came with a 3 on the tree and the adaptor & spud were different between them.
Dave ----

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm of the opinion that all Bullnose trucks had the same shaft and coupler.
Divorced transfer case is an exception, but I haven't seen many.

[Gsmblue]

Well Espy has been at the shop for over a week and they have not got to pulling her apart and working out what they need.

Espy is still parked on the street where I left her.

I am, unimpressed.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I guess he doesn't want your money...

Take it somewhere else.

[Gsmblue]

Well. Please excuse my foul temper here. But I am pissed off.

After 6 weeks I am finally picking up Espy today.  Price for transfer case and A4OD came in $300 over estimate and 4 weeks longer.(edit to correct the time, originally i said 8 and 6 but just correct to 6 and 4, still too long by any measure.)

I did not receive a single phone call until this week.

I went in there 3 times to get updates and called twice, the women on the front desk was less than helpful.

I asked 2 weeks in if they could look at the price for the rear axel rebuild and do any better, they didn't even remember until I called them this week for an update. Then I was told "$3k for a re-gear". I said that ridiculous and is not what I asked for, I asked for a rebuild! So I got told today that would be $1400. TO REBUILD A 9" REAR END! And that was $400 more then I was told during the original conversation...

Man, I am so pissed I went to this place. They have an excellent reputation for quality and service which is why I went there.

And I am still not clear on exactly what they have done. I got told "the A40D install, custom input shaft that we had to have cut down at a local shop and the transfer case overhaul"

I need to calm down before I head over there so I can discuss this with them in a calm manner.

Fair to say, for the first time in an awful long time I feel ripped off.

This is why I try to do as much myself as possible.. Need to walk this off..

[ArdWrknTrk]

Wow!
I think you're entirely justified in your anger.

You made it clear what you wanted for Espy, and tried to work with them all along.

I understand that you'd be reluctant to dive into the drivetrain if you have little or no experience setting up gears.
And you're right, it can't get much simpler than a 9".

Doing something like that on your own for the first time is a ball of wax.

I feel very bad for you that you've been taken advantage of in this way.
I can only imagine.

But I do see why Vernon (Big Blue's PO) walked away from his dream truck in disgust.

[Gsmblue]

Thanks for the empathy Jim.

One of my biggest character flaws is I am too trusting.

I cleared my afternoon schedule and I am heading out there about noon to work this out. Which probably means pay them and never go back.

A rebuild kit is $85. an inch pound wrench is cheap. Just add a shop press and I can do this rear end myself...

[ArdWrknTrk]

Don't forget the marking paste for mesh! 😉

If you don't have a good grasp of patterns and backlash I'm sure you can get a lot of help here.

Dave (fuzzface2) and Bill Vose both have a good grasp of setting these things up.
There are other racers too.
I'm a dilettante, but may have something to offer...

Just know that we are a 'family' here, and I can't think of any one of us that won't be there to support you and help get this resolved.  💪💪💪

[ArdWrknTrk]

Horrid Fate has a hydraulic press on sale for $150 right now.
They are always a worthy shop addition.

Let me grab the coupon...

[Gsmblue]

I have nearly bought that press 10x in the last 12 months... It is my birthday in October.

Just picked up Espy. Not exactly impressed. I will explain.

My truck (Eunice in the profile pic). Is my benchmark. 1985, 5.0EFI AOD. Now, when I bought it the previous owner was proud to tell me it had a transgo kit installed. He was a mechanic for carafe. It meant nothing to me at the time. Maybe now it does.

Back to Espy.

The shift lever is super hard to move and find the right "spot" for OD. When in OD it is kinda vague and wants to slide down to D.

When driving, the first shift point is high, 4krpm! I need to drive her more and understand her shifting and note how she shifts on light throttle and and WOT. prob need a co pilot to make notes.

Kickdown is not smooth. Not like my truck.

When in OD engine RPMs are still higher than I wanted. I want to say 2500rpm at 55. closer to 3krpm at 65. I am still pretty mad so the red fog may be coloring me right now.

Eunice is more like 2krpm at 65 if I recall. I will know tomorrow when I take her for a spin.

I have a horrible feeling Espy is going back in and I would have lost all summer.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Sure sounds like the tv cable/rod isn't adjusted correctly.

Remind me what torque converter you have installed?

Sometimes it's better to cut your losses and move on.
But I don't have an answer for you.
Did they go for a drive with you before you accepted delivery?

[Gary Lewis]

Playing with our calculator (Documentation/Driveline/Calculators) the only way I can get an AOD to turn the engine close to 3k @ 65 MPH is to have 4.11 gears and be in 3rd gear.  That way you'd be turning about 2900 RPM, assuming 31" tires.

I don't think you are getting into OD.  Yes, Espy needs to go back.  BUMMER!

[Gsmblue]

No acceptance test drive. That did surprise me.

Part of me was wondering how much I was getting hung up on how she drove before, how the truck drives and I assumed the two would now be exactly the same. That is not going to happen, the truck has had its tranny messed with and a 8.8 rear end. They are not going to feel the same and I have to stop that comparison.

So I just drove around with the dog for a bit, got a coffee and just tried to focus on how she felt driving and not stare at the speedo and tach. In that regard Espy felt fine.

Going to try that for a couple of days and then on Sunday actually look at tach/speedo and all that.

And yes, 31inch tires, C6 torque converter (no idea of any of the torque convert specs or gear ratios in the AOD)..

The saga continues..

[Gsmblue]

Found out this morning the back up lights only come on in Park and Neutral.

How did they mess that up?

When cold the AOD will only shift into OD at 55mph. Once warmed up that come down a little but never down to 45. I know my electric choke is holding on a little long so will dial that back.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Neutral safety switch is mis-wired.

These guys really are hacks!

I wouldn't trust them with my tricycle.

[Gsmblue]

Oh boy, this has been a rough day.

Something positive, I changed the rods and primary jets to stage one lean and back the choke off, engine is a lot happier, not running as rich.

Set the crossovers on the speakers so the stereo is performing as it should now.

Ordered a PRNDD1 shif indicator off fleabay.

Less positive, transmission slips. Mainly when pulling away slowly or accelerating slowly shifting 2-3.

Spoke to them this morning, sent a long email listing all I have noticed, Espy going back in Monday 8am.

Sorry for the unusually negative posts.

[Gary Lewis]

I can understand your negative comments.  I'd be there as well.  In fact, I have been - the first body man ripped me off for $6k on Dad's truck.  I was SICK!  And I probably told a lot a people about it.  So I do understand.  Hopefully they will make it right.

But at least you had some positive steps, getting the carb and crossover set, and the shift indicator on order.

Hang in there, it will eventually work out.  But it isn't fun while it is happening.

[Gsmblue]

Cheers Gary. I am naturally a very upbeat person. But about once a year something happens and boy do i go down the path with it.

While i was under Espy i noticed the transfer case has not been touched but has new front and rear driveshafts.

Remember when i took it in they said they were going to need a new input shaft and i was asking here about it, the consensus was that shouldn’t be the case...

So something has gone really wrong here and i will get to the bottom of it. $2800 for an aod transmission and 2 drive shafts is criminal.

[ArdWrknTrk]

There's no need to apologize.
We've all been there....

If you need some documentation to back your case you're in the best place on the planet (at this time)

So they've chumped the wiring, the TV adjustment, and what else?

How can we support you?