Hello from the PNW

[macnewbie]

Hi all!

I just joined the forum as I picked up this beauty. 1986 XLT Lariat, 2WD, 5.8 HO Windsor engine.

Needs just a tiny bit of TLC but she has been with one family her whole life and they took really good care of her.

Juan

[Gary Lewis]

Welcome!  Glad you joined.  

Wow, that is a nice truck!  They really did take good care of it.  Should make it a lot easier to make it "right" for your use.

What part of the PNW?  I ask because we have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and we can add you with a city/state or zip.

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[macnewbie]

I am in Bellevue, WA 98008

[Gary Lewis]

You are now on the map.  

[macnewbie]

OK, I have now had a bit of time to make an inventory of the small things that need to be addressed. Not sure whether to keep it here or start a new thread. But for the sake of getting things going and gathering some advice from the more experienced folks:

1. Charge the A/C - Done. It was not cooling at all. Checked the pressure, 7psi. Charged it to 100 psi and lost only 1.3psi over 30 minutes, so decided to charge the system with R-12 as the truck has not been converted. It took 3.3 lbs and started producing a 40 degree drop inside the cabin.

2. Replace tires. The tires it was riding on had ~85% tread left, but had a 125 mfg code, indicating they were made in March of 1995. Well past time to replace them. Went with the same tire that was installed, Michelin MTX M/S on the factory wagon wheels.



2. Fix driver door - the door seals are in place and in good condition, but when the door closes it is not "tight" and rattles a bit when underway. I read there is a plastic bushing that may be missing or needing replacement? I will check after work today.

3. Cruise control appears to be inoperative - Not sure where to start.

4. Fuel tank selector switch - no movement on the gauge when selecting rear tank. Not sure where to start.

5. Engine stall issue when slowing down and then accelerating. Eg. making a turn, or stopping at a red light. Not sure if this is a fuel issue, a tuning issue, a tranny issue?

I am waiting for my service manuals (purchased a complete set on eBay) to arrive, but if you have any ideas for me in the mean time please send my way!

[Gary Lewis]

Here is ok, but you'll get more attention in the main section.  Your call.

Good going on the A/C.  And good plan on the tires.  

On the doors, there is a thread called Pex Door Striker Mod that might help.

And our page at Documentation/Electrical/Speed Control might help with that one.

But I don't know where to start on the stalling issue so I'll address the fuel gauge.  It should be wired as shown below, which is from the 1986 EVTM at Documentation/Electrical/EVTM/1986 EVTM, so it isn't all that complicated.  However, when you say there is "no movement on the gauge when selecting rear tank", do you mean that it still reads the same regardless of the switch position?  If that is the case then it sounds like the switch itself has failed.

I would check the input and output of the switch.

[macnewbie]

Thank you Gary, when you say "main" section do you main the forum "root" directory, or the /Projects sub forum or???

Also thank you for the tips. Striker is fixed now too! But down the rabbit hole of your backup camera saga I go! :)

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, main section would be the root.  But Projects works also.  Your call.

As for the backup camera, I LOVE mine.  Backed up last night in the dark and could easily see what was back there.  

[BigBrother-84]

macnewbie wrote

Went with the same tire that was installed, Michelin MTX M/S on the factory wagon wheels.

You probably ment LTX M/S ?
Oh, nice nails, BTW.