[88BlackBronco]

Everyone comes back from deployment and spends 35k on a new car. I thought I'd be the only guy rockin' an old truck, but I'm not. Other equally frugal Soldiers have purchased older trucks. I got my hands on this 88 XLT for 3500. PO rebuilt the engine and tranny, 10,000 miles and 3,000 miles ago respectively. It's funny, all the new cars in the parking lot, and all the guys stand around my old ass Bronco.

The idea is to drive this as a daily driver for the remainder of my days. I want this thing to be my chariot to my own retirement party someday. One can't restore a truck all at once when you're as frugal as I am, make a Soldier's paycheck, and have 3 dependents. So I decided I'd replace things as they brake, brand new... reuse as much as I can without sacrificing safety or performance. I've had the thing 5 weeks and already dropped about 1500 into it.


http://img857.imageshack.us/i/bronconowthen.png/

Had a rough day today, exhaust can fell off, something's broke in the ignition cylinder, and the blinkers quit blinking. /sigh/ If I wasn't absolutely in love with this truck, I'd kick it.

http://img26.imageshack.us/i/beforeafterd.png/

I'm not planning on lifting it much (maybe 2-3"). I'm not really into much hardcore off-roading. However, I did feel it necessary to put the back up higher than the front. A Ford with a forward lean only means one thing back home... it drives across county lines at night level as a minister.

http://img859.imageshack.us/i/dscf6633.jpg/

This is the Detroit TrueTrac that I had installed after a battle with the spacer dimensions and finding a machine shop with the balls to do it.
(Note my awesome workspace. We Sergeants aren't high up enough on the totem pole to get our own garage in govn't housing, so they give us a 10x8 shed. This is what my awesome workspace looks like after 16 hours of labor.)

http://img846.imageshack.us/i/dscf6624.jpg

All in all, it's a great truck. I don't make payments to a bank, only Autozone, and it's not much. Beats the hell out of the Chevy I used to own. I came over to Ford after GM took all that tax payer money after two decades of horrible business decisions. I don't give a hell if they paid it back or not. I swore off GM for life.

Well that's it. Maybe more pictures after some work in the future, to bore the hell out of ya. Thanks for looking!

 

[Andrew James]

Schweet!

 

[alaskan155]

looks cool

 

[ArthurB]

Very Nice looking ride - even cooler that you got it to where it is today on a soldiers salary with three dependents.

I also have an 88 Black XLT and wish it looked that good. One question for you....did you consider painting the mirrors black? After blacking out the tailgate & adding the black side steps I thought you might do the grill, headlight area & mirrors as well.

I'm thinking about doing so this wknd to my truck but still on the fence.

 

[Sock Puppet]

That's a nice looking rig! Great job on the floor liner, too.opc1:

 

[JKossarides]

Sorry, Bump- Dupe

 

[JKossarides]

Welcome to FSB Officially Brother ~ :thumbup

If you can't start the Bronco from the key/cylinder it might be the "upper ignition actuator" has broken in it's track inside the steering wheel OR could be just the key cylinder itself which "pops out" if you look right under it on the metal column collar, there's a little slot and with the key turned to RUN -engine off push up inside with an appropriate tool and comes right out...

You can either jump start the vehicle from the "starter relay" under the hood, right inside fender area or pull off the "black plastic cosmetic column shroud" exposing a long 'ROD" and with the key turned to RUN using a set of pliers, drive the ROD downward/forward and the vehicle will start with most key functions intact....i.e, RUN/NO START, OFF/LOCK, AUX.

Using the FSB "search" tool above there's a terrific thread here on this subject by..bronco boy ..ignition actuator replacement on an 85w/tilt or very close to that wording, it's a picture step by step How To replace a broken actuator which only costs $10.00 in the help section but everything you need is there including the part # which is used for both Tilt and Non-Tilt columns BUT it's a PITA job....lol lol

Addtional Help sources:

Haynes Repair Manual ~ it's the bible here so we're all on the same page to help one another quickly.
www.broncolinks.com ~ a wealth of tech info for Broncos and F150's.
www.fordfuelinjection.com ~ offers a variety of products along with FREE vehicle computer "fault code" numbers with explanations for self diagnosis trouble shooting using either an OBD-I or II Ford Code Reader, costs $29.99 at most auto stores, an invaluable tool IMO.
www.supermotors.net ~ web hosting sister site joins FREE for additional "truck porn".

Enjoy! :beer

 

[GMAN]

Looks sharp! I'm working on an 87 and you've given me a few ideas for future upgrades for mine!

 

[rogueagent6]

First of all, welcome home and thank you for your service, even though you're in the Army. :haha Just kidding, my best friends was in the Army. :beer I'm a former Marine, so I have to give you shit. :toothless

Second, outstanding job on the Bronco so far, can't wait to be able to really tear into mine, just have to wait until I pay my POS Pontiac off. :banghead

I hear you on the whole GM issue, unfortunately I was already into mine when GM's dirty laundry was aired, but it's almost paid off. It's funny though, the seven year old grand am has 70k fewer miles, rattles more, and is worth less than the 17 year old Bronco. Just goes to show you how bad GM's quality is/was. :rofl:

 

[claudes04]

Awesome srgt. I'm kinda in the same shoes other than you have one more kid than I.lol I just bought a bronco too 81' with a 302 in hills of fort Lewis 1500$ but I'm kinda new into the Carb motors ....I love it more than any other car I've ever owned. I'm looking forward as a daily driver as well I'm not really helping your posts but I'm just glad I'm not the only one doing this on soldiers salary..and if your safe and be able to spend your money wisel then I know for sure I can do the same thanks...

 

[20sNaRanger]

welcome to the dark side

Thanks for your service!

You'll find all the info here on this website that you could possibly want to know about your BKO


My dad was a 1st sgt when he had his FSB back in the day. I loved that damn truck