G’day!
I have a 1985 XLT all original and have been navigating repairs since early this year. I have a business in the US and before Covid spent a few months a year there, so chose the car knowing I’d be able to pick up parts on my travels easily and bring them back to Australia.
The challenge has been the differences once these cars landed Downunder from the US back in the 1980s. I guess I didn’t expect to encounter so many. For example in the fibreglass roof the windows are split screen instead of single panel - that makes replacing the seals impossible unless I replace the whole panel.
Most recently it’s the steering column. I need a new intermediate section. See attached pics, I recently purchased a new intermediate steering column from Borgeson in the US. What my mechanic found was the grooves go all the way around, whereas in the old one it’s 3/4’s so therefore if I want to use the (US bought) part I’ll have to get it machined to fit. Which carries risks. So what advice would you give guys? Should I machine the part to fit? Or I could also look to a steering upgrade and replace the whole box and column. Thoughts/suggestions appreciated. Broncos are rare in Australia and whilst I would have loved a first gen model They didn’t start importing till 3rd gen here. Thanks again
EDIT: YES my Bronco is RIGHT hand drive. The conversion was done 35 years ago upon import into the US
I have a 1985 XLT all original and have been navigating repairs since early this year. I have a business in the US and before Covid spent a few months a year there, so chose the car knowing I’d be able to pick up parts on my travels easily and bring them back to Australia.
The challenge has been the differences once these cars landed Downunder from the US back in the 1980s. I guess I didn’t expect to encounter so many. For example in the fibreglass roof the windows are split screen instead of single panel - that makes replacing the seals impossible unless I replace the whole panel.
Most recently it’s the steering column. I need a new intermediate section. See attached pics, I recently purchased a new intermediate steering column from Borgeson in the US. What my mechanic found was the grooves go all the way around, whereas in the old one it’s 3/4’s so therefore if I want to use the (US bought) part I’ll have to get it machined to fit. Which carries risks. So what advice would you give guys? Should I machine the part to fit? Or I could also look to a steering upgrade and replace the whole box and column. Thoughts/suggestions appreciated. Broncos are rare in Australia and whilst I would have loved a first gen model They didn’t start importing till 3rd gen here. Thanks again
EDIT: YES my Bronco is RIGHT hand drive. The conversion was done 35 years ago upon import into the US