[Chelsea33]

So took home my newly bought bronco last night, 1985 new . And there are a few kinks im going to start working out. One is im having the stabilizer bar replaced because there is so much slack in the wheel and alil difficult to drive down the road. Two the paint is decent but it needs the primary color repainted and the hard top is not bad but is faded on top. Not quite sure what direction I am going to go on the hard top but getting the main body painted is much higher on the list. Lastly the gas tank likes to overfill while I’m trying to fill her up, read up on it and I do believe it is the vent hose. But I would like to know what others might think. This is gonna be a pretty decent restoration of a 85, definitely not a from the ground up though. I have never tinkered around with vehicles so I’m going in blindly but thank goodness for technology. If anyone has any tips for the gas tank and hard top let me know. Also finding a body shop that will do classic cars is like pulling teeth.

 

[packagerjr]

The ‘87 up filler hose is a good mod and plenty about it on the internet.

On my ‘80 I found the tank to have a spot welded retainer inside the tank neck. I can’t recall if the ‘87 up filler hose won’t fit or if it was because of the angle it has to be installed in if you leave the tank in place. Regardless, it was a complete PITA. I wouldn’t hesitate to drop the tank if I needed to work on it. And new tanks are only $100.

My 80 used a 25 gallon tank but seems 33 is more popular, especially in later gens. So just be sure of what you have. I have both skid plates and can snap some dimensions to help you if needed.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Whoa there on the stabilizer bar! Thats like putting a band aid on a bullet wound. The stabilizer bar, or sway bar as we know it, is only there to prevent body roll when cornering.

The steering system has a couple spots that should be checked. The shaft from firewall to the steering gear box is the first place to check. Second is the steering gearbox itself. Then comes the fun part: ball joints and tie rods. Any of these parts can cause wandering steering. @BroncMom has a couple threads on steering fixes for her '82.

The last part of the puzzle is the power steering pump. The ford factory unit is okay for street driving with stock tires. But there is an upgrade available known as a Saginaw pump. Its a GM product that ford used in econoline vans from 1975 through '96. It is much more robust and has a better flow rate. But finding one for a v-belt engine is getting tougher. Junkyards are about the only option.

Also, these ol beasts do not drive like a modern vehicle. They will wander a bit, and you will get used to it.

 

[BroncMom]

Priorities priorities priorities... Start (air, fuel, spark), Run (carb, filters, tune up, steering (ball joints, tie rods, steering shaft, gear box, bushings)), stop (brakes, brake lines, booster, mc)... Change all fluids, clean and reseat all grounds, fresh gas if it hasn't been run in a while... Vacuum lines, belts... All necessities for any beginning resto especially if you want it to be your daily...
Then paint and body... Unless you're like flintstoning your azz down the street...
Not a ground up but just the basics...

Scared yet? 😁

 

[BigBlue 94]

Unless you're like flintstoning your azz down the street...

You've seen my 78 f150 then... Lol! Might as well name it Barney Rubble

 

[Molar65]

I think that he means Steering stabilizer, not sway bar, nevertheless the advice given is spot on.

 

[robbz28]

On both of my broncos, the rag joint was completely toast, 15 bucks and an hour later my steering was vastly improved, removed 80% of the "slop" out of my steering. Now does it still need lots of other parts replaced? Sure...but you can drive it down the road now without waving your arms like a mad man.

I understand that working on these old rigs can sometimes be about "bang for the buck" and do what you can, when you can afford to, so that's the first place i would check on the steering, since its a cheap and relatively easy fix.

Also, i can remember the days of seeing something and thinking "ah...just a little paint, a new water pump, and a seat cover...she'll be good as new" then...2 years and 15,000 dollars later...still working on it lol.

 

[miesk5]

Yo Chelsea33
Consider this Borgeson steering shaft installation in an 85 by Josh @ 1985 Ford Bronco borgeson steering shaft pictures, videos, and sounds | SuperMotors.net