1969 Thunderbird
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Bill makes some really valid points on the electronics/ vacuum operated systems.
I don't plan to even try to rebuild these to original. Electric solenoids for the door locks and trunk release are the only way to go and are an easy upgrade. I may have to keep it for he headlight doors but am looking into electric options also.
I really would also like to retrofit the hydraulic wipers to electric.
I do not plan to make a correct restoration, but an updated cruiser.
Bill, do you know if the 70 birds were electric wipers and may work?
I have read the the 70's were basically very similar to the 69's but with different front end metal among other changes.
I don't plan to even try to rebuild these to original. Electric solenoids for the door locks and trunk release are the only way to go and are an easy upgrade. I may have to keep it for he headlight doors but am looking into electric options also.
I really would also like to retrofit the hydraulic wipers to electric.
I do not plan to make a correct restoration, but an updated cruiser.
Bill, do you know if the 70 birds were electric wipers and may work?
I have read the the 70's were basically very similar to the 69's but with different front end metal among other changes.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
When the '67 Birds came out, they offered "rolling door locks." When the vehicles reached 7-10 MPH, all the doors locked automatically.
"Who goofed?' 'I've got to know!" Howard Cosell to Dandy Don Meredith on Monday Night Football.
Heads rolled in Ford's engineering staff because the idiots forgot about car washes. Back then, car washes had a device that spun the wheels to wash the white wall tires.
When the rear wheels were spun, the doors locked...and since the keys were usually in the ignitions...when the cars rolled out, the people were SOL!
It wasn't too long before Ford sent out a 'Campaign' bulletin to dis-connect the damn things.
1967/71 T-B electronic crap (most shared with 1969/71 Mark III's-excepting the gawd awful sequential turn signal jazz) is pretty much the same.
If you have A.T.C. I pity you. A.T.C. = Automatic Temperature Control...it didn't work worth a damn when these cars were new, so it prolly doesn't work today.
No ATC = No heater or A/C.
"Who goofed?' 'I've got to know!" Howard Cosell to Dandy Don Meredith on Monday Night Football.
Heads rolled in Ford's engineering staff because the idiots forgot about car washes. Back then, car washes had a device that spun the wheels to wash the white wall tires.
When the rear wheels were spun, the doors locked...and since the keys were usually in the ignitions...when the cars rolled out, the people were SOL!
It wasn't too long before Ford sent out a 'Campaign' bulletin to dis-connect the damn things.
1967/71 T-B electronic crap (most shared with 1969/71 Mark III's-excepting the gawd awful sequential turn signal jazz) is pretty much the same.
If you have A.T.C. I pity you. A.T.C. = Automatic Temperature Control...it didn't work worth a damn when these cars were new, so it prolly doesn't work today.
No ATC = No heater or A/C.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Hydraulic wipers?! So THATS why there are power steering lines running into the firewall.... What were they thinking?
+1 on the vacuum stuff... nothing works on mine. I have thought about using a electric exhaust cut-out controller for the head lights. Or just cutting out the metal frame and having them shine through the grilles.
+1 on the vacuum stuff... nothing works on mine. I have thought about using a electric exhaust cut-out controller for the head lights. Or just cutting out the metal frame and having them shine through the grilles.
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F350dog
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May 27, 2016 09:26 AM
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