85 xlt explorer
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Joined: Mar 2011
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85 xlt explorer
hey guys,
this is my first time posting here, so please excuse me if i've broken any noob rules. there's lots of good info here, so i'm sure i will catch on shortly.
there's something about the f150 that i love. i got my first about 3 years ago. a '90 xlt lariat. it was perfect. started right up every time, ran great, looked great... and then someone hit me and bent my frame pretty badly. i just picked up my 2nd - an '85 xlt lariat explorer with an extended cab. it's huge. i love it. the body is in fantastic shape - not a spot of rust.
i just bought it yesterday on craigslist. it starts right up and seems to run great, but i have noticed that coming from a standstill, it kinda struggles to take off. if i lay on the gas, it seems to kick in and go, but it shifts pretty rough going up and down gear. it's nothing dramatic, but it does almost feel like the entire truck just jumps a little.
i know that's not much to go by, but i was hoping to hear that's not a huge problem. i hate to think i bought a beautiful truck with all sorts of transmission problems. i don't really know much about cars or mechanical stuff, but that's going to change once i start to lean on this truck.
it's a v8 and it recently had new brakes, tires, hoses, plugs and a tune-up. they mentioned something about the timing needing adjustment. could that be related to what i'm experiencing?
any thoughts on where i can learn more about the general mechanics of these trucks? everything i seem to hear tells me they're pretty simple, and easy to work on, which makes them last as long as they do.
anyway... thanks for listening. look forward to some input / pointers.
this is my first time posting here, so please excuse me if i've broken any noob rules. there's lots of good info here, so i'm sure i will catch on shortly.
there's something about the f150 that i love. i got my first about 3 years ago. a '90 xlt lariat. it was perfect. started right up every time, ran great, looked great... and then someone hit me and bent my frame pretty badly. i just picked up my 2nd - an '85 xlt lariat explorer with an extended cab. it's huge. i love it. the body is in fantastic shape - not a spot of rust.
i just bought it yesterday on craigslist. it starts right up and seems to run great, but i have noticed that coming from a standstill, it kinda struggles to take off. if i lay on the gas, it seems to kick in and go, but it shifts pretty rough going up and down gear. it's nothing dramatic, but it does almost feel like the entire truck just jumps a little.
i know that's not much to go by, but i was hoping to hear that's not a huge problem. i hate to think i bought a beautiful truck with all sorts of transmission problems. i don't really know much about cars or mechanical stuff, but that's going to change once i start to lean on this truck.
it's a v8 and it recently had new brakes, tires, hoses, plugs and a tune-up. they mentioned something about the timing needing adjustment. could that be related to what i'm experiencing?
any thoughts on where i can learn more about the general mechanics of these trucks? everything i seem to hear tells me they're pretty simple, and easy to work on, which makes them last as long as they do.
anyway... thanks for listening. look forward to some input / pointers.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 0
From: West Valley City
First thing I'd do is buy you a manual for your truck. Haynes or Chilton, doesn't matter, but buy one and keep it handy.
Make sure you have the proper tools to safely work on your truck (jack stands, ramps, floor jack). They will come in handy when the time comes.
Theres a lot of useful information from the people here, get to know them, they're good people. Most importantly, have an open mind and try and listen to what they are saying.
Good luck and welcome to FTE, your going to enjoy it here.
Make sure you have the proper tools to safely work on your truck (jack stands, ramps, floor jack). They will come in handy when the time comes.
Theres a lot of useful information from the people here, get to know them, they're good people. Most importantly, have an open mind and try and listen to what they are saying.
Good luck and welcome to FTE, your going to enjoy it here.
