Eddy Myrtle
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
I've never seen any of those shows and actually only heard of 'Fawlty', but yeah, I have spent the last 9 years in the UK... So I might use a few phrases that are unfamiliar, please point them out, because I'm actively trying not too.
Thanks for all the advice. I do plan on replacing all the bushings. I'm probably going to need a can or two of Freeze Off with the radius arm, everything so far has.
I might take the rotor somewhere to have it refurbished, it is still rather thick and the calipers and pads look fine... Would certainly save me a bundle!
I'll definitely check the trans oil level. Do I just use an adjustable spanner on the square heads or is there a dedicated tool? As for the leak, I'm trying to leave that for last as the transmission is the most daunting part for me to tinker with.
I think I'm definitely going to try and refurb the door panels. Even if it looks rubbish, I doubt I'll waste a lot of money.
I'm most certainly going to have many more questions so thanks for offering your expertise, much appreciated.
Thanks for all the advice. I do plan on replacing all the bushings. I'm probably going to need a can or two of Freeze Off with the radius arm, everything so far has.
I might take the rotor somewhere to have it refurbished, it is still rather thick and the calipers and pads look fine... Would certainly save me a bundle!
I'll definitely check the trans oil level. Do I just use an adjustable spanner on the square heads or is there a dedicated tool? As for the leak, I'm trying to leave that for last as the transmission is the most daunting part for me to tinker with.
I think I'm definitely going to try and refurb the door panels. Even if it looks rubbish, I doubt I'll waste a lot of money.
I'm most certainly going to have many more questions so thanks for offering your expertise, much appreciated.
Yes, an adjustable spanner/Crescent wrench works well. And if it is an NP435 it takes manual transmission gear lube, like 80/90W. Post a pic of the tranny and we can tell.
Last edited by Gary Lewis; Nov 11, 2013 at 01:03 PM. Reason: Fix error
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Birmingham
From what I have seen the aftermarket door panels don't really match the originals very well, either in appearance or quality. See this post for a picture.
However many people have restored some pretty awful looking door panels with good luck, as Gary has said. If you want to re-paint them the brand to use is SEM, which you can read plenty about if you search these forums.
Anyway you're doing great work so far. Something tells me you are not new to tinkering, even if you didn't have many tools to begin with.
I think your truck is a real nice one. You didn't pay too bad of a price for it. The version you have is the pretty much the perfect utility / beat-around truck in my opinion. A terrific engine (but I'm biased towards the inlines), stick shift, 1/2 ton suspension, 4x4, long bed, no frills, Ford, and bullnose. And it's baby blue! What could possibly be better?
However many people have restored some pretty awful looking door panels with good luck, as Gary has said. If you want to re-paint them the brand to use is SEM, which you can read plenty about if you search these forums.
Anyway you're doing great work so far. Something tells me you are not new to tinkering, even if you didn't have many tools to begin with.
I think your truck is a real nice one. You didn't pay too bad of a price for it. The version you have is the pretty much the perfect utility / beat-around truck in my opinion. A terrific engine (but I'm biased towards the inlines), stick shift, 1/2 ton suspension, 4x4, long bed, no frills, Ford, and bullnose. And it's baby blue! What could possibly be better?
My first car was a '78 Alfa Romeo Alfetta. It had been restored by my uncle before being involved in an accident, it then stood for 5 years before coming to me... Now Cape Town is a bit like the North East from what I hear, wet and if you want salt on your food, just leave your plate outside for a minute! The body survived, but everything else was eating by rust. Sadly and stupidly I had someone else do all the work. I was a long-haul truck driver at the time, so didn't really have the time.
My first car in the UK was a Peogeot 306, again perfect opportunity to tinker, but alas travelling around the world at the Queen's bidding kept me busy... More like extended holidays paid for by the taxpayer!!
From there on, it's been Audis, so no tinkering there, though I wish I could as labor cost have seriously dented my pocket!
Enough about me and cars other than Fords and not trucks!! I hope that is not FTE sacrilege...
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From: Birmingham
I've highlighted a couple of Briticisms, but please don't change your terminology. I love it! Reminds me of my two years on Ole Blighty. Where do you live? (And, to prove you live there, which way is it to London? You go xx to London?)
Yes, an adjustable spanner/Crescent wrench works well. And if it is an NP435 it takes manual transmission gear lube, like 80/90W. Post a pic of the tranny and we can tell.
Yes, an adjustable spanner/Crescent wrench works well. And if it is an NP435 it takes manual transmission gear lube, like 80/90W. Post a pic of the tranny and we can tell.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
You convinced me - it is "up" to London Town from everywhere on the island. No clue why. But Plymouth is a loooong way out there, and not far from Torquay where Fawlty Towers was set.
Anyway, I understand y'all as well as you'uns and many other oddities of the US. Glad you are back to FTE with us, although we do have Pace Car in Rome and several "down under".
Anyway, I understand y'all as well as you'uns and many other oddities of the US. Glad you are back to FTE with us, although we do have Pace Car in Rome and several "down under".
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Senior User
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From: Birmingham
If I was still in the UK, I seriously doubt I would have been able to buy the truck... I've never seen an old pick-up truck in Britain. And the odd newish ('90+) American truck stands out like Mt Kilimanjaro, literally! I'm sure there are one or two somewhere, but I'm positive you'll never see them on the M-'anything'!
Where did you live?
Where did you live?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I remember seeing a Ford Expedition in a pub's car park. It literally took up 3 spaces. But, we lived near Northwood, which has a US military presence, and not far from one of the air bases that also has US military. So it wasn't too unusual to see an old pickup on a B road - and they take up most of the road.
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Senior User
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From: Birmingham
I remember seeing a Ford Expedition in a pub's car park. It literally took up 3 spaces. But, we lived near Northwood, which has a US military presence, and not far from one of the air bases that also has US military. So it wasn't too unusual to see an old pickup on a B road - and they take up most of the road.
Were you stationed in the UK, or was it civilian work/play?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Worked for Conoco, known there as Jet. Now ConocoPhillips. Lived in Moor Park, which is just north of Northwood - on the proper side of Watford. Worked in the West End, on the back side of Selfridges.
Lakenheath was quite a bit north of us, but there was some other air base close to us, although I forget which one. We loved it there and would have gone back if given the opportunity, but I'm now retired so won't be going on business. However, after moving back I had a client, General Dynamics, that had facilities in several places in the UK so I had staff there and was over many times. Usually stayed down in Hastings - Foyle's War territory.
Lakenheath was quite a bit north of us, but there was some other air base close to us, although I forget which one. We loved it there and would have gone back if given the opportunity, but I'm now retired so won't be going on business. However, after moving back I had a client, General Dynamics, that had facilities in several places in the UK so I had staff there and was over many times. Usually stayed down in Hastings - Foyle's War territory.
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From: Birmingham
I also got a replacement visor from a salvage yard last week. It cleaned up nice and saved me a few dollars.
Starting on the door panels next week, will post a few pictures along the way.
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From: Birmingham
Pic of the visors, old + replacement:
And after cleaning:
The replacement looks fine, but it's a little loose in the fitting, so it sags a little and vibrates quite badly at idle. It will do for now though.
And after cleaning:
The replacement looks fine, but it's a little loose in the fitting, so it sags a little and vibrates quite badly at idle. It will do for now though.
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From: Birmingham
I also covered up the hole in the dash...
I think it might actually look worse though, really not liking the ghetto look! I wanted something which looked like it belonged in the 80's, but this is all I could get my hands on here... Now I'm stuck in the 90's!!
I put some tape around the edges to stop the porous stuff from covering the speaker! I'm not sure if the spongey stuff was suppose to minimise vibration or something, but it definitely wasn't meant to last 30 years!
I think I'll probably get a dash pad like I've seen some guys use. It's a shame 'cause the rest of my dash looks great. Oh well, this will do for the time being.
I think it might actually look worse though, really not liking the ghetto look! I wanted something which looked like it belonged in the 80's, but this is all I could get my hands on here... Now I'm stuck in the 90's!!
I put some tape around the edges to stop the porous stuff from covering the speaker! I'm not sure if the spongey stuff was suppose to minimise vibration or something, but it definitely wasn't meant to last 30 years!
I think I'll probably get a dash pad like I've seen some guys use. It's a shame 'cause the rest of my dash looks great. Oh well, this will do for the time being.
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From: Birmingham
What are these?
While I had the dash cover off I came across these wires and plugs. Can anyone tell me what they would be used for? They branch off the wires coming from the instrument cluster. The male plug is attached to the dash, but doesn't lead to anything... They weren't connected, should they be? It sits above the glove box.
This wire splits off from the rest, again not connected.
Any thoughts or advice?
This wire splits off from the rest, again not connected.
Any thoughts or advice?
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Senior User
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From: Birmingham
Interior color?
Last request for today. I'm about to start refurbishing my door panels. I've looked for SEM paints (it was recommended by more than one member) at the various vendors around here, but can't find the correct color. According to their website, it's suppose to be Harbor Blue. No one here stocks that or can seem to order it. Pacific Blue is the best they can do.
Has anyone done their Blue interior with SEM(or a different brand) paint and what color did you use?
Also, my dash cover is noticeably darker than the other panels, is that standard or an indication that the dash is not original?
Thanks for looking and I appreciate any feedback. Hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving!
Has anyone done their Blue interior with SEM(or a different brand) paint and what color did you use?
Also, my dash cover is noticeably darker than the other panels, is that standard or an indication that the dash is not original?
Thanks for looking and I appreciate any feedback. Hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving!
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
The little white box behind the dash behind the glove compartment is the seat belt buzzer (and, in later years, also incorporates an optional headlights-on buzzer) that somebody disconnected.
The round, smaller-than-pinkie-sized connector goes in the door frame, it turns on the interior lights when the door is opened (and that connector is attached to a switch). (On the driver's side in later years (1984+?) it would also make the key-in-ignition buzzer buzz.)
As for interior SEM paint, go to an actual paint store and they can color-match what you presently have. A multi-colored interior like you have is not original....
The round, smaller-than-pinkie-sized connector goes in the door frame, it turns on the interior lights when the door is opened (and that connector is attached to a switch). (On the driver's side in later years (1984+?) it would also make the key-in-ignition buzzer buzz.)
As for interior SEM paint, go to an actual paint store and they can color-match what you presently have. A multi-colored interior like you have is not original....