87 XLT - Factory Optioned Restoration

[1qaz]

looks good... what are some future plans

Thank you! I'm currently full on cleaning the engine bay and frame from the bed forward. I have to get that done before I can reinstall all the parts I've pulled out...better access with them out of the way. After that, I'll tackle the bed back...clean, paint, restore...all to factory specs best I can. I also have some body and paint work to get after that will culminate with the NOS stripe kit.

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While neck deep in the engine bay I came across a couple Easter eggs...a bag of insulation and a cheap ass screwdriver presumably lost by PO.

The insulation came out of the crevice at the end of the firewall. Didn't know what it was at first...definitely peaked my curiosity...was concerned about adding my fingerprints to it.

It's now clean and stashed back in place...pun intended.

Hard to believe it's almost March.

 

[1qaz]

Air Cleaner and intake ready to go back in.

Also got the front passenger side wheel well liner back in and most of the passenger side engine bay cleaned...much harder than it should have been but three decades of grease, grime, and grit is formidable.

Wheel well area before (for comparison):

And how it sits today:

Progress on the passenger side of the engine bay.

And passenger side frame rail to the end of the cab.

Exhaust manifold going in next. Then I'll turn my attention to the driver side bits, flywheel, clutch, and transmission (finally!). This shit aint for the faint at heart!

 

[1qaz]

Exhaust manifold and outer shroud for the hot air tube ready to go back in.

Back in.

And Grimeageddon continues.

Driver side wheel well liner out.

Front part of frame rail down to the metal.

I've had enough for one weekend.

 

[DannyG]

Looking really good! Been enjoying this build/restoration since finding it! Look forward to the continued process.

Excellent Work!

 

[1qaz]

Looking really good! Been enjoying this build/restoration since finding it! Look forward to the continued process.

Excellent Work!

Thank you! I enjoy sharing the project here for sure! And sometimes the smallest progress has a big impact to me. I've been searching for a replacement hot air tube for a couple of years now. For the first year I didn't even know what it was called. I searched everywhere I knew to look but couldn't find a Ford replacement part. I finally found a near exact replacement part...and it arrived today!

New Hot Air Tube...finally!!

It's going in later this week and the passenger side of the engine bay is nearly complete.

 

[adsm08]

Dang dude, I think I keep that one in stock.

 

[BlackBII]

Your build is so awesome.

 

[black06xlt]

i know it will never happen due to the fact that your doing a factory resto. but i would love to see that truck with 17" mustang bullitt wheels and a 2.3L turbo swap. think about it. they are factory ford parts... lol

 

[1qaz]

Looking really good! Been enjoying this build/restoration since finding it! Look forward to the continued process.

Excellent Work!

Thank you! It's been entertaining on this end mostly due to my stupid human tricks. Lots more to do and I'll share the updates until you all get tired of seeing them.

Dang dude, I think I keep that one in stock.

Would have totally bought it from you. I literally carried that hose into a dozen parts stores without success. The dealership helped me identify the part about a year ago but it's a discontinued part. I found that Dorman hose on Amazon...Jeff Bezos had it all along.

Your build is so awesome.

Thank you! These words of encouragement keep me going.

i know it will never happen due to the fact that your doing a factory resto. but i would love to see that truck with 17" mustang bullitt wheels and a 2.3L turbo swap. think about it. they are factory ford parts... lol

Would love a turbo! Have been keeping an eye out for another 1st gen to customize. Though there is still lots left to do, I can see the end of the major muscle movements of this restoration coming. I also have a 1931 Ford roadster in the garage that I'll be splitting some time with as the weather warms up.

 

[JerryRig]

Ford Roadster you say??? Hmmm... 1qaz, you wouldn't happen to have any photos posted anywhere, ey?? If not, would you mind sharing some? Also, much respect for the factory resto, man! Belongs on a showroom floor! Excited for what the summer brings

 

[1qaz]

Ford Roadster you say??? Hmmm... 1qaz, you wouldn't happen to have any photos posted anywhere, ey?? If not, would you mind sharing some? Also, much respect for the factory resto, man! Belongs on a showroom floor! Excited for what the summer brings

Thank you! Lots of work left with each project now starting to add up. Here's a pic of her sibling.

 

[1qaz]

Driveshaft ready to go back in. Was more painful than I thought it should be.

Before:

After:

Circular Flange cleaned and restored.

Slip yoke cleaned...purposely left the factory markings.

With new U-Joints.

Still waiting on warmer weather to paint the driver side frame rail so I can put all this back together.

 

[1qaz]

More deconstruction.

Upper intake, throttle body, EGR valve, and valve cover.

Top of the engine.

Found another Easter egg...have no clue what it originally went to...have not found any unterminated wires.

Found it tucked away between the fuel rail and the lower portion of the intake manifold.

The project continues....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bonus parts!

 

[1qaz]

Mystery part identified...it's the throttle body side of a throttle position sensor.

Now why it was stuffed between the fuel supply manifold and the lower intake manifold is beyond me. Or why it's ripped a part...

Valve cover and gasket and lower intake manifold restored and ready to go back in.

Tip for reinstall: Use thread to hold the gasket in place. Initially tried spray adhesive and that was nothing but a mess. Thread is simple and effective.

Yesterday it was nearly 80F and thunderstorms...one of just a few days above freezing since Halloween. Tonight it's in the 20's with an inch of snow on the ground and still falling.