So...what do I need?

[phony54]

Okay, here is the deal. I have an 86 2.9 4wd, that is not in great shape. I know it sat in my parents yard for at least a year before they gave it to me. I know it has wiring issues, like half chewed from mice. It has had no tune up. We literally jumped it out in the field, drove it the hour and a half to my house, and I have been driving it occasionally since then. However, I know I need to fix some issues.

So far all I have done is replace a fuel filter, by necessity not choice, air filter, and I have an 02 sensor to put in. I plan on changing plugs, wires, distributor, possibly even the coil, battery, and a few other odds and ends like changing fluids.

My question, or questions rather, is this. What else should I be doing? I am fairly competent when it comes to the things I know how to do, but I know absolutely jack about this engine. So, tell me what to do, and what I need to buy tool wise to do it with, because I don't have much at the moment, but I can afford to buy pretty much whatever tools I NEED to get the job done. For example, I am assuming I am going to need some kind of voltage meter for when I do the wiring and start chasing down shorts, what kind, and how do I use it?

I know I have a lot of questions here, but I really have a lot to do to this truck to make it fairly dependable. Thanks in advance...

 

[gotmudd]

mechanically, i start at the top and work my way to the wheels. so far you're on the right track, i would also check your brakes if you haven't already and while you're at it i would check your front hubs to make sure they don't need to be serviced or greased [not sure what you have for hubs, manual or auto ] if they are manual take the cover off and make sure the cam actuates and then apply a light grease,i like vaseline mixed with wheel bearing grease, it come out not real thick but not real thin either. if they are auto these guys will have to walk you through that cause i have no clue whats involved. as far as tools, stay american, they have a decent warranty if they break. you can do most things with your basic 1/4 & 3/8's socket set along with a decent selection of end wrenches starting at 5/16 up to 15/16. as for the volt meter i'm not sure what brand to recommend but they all have pretty decent instructions explaining functions, i would also invest in a simple test light, there are somethings that don't require an exact voltage reading, but it is helpful to know if it is getting power. while you check your brakes it would be a good idea to bleed them as well and when you do the tune-up don't forget plugs, again don't know what to recommend but i prefer autolights although i have seen here wher people like the motorcraft plug, might be spendier but what the hell they were designed for ford right? at 6a.m that's all i can think of maybe someone else will come along and add their 0.02 as well

 

[phony54]

Thanks for the help, anybody have any other suggestions?

 

[IMenriched]

GOTMUD pretty much hit it..
If you are driving it and running it...then maybe a code reader that can do OBDI ...yeah it some money...but it will be helpfull with tring to figure out what is happening...and pay for itself by not getting things that you don't need. help the neighors,nad or, friends by out getting codes off their beasts as well.