Newbie needs some advice.
04-17-2008, 02:26 PM
#1
1995 XL 4x4 8ft
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Newbie needs some advice.
Hi, I have a 1995 XL 4x4, 4.9L, 5 spd manual trans (mazda), dual tanks, 8ft bed. I've had it for about 2 years now. Great truck, really great truck. What a truck is supposed to be, stripped down, no nonsense. Ready to work and tow. I like the styling much better than the newer generation trucks too. Big and boxy, haha, not all curvy and sexy like the new ones, plus i'n not worried about scratching it and getting it dirty. About the only option this truck has is A/C and it works great.
Since I've had it, I have replaced the smashed rear bumper with an OEM chrome bumper off a Junkyard Bronco, found the original jack and handle off the same junkyard Bronco, replaced the bald 31x10.5's with new Firestone Destination AT stock size, put a class c tow hitch and brake controller on it, tuned up the engine, new clutch, replaced all fluids, new main belt, new brakes and new stereo. It's respectable.
It has 140,000 miles on it. Needs a bunch of things but I have decided to keep it and tinker with it, maybe even get it back to original condition. It's a nice hobby plus my wife is due for a new car and I don't want to go from 0 car payments to 2.
The truck starts, runs, and drives great, but here are the problems.
1) That stupid pushrod cover on the side of the engine leaks. I replaced the gaskets and grommets, straightened the cover, cleaned it thoroughly, torqued to specs and it still leaks. They really should have designed something a little thicker so you could torque it tighter. Any help on this?
2) Front tank does not work. I get power to the pump, but I can't hear the pump come on. I have to assume that the switch and wiring are ok if I get power all the way back to the tank. The complete delivery module is expensive, say 300 bucks plus. Can I just replace the pump or are these modules usually too rusty to salvage?
3) Both gas tanks leak slightly. I am going to replace the front tank when I do the pump first. After I get that one working (hopefully) I will replace the rear tank and pump too. Any help??
4) I can down shift into third but upshifting to third is impossible. Just grinds away. My shift pattern is now, 1,2,4 to 3 quickly, 4,5, haha. Sounds like a synchro problem to me. Any thoughts. I see quite a few rebuilts on ebay for between $500 and $700.
5) Rust, holy crap rust. I am mainly concerned about the following areas, spring hangers, frame, rear quarter panels. There is some rust in the lower rear corner of the door jambs but I can fix this. I am also going to replace both front fenders due to rust. I would sure like to find a used bed for this thing. I'll do a little at a time. When I get the bed off, ill sandblast the rear frame and suspension and paint it, same for the front frame and suspension when I take the fenders off. Any help finding good used truck beds for this thing or should I just replace the side panels. The front panel, floor and tailgate are immaculate.
If I could get all these things fixed, the truck would be a gem
. I must be nuts.
Any replies would be helpful (except about the nuts part).
Since I've had it, I have replaced the smashed rear bumper with an OEM chrome bumper off a Junkyard Bronco, found the original jack and handle off the same junkyard Bronco, replaced the bald 31x10.5's with new Firestone Destination AT stock size, put a class c tow hitch and brake controller on it, tuned up the engine, new clutch, replaced all fluids, new main belt, new brakes and new stereo. It's respectable.
It has 140,000 miles on it. Needs a bunch of things but I have decided to keep it and tinker with it, maybe even get it back to original condition. It's a nice hobby plus my wife is due for a new car and I don't want to go from 0 car payments to 2.
The truck starts, runs, and drives great, but here are the problems.
1) That stupid pushrod cover on the side of the engine leaks. I replaced the gaskets and grommets, straightened the cover, cleaned it thoroughly, torqued to specs and it still leaks. They really should have designed something a little thicker so you could torque it tighter. Any help on this?
2) Front tank does not work. I get power to the pump, but I can't hear the pump come on. I have to assume that the switch and wiring are ok if I get power all the way back to the tank. The complete delivery module is expensive, say 300 bucks plus. Can I just replace the pump or are these modules usually too rusty to salvage?
3) Both gas tanks leak slightly. I am going to replace the front tank when I do the pump first. After I get that one working (hopefully) I will replace the rear tank and pump too. Any help??
4) I can down shift into third but upshifting to third is impossible. Just grinds away. My shift pattern is now, 1,2,4 to 3 quickly, 4,5, haha. Sounds like a synchro problem to me. Any thoughts. I see quite a few rebuilts on ebay for between $500 and $700.
5) Rust, holy crap rust. I am mainly concerned about the following areas, spring hangers, frame, rear quarter panels. There is some rust in the lower rear corner of the door jambs but I can fix this. I am also going to replace both front fenders due to rust. I would sure like to find a used bed for this thing. I'll do a little at a time. When I get the bed off, ill sandblast the rear frame and suspension and paint it, same for the front frame and suspension when I take the fenders off. Any help finding good used truck beds for this thing or should I just replace the side panels. The front panel, floor and tailgate are immaculate.
If I could get all these things fixed, the truck would be a gem
. I must be nuts.Any replies would be helpful (except about the nuts part).
