Brooks Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Hey all my name is Brooks, I'm 22 from Grand Rapids, MI. I just purchased an 88 SE 4wd on Monday and have been rehabbing it all this week. The engine had a pretty awful miss, due to silicone surrounding 2 plugs not allowing the wires to be connected (dunno what the dpo was thinking), cleaned and gapped all plugs, wires and distrib cap while I was at it. Changed the oil and filter, she sounds awesome now. The brakes were very mushy, I assumed a quick bleed would fix them as she'd been sitting 6 months. I made it to the right front and got a ton of air out, kept getting air out, kept getting air out...I have yet to look into it further but the rears bled fine. Any things I should be aware of? I'm praying it's not the master as I have already found too many things that need fixing. The right front CV will need to be replaced, nice loud clunky clunk in 4wd. Now that I think of it the entire right front suspension is covered in oil..anything around there notorious for leaking? I also noticed the tube shock is very close to the A-arm, much closer than on the other side. The car sits level on the ground, something possible bent or bushings gone out? Rust is going to kill this truck sadly, it already is missing most of the rockers, tops of the front fenders above the flares, doors are pretty awful especially around the handles, found out about under the rear seat only after I bought it. The frame has some pretty serious flaking in the rear where the suspension bars (technical name anyone?) mount, by the lift points. Other than needing a windshield, door handle, center console top, new gas struts for the tailgate, ignition switch, it is in decent shape. Power everything, sunroof, black on gray, it even has a suspension button. Sport and touring? The switch light comes on when selected but I haven't a clue what it does. I look forward to becoming an active member on this forum, this is the best one I have found. So much info, its awesome! Thank you in advance, I know I will get help from everyone. Brooks I pulled a bug deflector off the hood, it is in decent shape and needs a quick sand and spray to be new. Anyone interested? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Looks like you're off to a good start with you're truck. If you look around online and locally you can probably find some new fenders (primered and ready to paint) for pretty cheap. I believe you can also get replacement rocker panels... Also check when your timing belt was last changed, as this will kill the truck early! No idea about the brakes, maybe your caliper has bad seals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Welcome! Congrats on getting it running! Rust tends to kill these quickly in the salt states. As for the UCAs, my old '87 had that problem, but much worse. I twas so bad that the UCAs dug into the shocks and blew them all to hell, and required my cutting a chunk out of the insides of the arms to fit new shocks. The problem is the UCA moves forward on the bushings and spindle they are attached to. A hydraulic press is needed to press them back into the proper position. In the pic, the whole UCA is moved forward about a half an inch on the bushings. You may also want to check the bushings on the compression rod, as well as the metal cups and hole through the frame. That's a problem area, and a dangeous one at that, as it causes severe wheel hop and instability. Check the oil pan for loose nuts, or just replace the oil pan gasket and seal it up good. The sport and touring modes are for the stock electronic shocks, which stiffen or soften them. And lastly, post up some pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSlowReliable Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 My rough country's did that within a couple weeks of installation.....have fun with that! Im not TOO far from you, and I may have seen the rig you bought on CL if it was on there (im always looking for pathfinders, lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPathyGo Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 (edited) Welcome! Sounds like you're off to a great start. One of the nice things about older vehicles (such as ours) is that parts are pretty plentiful. If you have a pick-pull place near you, there's a good chance it'll have a WD21 or two. You could also get parts dirt cheap from down south. Shipping wouldn't be cheap, but you could have the parts dropped at the nearest freight terminal and pick them up. I think one of our members shipped an entire engine (the whole thing) for a few hundred bucks that way. Anyway, welcome and have fun! Edited November 14, 2009 by GoPathyGo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 Now that I think of it the entire right front suspension is covered in oil..anything around there notorious for leaking? your oil filter and oil ps sensor are over there. sloppy changes or a leady sensor can make a mess. sometimes the sensor is loose (use a 12point wrench) AND other times ages and leaks out the plug and needs replaced. Some say a leak of this location can cause an early end to your starter but mine still works... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSlowReliable Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Welcome! Sounds like you're off to a great start. One of the nice things about older vehicles (such as ours) is that parts are pretty plentiful. If you have a pick-pull place near you, there's a good chance it'll have a WD21 or two. You could also get parts dirt cheap from down south. Shipping wouldn't be cheap, but you could have the parts dropped at the nearest freight terminal and pick them up. I think one of our members shipped an entire engine (the whole thing) for a few hundred bucks that way. Anyway, welcome and have fun! good luck getting parts in michigan.....rust capital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseLivingston Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Oh boy, did you buy my old truck?!? There's no way your shock should be rubbing, no way??? I replaced me upper control arm bushings with polyurethane which was a snap if you have a hydraulic press. The lowers...??? Better snug it all up and hope it drives straight. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Welcome Brooks!! I made it to the right front and got a ton of air out, kept getting air out, kept getting air out...I have yet to look into it further but the rears bled fine. Any things I should be aware of? I'm praying it's not the master as I have already found too many things that need fixing.... Now that I think of it the entire right front suspension is covered in oil..anything around there notorious for leaking? I think you may have answered your own question. Pin hole in the brake line?? B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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