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Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

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ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

OK, so it seems that my truck wasn't in such a bad condition compared to what I've read above.

At the weekend I'll go to set my rear-tires on a balancing machine to check if the deep sound that comes up only (hearable) when driving above 60 mph.

I also have filled up my basket at RockAuto with all kind of brake- and wheelbearing components. Currently I'm no sure to order now or after the holidays. The shipping costs are very high cause of the weigt. But here in Germany I'll pay even more for the parts, cause the importers also seem to order at RockAuto and only add their profit.

As I have added rotors, calipers, pads, hoses for the front. Now I'n thinking about also to add pistons, shoes and so on for the rear breakes...I think to have them won't hurt, but to need them and don't have them will be bad...

René's Profile

Bronco 1986 Ford Bronco XLT 302/347 stroker with 351W EEC-IV and 351W factory cam C6 gearbox. Jeep 1986 Jeep CJ7 256 I6 with T5 gearbox. Buggy 1972 HAZ Buggy 122 Ford Cologne V6
Baron 1994 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 183 V6 4-speed automatic

85lebaront2

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

Buy complete wheel cylinders for the rear brakes.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Yes...that's what I've meant...it was only a failure in my translation...

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

So, another question...I still have a very uncomfortable oil-dipstick position. I've found this one:
eBay

Will this one fit? I only mean this about the oil Level...mechanical I get it fit, that's not the problem...

Gary Lewis

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

If you already have a dipstick that you believe is reading correctly then changing to another one should be easy. Fill the engine so the level is at Full, change to the new dipstick, and mark on it the Full level.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Hmm...that's a good question...I think it's correct...but if I compare the length from the end of the pipe to the end of the stick, it should also be the same as my current one...

Another question: what size has the dash speaker in my 86? 6x9 or 4x6 inch?

Gary Lewis

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

Our page at Documentation/Electrical/Radios and then the Speakers tab shows the dash speaker to be 5 1/2 x 7 1/2". Don't know how easy it would be to stuff a 6 x 9" in there. Haven't tried.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

So, today I've got 500 miles finished:

Tomorrow, I'll drain the oil and change the filter. I'll also add the ZDDP addive again.

Up to now, everything seems to be good. I've also checked now, if the kick-down works, as I've used an aftermarket cable, I was not sure if it does. But it works very good. It takes you deep inside the backrest...

Also the sound is incredible...my exhaust construction was a great success. Silent by constant driving and aggressive when accelerating. Above 3,000 rpm it sounds a bit like a dragster...I'll link a video tomorrow...

Gary Lewis

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

Well done, René! It took a lot to overcome all of those obstacles, but you did it! Congratulations!!!!!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Thanks, Gary!

Yes, indeed. Now the work can begin.
Before starting into holidays I've to solve some annoying sounds.

Starting with new break pads at the front, squiking door panels and rattling dash cover.

Tomorrow I'll be driving to a friend that will check if my tires are unbalanced...maybe that's the deep rolling noise that comes up when driving about 60 mph or faster.

Next week I'll build-up my center console that also contains a dual 6.5" subwoofer and the amplifier for it and for the center dash speaker.

I also will insulate the doors inside to get them a bit quieter. Same for the panels on the backside. If there enough time left, I'll take a look behind the side panels of the rear-bench and also insulate it.

It seems to me that the inner door handle makes noises...this part has a unusual fixing in my opinion. It seems to be mounted without screws.

Next Sunday I'll install the new blue top steering gearbox, check and change the differential fluid on both axles and put some more grease to all the u-joints and other greaseable points.

Last, but not least I'll install the central door locks to my remote that already controls the tail-window.

I hope, the time is enough for all this...

Gary Lewis

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

That sounds like a lot of work, but I hope it goes quickly and well.

On the deep, rolling noise you might check to see that the tires aren't cupped or worn unusually? But balance can do that as well. So hopefully he finds what is causing it.

Squeaks and rattles drive me bananas, so I understand your desire to find and fix yours. Good luck on that as well.

That center console sounds amazing, pun intended.

Are you going to run the center speaker in as a center channel? Does your amp provide an output for that?

The Blue Top box is on its way? Yippee!

As said, that is a lot of work but I know the feeling of wanting to get it all done before vacation. Good luck!!!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Hi Gary,

So I've found out, that the loudest squiking from the passenger side comes from the inner door handle. I have to check how I get it fixed again.

Regarding the center speaker:
I'll use 4 channel amplifier for both subwoofer and the center speaker. Front and rear output of the amplifier have a crossover, each. Both will be driven in bridge mode to get two mono-channels. So the center and also the woofers gets input from left and right channel. The center will get a high-pass filter, the woofers a low-pass.

The four speakers inside the doors and the rear side-panels are driven directly from the radio amplifier. Also setup with a HPF.

I'll send photos of my work as stating next weekend.

Gary Lewis

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

Does your door panel have a screw that goes into a support arm that prevents the panel from moving in/out? Without it I could see the panel moving and squeaking a lot.

On the center channel, mono will work. But in the olden days we used to create a center channel by using the + wire from one side and the - wire from the other. That way the speaker only reacted to the things that were truly in both channels.

Another way to do that is to get a speaker with two inputs, so you wire both channels to it and since both are connected mechanically to the same cone only things that are in both move the cone. But back in the day we didn't have those kinds of speakers available so did it electrically.

I have a center channel speaker in my shop wired that way and it works very well.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Administrator

In reply to this post by ReneH

Your sound system sounds like a nice setup. On rear speakers, the later trucks have a speaker location inboard of the door post. Maybe the later Broncos had something similar.

I have done something similar on my Chrysler Lebaron convertible, a six channel amplifier from a later Sebring convertible that incorporates a top down equalizer mode.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

ReneH

Re: Restore of my 1986 Bronco XLT

Thanks. Yes, it's possibly I side the Door post. I'll post some photos these days.

But another question...you know what I've going through...do you think everything sounds normal?
Video