🔧 BUILD 1984 Ford LTD Wagon 4.8L 78/75 Turbo 4L80E Build

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It didn't just feel right, not having an 80s shitbox. There has just been a void in my heart that I couldn't fill with new cars. Since my recent mishap with my Mustang, there was an open spot in the stable. I do have a new DD, but that's another thread for another day.

Saw this gem of a vehicle on the BookFace, only a short 4.5 hour drive up in Wisconsin. Thing looked pretty clean in the pictures so I figured I'd check it out. Talked the fiance into the drive, somehow.

I got up there and it was even cleaner than in the pictures. The interior is like a time capsule. It's just about Mint, no cracks, no breaks, 100% original and unharmed. Only downside is that it is red. Although, the ugly color kind of fits the ugly (read: awesome) car.

It's a 1984 Ford LTD Wagon. It's basically a Mustang Wagon. It sits in the fox chassis, and pretty much all the parts are interchangeable. It had a little bit of surface rust here and there, and then some rust on the bottom of the driver side doors. Nothing that really concerned me.The paint seems like it may be original. Can't totally tell, but looks like it.

It has a 3.8L V6 which makes a blistering 120HP (new, this one probably makes considerably less). It has a 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The car runs surprisingly well, and transmission shifts silky smooth. It felt like it ran a little bit choppy on decel, but nothing that really concerned me. The car made thr 4.5 hour drive from middle of nowhere Wisconsin no problem.

I took one picture myself, the rest are from the ad. Will add more pictures tomorrow when the sun comes up.

Mook Mook already made the "how long til you sell it after doing nothing with it joke" so save yourself the time :rofl:

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Sprayin

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The thing that sucks about fringe cars like this is that parts are difficult to find. Everyone just uses Mustang parts for everything and that doesn't work everywhere.

Trying to find the right rear springs and it's nightmare. Mustang springs are like 1.5 inches shorter in the rear and have a far different rate. It would slam the rear and look like one of those takuache trucks.
 

Yaj Yak

Gladys
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The thing that sucks about fringe cars like this is that parts are difficult to find. Everyone just uses Mustang parts for everything and that doesn't work everywhere.

Trying to find the right rear springs and it's nightmare. Mustang springs are like 1.5 inches shorter in the rear and have a far different rate. It would slam the rear and look like one of those takuache trucks.


when you say "right" rear springs, you're saying correct ones? not ones that come up from a quick gooogler search like these:

 

Jon01

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Go to napa and grab their spring book. Itll list everything by rate and height. Find some with the rate and height you want, the correct ends and you should be good to go.
I lowered a few cars with this method and always ended up with a much nicer ride than aftermarket 2x4 springs.
 

Sprayin

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when you say "right" rear springs, you're saying correct ones? not ones that come up from a quick gooogler search like these:


Those are for the sedan. They're over an inch shorter than the wagon springs.
 
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Sprayin

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Go to napa and grab their spring book. Itll list everything by rate and height. Find some with the rate and height you want, the correct ends and you should be good to go.
I lowered a few cars with this method and always ended up with a much nicer ride than aftermarket 2x4 springs.

I was able to find the specs. It looks like the late 80s Thunderbird has very similar springs. Not exact, but very similar.
 
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Sprayin

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got it, i understand.

and you said different rate as well so you couldn't just throw a spacer in right?

although it's not like you'll ever have much weight in the rear like a wagon would have springs designed to account for

I don't think I could get that much height out of a spacer, but maybe. The T-bird ones are probably close enough to try out.
 
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Yaj Yak

Gladys
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makes sense to try those if they're close enough


these spacers look like something that could work if they dont;
 

daturbosix

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Like deez?

makes sense to try those if they're close enough


these spacers look like something that could work if they dont;
IMG_20201002_103751.jpeg
 
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Sprayin

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Thing is kinda rusty. Nothing really in the body though, it has a ton of undercoating on it. Exhaust fell off though :rofl:

8.8 is in. Thing has a 4.10 gear in it. Which will suck if I go turbo, but we will cross that bridge later.

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Ride height seems nice. Looks to be room for a 26x10.5 in there.

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Sprayin

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Heads were warped a little bit but they're straight now.

Got a BTR cam and springs going in.

Working on what accessory drive to get at the moment. The LS3 pump seems to be the one I want. It has the truck spacing but without to water outlet being in the way. Found a couple accessory brackets that use the Ford P/S pump. Just have to figure out which alternator to get.
 

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