🔧 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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Gen3 18+ cars do not cost $40k cmon you know better.

And 20-40k in mods ROFL ok if you wanna go 7s like the midnight performance car. Again cmon you know better.

You already had most of the big items on the last car.
I literally just had that car and setup. I know *exactly* what the cars and parts cost.
 

Sprayin

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Exactly So you had what $ in it. Certianly not 40 fucking K. Id be shocked if you were over 15k.

That car at the would have been sub 9.5 capable without much more than you already had done.
Definitely over $15k. Easily. I'm not going to add it all up because I don't wanna jump off the roof.

The car would have probably been under 9.5 as it sat - once. It would have needed well over $5k just to race safely without breaking. Then what's next? Engine? There's, what, $10k? It's not as simple as the dudes on FB make it seem. There's a lot they don't tell you.
 

Sprayin

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Agreed.

Engine no.

Some of this is busting your balls on a LS swapped wagon that is indeed going to need what 5, 10k yet?
Sell the whipple yet to offset some cost?

Put it on the 13?

Just not on board with this vs where you were with the blue car. :( But not my wallet.

Good luck.

I don't have that much into the wagon. Just don't like having to buy what feels like 100 little parts. It adds up. It's always a gamble getting a JY engine, and I'm not happy with it atm. Feels like the car is never going to be finished.

Whipple has been gone for a long time. The kits are specific to the car. Wouldn't have fit on a Gen 1 Coyote. Just happened to sell it as I'm planning a wedding, so that's siphoning a good chunk of it.

I knew whatever car I had next wouldn't compare to the 18. And I'm sure once this thing is done, I'll be disappointed, but that's just how it goes I guess.
 

Rent Free

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I don't have that much into the wagon. Just don't like having to buy what feels like 100 little parts. It adds up. It's always a gamble getting a JY engine, and I'm not happy with it atm. Feels like the car is never going to be finished.

Whipple has been gone for a long time. The kits are specific to the car. Wouldn't have fit on a Gen 1 Coyote. Just happened to sell it as I'm planning a wedding, so that's siphoning a good chunk of it.

I knew whatever car I had next wouldn't compare to the 18. And I'm sure once this thing is done, I'll be disappointed, but that's just how it goes I guess.


Whoa whoa wait. Planning for a wedding.

1. Congrats.
2. You think buying car parts was tough before...... I bet Ive sold more car parts than Ive installed. But Ive been married since 2005 so theres that...:ROFLMAO:
 

Sprayin

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Whoa whoa wait. Planning for a wedding.

1. Congrats.
2. You think buying car parts was tough before...... I bet Ive sold more car parts than Ive installed. But Ive been married since 2005 so theres that...[emoji23]
Yeah, and going to be an expensive wedding.

Thanks I appreciate it. She seems fine with it for the most part. She's an attorney so she's not exactly counting my money.
 
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Sprayin

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Ended up going with Dirty Dingo adapters for the motor mounts. It uses mod motor engine mounts and is supposed to with the the factory K member.

I'm also grabbing ICT accessory brackets since it allows me to keep the factory Ford power steering.

Decided just to go with a 4L60e since it was simplify the build and its far cheaper. Will upgrade down the road to something better. Just gotta figure out how to get the linkage on the column shift to work with thr 60e.
 
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