Bronco Nation

Just bought my son an 87 XLT automatic 5.0 need help

BroncoMom
Nov 27, 2020

Rank 0

Nov 27, 2020

Hi!
Was able to get my son’s dream car yesterday! 1987 XLT, 5.0 auto, power windows, locks and steering, even if they don’t work lol! Black on black. 4” lift, running 35”s but they are bald so will be replacing. Not sure if it came with air but previous owner either upgraded or installed.

we are...So happy but I could use some advice, I’m sure it’s me but I’m having difficulty navigating this sight..ugh ;) keep getting info for all years...so not specific to 4th gem when I search. I’m tech deficient ;)

It’s a fixer for sure, runs fine and no leaks currently but we have a list of “must do” before I feel safe letting my not yet 16 year old drive in LA traffic.

1)Steering is CRAZY loose. Before you chastise me I know what old trucks drive like or at least thought I did but either way this is LOOSE, too loose for a kid in traffic. Taking it in to be “looked at” on Monday but would love advice on if replacing with OEM parts will just result in new parts and similar play? If so, Are there after market options? Any advice on how to “tighten” up the play? I’m willing to do just about anything for safety reasons. Any parts recommendations and/or suggestions appreciated!

2) Driver seat is in permanent recline (not that there was recline but there is now lol) best replacement seats for safety,? (don’t need fancy just safe and decent!) I Don’t want to spend oodles here unless someone tells me I need to to get safe.

3) Wipers are not working, replace or repair?

4) Left turn indicator “works” but you have to hold it down. Is this an easy fix?

5) I want to install a back-up camera snd Apple car play again...safety...any suggestions on what works and doesn’t totally screw with the look of the dash?

6) needs replacement motors in all 3 windows (driver, passenger and rear) two are dead, one is dying. Is this an easy fix?

Thank you all in advance!
Tommo, Deano Bronc
Last edited by a moderator: Nov 27, 2020

Rank 0

Jan 28, 2021

#20
Thanks! Yes, I’ll take any suggestions for an honest reliable shop.
I’m ok paying, I don’t have the tools or shop space even if I had the knowledge but I’d prefer not to get taken for a ride lol!
That said we still love the truck! Just a bumpier ride than expected...
TorgSurv, Deano Bronc

Rank VI

Jan 28, 2021

#21
Sorry for your frustration …. but I have a feeling you are just starting down a long road. These Trucks are 25+years old and parts will wear out. When you add the lifted truck that someone must have played off-road with those repairs are coming very soon. If you are planning on paying a mechanic to fix everything that needs replacing…. 10,000 will creep up very soon. Most of us that are trying to save these classic broncos from the crusher are tinkers. It is not the mechanics fault … their time is very valuable … and 75$ per hour is reasonable. Most professional mechanics would like to on-board computer to tell them what needs replacing … complete the repair.. and get paid. The 1987 is an older ride and even when you replace one broken part .. another one might be ready to fail... so the repair will not produce the desired result. For an example …. two weeks ago I had an issue with my hydraulic clutch system. I replaced the master cylinder … but still was getting air into the system. I researched the issue and decided to replace the slave cylinder. That means dropping the transfer and transmission. Not a job for the faint of heart … but with the right tools... doable in the garage by a novice wrench turner. Now comes the decision... this is a 1,000 job all day long. I took my time... and have almost completed the repair. I have spent at least 25 man hours on this repair. This was the first time I did this job and had to learn on the fly. Professionals will complete the repair in less than 8 hours ….but half the fun of Bronco ownership is figuring this kind of stuff out for yourself.

The great thing for the beginner are sites like this and fullsizebronco.com. You can guarantee that whatever issue you have with your Bronco some else in America has had the same problem and 95% of the time they are more than willing to help. Have your son research these sites and read everything that others have already completed..... and pay it forward by posting a write up on how you fixed any issue on your own Bronco. I took a ton of pictures of my clutch replacement and plan to post a write up to help anyone else who is attempting to drop a transmission, replace the entire clutch system, and reinstall .…. all solo without any assistance.

Hate to sound like a BUZZ KILL but when that Bronco breaks down and starts to sit in the driveway for a few months …. taunting you....the love afair ends very quickly
Mastertiger87, TorgSurv

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#22
Hello All! Everyone’s been so nice and helpful here, just wanted to give an update for anyone interested!

It was a rough year! For everybody I’m sure.
Only seven weeks after getting his license, and a working (but sometimes limping Bronco) my dual sport varsity athlete ended up in the hospital, with blood clots and needing emergency surgery, could have lost his arm, or his life but instead lost a rib and a muscle.

We spent 13 days @ Children’s hospital and then 2 months with no driving orders, which was especially painful with the 4 months on blood thinners and no sports.
In the mean time, the Bronco got:
Brakes (pad, shoes, cylinders) replaced
Shocks, steering dampeners, inner & outer tie rods replaced.
Rear differential serviced.
New 26” wheels and 37” tires (don’t ask they are sooooo not my style lol!!)
Alignment. (Obviously)
A kill switch installed
Turn signal fixed
Gas gauge replaced
Window “switches” supposedly fixed by previous garage actually fixed.
Steering column supposedly Repaired by previous garage- actually fixed - the “forgot” a part ;/
Radiator replaced

Which got us into the holidays, and a release to drive and play sports!! But.. then Two weeks after getting his “freedom” back- the Bronco practically blew up at a football game. When we took it back they thought the heads had blown ;( and we weren’t sure we could afford another multiple thousand dollar garage visit that may or may not make a safe driver. So the Bronco sat, we made sales posts, for a busted Bronco and we busied ourselves with work, finals and Christmas & New Years.
Then Lo & behold turns out my son’s buddy’s dad is a big-wig over at the one of the largest Ford dealers in the world- (who happens to have an entire shop for custom and classic cars!!) and he feels bad for the kid- so offers to have his guys look at it to at least figure out what’s wrong and if it’s worth fixing.
And they find out the heads were fine it was just the THROTTLE BODY.
So throttle body was replaced. Oil & fluids changed. We picked up the Big Black Beast today and I dropped him at my son’s school! The boy is back in business!!

Still need:
The seat fixed or seats replaced
I’d like new seatbelts
A Bluetooth/Apple car play radio installed (OMG IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME FIGURE OUT ONE THST FITS...please!!)
A rear camera installed.
Rear door handle
Rear door trim & Bronco badge
Headliner (it has none and the awful stuff from the interior roof flies in my eyes if I’m in the back seat...ugh!!)
Paint
And....I’m sure a bunch of small stuff will pop
Up...but it’s road worthy now...and I can’t wait to see the look on my boy’s face when he pulls in the drive tonight!
Sdakotabronco, Jakob1972

Rank V

Jan 26, 2022

#23
LMC Truck (Home Page (lmctruck.com) is a good source for a lot of the bits and pieces for older vehicles. they carry quite a few of your punch list items with the exception of some of the tech stuff.
BroncoMom, WhiteWalker

Gladesmen

Jan 26, 2022

#24
Wow glad to hear your son is doing well and his Bronco is doing well also.
BroncoMom

Rank V

Jan 26, 2022

#25
BroncoMom
Hi!
Was able to get my son’s dream car yesterday! 1987 XLT, 5.0 auto, power windows, locks and steering, even if they don’t work lol! Black on black. 4” lift, running 35”s but they are bald so will be replacing. Not sure if it came with air but previous owner either upgraded or installed.

we are...So happy but I could use some advice, I’m sure it’s me but I’m having difficulty navigating this sight..ugh ;) keep getting info for all years...so not specific to 4th gem when I search. I’m tech deficient ;)

It’s a fixer for sure, runs fine and no leaks currently but we have a list of “must do” before I feel safe letting my not yet 16 year old drive in LA traffic.

1)Steering is CRAZY loose. Before you chastise me I know what old trucks drive like or at least thought I did but either way this is LOOSE, too loose for a kid in traffic. Taking it in to be “looked at” on Monday but would love advice on if replacing with OEM parts will just result in new parts and similar play? If so, Are there after market options? Any advice on how to “tighten” up the play? I’m willing to do just about anything for safety reasons. Any parts recommendations and/or suggestions appreciated!

2) Driver seat is in permanent recline (not that there was recline but there is now lol) best replacement seats for safety,? (don’t need fancy just safe and decent!) I Don’t want to spend oodles here unless someone tells me I need to to get safe.

3) Wipers are not working, replace or repair?

4) Left turn indicator “works” but you have to hold it down. Is this an easy fix?

5) I want to install a back-up camera snd Apple car play again...safety...any suggestions on what works and doesn’t totally screw with the look of the dash?

6) needs replacement motors in all 3 windows (driver, passenger and rear) two are dead, one is dying. Is this an easy fix?

Thank you all in advance!
Click to expand...
Hi, BroncoMom:
I am sure there will be plenty of people on here ready to offer up good advice, so take what I say as a matter of opinion....I have a '95 XL that I have been going through for the better part of the last 3 years. It is now solid enough to use as my daily driver while I wait for my new Bronco. With the exception of the rear window motor, none of your concerns are explicitly Bronco unique. With the larger front tires, there is more contact with the ground and therefore, more friction during slow-moving and stopped wheel turning. This will place more stress on the power steering unit leading to the dreaded whine and eventual failure. There are a couple of things you can do, but a power steering unit from the same year econoline van should work. Make sure the suspension is all tight in the right places and an alignment is done. For the seat, I would suggest finding one in a local pick-n-pull. Could also try Ebay. Here in Albuquerque, we have a place that will repair the mechanicals and then reupholster. Maybe there is a place like this near you. For the rest, maybe look at LMC Truck:
https://www.lmctruck.com/1980-96-ford/fd-1980-96-tailgate-and-componentshttps://www.lmctruck.com/1980-96-ford/1980-92-power-window-motor
These motors are all fairly easy to replace and shouldn't take more that a couple of hours for your first one. The tailgate is easy, but I would suggest having a helper. For the doors, I would suggest replacing the panel clips:
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Do...tIFduNS7r4iT-of7AYJKubgme5INAwJxoCWDEQAvD_BwE
RockAuto will have the wiper parts and the turn signal cam:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1987,bronco,5.0l+302cid+v8,1105883
Best of luck to you and your son,
WhiteWalker
BroncoMom

Rank V

Jan 26, 2022

#26
WhiteWalker
Hi, BroncoMom:
I am sure there will be plenty of people on here ready to offer up good advice, so take what I say as a matter of opinion....I have a '95 XL that I have been going through for the better part of the last 3 years. It is now solid enough to use as my daily driver while I wait for my new Bronco. With the exception of the rear window motor, none of your concerns are explicitly Bronco unique. With the larger front tires, there is more contact with the ground and therefore, more friction during slow-moving and stopped wheel turning. This will place more stress on the power steering unit leading to the dreaded whine and eventual failure. There are a couple of things you can do, but a power steering unit from the same year econoline van should work. Make sure the suspension is all tight in the right places and an alignment is done. For the seat, I would suggest finding one in a local pick-n-pull. Could also try Ebay. Here in Albuquerque, we have a place that will repair the mechanicals and then reupholster. Maybe there is a place like this near you. For the rest, maybe look at LMC Truck:
https://www.lmctruck.com/1980-96-ford/fd-1980-96-tailgate-and-componentshttps://www.lmctruck.com/1980-96-ford/1980-92-power-window-motor
These motors are all fairly easy to replace and shouldn't take more that a couple of hours for your first one. The tailgate is easy, but I would suggest having a helper. For the doors, I would suggest replacing the panel clips:
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Do...tIFduNS7r4iT-of7AYJKubgme5INAwJxoCWDEQAvD_BwE
RockAuto will have the wiper parts and the turn signal cam:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1987,bronco,5.0l+302cid+v8,1105883
Best of luck to you and your son,
WhiteWalker
Click to expand...
Ok, I should learn to read the entire thread before posting. Please disregard the portion of my post that no longer applies.


TLDR: Ebay and junk yard are best bets for "unbroken" seats. LMC, RockAuto, and Bronco Graveyard would have the majority of the stuff left on your list.

Best o'Luck,
WhiteWalker
BroncoMom

Home, home on the range

Jan 26, 2022

#27
If you are looking for seats try checking out F150 seats to see if they'll fit. For badging there are places you can purchase or you could try salvage yards. The site I use for salvage parts is. www.car-part.com. it searches all over and I use it all the time. Has a really easy to use search, and sorts by your zip code
BroncoMom

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#28
Good luck with finding a shop to do your work,it is very hard to find someone who is capable to do the work on older vehicles today and not rip you off,sounds like a total scumbag,I am not fond of these people, all the best
BroncoMom, WhiteWalker

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#29
Wow! Your son is a lucky guy. I love hearing about the 26” wheels. It reminds me of when my Dad would give me a hard time for modifying my cars at that age. My stuff always had cool wheels and parts but would be broke down because I didn’t have money to fix after I spent it all on wheels and stereo. My first full size Bronco was a black 89 I bought new, great that you are keeping those alive!
BroncoMom

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#30
frdfan
LMC Truck (Home Page (lmctruck.com) is a good source for a lot of the bits and pieces for older vehicles. they carry quite a few of your punch list items with the exception of some of the tech stuff.
Thank you! Great resource!!
frdfan

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#31
Jakob1972
Wow glad to hear your son is doing well and his Bronco is doing well also.
Thanks! We’re feeling lucky & blessed!
Jakob1972

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#32
WhiteWalker
Ok, I should learn to read the entire thread before posting. Please disregard the portion of my post that no longer applies.


TLDR: Ebay and junk yard are best bets for "unbroken" seats. LMC, RockAuto, and Bronco Graveyard would have the majority of the stuff left on your list.

Best o'Luck,
WhiteWalker

Thank you for taking the time to answer and offer all the great ideas and resources!!
WhiteWalker

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#33
Sdakotabronco
Thank you! Great resource. Hoping we can do the small stuff on our own!!

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#34
Redneck Rydes
Good luck with finding a shop to do your work,it is very hard to find someone who is capable to do the work on older vehicles today and not rip you off,sounds like a total scumbag,I am not fond of these people, all the best
The first shop sucked! They literally charged us thousands and didn’t do (more than) 1/2 of the work they said they did! Weird thing is they are beloved in the community- I think with the son taking over it’s just gone down hill!
We got lucky with the second shop, he’s honest and reasonably priced, great communication-
Sdakotabronco, Jakob1972

Rank 0

Jan 26, 2022

#35
Starkman
Wow! Your son is a lucky guy. I love hearing about the 26” wheels. It reminds me of when my Dad would give me a hard time for modifying my cars at that age. My stuff always had cool wheels and parts but would be broke down because I didn’t have money to fix after I spent it all on wheels and stereo. My first full size Bronco was a black 89 I bought new, great that you are keeping those alive!
That sounds just like my son! Busted Bronco but looking good lol!!
I wanted to freak out, when he showed us the wheels he wanted because with such “good bones” on the Bronco- I was hoping for the restoration, OG vibe- but we were going to buy wheels & tires and he offered to buy them himself if he could get what he wanted- he got a great deal and got the wheel & tires for less than the tires would have cost and they were at 90% or more left on tread- (guy lost his house so was selling everything off- ) I had to give up the reins!
Sdakotabronco, Jakob1972

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