Just picked up an 86 LTD CV Wagon

[sly]

There's a LOT of dead end connectors in these cars because of all the options.

[Birdofprey]

There's a LOT of dead end connectors in these cars because of all the options.

Makes sense, especially with mine being bare bones on the options.

[sly]

those 3-prong connectors over the parking brake are for the non-existent cornering lights, but they are live wires. Make sure those are tied up securely so the parking brake won't crush it. Found that out the hard way. One got crushed on the Mad Marquis. Kept blowing the fuse for all the dash power.

[Birdofprey]

Been working off and on on the 86 wagon. I ordered a new vacuum switch for the parking break auto release, still need to install that.

I saved all the jump seat brackets from the CP at the junk yard so at some point I need to get those welded and screwed in.

While messing with the tailgate I confirmed my suspicions that the little bit of rust showing at the bottom of the tailgate was much worse inside the tailgate. I decided to swap it with the one off the 84 wagon. Was a decent job but I'm happy with how it turned out, it closes better now that I had to adjust it and the rear glass on the 84 is in better shape.
I've got some wiring work to do since some of the connectors changed between the years. and the 84 has power locks already in so thats a plus.




I'm thinking I'm going to pull the power door lock actuators out of the 84. I'll leave the power window. Might as well before selling it, I have a feeling I'm going to be lucky if I can get what I paid for it so I should get what I can out of it first.


Also made an adapter harness for the 8-track. I need to mount it and get the right radio trim plate.

[87gtVIC]

Any chance you can just sit on the now removed tailgate and repair it? Will come in handy when the current ones starts going south? Good learning experience too!

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Nice to see there are connectors hidden way back on the tailgate. That’s going to be a blessing and a curse for me. I’ve been sitting on a replacement for a year, but haven’t futzed with it since I got it. I guess I’m going to have to graft the existing connectors from my damaged tailgate to the good one since the replacement just had them cut.

How hard was it to get everything aligned properly?

[Birdofprey]

Any chance you can just sit on the now removed tailgate and repair it? Will come in handy when the current ones starts going south? Good learning experience too!

Nah, I put the tan one from the 86 on the sliver 84 and will send it on its way.

[Birdofprey]

How hard was it to get everything aligned properly?

The hinge side wasn't too bad, I put a couple pieces of plywood under the door and snuged up a lower nut then when I tightened the upper nuts I put sideways pressure on the socket extension to help take the slack/sag out of the door hinge. The bigger pain was getting the strikers adjusted so they both would catch. They both had to come out just about all the way.