'88 Bronco II

[Logistics]

I have acquired an '88 Bronco II Eddie Bauer with an automatic transmission and manual lock hubs with 125k miles.

It's in excellent shape considering it has been a garage vehicle since the day of purchase in 1988.

Problem: It has been sitting in the garage for nearly 8 years and maybe started only once.

Question: What fluids would you recommend changing before starting? Or, anything in that matter? Need some advice from those experienced with putting shock paddles on the dead car.

What I do know or at least have a good idea for is:

1) It needs a new battery. The dome light won't even come on.

2) Change the oil and oil filter

3) Should I siphon the old fuel and put in fresh with 44K for good measure? (only on a full tank, of course) Maybe a new fuel filter?

4) Should I bleed the brake line?

Did I miss anything? I want to make sure all my bases are covered.

I'm not sure if a full tune up would be required other than oil/fuel/air filters', battery and a new PCV valve.

I can do almost all the work myself aside from transmission work.

All information is appreciated and if I forget to to write it, "Thank you, for all your assistance!"

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Question: What fluids would you recommend changing before starting? Or, anything in that matter? Need some advice from those experienced with putting shock paddles on the dead car.
4) Should I bleed the brake line?

Hi and congrats on your new truck!

I don't quit fit your qualifications of putting shock paddles on a dead truck, but I am going to chime in here anyway.

It is easy enough to bleed the brakes, I don't know if it is necessary, nor do I know if it is necessary the change the brake fluid. I did resurect an old car once, and had to rebuild the brake cylinders. Crap built up on the inside bottom of some of them and it wasn't long before the little rubber cups inside them started to leak.

I don't think that brake fluid goes bad per se`, but it is hydrophillic in that it absorbs water ie moisture out of the air. If by chance your wheel cylinders are dry rotted, then you may consider that some contamination of the fluid may have occurred over a ten year period. IF they are good, and IF you do not live in the mountains of california then I wouldn't worry about changing the fluid. If others disagree... I would probalby follow their advice. In either case... make sure that your emergency brake is working /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[viperfangs2]

New tranny fluid!!!

New anti freeze

I how that the anti freeze hasn't rusted stuff to much in side you engine!!!

 

[Logistics]

Update:

As it turns out the truck was only sitting for 3 1/2 years. Not as bad as I originally thought. But, none the less it was still sitting.

I got a new battery and she fired up on the third crank! $-) Rough idle and I had to floor the gas pedal to maintain 1500 rpm. I got a siphon and couldn't get it all the way in to the gas tank it was as if there was something obstructing the path in to the tank. So, I filled it with another 5 gallons of fresh gas and added one bottle of 44K. Perfect idle after 2 minutes.

Now I'm waiting for it to hit optimal temp to drain the oil and change it. Once I get it all good I think I'm gonna give it a tune up and change all fluids regardless if it needs it or not. I would rather be safe than sorry.

My next question is, should I change the tires considering they have been sitting in one spot for so long? The last thing I want to do is drive it and find they blow out while driving. No signs of tire rot and they hold pressure.

Also, before I move her from the once thought grave site, is there a way to get the transmission fluid rolling through before driving? I was reading that you can put the emergency brake on and put the vehicle in drive and that will get the transmission cooler running to help pump the fluid through or out if doing a fluid flush.

Thanks again for the advice, I really do appreciate it.