My 85 TBird - Page 21

Topic: My 85 TBird (Read 181883 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #300 – February 22, 2026, 12:27:46 AM

Finally got the bumpers and grille painted on Thursday, It was a battle to say the least. Sanded, buffed, and installed them today.

I still don’t have a decent driver door glass, the original one has some DA sander scratches in it from the first time I painted the car, and the used one I got in looks like a little dog spent most of its time trying to get out of the car by digging thru the glass. Other than that it’s getting right down there on the to do list.

Other than some final assembly stuff and touch up buffing, the big things are the bump steer adjustments, alignment, and a trip to the dyno tuner.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #301 – February 22, 2026, 09:16:14 AM

The car is looking really good!

I don't remember if my spare doors in my storage are vent windowed or not. I can try and check the next time I'm at the other property if you don't find something closer.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #302 – February 22, 2026, 09:28:00 AM

Car looks great man! Any reason you chose the 83/84 tail lights over the 85:86 style? Just curious as the Thunderbird emblems are different between the years.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #303 – February 22, 2026, 10:13:14 AM

Quote from: Aerocoupe – on February 22, 2026, 09:28:00 AM

Any reason you chose the 83/84 tail lights over the 85:86 style?

Because they look better. Obviously.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #304 – February 22, 2026, 11:27:44 AM

Thanks guys. Plenty of small things I’m not happy with, but I notice them less and less as the car progresses.

Kind of like the dash, these are the tail lights the car came with. I’m convinced that everything about the way this car was built except the vin makes it an 84. And Chuck is right, these do look better 😁, I don’t think I’d like the silver trim along the bottom of the 85-86 ones, and who needs good reverse lights anyway.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #305 – February 23, 2026, 08:29:15 AM

I figured you changed them to match the emblem on the dash. I keep forgetting you are pretty sure it’s a very early 85 with lots of 84 parts.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #306 – February 23, 2026, 12:59:38 PM

Quote

I don't remember if my spare doors in my storage are vent windowed or not. I can try and check the next time I'm at the other property if you don't find something closer.

I think I have another one on the way out of Ohio, if it doesn’t work out I’ll let you know.

Quote

I figured you changed them to match the emblem on the dash. I keep forgetting you are pretty sure it’s a very early 85 with lots of 84 parts.

Wish I could say there was some thought process or insight into it.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #307 – February 23, 2026, 03:32:45 PM

Have you looked into a Marti Report on it?

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #308 – February 23, 2026, 05:25:41 PM

Quote from: Chuck W – on February 23, 2026, 03:32:45 PM

Have you looked into a Marti Report on it?

I haven’t, but was just talking about that the other night with the friend that helped me get my bumper covers aligned.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #309 – February 27, 2026, 10:51:14 PM

Bit of a milestone today. Made the mile trip across town to get the initial alignment set so I can get the bump steer situation figured out. First 2 miles in 27 years.

The window I ordered from a salvage yard in Ohio also showed up today. Ended up using my original window with the DA scratches, it’s the best out of the three. If I ever run across a really nice one I’ll change it out then.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #310 – February 28, 2026, 07:18:46 AM

Dang, that looks nice! Now I want a rear spoiler on my Turbo bird. It would be nice to see what you find on the bump steer. I have not lowered mine, but did the SN95 big brake upgrade and it moved the wheels outboard about 1/2 inch.

I will have to do the bump steer testing in the future. Now my SVO, I have lowered and I will need to do the bump steer soon.

Regards,
Harry

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #311 – February 28, 2026, 08:44:14 AM

Congrats! First drives are always exciting.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #312 – February 28, 2026, 01:36:59 PM

Thanks guys. Exciting with a splash of paranoia and concern about sums it up. Going to start on the bump steer stuff this afternoon.

Re: My 85 TBird

Reply #313 – March 08, 2026, 02:00:34 PM

Quote from: bodyman – on February 28, 2026, 01:36:59 PM

Thanks guys. Exciting with a splash of paranoia and concern about sums it up. Going to start on the bump steer stuff this afternoon.

I hear you there! Mine just hit the road under its own power for the first time in 14 years! I only went 3 miles round trip but it was something! I discovered when I got back that I didn't have turn signals or headlights

Thank god the brake lights worked