hnoppenberger

ive got a few issues which i need someone whos familiar to give me some heads up. i do like this car. its been in the family since new, i actually did my drivers test with this thing!

so- its an 88, auto, limited 4x4. its got fuel injectors in every runner, and one o2 sensor precat.

im using this thing for hunting. pretty much mojave desert. i just put on
BFG all terrain t/a which did really well in the desert snow last season.

1) problems. - front power seat. wobbly, not sure whats going on there is the seat just worn out? wheres a good place to get some replacements/aftermarkets that either bolt in or install with brackets?

2)it gets hot (second mark on gauge) when going up long hill trails. like to the point im worried and run the heater full blast. but it can go 75mph all day long and not get passes center, even with the ac on (which is cold!)
-no leaks, water pump was put in several years ago, radiator is aftermarket and also installed several years ago. all fluids are serviced regularly by me and it all looks good.

3) one time the car got stuck in locker mode on the street when i put it into 4x4 for the rain. you know, trying to turn it would bounce like a **** and burn rubber. it did that once, never again.

thats it- is there anything i need to check out on these cars that im missing? i know every type of car has its quirks. how often should i change the trans and transfer case fluid? im doing it every 30k right now.

anything i need to watch out for? suspension components? i have no problem putting money into it i DONT repeat DONT want to break down hunting that would be a nightmare!
thanks for you time reading this glad i found this forum!

Skreed

Only cheap solution I can tell you is try a salvage yard I have seen some decent seats out there.

Search this is covered extensively you can find endless amount of info on cooling problems.

Are you talking about 4 lo?

Sounds good

Just keep up on maintenance you you should be good. If there is something that you are hearing or feeling try to address is asap. Always check your belt and make sure its good. Along with batt, alt, and starter.

hnoppenberger

right on- thanks for the help.

are there any issues with suspension stuff just breaking? you know anything i should change out early?

the car drivers great with the exception of the few items noted.

i know the cooling system should be up to snuff. doesnt make sense its heating up-up hill. maybe a bigger radiator for hard desert driving to keep it cooler?

fantic238

Hi, you have exactly the same year, model as mine.
I've fixed the seat mount a couple of times. There are four bolts holding the seat on the mount and other four holding the sitting on the tubolar frame. The common cracks are near the rear right seating bolt and in the rear mount pivot levers. Fixed with some welding.
Since you have changed your rad i'll suggest you change also the thermostat valve. Is your electric fan working? Main fan viscous clutch? I would strongly recommend to upgrade to dual electric fans.
When it sometimes stays stuck in 4wd part time just back up a few times to disengage or find a slippery surface to make some tough turns. Use only 4wd full time on asphalt.
Nothing else that can really break down on the trail. Always bring a spare CPS, u joints, tools and cold beer with you.
Grease up everything greaseable and check steering bars and knuckle ball joints for play/wear.

93gc40

On the cooling if the Thermostat is as old as the pump and Radiator, change it, use 195 deg. Does the electric fan turn on, with the AC and/or when temp is 220 deg, between center and next line on gadge? Is it using any water?

Suspension, not alot that just breaks. Is it or are you going to lift it? Being 21 years old, might want to consider going through and replacing anything that looks worn. this would be bushings Tierod ends and ball joints. Check the U-joint in the axel and drive shafts. Check the vacumm line on the axel disconect, this is what caused your 4X4 locking problem, most likely. Vac system can be replaced with a cable if you want.

On the seat, Junkyard will be your freind, either a complete seat or just the base.

fantic238

It's a Limited, no vacuum disconnect and 242tc.

93gc40

Cool, then TC just got stuck. You already covered that.

Just remember 4HI and 4LO is for dirt or loose surfaces ONLY. If you need 4WD on pavement use 4FT.

By the way, you seem to have the servicing under control. But, have you change the oil in the differentials? this is something most peopl ignore.

Skreed

An 88 has a closed cooling system, same as mine. Same thing happens to me on long slow up hills when its hot. I believe the stock cooling system set up it simply not set up for hard summer driving. Although the closed system can cool just fine durning normal conditions when kept up well, for hard driving in the desert or any type of wheeling while hot out you might wanna consider up grades. First make sure you give your cooling system the once over and make sure everything is working the best it can. Being in the desert you might want to consider dual electric fans, i've even seen triple 10" fans run. Possibly converting to a open system, hood vents or spacers. And maybe a 3 row rad.

Again search for all these upgrades on this forum they are covered in more depth than I possible could.

hnoppenberger

thanks for the help ill pull my seat out and see if i can weld it. its in good shape other than its all wobly.

the cooling system is serviced- everything works.
i have a hard time keeping the bottle from leaking. ive replaced the whole thing when i did all the hoses under the hood. (expensive parts !)

i believe from the searches i did that this car just cant handle my desert hunts in the summer. im gonna have to upgrade i think a bigger radiator will be a start.

the suspension feels tight when driving, everything looks good no play in the driveline at all. it pulls a litttlllle to the right but im not really worried about that i rotate the tires so it doesnt show.

oh yea- gotta do the headliner. should i reglue or just rip the sucker out?

edit- diffs are serviced.
im going to upgrade to the open radiator system and possibly go to a bigger radiator than stock.