Just picked up an 84 LTD CV Wagon

[79lincolnlover]

Nice wagon! Do whatever you want to it and be happy.

[gadget73]

if I were really going to do woodgrain, it would be paint, not the stick-on vinyl like the stock stuff. It also would definitely not use the Ford trim, specifically because the Ford trim is crappy.

[Birdofprey]

Tow package doesn't neccesarily mean it had a hitch. Its just a package, the hitch is something you'd have to add beyond that. The sure tell is whether its got a transmission and power steering cooler in front of the radiator. If you have a long loop of steel tube and a teeny cute trans cooler up under the air intake area, its a tow package car. They also came with 3.55 limited slip rears and dual exhaust.

I just looked and it has the aux trans cooler and the loop for the power steering in front of the ac condenser.

[Birdofprey]

Nice wagon! Do whatever you want to it and be happy.

Thank you.

[Birdofprey]

Kishy,

Here is a some better photos of the strap mounting location.

[knucklehead0202]

Bet if you measured that strap you could fairly easily find one from a truck that's the right length. Just a thought. Also, seriously excited that the woodgrain project is moving forward. I can't wait to see how awesome this thing looks with wood. Keep up the good work!

[Birdofprey]

Bet if you measured that strap you could fairly easily find one from a truck that's the right length. Just a thought. Also, seriously excited that the woodgrain project is moving forward. I can't wait to see how awesome this thing looks with wood. Keep up the good work!

I was thinking the same thing. if the CP in the junk yard is broken or the plastic is hard as rock I'm going to look into going that route.

[WagonMan]

The NOS cable I have,(NOT for sale) is 17 1/8" center of eyelet to center of eyelet. 1/2" hole on one end, 3/8" hole on the other. Hope this helps you find a new one. WagonMan

[Birdofprey]

*snip* You have an 84 which has an extra weak, extra terrible AOD.*snip*

Came across this in another thread, what made the 84 AOD worse than other years? Anything I need to look at right away?

[sxcpotatoes]

If you're dead set on having a woody, why not do real wood sides? Get you some good real wood flooring, 3D print some trim and paint it.

[kishy]

Came across this in another thread, what made the 84 AOD worse than other years? Anything I need to look at right away?

"Rumour has it" there were weaker components and lubrication issues in early year AODs.

However my local trans shops (one of which is considered highly reputable) have both told me they're unaware of any such issue and consider the AOD for its entire run to be highly reliable (with the exception of the weak stock overdrive band).

YMMV.

And thanks for those pics of the tailgate, that's helpful. Going to have to check mine out closer. Maybe it's there and I'm blind. The tailgate will not go all the way down, not even flat, nevermind far enough to touch the bumper.

[Mainemantom]

The early AODs had lubrication issues. Transmission rebuilders used the 86 and newer cores. As with anything else, regular maintenance will help things last. I have put over 200K on a early AOD. I have also had early AODs that only lasted 70k.
Agree on the OD band being weak. Normally due to drivers keeping it in OD when driving below 45mph.

Did you ask WagonMan for the Ford part number on the nos strap he has ? Should be able to find another one without too much trouble.

[kishy]

The early AODs had lubrication issues. Transmission rebuilders used the 86 and newer cores. As with anything else, regular maintenance will help things last. I have put over 200K on a early AOD. I have also had early AODs that only lasted 70k.
Agree on the OD band being weak. Normally due to drivers keeping it in OD when driving below 45mph.

Did you ask WagonMan for the Ford part number on the nos strap he has ? Should be able to find another one without too much trouble.

Do you suppose that having higher TV pressure might preserve the OD band if one wanted to use OD at lower speeds (my thinking being that it would stay engaged more firmly)?
Obviously there's a balance, the higher you bump the TV pressure, the higher the minimum speed to stay in OD.

Is there somewhat of a write up explaining the lubrication deficiencies? It's something I initially learned about via either here or CVN, I forget, but it's hard to find more info about outside of here. Not saying I doubt its existence, just that if it's a widespread deficiency surely the info is out there...

rellik god posted a tailgate cable in my wagon's thread:

this is the cable for tailgate

D9AZ-7443052-A and it looks to be made of unobtainium, but I'll bet another application fits close enough.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Do you suppose that having higher TV pressure might preserve the OD band if one wanted to use OD at lower speeds (my thinking being that it would stay engaged more firmly)?
Obviously there's a balance, the higher you bump the TV pressure, the higher the minimum speed to stay in OD.

I've got my TV line pressure bumped up a little bit, and depending on how much you're on the accelerator affect when it'll drop into OD. Typically with about 15-25% throttle, I won't get OD engagement until about 55 MPH. If I want OD at 45, I have to be doing at least 45 and let off the accelerator completely then it'll drop. Getting onto the freeway is easier, too, since I can be at around 35-40% throttle and it'll hold 3rd until about 65 MPH and then kick down.

The only problem I experience is it staying in OD below 45. Sometimes it'll want to stay engaged around the 35-38 MPH mark. I'm wondering if bumping up line pressure just a bit more will help there in getting a quicker upshift from OD to 3rd so it doesn't bog at light throttle.

[gadget73]

The 84 also used a smaller / weaker overdrive servo in addition to the lube issues mentioned. For a stock engine its fine, but its not the one to use if you want high performance. Change the fluid and don't do anything really stupid with it and you should be fine. It has a cooler, that goes a long way towards helping it already. If it fails, get a later one to have rebuilt.