Is everything working on the dash? there must be something matching for that to plug in to?

I have to make a decision now what i am going to do. I have two weeks off as of next week.
I was going to try and finish the majority of fitting up the EF Wagon with 'mont parts. So far the engine and trans are in, brake lines and ABS is in. The front suspension is all back together and I am part way through the electric windows and wiring looms. Part of the interior is done. The next big one is the diff, 1 ton springs and tailshaft. That means running gear sorted. A good week's work and It should be running and ready for a roadworthy.

The Classic is dying, the head is cracked and it is backfiring and using coolant at a massive rate. the headlining all fell off two weeks ago. I only use it for the kids run to school etc and I need at least 2 litres of water a week. It is not worth spending any $$ on what is arguably a worn out car.

My dilemma Is thus..... it will still need, shocks, tyres, aircon gas up and I needs LPG fitted. Is it worth spending another $1000 to get this thing on the road or not? I mean the engine is currently sound but I expect a head gasket to go a few weeks after getting it on the road knowing my luck. I was hoping to get a wagon from work instead of the ute. If I got a work wagon then I would have no hesitation in a fire sale for both the the wagons and all spares. My garage is an Aladin's cave full of crap everywhere and it is driving me and the Mrs nuts as the terry should have a parking space indoors.

OR I can get a BA wagon for about $6k at auction.

Or if we redraw from the homeloan I get a second Terry for under $15k. We are planning on selling up and moving to property in the country in the next 12 months. It is very likely we will live on a dirt road. It makes sense to get another AWD.

That's my thinking exactly. When I started the project, I spent about $2500. I have spent hundreds of hours working on it ( scratching head mostly) and then we bought the Territory Ghia. I also spent hundreds on tools to do the work. I lost all motivation as I was trying to keep the budget really low and then we spent $50k on an 8 month old car. 4 years ago, an E series mont was worth 5 grand still, worth the effort to repair. Now they are worth squat and a B series is becoming cheap for a shopping trolley.

This will be our second car so it doesn't need to be flash but reliable and comfortable is a key requirement. I am also big on safety for the family which is why I went for the Terry AWD in the first place. I also like that it was designed and built in Victoria. I know a few guys who work at the Ford plants. I like driving past the factory and telling my son that "our car's were built in that factory."

I do want something that will give me similar service to the EF. It was 4 years old when we got it and we have done about 240000km with only a head gasket and a cracked head as major problems. It's time for retirement.

2 pin connector with what looks like serious tight fitting and weather-sealing. Its not a light or something? We have the 6 speed so i think it's different underneath.

The spare wheel is pretty big so trying to lift it is hard for a small woman. My wife is at least as strong as me so she could do it if she wanted too. having a lift up tailgate restricts the spare wheel location somewhat. Esp if you don't want a 4WD style swinging bracket like on a landcrusher or similar.

I wonder about the rear suspension rubbers that were replaced? The car had only been on gas for a few months at the time. You can get raised springs for pretty cheap. I have seen a set on Ebay for about 300 four corners. Hows thoses shocks though! They are pretty big. I am sure I have seen that plug under the EF of all things.

The six speed is pretty impressive. So smooth you hardly feel the gears change at all!

That car is perfect for my needs..... a clean garage may be on the horizon! just bite the bullet and spend $12500. I have a few grand of goodies to move of course.

that is the speedo loom but it doesnt connect anywhere as your speedo is picked up from elsewhere in the abs system ,only ba utes that dont have abs and use a speedo gear on the output shaft use that plug as it connects to the speedo transducer

Just cable tie it out of the way which I am sure you have done already. I may have a look under the FG ute and see what is there?

I even get the older kids involved in car mods but there is just not room at this house for a project car. When we move up bush and I have an enormous shed then I may get another project... The idea of something seventies has temptation maybe an XB GT coupe or similar. A rare or desirable car... not a family hack! I do love the old F100's from the 50's and a resto would be fun. Rust not plastic!

A drive across the mountains or down the Great Ocean road. raw 351V8 power with no pollution gear LOL.

I had a lucky break from the Ford dealer last week. The FG ute was in for service and the loan car was not returned yet. I( waited for 20min then the consultant came over and said was I going in any dirt roads or building sites. I said no just round town for some simple service work. she then gave me the keys to the spare parts managers purple XR8!

I HAD THE BEST DAYS DRIVING EVER.......

Boss 290 there was a smile on my face for a week! Even now thinking about how damn powerful it was. Now that would be worth shoehorning into a Fairmont wagon!

My son is almost nine so wants to get involved. I can relate to your baby story! She is 20 months and gets into everything. When the older two are emptying the dishwasher as it's one of their chores, she tries to help and goes straight for the steak knives!

The FG ute is toey enough let alone a V8. Although mine has plenty of weight with batteries, tools, spare parts and of course the stupid 8 foot long Box, handy to keep the ladders dry when it rains. It looks so old and crappy. The dedicated gas engine is reasonably powerful but the Terry with injected gas has no really noticeable power loss and leaves the ute for dead.

Have you picked up some side steps yet? They are ridiculously expensive. I got a set of aftermarket ones for a Prado that are just the right length, only $120 off ebay. I have not yet welded up some brackets to suit.

perhaps these? may be too short!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Ranger-06-0 ... _649wt_905

searched for side steps and this came up!
Now this is a project truck!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1954-FORD-TRUCK- ... 500wt_1156

watch the kids climb in.....

My 7 Y/O daughter struggles a fair bit and they look great!

Cut and polish... change the oil, set of plugs, fill the tank up.

IT LIVES!!!

The bumper and grille are just begging to be sent to the Chrome platers!

heres another one but its in WA

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1954-Ford-F100-P ... 713wt_1139

what the hell is the painted rust job?

It needs to be stripped and then metal filled, no bog for this baby!

This is a good finished resto.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ford-1956-big-ba ... 500wt_1156

And note the price! Turn the wreck for $1 into the cool cruiser worth $46k.... not easy but worth the effort. I would expect to spend maybe $15-20k on parts, paint etc.