1988 Merkur XR4Ti, Randy the Ratti

Purchased off EvanB a few weeks ago, got it to the shop and ordered parts. 

Currently needs:
Brake master cylinder and brakes bleed. 
Turn signal switch went bad, pulled it off and took it apart and it is all rotten inside
Coolant tank leaks 
Something is wrong with the blower motor, the motor turns fine so going to try a Blower switch
All fluids changed
Mud flaps for ultimate winter cool 
Big snow tires for ultimate snow fun
Trip down to the exhaust shop to get that taken care of for.... Reasons. 
Correct battery
hatch struts 
Cleaned cleaned cleaned. 

Bonus picture. 

Check the blower motor resistor, there is a thermal fuse that will go bad. It's a 282 F / 139 C fuse BTW.

Welcome to the club or the asylum, depends on how you look at it!

Jeff Herson at Merkur Midwest is a great wealth of knowledge and parts

GPz11 said:

Check the blower motor resistor, there is a thermal fuse that will go bad. It's a 282 F / 139 C fuse BTW.

Welcome to the club or the asylum, depends on how you look at it!

Jeff Herson at Merkur Midwest is a great wealth of knowledge and parts

I got a rebuilt blower motor resistor setting on my desk lol. Thats what I ment to say. 

I made like a $250 order though Jeff at Merkur Midwest late last week. He was very helpful. 
 

Rotten coolant tank replaced with a good used one. 

Euro turn signal stalk installed and turn signals are fixed. 

I have to admit I'm lucky that I only live about an hour or so from his shop.

I got my car as a rolling shell from him.

GPz11 said:

I have to admit I'm lucky that I only live about an hour or so from his shop.

I got my car as a rolling shell from him.

Im pretty jealous of that, he shipped my stuff, got it really quick. 

Professor_Brap said:

What in the world of old body style mega cab is going on with your truck? i've never seen that before

In reply to edizzle89 :

85 4 door cab, 93 extended cab, 93 D350 Cummins frame stretched. 

It was done by a limo company in 95 in Mississippi. 

I'm a huge fan of the Merkur, but that truck is a monster! 

I found an xr4ti near me for like 2500, wasn't in the best shape. SWMBO would not like me bringing more junk home.

I thought about getting one of those turn signal switches but didn't want to lose cruise control. I know, my priorities are terrible. 

Did you find the top cover for the column? I think it was in the glovebox. 

In reply to EvanB :

for the 10 or so miles it would get driven at a time its not to big of a deal. 
havent even looked for the cover, ill take a look today for it. 

Lets keep a tally on this project. 
Purchase: $1000

Merkur midwest order: 243.50

coolant bottle

Euro turn signal stalk

blower motor module

master cylinder

Brake Fluid: $2.15

Diff oil: $12.21

RockAuto: $75.56

Oil Filter

Radiator Cap

Headlight/Fog bulbs 

Hatch struts 

Wiper blades

fuel filter 

Fuel filter/line clips 

Current total: $1333.42

Im officially starting a fan club for that truck. But the Merkur is also cool!

Gor the old master off, and the new one on with the tank swapped over... 
I go to put on the last line and the brake fitting is kinda boogered up and wont go on. I need to grab my tap and die set and re tap the threads on the fitting. 

love the merkur!!

did certain years come with the dual cool wing in the back ? 

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

86 and 87 came with the dual wing, 88 and 89 were the small spoiler.

anyone know the brake fitting size for the master, im not with the car right now to check. 

In reply to EvanB :

Thank you kindly

Professor_Brap said:

anyone know the brake fitting size for the master, im not with the car right now to check. 

They might be M12 x 1 DPS but I'd double check. I know that's the size going into the proportioning valve.

Found this per RockAuto, but im still questioning myself. "Primary Port Size M10 x 1.0"

Yeah, not M12 for sure, the adapters that I have to go to stainless brakes lines are M10 x 1.0. Those I just checked

I appreciate it. I am 50/50 if the factory fitting will clean up good enough to use. 

I ran a die over the fitting, cleaned up just fine. It has been to rainy here to bleed them, but it already has more pedal than it did. 

Chacked/changed all the blown bulbs, put on some fresh hatch struts, and started to gravity bleed the brakes. 

Bonus: Someone left a battery outfront of the shop... Took a charge and fits the Xr4ti just fine. WIN