Refurbing my 1998 Mav.

[Geordie]

Hi Everyone,

As usual I need some advice, something this Club has never failed to provide when asked.(Mav if you see this please remind me when my membership is due for renewal - now I've reached 65 I'm likley to be forgetful!).

My wife drives my Maverick more than I do and when I suggested that, as we're both pensioners now, perhaps we should consider something smaller and more economical she put her foot down and said 'NO'.

So I'm keeping my 1998 2.4 SWB GLS Mav for the foreseeable future!

Now, having made that decision I intend to spend some money on it and if possible bring it back to top condition. The engine's good -only 57k but the bodywork needs a bit of attention so I thought I'd have the all the sills etc checked, repaired where necessary and resprayed if needed. I've got a couple of grand to spend and just wondered what you guys would recommend and where you start first?

Look forward to your suggestions - after that I did think a stainless steel exhaust would be a good investment - but I guess the bodywork should come first.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers

Geordie

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Hi Geordie,

dont think our paths have ever crossed yet here in steel city :?

do you have a pic of the mav in the galleries so we can get a
better idea of how to pimp it :lol: .

mavs of that age tend to have chrome mirrors and grill, think
can just pot from your avater. so do you have a chromed spare
wheel cover. edges of steps? wheels?.

mind whats not broken doesnt really need fixing unless that cash
really is burning its way out of your pocket.

 

[Geordie]

Hi rbrt,

Just managed to get a pic on the Gallery, although I'm afraid its only the same as the avatar.

The Mavs still the same as when I bought it back in 2001 although I did have it waxoiled a couple of years ago. The side steps are original Ford I think and no I haven't got a stainless steel wheel cover just the original canvass one that always fills up with water. As I said I'm not really sure where to start on it but once its done I guess we'll just keep it unless we win the Lottery!

My biggest worry is the bodywork. It seems in good condition but I often wonder what's happening underneath the bumpers and wheel arches - it looks pretty clean but I'll be happier when its been looked at professionally. No doubt that's where most of the expenditure will be but I still expect to be able to buy some other accessories.

Any thoughts always welcome.

Cheers

Geordie

 

[Jocky]

Hi Geordie, glad your keeping your Mav :smile:

The places to look for rust on a T2/Mav.

Front wings under the plastic wheel arches, you usually see some blisters just above the plastic arches. If there are blisters there is serious rust on the wing.

Inner front wings near where the fuel filter is.

Front crossmember behind front bumper under the Radiator.

Sills just in front or the rear wheels.

Also check the rear seatbelt lower mountings which have had problems, as the boot floor is double skinned.

The fuel tank guard is also good a rotting away, as are the metal fuel pipes.
if I've missed anything, quite sure someone will let you know.
You did the right thing with the waxoyl, it works a treat and if all is well a retreatment would be worth it :smile:

 

[mav]

I have added your photo Geordie. 8)

 

[jims-terrano]

Hi Geordie, well if that's a recent photo of your Mav then it looks just fine as it is. I agree the stainless steel spare wheel cover would be good. Other than any rust spots on the sills just in front of the rear wheel arch, or if you look inside the rear wheel arch you can see the seat bealt mounts. Get the brake pipes and fuel pipes checked for corrosion.

Doubt if LPG would be worth fitting on vehicles of our age.

Other than that become a radio ham and fit a nice radio :lol:

Jim T

 

[Mundy]

Spend a bit of time back to blacking the bumper trim
Looks it good shape though

 

[Deleted Member S]

On my 99 T2 i've got nice big rust scabs on both sills, seat belt mounts have started to rust up, front x member as a bit of rot in it (& a hole), behind the rear bumper on the seams seems to be rusting & i've found that i've also got some rot on the bulkhead next to the N/S inner wing :evil: so yours may go in the same place in time but i'm sure mine has had a hard life on the road before I got it :roll:

 

[NEDDY]

Hi Geordie after you have paid to implement all the sound advice given so far If their is any pennies left why don't you treat yourself to a moonvisor

 

[extreme-4x4]

lambs to the slaughter

so im guessing you have a friend in a garage or something... otherwise this could turn out to be like a scene from the film the deliverance.

really i dont mean to cause offence but... if you can buy one of these for less than a grand in nice shape. why would you want to spend 2 grand on yours to tidy it up

as far as i can see it looks fantastic... why dont you book yourself a little holiday and pocket the rest of the money for when yours really wont go any further then get another one for a grand or less


your car must be the best car in the world, because it must have been ages since you went to a garage workshop , you have obviously forgotten that most garages are more than happy to take your money for little or nothing in return


IF ITS NOT BROKEN DONT FIX IT

 

[Deleted Member S]

Re: lambs to the slaughter

really i dont mean to cause offence but... if you can buy one of these for less than a grand in nice shape. why would you want to spend 2 grand on yours to tidy it up

TBH I would do the same as he has a very low milage motor to start with :smile: I had a look at poss replacing mine not long ago & I was shocked to find younger models with almost the same amount of rot on them as mine has 8O & the overall condition was worse with torn seats etc & I also think it a case of the devil you know is better than the one you don't :roll: