Any Ts in the NY Syracuse, Binghamton, Elmira etc area?

[robiewp]

Hey all,
Anyone out there in NY? I'm in Ithaca and am looking for another T owner to do a little comparison with. I have a 97 3.4 4x4 auto with stock (265 75 16) tire size, and I'm hoping to swap cars with someone for a few miles to see how the steering and engine feel, along with inspecting a few corners to see what some parts that aren't as badly warn as mine should look like...


My T was involved in an accident about 7 months ago (hit on the front left on fender / wheel/ bumper by a state trooper who ran a stoplight crossing the major road I was on... without his cruiser lights on or anything).

About $1200 in work was done to the steering including a reman steering box. I've since had the recall work done and also replaced the ball joints. To me, the steering still doesn't quite feel right. I've tightened the steering box up as much as possible without causing rough spots. The dealer that did the recall work says everything looks just fine... but I swear to god the car felt different before I got hit. It's just been too long for me to remember for sure.

Since the accident, I've put about 3k in bodywork (parts, free labor) and another 3k in Misc. The first 3k was out of insurance, the rest out of pocket. I'm hoping to get the car in tip-top shape and it would really help to have a basis for comparision...

Here's after the bodywork.

[BamZipPow]

Looks nice. The only thing I would suggest is trying some of the dealerships in the area. Of course...you'd have to test drive a 4x4 auto since that's what you have.

I've seen a few in Craigslist so you could try yer hand on there. Not sure how the owners will feel if yer only test driving and not buying...but hey...you never know.

Have you thought about changing out yer tailgate handle to the chrome one?

[robiewp]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Looks nice. The only thing I would suggest is trying some of the dealerships in the area. Of course...you'd have to test drive a 4x4 auto since that's what you have.

I've seen a few in Craigslist so you could try yer hand on there. Not sure how the owners will feel if yer only test driving and not buying...but hey...you never know.

Have you thought about changing out yer tailgate handle to the chrome one?

I'll probably go that route and find one for sale..

For the tailgate handle, I'm glad you pointed it out. My grandfather's handyman took the tailgate off "to take it to get fixed" and lost it around 2003. It took me about a year to find a good used tailgate at all... I didn't even think about the tailgate handle not matching the door handles. But hell, I drove it for a year with a red tailgate!!! The chrome mirrors, handles, and bumpers do dress it up a bit.

Cheers,
Rob