Bill's Daily Driver Build Pt 3 (with more Comments, Questions, and Conundrums)
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:51 pm
Good morning!!
It's sunny and 76° here in redneck heaven (Harriman, Tennessee).
Much water has passed under the bridge since we last left my silly build. I am proud to say, the thing still runs strong as ever, though some of the peripherals have fallen into disrepair. Mostly, the never redone bits have continued to age.
In the meantime, my mother has been diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Essentially, this is a 3 to 6 year death sentence where her brain slowly dies. It's been absolute hell on my father, and much of my time has been spent traveling back and forth to Florida in my '03 Miata. I take a back way, so the trip is as enjoyable as possible (though I'm starting to memorize much of the 600-and-some mile trip).
Nonetheless, it's time to get some stuff done, but please understand, this thread might have fits and starts and periods of no activity.
A quick rundown of where we stand and where we're headed:
Currently, it runs great and shifts great.
An inspection of the underbody reveals no rust, and, if the one body bolt I pulled can be trusted, even the body mounts and hardware are in good shape.
It currently has 3:whatever a stock Wagoneer comes with gears, with tires which are too tall for the gearing.
Body is in great shape, with no rust and minimal damage.
Power windows don't.
Dash needs a rethink
Plans:
Chassis
Wash the underside to rid of as much excess grease, grime, oil, etc., as possible.
Paint the underside with some sort of undercoat/bed liner (suggestions?)
Replace the body mounts with urethane
Install 1" body lift (will make some problems go away)
Replace springs (stock height)
Replace shocks (Bilstein?)
Replace steering gear box (Redhead?)
Replace steering linkage
Redo bottom radiator mount (now with more room)
Rebuild both axles (staying with 44s)
Install locking differentials (Auburn Select-A-Loc)
Install better gearing (4.11?)
Install NP242
Install electric parking brake mechanism
Rear disc brake conversion?
Front brake upgrade (must fit with 16" wheels)?
Body
Panel by panel strip, repair, paint (Ford Wimbledon White)
Replace power window mechanisms
Remove luggage racks?
Install moonroof
Replace tailgate
Replace grill
Install older style woodgrain
Install custom older style woodgrain trim
Interior
Redo custom dash (totally new design)
Install new stereo
Install Ham radio
Install new CB radio
Custom mount 4-Foxbody Mustang GT seats
Build custom full length console
Build spare tire mount, storage compartments, etc, in rear cargo area
Build door panels, arm rests, etc.
Upholster what I can
Have things upholstered I can't
So there you are! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to throw them at me!
It's sunny and 76° here in redneck heaven (Harriman, Tennessee).
Much water has passed under the bridge since we last left my silly build. I am proud to say, the thing still runs strong as ever, though some of the peripherals have fallen into disrepair. Mostly, the never redone bits have continued to age.
In the meantime, my mother has been diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Essentially, this is a 3 to 6 year death sentence where her brain slowly dies. It's been absolute hell on my father, and much of my time has been spent traveling back and forth to Florida in my '03 Miata. I take a back way, so the trip is as enjoyable as possible (though I'm starting to memorize much of the 600-and-some mile trip).
Nonetheless, it's time to get some stuff done, but please understand, this thread might have fits and starts and periods of no activity.
A quick rundown of where we stand and where we're headed:
Currently, it runs great and shifts great.
An inspection of the underbody reveals no rust, and, if the one body bolt I pulled can be trusted, even the body mounts and hardware are in good shape.
It currently has 3:whatever a stock Wagoneer comes with gears, with tires which are too tall for the gearing.
Body is in great shape, with no rust and minimal damage.
Power windows don't.
Dash needs a rethink
Plans:
Chassis
Wash the underside to rid of as much excess grease, grime, oil, etc., as possible.
Paint the underside with some sort of undercoat/bed liner (suggestions?)
Replace the body mounts with urethane
Install 1" body lift (will make some problems go away)
Replace springs (stock height)
Replace shocks (Bilstein?)
Replace steering gear box (Redhead?)
Replace steering linkage
Redo bottom radiator mount (now with more room)
Rebuild both axles (staying with 44s)
Install locking differentials (Auburn Select-A-Loc)
Install better gearing (4.11?)
Install NP242
Install electric parking brake mechanism
Rear disc brake conversion?
Front brake upgrade (must fit with 16" wheels)?
Body
Panel by panel strip, repair, paint (Ford Wimbledon White)
Replace power window mechanisms
Remove luggage racks?
Install moonroof
Replace tailgate
Replace grill
Install older style woodgrain
Install custom older style woodgrain trim
Interior
Redo custom dash (totally new design)
Install new stereo
Install Ham radio
Install new CB radio
Custom mount 4-Foxbody Mustang GT seats
Build custom full length console
Build spare tire mount, storage compartments, etc, in rear cargo area
Build door panels, arm rests, etc.
Upholster what I can
Have things upholstered I can't
So there you are! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to throw them at me!