It’s Wrenching Wednesday! This week, we extend an extra-hearty welcome to our newest members. We’ve just had a three-digit surge in sign-ups, and we deeply appreciate the support! Wrenching Wednesday is your opportunity to participate in an open forum about all things car repair/maintenance/modding related. Where the convo goes is entirely up to you, but it’s fun to have a prompt to get things rolling. So let’s roll!
The wrenching we do to keep our daily drivers daily-driving their best can be very rewarding, especially as you stack up the dollars you didn’t spend for someone else to do the job and watch the miles of reliable running roll up on the odometer. But when it comes to slinging sockets for maximum smile inducement, nothing beats making progress on a project car. There’s no pressure to get it running in time to get you to work on Monday, and other than one ride to the office to show it off when it’s done, it’s probably never going to work on Monday–project cars are for weekend driving. For today’s Wednesday of Wrenching, let’s talk about the project cars, trucks, and motorcycles you’re currently moving closer to completion–and/or the projects machines not yet in your clutches but are short-listed for someday.
My project-car dreams tend to be all over the map, but two recurring themes are always running hot in my imagination. First up: a vintage Beetle-based kit car, the more exotic-looking the better. Kid-me could never reconcile that my Dad A. had a Beetle and B. had adult money but was completely immovable on the idea that we should be building a Fiberfab Avenger GT-12. “Can we at least send one dollar for a complete color brochure? Come on!”
The other dream is to go Full Power Block and put together a big-cube V8 with all the fixin’s. What will it go into? I dunno man, I just wanna build it. Then maybe it can just look dope on a stand in the “rumpus room.” It was fun when I did it with a Revell Visible V8, I want the thrill of building the real thing.
Let’s talk projects!
Just a couple weeks ago, my son and I finished swapping an STi 6-speed transmission/clutch/flywheel into his 2004 WRX. Even though this is a well-known swap, we still came across a couple of unforeseen issues that needed to be resolved. Plus, we had to repair a problem with 2nd gear inside the transmission before we could install it. The trans worked flawlessly during a track day at Buttonwillow, so we must have done something right!
Sloth don’t wrench. I’m not allowed around anything wired, wireless, or hand operated. I have to live vicariously through Mr. David Tracy, Emperor of Iron Oxide
I’ll keep it as short as possible.
1) Determine the source of an oil leak on a 2011 BMW X5 that I rebuilt the engine on recently.
2) Perform triage on a 2018 Honda Foreman that I puchased after it had been wrecked by the previous owner.
3) Get the radiator on my 2006 Triumph Speed Triple TIG welded where it has cracked at a mounting bracket weld.
4) Rebushing and seal the front end on my everyday vehicle, a 2012 Silverado
5) Keep replacing all the aged rotted rubber and electrical on the ‘forever’ vehicle, a 1953 Chevrolet 3100
I’m working on my first project car right now. I’ve got a 1987 Suzuki Samurai that I’m doing an EV conversion on. The goal is to keep it as lightweight and low cost as possible. I’m using a 32kW ME1507 motor, which was originally designed for motorcycles. Based off my estimates, it should still be good for a 0-60 time of around 9 seconds, which is plenty for a vehicle sitting on way too big 32″ tires. Once I step those down, I’m looking to do something on the order of 10kWh as far as pack size goes. We’re lucky to live right next to trails in Utah so I don’t need a massive amount of range.
Right now I’m in the phase of fabricating motor mounts and, more importantly, learning how to fabricate anything in general. A lot of firsts on this project…
I’ve got a 94 mr2 turbo which has ended up being more of a project than I anticipated. Hit 40, didn’t have time for a project car anymore but wanted a fun fair weather driver… 90s Toyota reliability kinda falls off when you pair it with a high strung quirky performance oriented sports car. Never imagined how much of a pain working on a mid engine car is compared to a traditional FR layout. (Or even front transverse layout). It’s honestly put my dreams off upgrading to an early generation Cayman really on hold until I figure out how to get the time I think I’ll need to dedicate to it, (a car that is a pain to work on and requires even more constant care)
Man you ain’t kidding. just pulled a 91 turbo out of a barn and between parts availability and 14 step removal processes, the timeline just keeps getting pushed further and further out
Oof I’m also 40 and don’t have much time.. and I was thinking about getting an MR2 lol. Sounds like this might not be a solid plan.
My fleet is currently in mostly working order (VW Vanagon 1.7 diesel, my dreamcar since 2002 and owner since 2007, just a year older than me that one; VW ’67 Beetle and Opel Ascona 1.6l). Especially the beetle and the Opel gave me a lot of work the past six years to get them mechanically sound and reliable, they had been standing still for at least 8 years, the both of them. They now both drive very fine. I still need to remediate an issue with the beetle: when the engine is on operating temperature, the engine splutters when on load, the carb is fine so I suspect the ignition. But it’s a minor thing.
So I had time and space to take on another big project, of a friend: a Lada 2102. He used it extensively when working in Bulgaria as a biologist and drove it to Belgium and had taken an emotional attachment to it. My first project that will require (extensive) bodywork, so planning on taking a course in bodywork to acquire some skills that will come in handy. But for now it’s disassembling the interior, trying to get the rear right door open (stuck fast after 14 years of sitting outside) and removing the front side panels so we can investigate exactly what torch work will be needed on the sills, the floors and the panels. It will take a lot of time and money but I can understand the emotional attachment and it’s a happy car with round lenses and friendly face. The Italian design still works.
My own dreams ? Adding to the collection one day a Simca 1501, a VW Golf mk2 and a fast RWD Ford.
I have owned my ’67 VW Squareback since 1978. Put about 250k miles on it myself. Currently I have the interior removed and ready to fit and weld in metal where the battery sits. I started at the beginning of Covid and took the Federal money to buy parts for the re-assembly. I have all the parts I need now. I started on the floor pan a couple of years ago, but I live in the California foothills. A high fire risk area. So we spent that year getting our go-bags together, watching every flight out of our local air attack base and prepping for escape. Since flights are within earshot, we hear when they fly out, so we check FlightRadar24. Cutting, grinding, and welding in a high fire risk area, even on asphalt is risky, so I have to work when it is safe, slowing things down considerably. I started up again at the beginning of the year, but then we had snow, and more snow, and more snow. And now it is far too hot to work during the day. Eventually, eventually.
Right now my main project vehicle is my 96 C1500 Extended cab. Overall it’s a solid NC truck, it’s a decent driver but I’m planning to do a bit of a drop on it to give it a better stance and just clean it up a but to make it a nice cruiser. Any work other than basic maintenance is in the planning stages right now.
I’d love to get an old station wagon at some point it and restomod it to be a nice tow rig for family camping trips. I’ve got a 2016 Ford Flex as a daily so that fits the bill, but I’d love an old school wood paneled wagon
And speaking of camping trips, I’ve got a project camper too. We just picked up a 2006 Flagstaff Mac 205 pop up to introduce the kiddos to camping and I’m pleased to say they love it! But it’s definitely a project because well…it’s a camper. No matter how solid it is, I’m sure I’ll always have stuff to do on it, but I’m looking forward to maybe adding some modern touches to it!
What if you converted the Flex to a wood paneled wagon? I can see an awesome project post on the conversion using some trim boards, plywood, and a circular saw!
Hoping beyond hope that the transmission bolts for my FF that have been out of stock since February finally arrive in the next few days. 6 Months without it has been torturous, though I’ve been getting to enjoy my E63s wagon and 996 Millennium Edition a lot in the meantime
Current actual projects are an endless series of minor repairs on a worn-out Nissan pickup and a Kubota tractor that’s nearing its 40th birthday.
Dream project is turning my Buell Cyclone into a cafe racer, complete with chrome fenders and flat seat, which means getting over myself and cutting the subframe.
My brother-in-law back in Wisconsin made the jigs for that frame.
After that article I felt I needed to comment. My long term project is an Austin Healey kit car. It is a tube frame chassis with a mustang drive train. I drive it regularly and fix or upgrade when I can or have to. I feel like mine would fit well with Jason’s definition of glorious garbage. It is a ton of fun to drive, but it is not refined.
Tube-frame muscle-car with an Austin outside? That sounds like glorious AWESOME!
It’s is good. Similar to a cobra replica in many ways, but much less common.
We are working on a 1952 Dodge M37 military 3/4 ton Power Wagon. It now has power steering and disk brakes up front, we are moving on to a Cummins 4BT swap soon hopefully. We changed the gears to 4.89s and I found some 40″ Michelin XZL tires so it should roll pretty well with the gears and the taller tires. Nitro Gears makes a locker for it now but we already did the gear swap so I guess at some point we might go for that but the swap is more important right now.
I have a pair of 60’s Saab 96s that need restoration. 1 is a 67 two stroke and the other a 68 V4. I have been slow to get started due to injury and a complete lack of a plan.
I have the 67 at my house and the 68 is 300 miles away in a storage unit. Once I get the drive space I need to borrow my brother in law’s pickup to go get the 68.
No current project, but my (realistic) “dream”/planned project cars are:
1) fully restore a YJ to new, in complete Jurassic Park livery (this is in the plan for roughly 4-5 years from now)
2) a late 80s or 90ish Wagoneer. This may happen one day. Not sure if I want to do one to original spec or LS (or similar) swap it.
3) 90s Bronco. I had the opportunity buy a couple of projects, but they were more basket cases than I had time for then.
4) Triumph TR6. A friend had one growing up, and while I could only fit with the top down, I’ve kinda wanted one ever since. Always liked the idea of one with fuel injection and the OD transmission, but I have no doubt it would be biting off more than I can chew. This is the most dream of the bunch, and probably won’t happen.
I’d love to Type 4-swap a Trabant. Why? Because why not. I can’t get anything else right now anyway, so I might as well go for Full Dumb.
One of my friends keeps trying to land an Amphicar that we spotted just chilling in someone’s garage. Now THAT is a holy grail.
As for mine, the 411 needs new suspension bushings (things I have to make) and the 944 needs a new ignition key cylinder and fuel rail (things I have, but haven’t had time to install). I’m too exhausted to tackle much lately, spread too thin on time, and it’s all just so depressing. I really need a full-time job sooner rather than later because I’m simply tired of existing in this annoying place where I have to cobble together a zillion part-time and freelance gigs to make bills, and every job application feels like submitting my resume straight to the garbage. Also, I want my parsh back, and like, track days aren’t cheap.
Both cars are so close to being, like, fine-ish, although the 411 really needs a better carb situation (or better yet, fuel injection), and a non-manual brake system would be nice eventually.
I’ve been a member since the first couple of days it was offered, but I’ll throw in on my stupid dream projects:
1) I want an ICON 4×4 similar to https://www.icon4x4.com/reformer/pastprojects/21
but with one major difference: I want it coach-built into a 3-row SUV.
2) A sleeper ’81 Imperial with full bordello interior but stuffed with a Viper motor. Yes, I know a crate Hellcat might be the “better” way to go but the Viper motor is more silly and in keeping with the ridiculousness of the build.
3) A sleeper Cadillac ELR. I think they look great, but I’d want to put some power in it. Maybe electrify the rear wheels or keep it a little simpler and try to throw a tuned Ecotec or similar in there, not sure.
4) Electrify a ’68 Dodge Dart convertible.
In other wrenching news I’ve gotten a few things done on the Jaguar. I successfully replaced the passenger side aircon blower, fixed the rear fog lights, and replaced the low beam headlights. Who knew just finding sealed beam headlights in stock would be such a nightmare? Still to do: get an upholsterer to fix the front passenger seat, get the bulb failure module warnings to go away, and fix a few trim parts and items. But it’s running super.
I’m not doing any project: I’m just here to give a little financial support to the Autopian staff and moral support to our utopian community.
I mean, I’m not a new member, but I did just upgrade my membership?
Some of y’all are probably bored of my talking about it already, but I’ve gotta keep the Aussie representation alive.
I have my father’s 1985 V8 Holden VK Commodore, which he had to put off the road in 2007 when he moved away, it’s been shed kept since and I’m hoping for rescue it to at least a roadworthy condition by May next year. I don’t know if I’ll manage to pull it off, but I’m hoping to. The biggest issue is that I still live quite far from where it’s currently stored.
How much work would it take it to move it closer?
A set of shock absorbers and top mounts and a set of tyres. Then it could be put on a trailer or transporter and brought up here (~1200km) and I just need to organise somewhere that’ll store it for me because I currently don’t have space.
The issue is the funding to do so, and also getting someone to do the struts and tyres there for me if I can’t make it down.
Most recent project on the list is a rear disc brake conversion on my CUCV.
’99 Explorer, not really a project more of a toy. I haven’t touched it in months. Just need to replace the window regulator and figure out a small wiring issue and it’ll be a perfect daily for someone who isn’t me.
Welcome newcomers now sit down and be quiet. I kid. But if you think you save money by DIY wrenching on a project, well that is nothing compared to what you save parking tge project and just talking about what you are going to do.
Four Triumph projects:
1. 1973 Triumph TR6. Nearly complete, need to button up the interior.
2. 1963 Triumph Italia 2000. Need to restore for the second time (owned since 1987).
3. 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk.2. Driver that deserves to be better.
4. 1975 Triumph TR6 racing car (Lucky Dog/LeMons/ChampCar). Just finished engine rebuild, starting on transmission and still needs some bodywork.
I was not familiar with the Italia so I looked it up. That is one sexy beast.
Thank you! I’m rather biased!
Not exactly projects cars, but this week I’ve been doing a few overdue projects:
1. Swapped in new Brembo brake pads and new taillight bulbs on my daughter’s 2006 Mini Cooper S. The joy was in having her help!
2. Installed the Ford Performance ProCal tuning on my 2022 Bronco for a promised 30 hp and 60 torques gain. Souped up with a 3-year factory warranty!
3. Finally set up the roof rack and tie downs for carting our tandem kayak on my 2004 Cayenne S (motto: “what, me worry?”)
I currently own one daily and two project cars. And live with my parents to save money while finishing my Master’s, so they’re all street parked, and most of my wrenching happens on the street. Wrenching gods, please forgive me!
Project 1 (nicknamed Hachidori): 1990 Miata. I picked this up in February 2020, and this car proceeded to save my mental health during the pandemic. I learned to wrench pretty much from scratch on that car. It came with no service records and I have essentially caught it back up on two decades of deferred routine maintenance in that time. Plus fabricated a new rear convertible top window for it…twice. And rebuilt the entire A/C system as part of a proper R134a conversion. Next month, I’m learning to do a clutch + rear main seal job on it.
Project 2 (nicknamed Wow This Was A Bad, Impulsive Decision): 2000 Saab 9-5. It’s mid-April this year and I’m in the middle of grad school project/finals hell, so I do the logical thing and impulse-buy a Saab 9-5 with 240k miles on the odometer, failed clear coat, and the most immaculate used car interior I’ve ever seen. At 240k miles! Saab owners, God bless em.
My friendly local Saab specialist informed me that I need to replace the brake booster, lest the gross vacuum leaks result in shattered pistons. Fun! I spent the month of May fixing all the glaring issues – brake booster, engine mounts, sway bar links – and now I’m officially a Saab convert. It drives like an absolute dreamboat, assuming you dream of boats with loose shifter linkages, horrendously overcomplicated and broken HVAC systems, and entirely fried interior lighting.
Anyway, delightfully happy to be here, and happy to be supporting this beautiful place within the limits of my grad-student-living-in-his-moms-basement lifestyle.
Welcome new friends!