Quote: So here is a long term update. I was working out with my best bud today and I pitched him the idea for a San Francisco road trip next year and he loved the idea. Then I told him, "In the Dart." And of course he got a little hesitant. He basically told me, "I don't want us breaking down or stuck in the middle of nowhere forever because something major failed." If I can ensure him that he said he would have no problems with it.
So here is my new goal... Get the car 100% mechanically sound in 1 year to take on a road trip up to Northern California. I pitched him some ideas about possibly going up PCH through Santa Barbara (spending some time there) and head out to San Luis Obispo to spend one night. Then from there we just man handle it up to San Fran for another 3 nights. We would like to spend a day at Great America and we definitely want to go to the Fisherman's Warf one afternoon.
Anyways, we have a while to plan it. Back to the car. So now I am trying to get down a list of things I want/need to do to the car to make sure it is safe and sound. Here is the list I have come up with so far. Please feel free to add anything I may miss or haven't even thought of:
Wants and/or Priorities (in no particular order) 1) Fix power steering couple or switch over to power steering column. 2) Switch over to A-body 8 1/4 or 8 3/4 rear end (keep small bolt pattern for now). 3) Install aftermarket radiator to ensure the car doesn't overheat (I have a mechanical fan and shroud, but I better be safe than sorry if I can cool the car down more). 4) Fix/replace passenger door lock. 5) Fix/replace sending unit (gas gauge doesn't work or works when it wants to). 6) Fix temperature gauge (I haven't seen it work at all). 7) Fix driver side window issues. 8) Get the AC going (there's no compressor, but it is usually cooler in North Cal and I have windows that will roll down). 9) Thorough check of suspension, brake, tire, and fluids before trip. 10ish) If time and budget allow, switch everything over to big bolt pattern and install disc brakes in the front. 11) Clean out the rust in the trunk.
Anything else you can think of? Thanks for following me and for the support!
So it's been 10 months since I made my goals and so far I'm nowhere close to reaching them. The car has been sitting for 4-6 months now with little to no work being done. It doesn't seem like I'll be able to take my San Fran road trip this year. I've been getting that big itch to just finish up the brake system so I can drive her already.
Unfortunately school, work, and baja are getting in the way. Our last baja competition is a week from Tuesday in Washington. After that I'm going to need to catch up on school work a little and 3-4 weeks after that I should be done with school for this year. I'm going to see if my friend is up to helping me fix the firewall and brakes (essentially what we started) right after comp, but he may be a little burned out as I am. All I know is that I don't believe I can finish the brake stuff myself. We'll see how it goes.
New goal... Get the car running nicely during early/mid summer and start driving it. I want to redo the entire suspension this summer as well even though I'm probably not going to get to it; however, I'm not even going to touch or order anything until brakes are done and the car is moving. Things on my list are poly-bushing suspension rebuild kit, subframe connectors (probably custom), f/r sway bars, new leaf springs, new T-bars (I'm thinking 1.00" or greater), FF Stage 3 box, and 17" wheels and tires (probably some polished Streeters from Show Wheels).
The only thing on my agenda for the summer is working M-F, working out, and some designing and testing on my free time for next year's baja cars. So, I should have plenty of time to work on the Dart. Wish me luck. I'm probably going to be asking lots of questions.
He basically told me, "I don't want us breaking down or stuck in the middle of nowhere forever because something major failed." If I can ensure him that he said he would have no problems with it.
I've been getting that big itch to just finish up the brake system so I can drive her already.
We'll see how it goes.
