What was/is your Favorite fix on your rig(s)?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • rang-a-stang
    Administrator
    • Oct 31, 2016
    • 5465

    What was/is your Favorite fix on your rig(s)?

    So a few years ago I used to have a sweet little Geo Metro (I know, that doesn't seem to make sense but trust me, it was a great little turd) and the hatch struts were bad. So if it was warm enough outside the hatch would stay open but if it was cold, the hatch would slowly close under its own weight. It bugged me for about a year but not enough to do something about it until one day I smacked my eye socket on the corner of the hatch. I cussed, went inside and spend the $40 for 2 new struts. The new ones took about 5 mins to install and were so stiff I had to push the hatch shut. Best $40 I spent on that car.

    Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago. When I was working on my fuel gauge I also ordered a new forward e-brake cable because the old one's adjustment nuts had seized on and I needed to remove my fuel tank skid plate. When I removed the cable I noticed the sheathing had also failed. I installed the new cable (pretty sure it as less than $20), adjusted my rear brakes, adjusted the cable and had a nice tight e-brake! I was STOKED! <$20 and 10 mins of work and I fixed something important! So excited about it!

    What about you? Have you fixed some little annoyance for cheap/easy that paid a huge dividend in how much you enjoy your rig? Can be FSJ but doesn't have to be. I would say cheap is a relative term so you pick what cheap is...
    Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
    (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
    79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
    (Cherokee Build Thread)
    11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
    09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
    00 Baby Cherokee
  • joe
    • Apr 28, 2000
    • 22392

    #2
    Think the best money I ever spent on a 360 at 1xx,000(?) miles was a new timing chain/gears. Freshened that sucker right up.
    joe
    "Don't mind me. I'm just here for the alibi"

    Comment

    • babywag
      out of order
      • Jun 08, 2005
      • 10283

      #3
      Aftermarket remote start dealio for wife?s ?09 Charger.
      Fixed no start due to failing WIN module @ fraction of cost!
      Tony
      88 GW, 67 J3000, 07 Magnum SRT8

      Comment

      • mwood65
        258 I6
        • Jul 17, 2017
        • 477

        #4
        I have NEVER seen the 4 words "sweet little Geo Metro" together...ever.


        My most fulfilling fix?? Wow so many over the years.

        Hatchback struts are money Well every time......

        New Michelin Pilot Sport A/S PLUS ZP RFT tires on my Corvette.

        All new window rubber on my Cherokee...?

        New full exhaust on my Cherokee....?

        Hard to pick only one.

        Comment

        • rang-a-stang
          Administrator
          • Oct 31, 2016
          • 5465

          #5
          Originally posted by mwood65
          I have NEVER seen the 4 words "sweet little Geo Metro" together...ever.
          Totally! But mine WAS awesome! Swapped the front brakes/suspension from a later model metro so it was a go-cart for handling and brakes. I had a couple mods to the engine for about 10hp (which was a 20% increase!). I got 45MPG no matter how I drove it; it was so fun! Sold it because the wife got nervous i was going to die in it if I got in a wreck.


          Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
          (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
          79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
          (Cherokee Build Thread)
          11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
          09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
          00 Baby Cherokee

          Comment

          • Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
            Cherokee Outlaw
            • Jan 10, 2006
            • 7292

            #6
            Getting ALL the locks (including tailgate and glove box) working and on one key.

            Piecing the ancient cruise control system together and getting it working.

            Getting the factory AC working again.

            Getting a factory analog clock working again.

            Rebuilding the intermittent wiper switch to have full adjustability again.

            Fixing all the gauges and small lights behind the dash, including seat belt buzzer/light system.

            Getting the courtesy and glove box lights working correctly.

            Basically fixing any PO hacks or neglect and bringing the small things back to factory operating condition really give me the warm an fuzzys.
            -Jonny B.
            1979 Cherokee Golden Eagle - UNDER CONSTRUCTION
            7" Alcan springs, BJ's HD shackles - 35x12.5x15 BFG Mud Terrains
            AMC 401 - Pro-Flo 4 EFI
            NV4500/NWF BB/NP205 - Triple Stick'd
            F D44 - 4.10, Eaton E-Locker
            R M23 - 4.10, Detroit Locker

            1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
            1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
            1979 Wagoneer - Sold
            1981 Cherokee Chief - Cubed

            Comment

            • mattmopar440
              AMC 4 OH! 1
              • May 17, 2007
              • 4092

              #7
              Originally posted by Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
              Getting the factory AC working again.

              Getting a factory analog clock working again.

              ^^^^ Those are on my list as well

              Along with #1 stoping fluid leaks!! especially power steering leaks
              87' Grand Wagoneer
              401/727/229, Currently:RUNNING
              84 J10/20 hybrid 258/727/208 Daily Driver
              80' J10 4BT/AX-15/208
              74' J10 Go Grabber Green Sold
              Originally posted by Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
              Inferior Chevy

              Comment

              • rang-a-stang
                Administrator
                • Oct 31, 2016
                • 5465

                #8
                Originally posted by mattmopar440
                ^^^^ Those are on my list as well

                Along with #1 stopping fluid leaks!! especially power steering leaks
                PREACH IT BROTHER!!!
                Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
                (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
                79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
                (Cherokee Build Thread)
                11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
                09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
                00 Baby Cherokee

                Comment

                • Crankyolman
                  350 Buick
                  • Sep 27, 2017
                  • 891

                  #9
                  My favorite mod on a jeep was when I swapped out an old 3 speed that was missing 2nd gear for a 350 automatic.

                  My favorite low budget "Hack" was installing a 455 Olds in a Chevy Luv
                  '72 J4500

                  Comment

                  • 44BZ
                    304 AMC
                    • Dec 10, 2009
                    • 1567

                    #10
                    Replaced the floor mounted gas pedal with the hanging style from a later Jtruck. The rubber flap on the floor mount pedal tore so every time I got into it the pedal would slide off the posts and no more go. Not an issue with the hanging pedal
                    Zack - 68 J2000, AMC 327, 4bbl intake, dual exhaust, Pertronix upgrade, Holley 600cfm, T18, dana 20 (twin sticked), 3" body lift w/ 35x12.50 MTRs ~ running AND driving!

                    Comment

                    • acct21
                      327 Rambler
                      • May 20, 2014
                      • 735

                      #11
                      3 inch lift and all new suspension -- done in a two car garage with no lift and hand tools only.

                      Also added a later Chrysler remote keyless entry, and made a tailgate rolldown circuit that triggers with the trunk opener on the remote. Two clicks and the tailgate window rolls down automatically.
                      1990 Grand Wagoneer with HD towing package -- everything works! (for now...)

                      Comment

                      • babywag
                        out of order
                        • Jun 08, 2005
                        • 10283

                        #12
                        Originally posted by rang-a-stang
                        Sold it because the wife got nervous i was going to die in it if I got in a wreck.
                        Sadly way safer in a geo metro than a FSJ.
                        Tony
                        88 GW, 67 J3000, 07 Magnum SRT8

                        Comment

                        • rang-a-stang
                          Administrator
                          • Oct 31, 2016
                          • 5465

                          #13
                          Originally posted by babywag
                          Sadly way safer in a geo metro than a FSJ.
                          I don't know, it was a 1,500# car, with no frame/subframe (engine and trans bolted to sheet metal), or any sort of bracing. Like our FSJs, no ABS, no airbags, no rollover protection. I used to say I was slightly safer than a motorcycle. At least our FSJs are big enough we could win vs. a Civic or similar car. Geo Metro vs. anything other than a motorcycle would be ugly.
                          Neither of these are pretty but I would rather be in the Wago
                          Geo Metro crash test
                          79 Wagoneer crash test
                          So I fixed my Geo Metro by replacing it with a Cherokee Chief. 45mpg/ 9mpg; Meh! Close enough! HAHA!
                          Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
                          (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
                          79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
                          (Cherokee Build Thread)
                          11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
                          09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
                          00 Baby Cherokee

                          Comment

                          • johnsonic
                            258 I6
                            • Mar 12, 2015
                            • 335

                            #14
                            A couple screws to have 3 on each center cap and a few drops of loctite.

                            Have no idea why I drove around for about a year just waiting for that clunking sound to know I have to get out and screw the two remaining screws back in.

                            It's been so nice to just drive!
                            1984 GW
                            360
                            Comp 260H
                            Harland Sharp Roller Rockers
                            Wiseco -21cc Forged Pistons
                            Performer Intake
                            Holley SA 670
                            MSD 8523
                            Dakota Digital custom cluster
                            Serehill headlamp harness
                            NWMP aux tank

                            1987 GW deceased
                            ...but the parts live on

                            Comment

                            • Serious Johnson
                              AMC 4 OH! 1
                              • May 19, 2002
                              • 3831

                              #15
                              OK, this might need some explaining on this board .

                              A Mazda Miata is a traditional sports car in the mold of old MGBs and such. It has a longitudinally oriented inline 4-cylinder up front with the usual pair of motor mounts, but there is no transmission mount. Instead, a large aluminum C-channel (called a Power Plant Frame) bolts to the transmission tailshaft housing and to the hard-mounted differential pumpkin in back, holding it all in a plane. I must have forgotten to tighten the bolts at the diff (probably after changing another blown rear end) and they wiggled out.

                              Now those bolts are so long and the car so low that they smacked pavement before falling all the way out, snapping off one of the mounting ears on the diff. I noticed this when the shifter almost dropped through the floor. Oh, and I was a thousand miles from home, somewhere in Iowa on a Sunday. I pulled the shifter up as much as I could by hand, wondering how far it had to drop before the driveshaft fell out, and drove gingerly to a town. Nothing in Iowa is open on Sunday -- I swear, the whole damn state closes! I found a truck tire shop, of course closed, and behind it a barrel of bolts & such. I rummaged through it and found some likely matches, made a ramp from junk to make room under the car and effected a kludge fix with through-bolts. Drove it and even raced it that way for 5 years.

                              S.J.
                              "Carpe Mañana".

                              '83 Wagoneer
                              360, .030-over, K8600 cam, Crane springs, ported heads, Edelbrock Performer, G.M. TBI, TFI, 3" exhaust,
                              T-18a/208, D44/AMC 20 w/ limited slip in both, 3.73s, 33s, BDS 4" springs, Rancho 9000 shocks, etc., etc.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X