1982 SX/4 Complete Restore

[titus]

I found my SX/4 behind a house I was doing some electrical work on. I had no idea what it was, so I started asking the homeowner some questions, since I am always looking for a new project.

He said it was a true 4x4 with a 4.2L engine and a T5 manual transmission. Of course, I had to have it, so I ended up trading a dirt bike ( that I had just finished restoring) for the SX/4.



The only thing he said was wrong with it was that the transfer case was cracked.

I started doing some research on the internet, and came across your site. It has been a tremendous help to me. Especially since the car has not run for 5 years. It needed a lot more work than just the transfer case replaced.There were sections of wires, hoses, lines, and belts completely missing and parts robbed here and there.

What I have done so far: ( My home HAS been the garage )
- aluminum valve cover
- traced and rewired engine compartment
- new belts/hoses/vacuum lines
- freed up vacuum motors
- eliminated emissions controls/air pump/catalatic converter
- new u-joints
- new transfer case
- new intake/exhaust manifold gasket
- new brake master cylinder
- new clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder
- new power steering lines
- new emergency/parking brake cables
- new bearings and seals in rear axle
- new brakes front and rear
- new brake adjusters
- new door hinge pins and bushings
- new heater core
- welded in new rockers and floor pans
- sprayed undercoating
- tightened oil pan bolts
- rebuilt heater/ a/c duct, added new foam pads and disinfected inside (because of mouse crap )
- re-vinyled dash board ( got rid of orange...now a black/gray)

Factory Options
- power locks
- remote manual mirrors
- rear spoiler
- a/c
- 4.2 I6 258 engine
- T5 manual transmission
- select drive 129 transfer case

Before I am done...will have ( wife says NEW home is the dog house )
- deep metallic blue/ tu-tone black exterior
- black/grey/wood grain interior
- new carpet
- new seat upholstery
- new headliner
- 235 75 15 tires
- 2 inch lift
- trailer hitch
- tinted windows
- touch screen control for heat, a/c, 4x4, 2x4, correct MPH readout, real time MPG, and approx. miles remaining in tank (father in law elecrical engineer/programmer)

What I Need Help Finding ( Please nothing too expensive or my wife will leave me )
- front coil springs
- bumper ends
- pinion gear for speedo cable
- windshield trim
- power lock motors
- black seat belts
- driver side door
- 2 black or gray sun visors

Will upload more pictures when I get to my buddy's house. Too slow on dial up

[MetalBird]

Nice find.
I like the uber-cool touch screen command center idea!

[Eagle Kammback]

Normally, I am against screens is cars, but that touchy screen thing sounds very awesome!!!
Miles to go before requiring more gas, how can you not love that!!

[IowaEagle]

This shall be an interesting project to watch.  You will soon become an Eagle Expert on many systems, if you are not already.  Front springs are available new from Espo and probably others.  The PL motors are GM I believe but try cleaning and lubing the old ones first.

[MetalBird]

Funny Especially since I am a Mac guy

[titus]

Yeah I will probably end up sticking manual over ride switch's in the glove box for heat and 4x4.All I am doing is eliminating the vacuum lines in the dash and operating a solenoid under the hood for both . I'm still going to use the cable controls for the heat. And my 4x4 switch will make a nice change catch all compartment.

[MetalBird]

Will the touch screen pop the hood open too?
Thats a neat solution to the busted pull handle.

[titus]

Yeah I  thought of that after I found an old jeep dealer that had two cables , but wanted $90 for  one  I was thinking about getting a multi output remote for door looks , hatch back , and hood , instead of the operating the hood on the screen  . I don't want to turn the ignition to acc just to pop the hood. But I still have to make the bracket for a solenoid to replace the busted handle.   

[MetalBird]

Maybe I am psychic, or just a good guess, knowing that your handle was busted

[MetalBird]

Maybe, just a little bit

[IowaEagle]

Hey Bill that rust bucket you picked up actually has an intact hood release, IIRC?

[IowaEagle]

rust bound, that is.

[rmedon]

Maybe I am psychic, or just a good guess, knowing that your handle was busted

Uh, maybe because they ALL are?
It's like saying, hey, you have a dog, cool. Let me guess, he wags his tail when happy, right?
LOL.
Ya, you were cheating!

I guess mine is more rare than I thought, since it is still whole and working.

[titus]

Here are a few pictures of the dash. Takes forever to upload on dialup! I will post more as I can.

[IowaEagle]

Yes it does.   You may want to try reducing the file size to speed up the download.   I use a free photo software package to do that.  It is called PhotoFiltre.  Dash is looking nice.