Re posting this as a stand alone. I may have originally put this in the wrong place:::
Haven't been to the site in a while. Had an 81 SX4 years ago.....lost to an engine fire from a PS pump that dried up and seized while driving. Joined this site when I went on a search for another one (SX4).
Took me quite a long time to sniff out a decent SX4 on a multi state search.....and by a stroke of amazing luck, I found one closer than I dreamed, 10 miles from my house. AND in way better mechanical condition than I could have hoped for at a pretty fair price.
Landed an 82 SX4, select drive part time 4x4, 258 six and a 5 speed manual, Poster Child Red over Black paint. Owned by "a little old lady" who bought it second hand in 1983 and has had it since. In 2000 her son, a mechanic, said "mom.....lets get you a new car, reliable and modern..." She had put 200K on the Eagle. Being the typical senior who's had one car their whole life she, said "no way....I love this car".
Long story short.....Mechanic son wanted moms car reliable, so he took it to work and rebuilt the motor and tranny and put in a new clutch. Mom drove it for a year.....then bought a new Cadillac.....and the Eagle sat in the garage for the next 9 years.....
She retired and her sight was failing. She sold many belongings for retirement cash. Next up....The Eagle. Right place and time for me during a craigslist search one day. I drove it and bought it on the spot.
After sitting so many years....it had some hiccups, but all simple. My local mechanic tweaked the carb and some frozen anti pollution items, and the rebuilt motor came to life and passed emissions better than a new car.
Been driving it just under two years as my commuter and play car, and by now I am confident she is still solid as a rock and worth dropping some change on.
My Mods so far (simple): New rear springs and lifted it just under 2 inches. 225x75x15 all terrains. Old man Emu nitro shocks from a donor Jeep in the rear. Rebuilt a couple wheel cylinders and the slave cycl for the clutch.
On Tap for this week, Major Mod: Found a donor 2 speed transfer case, NP 229 out of a rolled Grand Cherokee. Had it serviced and a new visc coupler installed. Stock unit set for removal to swap the tail housings (for speedo cable proper alignment). My dream of an SX4 with low range......just a week away......
Topic: I'm Back...... (Read 3150 times)