Ole Blue

[Alcology]

I keep eyeballing the project threads and am very impressed by everyone's hard work and solid skills yet also envious of not starting my own thread.  So here it is!  The wagon is an 88 with 150k+ miles on it that I scooped up for cheeps.  It's been snoozing for the last year at a relatives place, but I finally have some space to bring it to me and get cracking.  There was some good weather today so I decided to check out the metal on the outside.  I removed the plastic, trim, and bumpers.  The grill is cracked, but minor, and one of the headlight trim pieces is as well.  

I got some rust!  Not as bad as I dreaded but it's bad.  The aluminum bumpers corroded around the bolts and will need attention.  Just about everywhere under the plastic is rust.    I'm still not entirely sure of final plans, but this may end up an altered eagle.  

Here is a hint: http://www.driveev.com/jeepev/home.php

[priya]

None of the pictures show up for me.

[maddog]

None of the pictures show up for me.

same here.

[Steve F]

Same here. I think he moved his photobucket pics around and now needs to re-establish the links for us.

[Alcology]

That is exactly what happened!

[Steve F]

Alcology thanks for fixing the links.

[IowaEagle]

I have seen much worse rust.  How is the underbody where the biggest concerns crop up?

[amc78concord]

Looks like a good fixer-upper you got there!  An electric car maybe?  I'd have to see that! Good luck.

[Alcology]

I have seen much worse rust.  How is the underbody where the biggest concerns crop up?

The underbody is better shape than the red one you can see in some of the pics.  I've started taking out the interior and found some more rust in all the old places.  I touched one spot on the rear of the hatch area and my hand went right through the floor.  I wanted to get the passenger side front seat out, but I need a deeper socket to get the last bolt up in the left rear.  The drivers side right rear bolt looks really hard to reach up behind the differential, but maybe a socket link might reach.  Anyone have any experience with that?  Here are some more pics of what I've found. 

[maximus7001]

I hope you the best of luck. Maybe my thread about my distressed eagle may help your project. Got alot of progress for cheap. http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=32677.0

[Alcology]

Thanks maximus, your thread has lots of useful info!

[amc78concord]

Man you ain't playin around!  You're gettin right down to business on this restoration!  Can't wait to see more!

[Alcology]

I spent some more time this weekend fooling around.  I took a bunch of the interior trim out and removed the headliner, roof rack, and roof trim.  There was mouse poop up on the headliner.  Those guys get everywhere!  I have one stuck bolt on the drivers seat and unfortunately it's the one behind the transfer case.  I think I can get it free but it's been raining all week and the ground is still damp.  I didn't feel like getting all mudded up today.  I worked some on the dash, but I want to get the front seat out first to have a little bit more room to maneuver.  The parcel shelf is now out though. 

I now see why the doors have trouble with the handles.  It looks like the linkage is sloppy and the springs are worn out.  Everything is electric and I don't know if I'll be keeping it that way or not.  All the motors would need a refresh and I'm not sure how to do that, but it might be worth looking into. 

I invested in a cheap car cover from autozone.  The wagon size house brand works fine!  It was about $25 too. 

[Alcology]

Everything is out of the car except for the drivers seat and the steering wheel.  There is a stripped bolt holding the drivers seat in up behind the transfer case.  I'll probably work on taking the t-case out and then split the nut. 

If I remove the rear axle, is it OK to leave the car on jack stands from the rear jack points?  Should I put supports in the middle of the car somewhere as well?

[Alcology]

Got some more done on the car!  I took the rubber trim off the sides and on one side the paint was super fresh underneath.  It looks all wrinkly but it's a reflection of some pavement next to the car.  That color will be back soon.  That bit off plastic trim above the rear bumper is held on with rivets.  Do these come off easily?  Also, I found a surprise in the hatch.  Is that a hatch release solenoid?  And how does that normally get activated?  What is the box next to the solenoid?

My camera died so I used my cell phone.  I think my cell phone takes better pictures!