1980 Fairmont Wagon Build
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1980 Fairmont Wagon Build I’ve always had a soft spot for wagons. I drove by this car for over a year as it was close to our children’s daycare. It never moved and I saw no one coming or going from the home it was parking beside. I thought the owner was arrested or worse, passed on. Until one day on our way home from daycare, I saw a man walking a dog in the front yard. I whipped my truck in the drive, introduced myself and asked if he was the owner. Saying yes, I asked if he ever thought about selling it. He said, "Nope." I said okay, thanked him for his time and started to back out. He said, "That doesn't mean I wouldn't." I gave him my number and told him to call when he was ready to talk. 5 days later we drove off with it.
When we’d drive home my son would say, “Dad, we could make that thing fly.” I laughed and said, “Yep.” Every time we’d drive by it he’d say something about it. Of course this played right into affinity for wagons. And this was a foxbody wagon to boot. Little did he know we already had a fox at the house.
I’ve all but lost interest in the 93. It’s become something I never wanted it to, a dedicated racecar. The 10pt cage was the borderline, but when I pulled the ac/heater that did it. So, I’m going to pull all the suspension and drivetrain from the coupe and shove it into the wagon. Figured I’d document the fun here.
When we’d drive home my son would say, “Dad, we could make that thing fly.” I laughed and said, “Yep.” Every time we’d drive by it he’d say something about it. Of course this played right into affinity for wagons. And this was a foxbody wagon to boot. Little did he know we already had a fox at the house.
I’ve all but lost interest in the 93. It’s become something I never wanted it to, a dedicated racecar. The 10pt cage was the borderline, but when I pulled the ac/heater that did it. So, I’m going to pull all the suspension and drivetrain from the coupe and shove it into the wagon. Figured I’d document the fun here.
Last edited by 1bad6t6; Apr 1, 2016 at 11:00 AM.
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Teching In
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It's in very good shape. PO purchased it from a local dealer here in Nashville. Car only has 55k on it. The interior is mint. Paint is faded quite a bit, but that's easy enough to deal with.
Did a 5 lugs conversion first thing.
Did a 5 lugs conversion first thing.
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Thanks guys. Yeah, I wasn't going to say anything about FEP. I didn't realize how much of a purist site that was. Pathetic in my humble opinion.
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From: Mechanicsburg, PA
I try to look at the hobby from all angles. I was raised a Ford guy. But after working for GM for 13 years and as an independent for the last 16 years, my eyes were opened a bit. I love all kinds of cars. There is terrific workmanship and engineering in all kinds of cars out there. Unfortunately not everyone can see it. It's easy to hate and hard to appreciate. It's a Fairmont not a Cobra Daytona Coupe! Kick that turds *** and put it out to pasture when you're done!
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I'm in a interesting position with this one. I have my end goal in stone, but there are several paths to get there. My current setup uses truck manifolds, but I'm considering using a set of headers instead. I may leave it alone and simply get it running with the current setup, untouched. With the new shop and tools to go with it I have a lot more options.
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Made some progress. Added Team Z k, Racecraft 12" a-arms, Flaming river rack, Racecraft bumpsteer kit, Strange SAs, UPR 12" coilovers, 95 Mustang spindles and 01 GT PRBs.
Started stripping the interior to rewire things and add through floor subframes connectors. Where the floor pans toward to front appear dark and rusted they actually in really good shape. Oddly enough, the sound deadening material didn't take. It peeled right off. Some of it came out with the carpet.
Started stripping the interior to rewire things and add through floor subframes connectors. Where the floor pans toward to front appear dark and rusted they actually in really good shape. Oddly enough, the sound deadening material didn't take. It peeled right off. Some of it came out with the carpet.
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Got quite a bit done over the holiday stretch.
I stripped all of the nonessential wiring out of the front which left the side markers, turn signals and headlights. I hid the wiring under the top of the center support.
I also got around to installing the subframe connectors. I had to cut quite a bit more into the channel than I did on my coupe. I've painted the floor with Rustoleum and still need to apply some seam sealer underneath.
I also started to rewire the factory harness while adding in all the MS3/MS3x goodies.
My son and I picked up a coupe Traxxas Stampede VXL 4x4s so that's kinda put the brakes on progress. I used to have a monster truck and an RC10 when I was a kid. I had no idea they've progressed into what they have. The LiPo batteries alone are so much better than the crap we had back in the 90's.
I'll the the wrining wrapped up this weekend. Once I get the dash back in I'll have to order new carpet and make a decision as to which seats to use. 86 GTs with the halos or the factory bench seat.
I stripped all of the nonessential wiring out of the front which left the side markers, turn signals and headlights. I hid the wiring under the top of the center support.
I also got around to installing the subframe connectors. I had to cut quite a bit more into the channel than I did on my coupe. I've painted the floor with Rustoleum and still need to apply some seam sealer underneath.
I also started to rewire the factory harness while adding in all the MS3/MS3x goodies.
My son and I picked up a coupe Traxxas Stampede VXL 4x4s so that's kinda put the brakes on progress. I used to have a monster truck and an RC10 when I was a kid. I had no idea they've progressed into what they have. The LiPo batteries alone are so much better than the crap we had back in the 90's.
I'll the the wrining wrapped up this weekend. Once I get the dash back in I'll have to order new carpet and make a decision as to which seats to use. 86 GTs with the halos or the factory bench seat.