[gtohurstjudge]

This is a great thread.......I went through everything you are doing
with my 79 T/A back in the early 90's........total nut and bolt complete frame-off
resto. Having been driven very little since, it still looks like new today. The dash
on my car had the low spot in the pad when it was delivered new at the dealer.
It was complained about to the dealer's service department, but they refused to do anything about it.....they said they were all like that and there was no way to fix it. My frame-off restored '79.............

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

This is a great thread.......I went through everything you are doing
with my 79 T/A back in the early 90's........total nut and bolt complete frame-off
resto. Having been driven very little since, it still looks like new today. The dash
on my car had the low spot in the pad when it was delivered new at the dealer.
It was complained about to the dealer's service department, but they refused to do anything about it.....they said they were all like that and there was no way to fix it. My frame-off restored '79.............

Wow! That T/A came out beautiful! That's what I'm aiming for with this one, and if it comes out anywhere near as nice as that car, I'll be happy!

[72projectbird]

I'm back at the 81 and have been chipping away. Got the engine re-gasketed, painted and accessories detailed. Ran new brake lines and fuel lines in the engine bay so I could install the engine.

[72projectbird]

Got the radiator support cleaned up and painted, and got the driver door reskinned. I had to hang a fender just to get the look!

[Skip Fix]

Looks great! I ran GTA wheels on my 78 for a long time. 255-50-16s fit well.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Looks great! I ran GTA wheels on my 78 for a long time. 255-50-16s fit well.

I really like the GTAs on it. I do have a set of Turbo wheels that'll be going on once it's painted.

Right now it's got a 295-50 on the rear, and the stance looks perfect, especially from the back. The front tire is severely undersized. lol

[72projectbird]

I got the other door skin on today. The car is officially rust free, and pretty close to paint. Also got the front springs and shocks installed.

[74Grandville]

Nice doors...


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[Skip Fix]

I ran "fronts" on the front and "rears" on the rear. But if you go bigger on the rear you would need "fronts" back there also.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by 74Grandville

Nice doors...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

I ran "fronts" on the front and "rears" on the rear. But if you go bigger on the rear you would need "fronts" back there also.

That's how they're on now. I have a small spacer on the rears.

While working on the current 81, another surfaced and followed me home.

It's a one owner, 46k mile car. Been off the road since 1998. I went out to Mount Vision NY to grab it. About 600 miles round trip.

It's really nice. Has the original radio, speakers, jack, and even has a mint build sheet. I have the title from the original owner, all the dealership paperwork when bought new. It's really nice. It did come with the original wheels, which I am currently refinishing.

I don't know exactly what I'll do with it yet. It runs like new, which is really nice.

[shaker455]

Ryan,
You & your Dad should paint the car yourselves...
I have some tech people who can get you started
Jeff

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by shaker455

Ryan,
You & your Dad should paint the car yourselves...
I have some tech people who can get you started
Jeff

That was the plan initially. I still might do it, but I have my eyes set on something new, and would need to sell the 81 to obtain it. I dont know how good my first complete paintjob will look, although the car is fairly straight and will only need light bodywork.

[shaker455]

What you wanting to get?

[72projectbird]

The car is officially painted! It's been a long road, bouncing from project to project, but it's nearing completion.

Between the NOS hood, new door skins, panel massaging and a good layer of high build filler primer that's been blocked out for days results in a nice finish!

[grd777]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Started assembling the front end. Got the dust shields on, repacked the bearings, and installed the rotors. The rotors are a little rusty from sitting. I think I might take them back off and paint the hub and vented areas. You can see the repainted sway bar and hardware in the pics.

I don't have the springs in yet. There's not enough weight on the front of the car for me to get them in, and I don't have the correct style spring compressor to do it the other way.

just gong thru this now . the sway bar is definitely a rancho product , i had one on my 75