1966D100
Behind my Polysphere making engine noises and
Ok, if I have time and some spare change, I'm going to try to get somethings done on my Dakota before I head on over the deep blue pond to Japan. One of the main things will be underbody since she'll be sitting for a good three to four months.
The free car is out of the question since it was just sold to some random guy who thought it was worth $800 (no skin off my back :bwuhaha
And I have a neon that does nothing and can't do anything since it has not title (I'd run it around my parents place if the fuel pump still worked just for the hell of it). If anything, I have an idea to take the good condition buckets out of the Neon and transfer them into the Dakota, pretty much since I never take more than one more person since I drive a stick.
Speaking of stick shift, as the good Dr. pointed out, my syncro gears are wearing out and its getting to the point that shifting is a fight sometimes. I already changed the slave cylinder and master cylinder on the truck just about three months ago, mainly because I thought it was those two that were causing the problem (turns out I needed new ones anyway).
So, my question is, is it going to be more cost effective to rebuild the crappy AX-15, or should I go for a NV3500 from a 2wd something Dodge (or some other 5spd), along with a new driveshaft and u-joints.
Also, my AX-15 leaks fluid from the top (yes the top, not the filler hole, or the check hole, but the very top of the transmission), so I would really like to rememdy that.
I've been going back and forth between picking up a more fuel efficent vehicle, but I'm also going to an inch thinner rim in the back (currently I have mostly bald 235/55R15 BFG's on the rear with a 15x8 rim). Nice grip, but a bit of a drag when I'm just cruising the back roads since my college is litterly surrounded by corn fields. The reason why I'm on and off with the idea is because, in a few years I'll be moving to Japan anyway, so it makes no sense to keep a vehicle here when I won't be living here. If all else, I'll be making enough money, when I come visit, I could walk up to a used lot, find one I like, and walk off with the car after I lay down the cash, so no big there.
But on the side, I have a 95' vintage 360 magnum block with under 10,000 miles on the cylinder walls...just need to clean off the glaze and she's good to go. I know a good one could be built for around $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the power level I want.
But whatever comes, I need to do a brake job on this thing. Right now, brakes are good, she did have fresh pads when I bought it, but the rotors are still old and so are the lines (I already had to replace one after a panic stop). I also want to change some lines and things in the engine compartment, like my powersteering line.
I'm also considering doing some body work (considering I still have a 6-pack style fiberglass scoop hanging on my wall in the garage waiting for a vehicle) because I need to replace some rust before it spreads and I end up droping a panel on the highway or something before I graduate.
I realize most of this can be rememdied with a better vehicle, but my current money situation is set to "work with what you have", because by the time I'd have to money to buy a decent vehicle, I need to start putting money away to pay for a final flight to Japan and a first payment on my student loans. So, what do you guys think?
The free car is out of the question since it was just sold to some random guy who thought it was worth $800 (no skin off my back :bwuhaha
And I have a neon that does nothing and can't do anything since it has not title (I'd run it around my parents place if the fuel pump still worked just for the hell of it). If anything, I have an idea to take the good condition buckets out of the Neon and transfer them into the Dakota, pretty much since I never take more than one more person since I drive a stick.
Speaking of stick shift, as the good Dr. pointed out, my syncro gears are wearing out and its getting to the point that shifting is a fight sometimes. I already changed the slave cylinder and master cylinder on the truck just about three months ago, mainly because I thought it was those two that were causing the problem (turns out I needed new ones anyway).
So, my question is, is it going to be more cost effective to rebuild the crappy AX-15, or should I go for a NV3500 from a 2wd something Dodge (or some other 5spd), along with a new driveshaft and u-joints.
Also, my AX-15 leaks fluid from the top (yes the top, not the filler hole, or the check hole, but the very top of the transmission), so I would really like to rememdy that.
I've been going back and forth between picking up a more fuel efficent vehicle, but I'm also going to an inch thinner rim in the back (currently I have mostly bald 235/55R15 BFG's on the rear with a 15x8 rim). Nice grip, but a bit of a drag when I'm just cruising the back roads since my college is litterly surrounded by corn fields. The reason why I'm on and off with the idea is because, in a few years I'll be moving to Japan anyway, so it makes no sense to keep a vehicle here when I won't be living here. If all else, I'll be making enough money, when I come visit, I could walk up to a used lot, find one I like, and walk off with the car after I lay down the cash, so no big there.
But on the side, I have a 95' vintage 360 magnum block with under 10,000 miles on the cylinder walls...just need to clean off the glaze and she's good to go. I know a good one could be built for around $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the power level I want.
But whatever comes, I need to do a brake job on this thing. Right now, brakes are good, she did have fresh pads when I bought it, but the rotors are still old and so are the lines (I already had to replace one after a panic stop). I also want to change some lines and things in the engine compartment, like my powersteering line.
I'm also considering doing some body work (considering I still have a 6-pack style fiberglass scoop hanging on my wall in the garage waiting for a vehicle) because I need to replace some rust before it spreads and I end up droping a panel on the highway or something before I graduate.
I realize most of this can be rememdied with a better vehicle, but my current money situation is set to "work with what you have", because by the time I'd have to money to buy a decent vehicle, I need to start putting money away to pay for a final flight to Japan and a first payment on my student loans. So, what do you guys think?
