Hi all,
After copious amounts of lurking, the downfall of 4x4wire, and the ad-ification of Instagram and other social media sites, I've decided to start posting here.
About 3.5 years ago I picked up a 1987 Dodge Raider from a friend. Arizona car with minimal rust (IYKYK - Rear wheel well tops) and in need of a pretty large amount of maintenance. Shortly after picking it up I got a job offer at Rivian and moved out to California where I started my rebuild.
Posted up a few days after I picked it up. Had some timing issues due to vacuum leaks but overall, it ran great.
My two cars - '21 Crosstrek Sport and the Raider. Ironically I've had more issues with the Subaru than the Raider. Luckily, all covered under warrenty.
Pre move - Opted to load it on a car hauler instead of driving it. This was a good choice. Turned out I was driving it with nearly hand-tight head bolts!
Over the past 3 years I've done just enough work to get it trip-worthy: new head gasket and timing (+ water pump, oil pump, etc etc), new leaf spring bushings, wheels/tires (Tacoma 16's and Firestone X/T's). I also found out that one of the previous owners put in a Starion short block, so I had low compression pistons, a hardened crank, and oil squirters. I also picked up a block and misc. engine parts from Toasty last year when I was back in AZ. Also boat some forged rods. Turbo story will come in a later post
.
Can't wait to move to EFI and be done with this vacuum mess....
Nothing quite like a garage floor suspension job
I've also done what I can with my minimal amount of apartment space to re-upholster the rear seat. It turned out okay, but I was really unhappy with the door panels and passenger seat, so I'll probably revisit this when the time is right. New carpet too, because it was in rough condition when I picked it up.
So far I haven't taken it out on too many extended trails. My social life out here has been lacking (mostly by my own fault - pretty involved with work and with a wedding coming up). I don't really like the idea of going out alone in a car I am still building trust in. Step by Step.
Anyways, some photos:
First inaugural trip: Took it out to Bulldog just for some photos. No serious trails. "Poser" antics. At this point I had no idea what condition the truck was in. Later, I found out that A) head bolts were nearly hand tight, B) all suspension bushings were disintegrated, C) leaked like a sieve through the rear half-moon valve cover seal, D) Tires were completely unsafe for use, E) Who knows what I still have yet to find.
Second short trip: Took it up Santiago for a suspension & Engine shakedown. This was probably a bit premature; tires were cracked & old, spare couldn't hold air, and oil pressure & engine temp gauges were intermittent.
Will continue in the next reply...
After copious amounts of lurking, the downfall of 4x4wire, and the ad-ification of Instagram and other social media sites, I've decided to start posting here.
About 3.5 years ago I picked up a 1987 Dodge Raider from a friend. Arizona car with minimal rust (IYKYK - Rear wheel well tops) and in need of a pretty large amount of maintenance. Shortly after picking it up I got a job offer at Rivian and moved out to California where I started my rebuild.
Posted up a few days after I picked it up. Had some timing issues due to vacuum leaks but overall, it ran great.
My two cars - '21 Crosstrek Sport and the Raider. Ironically I've had more issues with the Subaru than the Raider. Luckily, all covered under warrenty.
Pre move - Opted to load it on a car hauler instead of driving it. This was a good choice. Turned out I was driving it with nearly hand-tight head bolts!
Over the past 3 years I've done just enough work to get it trip-worthy: new head gasket and timing (+ water pump, oil pump, etc etc), new leaf spring bushings, wheels/tires (Tacoma 16's and Firestone X/T's). I also found out that one of the previous owners put in a Starion short block, so I had low compression pistons, a hardened crank, and oil squirters. I also picked up a block and misc. engine parts from Toasty last year when I was back in AZ. Also boat some forged rods. Turbo story will come in a later post
.Can't wait to move to EFI and be done with this vacuum mess....
Nothing quite like a garage floor suspension job
I've also done what I can with my minimal amount of apartment space to re-upholster the rear seat. It turned out okay, but I was really unhappy with the door panels and passenger seat, so I'll probably revisit this when the time is right. New carpet too, because it was in rough condition when I picked it up.
So far I haven't taken it out on too many extended trails. My social life out here has been lacking (mostly by my own fault - pretty involved with work and with a wedding coming up). I don't really like the idea of going out alone in a car I am still building trust in. Step by Step.
Anyways, some photos:
First inaugural trip: Took it out to Bulldog just for some photos. No serious trails. "Poser" antics. At this point I had no idea what condition the truck was in. Later, I found out that A) head bolts were nearly hand tight, B) all suspension bushings were disintegrated, C) leaked like a sieve through the rear half-moon valve cover seal, D) Tires were completely unsafe for use, E) Who knows what I still have yet to find.
Second short trip: Took it up Santiago for a suspension & Engine shakedown. This was probably a bit premature; tires were cracked & old, spare couldn't hold air, and oil pressure & engine temp gauges were intermittent.
Will continue in the next reply...
