Brought back from the dead............

[Vividkid]

Finally able to get this '89 up and running again! It belonged to my next door neigbor and had been sitting in his back yard for the past 6 years. He was finally sick of looking at it and was going to send it a salvage yard but told me if I wanted it then it was all mine. He had tried to replace the starter but coudln't get it out and somehow a cat got in there and died.

 

After the disgusting task of sweeping all the bones fur out of the passanger floor board we proceded to drag it out. All 4 brakes were locked up from sitting for so long but after pulling for about 15 mins they all popped loose. I also noticed there was no gas cap; I could already see the rust running up the filler neck. What am I getting myself into?!

 

I finished pulling out the starter, pulled it apart, cleaned up the brushes and what not and re-installed it. Cranks over excellent but of course it's not getting any fuel....starts right up with some carb cleaner.

 

I spent the next few days pulling the tank cleaning all the rust out. I initially installed an old ford Expedtion fuel pump i had laying around into the nissan pump bracket as the factory pump wouldn't run with all that 6 year old fuel sitting it. I was able to make sure the injectors were working and the trans/4wd was ok. My old ford fuel pump only lasted about 3 miles so before dropping $200-300 on a new nissan fuel pump I soaked the old pump in some from fresh gas for a bit, beat on it for about 15mins while poping it with a 12volt source and sure as heck the old nissan pump sprang to life!

 

I spent the most of last night repairing and routing the vacuum hoses and getting the engine bay sorted out back to factory, fresh oil and filter and scrubbed the entire thing down front to back, inside and out and shampooed the carpet to get rid of the dead cat stink. After I cleaned the carpet I realized the interior is damn near perfect except for the dash. Even the paint is still glossy after sitting outside for years. Just needs a good cut and buff.

 

After 6 years rotting, a ton work this past week, and spending $15 for some oil and a filter, $10 for a gas cap and $2 for some hose clamps, I was able to put this oldie but goodie back on the road.

 

Things it will need asap: Drivers door handle, Passanger side mirror glass, new thermostat(stuck open, not getting up to temp), front axle boots and shocks. Later on it will need a new AC compressor as the clutch is locked up, but everything else works, power mirrors, windows, all the electrical. The truck is bone stock right down to the crappy factory radio!

 

Let's see if I can't put another 200,000 miles on it before I need to tear the heads off....That reminds me, I need to replace the timing belt too............

 

Edited November 23, 2012 by Vividkid

[Kyle94]

holy crap thats awesome! looks pretty good too! nice to hear one thats been brought BACK. that looks like a fully loaded SE model too? rear discs, sunroof, power everything, shocks? right?

[3rdtimesacharm]

This is my kind of project! And $27 I approve. I challenge you to get this sorted for less than a $100.

[tdauria]

Wow! Nice job! Why did they leave her for dead in the first place??

Edit: why dint they try harder to get the starter working again...everyone's got a mechanically inclined uncle or something, no?

Edited November 23, 2012 by tdauria

[Darek]

Nice story. It looks like you are well skilled.

[theexbrit]

Great stuff! Good job on getting it running again, looks amazing. Keep us posted on the progress.

[Slartibartfast]

Nice to see one resurrected.

 

I have to wonder though what was going through the mind of whoever put the cat in there. "Well I've got this here dead cat, and I guess I could dig a hole, but... screw it."

[devonianwalk]

Nice project. I'll follow this one as you make progress. Hate to hear about the kitty (I'm a cat lover).

[AzZo]

Sweet Thats what I call the price was right! You did a great job.Keep us posted.

[nunya]

AH3 exterior with rapist red interior... I approve

[ferrariowner123]

Thats awesome to hear. Love finding these old projects that lye around in peoples backyards

[Alkorahil]

Excellent job!!

[Precise1]

I have to wonder though what was going through the mind of whoever put the cat in there. "Well I've got this here dead cat, and I guess I could dig a hole, but... screw it."

 

Great job Bud! I'm glad you took on the project and it wasn't scrapped. Way too many cars in this country are prematurely scrapped, but that's one less now.

 

B