Builds The Escape Wagon Restoration (2 Viewers)

[EscapeWagon62]

Since the interior was out I bought a set of carpet from @dnp
Floor mats and cargo mat too
Great stuff
Since it doesn’t come pre-cut for the shifter area (because some 60s are auto, most are stick) you have to cut it yourself.
A few moments of serious pucker factor but I got it all installed without butchering it.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Wife said it was too hot in the summer down here in Houston.
Had a professional rebalance the A/C and it blows artic air now.
I also had 75% light transmission Nano ceramic tint put in all the way around including the windshield.
It still looks close to stock.
If a cop ever makes me razor blade off the windshield tint....I bought an extra box of matching stuff to reinstall. Frankly I bought enough where I can get caught 4 times

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Speedometer was making noise.
Changed out the speedo cable but realized that the noise was internal to the speed cutp inside the unit itself. That’s a non greasable non serviceable part.
Found a replacement speedo and spun the mileage up to match the unit in the truck.
Problem solved.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Wife said she needed XM on long road trips.
Put in a Pioneer AVH based on comments from other mudders
Easy to install and apple car play is the best
It’s also nice to have hands free phone capability.
While I was at it I replaced the rear speakers. Would have done the fronts but haven’t found one shallow enough to miss the window mechanism and I want to keep the stock grill guards.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Now where to put the USB connector?

 

[EscapeWagon62]

All of the bolt holes on my center console were broken so the unit wobbled and squeaked
Good news, I found a junk yard replacement.
Bad news, it was rough and for a non-rear heater rig.
Time for surgery and repaint

 

[EscapeWagon62]

While not a real issue, I wasn’t happy with the hood insulator. Some time in the past a belt had broken and torn it up a bit.
I could not BELIEVE that Toyota still stocks this part and the retainer clips.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Now for some rust removal and general freshening. I was lucky that this car, originally sold in Colorado, was fully under coated and drilled/plugged for rust preventer in the rocker panels.
The front and rear areas behind the bumpers needed an update.

 

[cps432]

Saying that my rig rode like a jackhammer would be an insult to jackhammers.
Wanted to keep stock height so I put in an OME based SOR “Grocery Getter” leaf spring kit and shocks.
Made a HUGE difference.
As with many lifts, I had a lean afterward. Swapped the springs left to right and it made it better but not perfect.
Put a 1/2 inch spacer in one of my rear packs and it sits dead level now.

Wife was amazed Idisnt get killed on this repair.

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Okay. I get it. You’ve been there and back. Done it all, hu? Lookin good!

Wife said it was too hot in the summer down here in Houston.
Had a professional rebalance the A/C and it blows artic air now.
I also had 75% light transmission Nano ceramic tint put in all the way around including the windshield.
It still looks close to stock.
If a cop ever makes me razor blade off the windshield tint....I bought an extra box of matching stuff to reinstall. Frankly I bought enough where I can get caught 4 times

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I like the way you think.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Sick of banging my head on the rear hatch. Ordered a new pair from some strut warehouse and they worked great. Cheap too.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

And now the scary part.
Transmission didn’t want to shift into 3rd from second.
Party trick didn’t do the trick.
Figured it was either the kickdown cable or a stuck valve in the valve body.
Decided to change out the cable and while I was there, attempt a valve body refresh.
Took a few days and a crap load of organization but it seems to have worked.
Time will tell.

 

[Rube]

Wonderful work on a great looking rig. Well done!

 

[cps432]

You did all this in 18 months?

 

[EscapeWagon62]

I think I’m all caught up for now.
Ordered a stainless steel battery tray to replace the rusty one.
Have some body panel sealant and will tackle the gutters and A Pillars this weekend.
Cheers

 

[Gianni]

Outstanding work and thanks for the inspiration! I will work on my 89 FJ62 this weekend.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

You did all this in 18 months?

I need to get a life obviously.
Once I put my toe in I just couldn’t seem to stop.
At first my wife would call and say a package arrived for me (happy tone)
Then it became a “something” arrived for you today
Then it was “300 lbs of something is on the front porch and I’m not carrying it in”

 

[cps432]

I’ve been pounding it since June 2018. Nowhere near what you’ve done. And I have no wife. Hats off.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Yeah! Get it!!! Great work! You haven’t seen a PITA yet though...try replacing 32 year old bushings in the suspension....

I tried, when I did my suspension I needed to run it to a shop. They had three mechanics handing on a long breaker bar with no luck. They torched it off, I installed a new bushing and pin, drove home and completed the spring swap.

Almost a flat bed moment for me...knock on wood.

 

[Tonto18]

All of the bolt holes on my center console were broken so the unit wobbled and squeaked
Good news, I found a junk yard replacement.
Bad news, it was rough and for a non-rear heater rig.
Time for surgery and repaint

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Console and grab handles look new! Mind sharing what process/paint you used?

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Console and grab handles look new! Mind sharing what process/paint you used?

Relatively easy.
I degreased them as well as I could and sprayed them with SEM Color Coat flexible coating for vinyl.
I used 15303 graphite though there are multiple colors and the colored caps are pretty accurate on how they will dry. Available at any parts store.
I didn’t use any primer and I’ve had no scratching or deterioration