Builds The Escape Wagon Restoration (1 Viewer)

[EscapeWagon62]

I'll be upgrading the aesthetics of my engine compartment this weekend thanks to @ToyotaMatt
I also sourced the correct Arakawa Auto Body sticker which got buggered up during my repaint.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

More aesthetic updates coming.
With luck I’ll have the grill, new OEM bumpers and the engine compartment stickers installed.
It’ll be over 40 degrees so seems like a good time to attack it.

 

[red66toy]

More aesthetic updates coming.
With luck I’ll have the grill, new OEM bumpers and the engine compartment stickers installed.
It’ll be over 40 degrees so seems like a good time to attack it.

View attachment 2619376

Where did you source those? I need to update my front end.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Got the grill and headlight surrounds from SOR about 6 months ago
Just havnt had the time to install.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

New grill and headlight surrounds are in.
It’s a bit fiddly to get everything to sit properly since it’s a reproduction but it was manageable.
You do have to cut off the ear clips on the backside of the center piece (which was noted on SOR’s website when I ordered it). I assume they leave these on for protection during shipping.
Don’t be me...install center section first then headlight surrounds. I did the inverse and had tp disassemble.
Relatively straight forward, be patient and don’t force anything to fit. Eventually it all came together without issue.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Beautiful day in the NorthEast.
Time for the new OEM chrome bumpers to get installed.
230,000 miles worth of road haze is hard to overlook on the front bumper!

 

[EscapeWagon62]

And for the stickers
Before and after.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

And the Arakawa passenger door sticker

 

[Skniper]

Ooooooowweeeeeee.....when is it going into the glass case??

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Ooooooowweeeeeee.....when is it going into the glass case??

The sickness will end soon.
I need a muffler and at some point I’ll re-chrome the rims.
From then on, I’l just drive the hell out of it till I die.

 

[NearJetties]

The sickness will end soon.
I need a muffler and at some point I’ll re-chrome the rims.
From then n, I’l just drive the hell out of it till I die.

you’ve probably tried polishing them already but if not you should.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

you’ve probably tried polishing them already but if not you should.

Yes, they are OK for now (look good three feet away) though lots of small pitting and a few areas I just use silver paint pens to cover up.
I’ve found that crumpled up tinfoil with PB Blaster works well.
All that being said, it’s going to bug me so Ill save up and get them doe over a winter some year.

 

[Gomgwtfbbq]

Just spent the better part of this morning reading thru your build thread. Impressive work you've done here. Pretty funny reading the Craigslist Ad saying "Babied Excellent condition" in the description followed by all the things you've fixed/replaced. I guess "excellent condition" is different for everyone. Cheers!

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Just spent the better part of this morning reading thru your build thread. Impressive work you've done here. Pretty funny reading the Craigslist Ad saying "Babied Excellent condition" in the description followed by all the things you've fixed/replaced. I guess "excellent condition" is different for everyone. Cheers!

Very true. It’s bones were solid but in the hands of an OCD owner with too much time on his hands.....

 

[EscapeWagon62]

OCD update for similarly afflicted cruiserheads:
I know these rigs aren’t meant to be quiet but I do love chasing stuff down.
1. I had previously chased a door rattle and thought I’d solved it. WRONG. So if you get a rattle only when you go over bumps, check the door stop. The metal bit that attached to the doorframe and stops the door from over-opening. Turns out it has a metal limit stopper inside the door which over time becomes loose on the bar. I fiddled with it in place and it made the exact noise I’ve been hearing. I’ll just use electrical tape to hold it solid for now until I think of a more permanent fix.
2. We are not strangers to a ticking noise. Often it can be an exhaust leak. Having already replaced my manifold gasket, I got a stethoscope and started chasing my tick down. When under the truck i realized I could hear it in one of my cats. Did some research and found that over-tight valves can cause this. Reset all of my valve lashes today and its’s gone. Good infp for anyone without an exhaust leak.

 

[Skniper]

That door stopper is supposed to have a chunky piece of rubber cushion attached to it, a couple of mine had disintegrated too. Can’t find the photos from when I did a complete door refurb a few years ago.

IIRC those door stoppers are NLA, might be worth looking around though....give that OCD something to do. Lol.

My thought was to cut a chunk of rubber from an old tire (or some similar type rubber) and try to fashion a new cushion for the door stop.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

That door stopper is supposed to have a chunky piece of rubber cushion attached to it, a couple of mine had disintegrated too. Can’t find the photos from when I did a complete door refurb a few years ago.

IIRC those door stoppers are NLA, might be worth looking around though....give that OCD something to do. Lol.

My thought was to cut a chunk of rubber from an old tire (or some similar type rubber) and try to fashion a new cushion for the door stop.

Thanks for the info,
I’ll open up the other door and see how it’s set up.
Always game for going down the rabbit hole.

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Thanks for the info,
I’ll open up the other door and see how it’s set up.
Always game for going down the rabbit

That door stopper is supposed to have a chunky piece of rubber cushion attached to it, a couple of mine had disintegrated too. Can’t find the photos from when I did a complete door refurb a few years ago.

IIRC those door stoppers are NLA, might be worth looking around though....give that OCD something to do. Lol.

My thought was to cut a chunk of rubber from an old tire (or some similar type rubber) and try to fashion a new cushion for the door stop.

ok

Found a photo and see what you mean
Search begins.

 

[Skniper]

Found a photo and see what you mean
Search begins.

View attachment 2628766

Bingo!

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Thanks @Skniper
Have one inbound. Needed to keep up with my $50 a day habit.
Also have an OEM muffler, new upper dash valence and some other bits coming.
PS - do you still need tip to tail photos of the wiring for our H55 swap? Its warm enough foe me to take them if needed.