'83 Cutlass Cruiser Build Thread

[Blake442]

Well, I haven't updated this for a while, namely since I haven't done anything to the car...

I did do something though... I swapped the taillights from the Buick on to the Olds. The lights that were on the Olds were a little faded, and the reverse lights had turned slightly yellow. The lights on the Buick however, were almost perfect. So I swapped the nice ones onto the Olds, and the faded ones onto the Buick, since the Buick is just the driver anyhow... And if anything ever happened to the Buick, it'd be a shame if those perfect lights went to waste. Just part of my mentality of once I get something nice, I squirrel it away. I was also thinking about pulling off the amazing looking windsheild trim and swapping it for my 442...

 

[350_85cutty]

that bumper looks pretty damn clean as well...oh and by the way, I got my bolts in today 😀 and my NOS rocker trim piece, but they didn't send the clips with it

 

[SLICK79WGN]

hey blake did you put that hitch on your wagon or did it come with it I was thinking about one for mine but they all stick way below the bumper. if you can what brand is it?

 

[Blake442]

Glad you got the bolts... You'll have to post up some pics once you get the seats in.

The bumper is super clean, just like the rest of the car, and I'm amazed that the rub-strips managed to stay as nice as they have. The chrome cleaned up pretty well with some steel wool, but the plating is starting to peel along the top near the tailgate.
Eventually, I'll swap to a smooth one without the rub-strips.

The hitch was on there when I bought it...
It has a big 'ole U-Haul sticker on it... That's all I really know about it.
It does hang down quite a bit, but it's pretty beefy...

 

[SLICK79WGN]

thanks guess I will just make me a cross member for it and use my yukon for the trailers

 

[Blake442]

Well, a small update for now...

A couple days ago I peeled off even more window tint, three layers on the rear lift-glass. Now all I have left to do is the big 1/4 windows and it's all done.

Yesterday I bit the bullet and spent some of my hard-earned unemployment money on parts so I could get the front brakes back together. I was hoping to get some new rotors, but I can't afford it, and didn't even want to spend the $16 to get them turned, so I just cleaned them up with a roll-loc disc on my angle grinder to get the surface rust off of them from sitting in the junkyard for 7 years. They cleaned up pretty good, with some very slight pitting, but they'll be fine for now. Then I just cleaned up and re-packed the wheel bearings with fresh grease and now the rotors are done.
I wanted to swap my calipers and brake hoses, but I didn't have the correct size fitting wrench for the brake lines, and I don't want to **** them up, so I'll drive it down to my old shop and have my buddy help me out. I also don't have a torch, and a quick shot with that will help free them up. He can also help me bleed them afterwards, since I'm all alone here at home, it would've made it tricky.
I finally got my crossmember bolted in as well, and fixed my starter bolt that had fallen out too. I need some sway bar links and to adjust the awful fuel line I made, and it'll be ready for a test drive... I guess that means I'll finally have to get insurance on it too...

Well, it's pretty nice out, so I'm off to peel off more window tint...

 

[Blake442]

Well, all the tint is finally off!

Three layers on the 1/4 windows as well... ugh... Glad this is finally over with.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the 442 trim will not interchange with the one on the wagon. The 4 doors and wagons used a different windshield than the 2 doors.

 

[Blake442]

Yeah, I remembered that shortly after typing it...
I'm curious as to the exact difference though. I've got some extra wagon trim off my Malibu that I'll have to compare. If anything, I can still steal the plastic liners underneath that are still in good shape, before they get wrecked from the ice scrapper this winter! :shock:

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Well, the 4 door windshield is both shorter and narrower at the top than a 2 door. I found this out when I pulled a practically new windshield from a 4 door and tried to put it in my car. It was really obvious at that point. Anyhow, I gotta go back to sorting through my crap. I have the garage neat, but the front porch is now a mess...