Apocalyptic G Body

[Chevhead78]

So I am new to Gbody forum not so new to the Gbody though she has been around for 10+ years now.


Hi I am working on a odd project and all of you may be able to help. My car is a 1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4 door 3.8 and since it is not a highly desired car I starting to budget build a Apocalypse vehicle/Offroad Car. The car is bedlined up to the factory pinstripe and has 15x8 wide wheels with 245/60R15 tires that rub at full lock and going over bumps. (I live in Pa hills and potholes are plentiful.) The main Idea is to lift it to gain reasonable trail height and still keep decent road manners. This is a slow build as I have kids but want something I can take them to car shows with even if its not fast it will be interesting. I have accumulated quite a bit of parts, but work in stages as things go wrong right now the ride is the main concern. If you could help me with the coil and shock as well as some ideas on keep the ride decent that would be great I was thinking since the F Body did come with the same motor v6 maybe I should use those for the front. On the back not sure what to use as mine is not a wagon but may end up having a bumper like a jeep with swing away tire mount to keep trunk functional. The handling has been a issue on this car from day one, lifting it could be scary but kinda part of the scheme. I bought this car for $700 over ten years ago me and wife's first purchase together and never feel I can let it go. Something about that ugly brown unwanted turd has kept it around and I think it and the other odd cars need to be around.


I guess this is where it started... I will try to update to get to current status and then add as I go through the steps to get it where I want it.

 

[Chevhead78]

There have been a few things done in that time (10 years) but not much other than normal operation small upgrades to increase drivability things like load adjust shocks till I can figure out the right height and setup for my idea. Camaro Hi Amp alternator was a must 30 ish amps doesn't cut it anymore. Fuel Tank was replaced and some other odds and ends. This car has always been there as a dependable backup when other cars were too expensive to fix, now its her turn. She is now at around 68K on her original 231 Buick V6 mill. She was bedlinered up to the pinstripe because originally I was worried she was gonna rust before I could get around to her. Right now currently I have the carpet out cleaning up the light rust that has accumulated she is actually solid believe it or not frame is crusty but solid as well. I also am working on making bottom halves for front door panels out of metal then back in goes the factory seat. Little imperfections she has will add character to the build. Intention is not a show car but a everyday indestructible go anywhere do anything vehicle (sure I realize there are limitations but excited to find them!)

 

[Chevhead78]

Feel free to comment ideas or anything you think could help I am up for ideas just remember this is a piece by piece build keep it low-buck.

 

[Chevhead78]

She also acquired the wheels and tires off my old 78 Caprice soon to be General Grabber AT's 225/70R15 if all goes well with lift.

 

[Chevhead78]

Today I figured I would try to get the old girl to start, went out got a battery and some bedliner to coat the floors before I put the benches back in. It was a no go should have went out and got some gas to forgot how hard it is to get her to prime and get fuel up front.

 

[Judge Mills]

Your car is in great shape! Good luck with your project.

 

[Chevhead78]

The pics are from when it was new but not much has changed back bumper has hole in it you can see where it started in pic on left of back bumper, Oh and now its bedlinered up to factory hand painted pinstripe. But she has stood test of time.

 

[Chevhead78]

Just tried to get her started again this morning I think the fuel pump finally gave up its not even trying to move fuel runs fine with a fuel soaked sock over carb though, I hate replacing rubber fuel lines and pumps and rebuilding the carb just to know ethanol will be destroying it almost instantly.

 

[Chevhead78]

Got her running good she is going to need a brake leak fixed stupid moron who designed those wheel cylinders needs kicked and a new fuel pump fuel is spewing out all around it. Anyone every try those wheel cylinders that bolt in to fix the stupid clip design? I think Napa carries them.

 

[Chevhead78]

Got the new fuel pump in yesterday, runs even better now also noticed that she has a TH350 trans instead of the TH250 I thought it was maybe I will see if a shift kit will help her retain gears and keep from jumping back and forth on highway.