The Baconator & The Spyder

[Brian]

I bought this car for my daughter to use for a year or two while I gather up the parts to do a V8 swap. She took one look at the brown stripes and claimed that they looked like strips of bacon. She then dubbed the car "The Baconator."

Unfortunately, the brakes were completely shot so I figured I might as well do the 5 lug conversion and take care of the brakes at the same time.

I picked up a pair of axles from MonzaJer since he's local on top of being a very nice guy.

I then made a trip to the local U-Pull It and collected the spindles and brakes from an S-10.

Today I finally got started on replacing the axles.

Project start:



1st new axle is in!



The wheels go on.



It really improved the stance.



They barely fit but they really fill the wheel well.



I also rebuilt the carburetor and it's running way better than when I bought it.

Tomorrow I tackle the front end. Once that's done I can finally get it registered and licensed.

Then I hand it over to my daughter. Man, I hope she doesn't wreck it.

[Brian]

Today didn't go nearly as well as yesterday.

Destroyed one lower ball joint getting the spindle off and had some real problems with the tie rods. Had to cut one of the tie rods off at the bolt.

So, two new lower ball joints and two new tie rod ends on the way. They should be in on Tuesday so I'll take another crack at it then.

[meangreen73vega]

Now lets just hope she doesn't "fry" the rear tires...
Or maybe "bake" them off...

But seriously, good looking project!

[Kenova]

Here's hoping the parts desk jockey ordered the right parts for you.

Ken

[80 MONZTA]

Looking good.
What size tires are those, I think I spied one of the front wheels in the pic from behind. Looks like you will be filling the front wheel wells up as well.

[Brian]

The rear tires are 235/60-15 Dunlops on 15x8 in wheels.

The fronts are 205/60-15 Firestones on 15x7 in wheels.

These are used tires that I picked up for fitment tests. Eventually I plan on replacing them with matching brand and models but wanted to put something cheap on there first to make sure it would fit


Edit: Corrected the rear tire size.

[Brian]

And now this project is on hold.

Quick update first, I have the spindles on the front as well as wheels/tires. I think I 'm going to go with something smaller for the front than what I've got on there.

I'll have pictures up tomorrow.

The reason this is on hold is that daughter #1 (not the one getting the Monza) totaled her car tonight. She stopped at a blinking red light, looked but didn't see the guy coming and pulled out right in front of him. Bang!

Turns out the guy that hit her is a cop. Not only that, he's an accident scene investigator. So that's not going to go her way.

So now I have to start looking for a replacement car for her and putting daughter #2's Monza on the back burner for now.

[Brian]

Latest pictures with the 5 lug spindle conversion.





Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic. I was a bit rushed this morning.

Tonight I'm going to put it back in the garage until we can pickup another car to replace the one that our daughter wrecked.

[LL8 Vega GT]

Tonight I'm going to put it back in the garage until we can pickup another car to replace the one that our daughter wrecked.

I heard Wal-mart has a sale on bikes this week

[meangreen73vega]

I hope she's ok and not hurt!

[Brian]

I hope she's ok and not hurt!

She's ok. A little banged up and has a severe case of airbag face but is otherwise fine.

She's car shopping now and I am trying to warn her that buying a Mustang convertible right after an accident and still a teenager (she'll be 20 in Aug) will not make for low insurance payments.

[meangreen73vega]

Tell her to get a Jeep... safest vehicle on the road...only one that comes stock with a roll bar
I've had 4 and loved them all! Still got an 08 Rubicon and a 97 Grand. If she gets a wrangler it will be slow too

Anyway good luck! And happy hunting!

[Brian]

She did look at a Jeep but the guy wanted waaaaay too much for it.

Thankfully she changed her mind on the Mustang. I told her to call the ins agent and ask how much it would cost her to insure it. Changed her mind in a hurry.

[Brian]

Baconator is in the body shop getting a crack in the subframe welded up.

Following that will be an alignment and then I can finally put it on the road.

[Brian]

Yay! The frame is done!

Now to get an alignment done and then I can get it licensed/tagged and it'll be good to drive.