Wagon fan from the rainy Pacific NW

Rev...Only 2 kids (but we're considering adopting another...the wife can't have any more)...but we also do a lot of activites with friends/family that could be more convenient with 8 passenger capacity.

Norm...Ford made some pretty convenient options regarding tape storage, flocked bins, cupholder/changeholders, etc...alot were interchangeable (with the little tool to remove them from the dash). I had a 94 Sable that I had some of these. The mix/match options were neat. Very handy. Won't the door panels fit from the LTD to the Fairmont? Or are you looking to stay purist with the Fairmont?

 

That Mercury is nice. I wouldn't call it loaded though. Nicely optioned, but not loaded. It is missing the optional cornering lamps, trip computer, wire wheels, etc. But it is a rare car. Maybe we should add this pic to the Gallery? There can't be many left in this shape.

 

Geez you sound just like myself and my best buddy.

When we were in High School (Graduated in 1984) we added cornering lights to his Dads 1976 Caprice Estate wagon. We got them off of a 76 Olds 98. We also added a factory gauge package to that 76 and his moms 83 Caprice wagon. We added fiber optic lamps monitors on the 76 wagon from a 72 Coupe Deville.

I had a 75 Newyorker at the time. I also added cornering lamps, plus power seat tracks, power locks, and a tilt & telescopic steering wheel.

Here I am 20+ years later and I just added cornering lamps to a Dodge St.Regis and fender turn signal repeaters to both my 80 LeBarons.

I am trying to get my buddy to help on cutting the holes for cornering lamps on one of the LeBarons.

I find it funny that todays kids get off on adding aftermarket stuff to their rice burners when we got off on junkyard scrounging of factory options.

 

Me? A Purist?

Not one bit, except for the power-train (If I need roadside help, I want the guy to recognize the parts), but the Interior is where I like tinkering. I got the door panels from the 1982 Zephyr 4-door sedan along with the Factory velour buckets (leather would fry my snow-bird touche .)

The dash centre section and the map-pockets intrigue me though in that 1983 Zephyr. I'll have to look for an LTD or LTD II.

 

I went to Autozone and looked at the map-pockets (Interior Door Panels) in Body and Trim. There's a few options there. I'll take measurements and make some up over the winter.

This is the page I keep as a link, because their navigation system is too restrictive - Year, Make, Model and then you find out they don't have it. When you get here, you right-click and open a new tab/window. I tried finding it before, but you can't if there's a cookie on your system for a prior review.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/repair_info/repair_guide/repair_guide.jsp

Anyway the 'Stangs had them up higher, and the mid/full-size models like that Zephyr:



I like those foot lights too, when you drop stuff or you're under the dash.

 

I agree. Adding options is the next best thing to ordering a new car (which I've never done).

Currently, I've been trying to get the nerve to cut into the tops of my Park Avenue's fenders to install fiber optic lamp monitors (probably from a 86-91 Seville. I'm too chicken at this point...not to mention that I'm not sure if the fenders are fiberglass, which I understand will deform if you try to use a dremel tool to cut them.

I also am trying to figure out the best option for installing cornering lamps on my wife's Rendezvous...I've seen some (I think they're PIAA) fog lamps that have two sections, one for the fog lamp and the other for the cornering lamp. The 'Vous has foglamps already, so if they were the same size, I won't have to cut into the bumper (where it wraps around the side and goes to the wheel cut-out) to install the lamps from a different car. My wife would pitch a fit if I messed up the bumper...but I also want something that looks plausible, as if it could have come from the factory so equipped...I don't want anything to look like a tacky afterthought. But.....at this point, I have been trespassed from coming within 3 feet of the 'Vous...unless it is to wash it or put gas in it.

Everytime I go to the salvage yards, I'm always looking at things to add to my cars. The Park Avenue already has just about everything...which is causing withdrawal symptoms from my customizing addiction.

By the way...I've had an 85' Town Car and a 94 Sable and have found out that a lot of Ford cars are "plug and play"...where the wiring for some of their options is present, just sitting there, waiting to be plugged into. GM's don't seem to be quite so option-customizing-friendly.

 

Not fair is it? I think the gals have this idea that weekend warriors just can't improve on Factory-Built. Until it breaks down.

Now they're taking DIY classes on everything. I'm glad because its high-time the gals get to enjoy winning the 'great unknown' of keeping ahead of the mechanical 'black-hole'. You pay a fortune for something too complex to fix yourself, then you pay another quarterly/seasonally to keep it in compliance with the Warranty, and meanwhile you're eating 10 to 15% in depreciation for the first 3 years.

A house is a fairly straightforward thing to keep together and build on, but vehicles need a willing, knowledgeable hand, especially if they're a few years old and counting.

I figure that the work I've done on mine will save me $300 monthly payments on a new crossover over 5 years, and all the normal DIY costs, and even some of the bigger jobs, 'cause I know this car down to its rust proofing.

 

Olympia, WA here man... i just found this lil place myself..

 

You're one lucky puppy, being 2 years on the young side of 40! Happy Birthday!

 

Thanks, Norm! The wife turns 40 tomorrow, so I get to tease her about being in her 40's while I'm still in my 30's. But just to be sure I don't get into too much trouble, I'm taking her on a lunch cruise on the Portland Spirit . She doesn't know that yet, though...but she'll get some sort of hint when I hand her a couple of Dramamine about an hour before we go, saying "here, take this, honey".

 

I was just watching the "over-the-hill-gang" (Hole-in the wall ) Redford and Newman). Ask your wife what the view is from the other side!

Happy, Happy... Mine's soon too, but I hit the FOUR-O mark a loooong time ago.