How hard is it to get parts to make a stock wagon into a cruiser?? ??? ???
Carolina Boy
The panels come up for sale every now and again, its not that had to install, I even did it ;D
Long afternoon or two.
The windshield chalking is surprising expensive though...
Not a big deal, the changeover is straightforward, it's finding the parts. Back in '93, I went to a local (at the time) junkyard and found useable panels, and converted my '79 wagon into a cruiser. It was a lot of fun.
Chris
Popbumper,
Could they be copied??? Are they metal or fiberglass? Did you by some chance take pictures of you conversion?
What was that on the windshield seal??
Carolina Boy
Forgot to ask, is there a part number for the panels?
C B
Quote from: Carolina Boy on January 12, 2009, 05:58:01 PM
Popbumper,
Could they be copied??? Are they metal or fiberglass? Did you by some chance take pictures of you conversion?
What was that on the windshield seal??
Carolina Boy
Copied? I suppose someone who knows sheet metal well could fabricate some panels with an english wheel and other equipment.
They are all metal.
I did not take pics of the conversion - wish I had - that was back in 1993, and the car is long gone, sorry.
I did not mention the windshield seal, that was someone else.
Chris
He probably is talking about Butyl Caulk that is used on 'glue in' windshields. That is what it seems like the factory used to seal tha CW panels. Real tough stuff!
mike
Quote from: Carolina Boy on January 12, 2009, 05:58:01 PM
?
What was that on the windshield seal??
Carolina Boy
Thanks for the info guys. I will put this in my build book.
C B
CB,
78squirewagon (Mark) has a set. You can email him and see if he will part with them. FYI each side has a panel that is screwed and glued, a rubber strip that covers the screws right behind the door frame, a metal strip that covers the screws next to the tailgate, the porthole window with gasket and plastic chrome trim that secures the gasket in the porthole window, a plastic circular finish ring for the inside panels that fits into the gasket of the porthole window, and the carpeted panels that cover the former window openings inside the car.
I did my 78 Bobcat wagon a few years ago. Basic mechanical skills is all you need.
Mark
I am going to hang onto mine until I make up my mind about selling my other wagon. I have not totally ruled out a squire/cruising wagon combo yet ;D I have to wait until the snow melts to see what I am going to do ;D
But from what everyone has told me, it seems to be a simple conversion. I have EVERYTHING (minus the gasket) to convert mine so....
78,
If you do the swap make sure you document it for us to follow. I just had a thought, don't be scared as I do this often, use your panels to make a mold for making fiberglass copies. If one of the guys or gals knows fiberglassing, there might be a market for them, even if it's just for fordpinto.com members. What do you think????
Quote from: Mark78cat on January 12, 2009, 07:11:03 PM
CB,
78squirewagon (Mark) has a set. You can email him and see if he will part with them. FYI each side has a panel that is screwed and glued, a rubber strip that covers the screws right behind the door frame, a metal strip that covers the screws next to the tailgate, the porthole window with gasket and plastic chrome trim that secures the gasket in the porthole window, a plastic circular finish ring for the inside panels that fits into the gasket of the porthole window, and the carpeted panels that cover the former window openings inside the car.
I did my 78 Bobcat wagon a few years ago. Basic mechanical skills is all you need.
Mark
There are also drip rail extension pieces that go along with the kit as well as the special brackets that were spot welded by the factory to hold in the interior carpet pieces. Having these items plus what Mark said would get you a complete kit.
if anyone has them i need the rear Gutter extensions for my bobcat. would be really Appreciated.
OK, dont mean to raise the dead....
Are these the spot welded tabs we are speaking of?
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/DSCN0634.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/DSCN0636.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/SANY1396.jpg)
Also, does anyone have any of the trim peices that go over the screws they care to part with? They need NOT be in great shape, as they will be painted to match body color in the end....so fit and finish is not a neccessary detail. OR are there any alternatives that serve as a quality replacement? This is what I have now... :'(
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/SANY1394.jpg)
ohhh ya.
Has anyone installed windows back into a former CW?? I HATE to tear apart my new CW to make my regular wagon into a CW and then have a useless hulk left of my old CW. My reg wagon is FAR more nice of a car, thus the reason to want to change over to the CW package, rather than just leave well enough alone.
Quote from: Crazybry79 on October 06, 2009, 10:07:24 PM
OK, dont mean to raise the dead....
Are these the spot welded tabs we are speaking of?
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/DSCN0634.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/crazybry79/Pinto%20Cruising%20wagon/DSCN0636.jpg)
Yes those are them
Quote from: Carolina Boy on January 11, 2009, 07:21:11 PM
How hard is it to get parts to make a stock wagon into a cruiser?? ??? ???
Carolina Boy
CB:
In a pinch, while there are lots of factory parts for a "proper" conversion (gutter fittings, weld tabs, etc.), back in the early 90's I converted my regular 1979 wagon to a CW just by adding the side panels in. The side panels were pulled from a car in a salvage yard; not knowing the "subtle differences", I never paid attention to the accessory parts.
While the car was nevre finished before I left go of it (translation - the interior was never completed), the panels fit the car well and looked great. I had a buddy who owned a body shop; he attached the panels and then properly sealed the edges before repaint - it all looked very nice.
Long story short, you don't NEED all the factory parts unless you are trying to do a 100% factory conversion. Panels by themselves WILL fit the wagon, and were made to do so.
Chris