Morning Thinking

"Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness" (long-voyager-2nd-edition)
10/16/2018 at 07:33 • Filed to: Rant

So I’ve been asked enough times and ridiculed about why I choose to modify what I do.

After much thinking: I enjoy the potential, the simplicity, and the cost factors.

I can buy them extremely cheap. Parts for them are cheap. Many modifications are as simple as swapping parts from other vehicles, while others require custom work. I enjoy the “why” factor as well.

They respond well to simple mods and old hot-rodding tricks, being easy to make quite quick with very little work.

I’ve owned a lot of vehicles over the years and I can say with all honesty, the years I’ve had with my 90s Mopars have been the most fun.

I could definitely go on about this, but I’ll keep it short and to the point.

Spirit RT for your time:

DISCUSSION (34)

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 07:40

mad as a hatter you.... beyond saving.

*tries to buy another panda*

pip bip - choose Corrour > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 07:41

at the end of the day, if your happy that’s what matters.

haters are going to hate

just don’t take it to heart, a good sense of humour usually helps

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
10/16/2018 at 07:43

Kinja'd!!!

Captain of the Enterprise > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 07:49

I try to hold the opinion of not judging people and the thought process of whatever they want to do they should do without judgement (outside of hurting people). I would want others to do the same to me.

Personally I like “boring” Toyota’s. I have a 2011 Camry and thing it’s fantastic. Before that I had a 2005 Corolla that I did some customization to.

Kinja'd!!!

I added a black grille instead of the chrome one, restored the headlights and painted the steels wheels silver and then black and silver myself.

I don’t recall seeing your car but if it makes you happy then keep it up. Based on your profile pic it looks cool to me.

vondon302 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 08:00

Keep being you. Hey I like my Mustangs but when I go to to a show or meet I don’t even look at them any more but if somebody rolls up in something odd like this. Count me in.

Besides K cars get a bad rap. We wouldn't have Hell cats if it wasn't for them.

boredalways > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 08:01

Kinja'd!!!

LongbowMkII > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 08:30

I think it’s awesome. Everyone (over a certain age) has memories of a K car. Yeah they’re still seen as cheap and meh, but that’s what makes them cool to see modified. It’s uncommon and you can get as weird as you’d like. The world needs oddball things.

So Shiney. So Chrome! So Frunky > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 08:37

Well if you were building yet another cama ro / mustang / corvette I wouldn’t stop to look. Plus I had a Dodge Spirit in high school and it’s a bit like seeing my 16 year old performance dreams realized. Though I always wanted turbos, blame the Fast and the Furious for that.

Quadradeuce > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 09:03

Never apologize. Your work is some of the most interesting on oppo because of the canvas you choose. Keep the posts coming!

Party-vi > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 09:05

Man I need a Spirit R/T

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 09:27

No lies, at first I did not get it and thought you were nuts. But as I’ve followed your builds and interacted with you on here, I get it now. They're all practical builds and the fact that you do all your own moding and maintenance is extremely impressive. You're probably one of the coolest Oppos.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 09:40

No criticism from this guy. I get it. Keep on keepin' on!!!

Khalbali > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 09:58

I’ve always wanted a 2 door shadow or sundance....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Khalbali
10/16/2018 at 10:03

Do it!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
10/16/2018 at 10:04

Thanks.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Party-vi
10/16/2018 at 10:04

Don’t we all?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Quadradeuce
10/16/2018 at 10:05

The work is starting on the van again......... https://oppositelock.kinja.com/off-to-the-races-1829778093

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > So Shiney. So Chrome! So Frunky
10/16/2018 at 10:06

I still want a turbo variant, but they’re hard to come by at a good price unless they’re clapped out.

The V6 offers just as much fun (if not more once you involve boost) IMO and are readily available.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > vondon302
10/16/2018 at 10:09

I used to deal with more “normal” cars. I had an RX-7 with a supercharged 3.8 V6, a Camaro, and a Mustang for a stint. Cool and fun as they were, I saw cars similar everywhere, making it hard to be different.

Then I found what I was looking for when the wife’s parents gave us our first Acclaim: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/thought-id-post-up-my-old-acclaim-build-for-everyone-1823032640

That was when I truly fell in love with a vehicle.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 10:38

The broad spectrum of interests here is what makes oppo great.

and 100 more > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 11:45

The thing is, nobody is going to be able to modify cars soon. The 90's were the last era of truly moddable cars.

You’re doing the lord’s work, man. Keep enjoying yourself!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 14:06

Keep being you man! We had a 1993 Dodge Caravan SE, short wheelbase, when I was growing up and I loved t hat thing! It was dead reliable for us and dutifully ferried my brother and I around with mom as our driver during a time in our life where my parents were going through a nasty breakup. Fond memories of that can!

jimz > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 17:11

my dad had one of those, got it just as I was learning to drive. yes, I learned to drive stick in it.

voracious appetite for timing belts (Steve Lehto can corroborate) and head gaskets. When we sold it, it needed a new HG. I found a Cometic multi-layer steel gasket for it; if those had existed back in 1992 it probably would never have needed another.

Khalbali > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 18:20

Gotta find one first...

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/16/2018 at 20:01

Simple, unloved cars are the most fun because they’re a blank canvas.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Khalbali
10/17/2018 at 06:56

https://sheboygan.craigslist.org/cto/d/clean-1991-dodge-shadow/6713825654.html

https://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/d/1988-plymouth-sundance/6695496048.html

Personally I’d go for the 2nd one and swap drivetrains......

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > jimz
10/17/2018 at 07:05

Timing belt issue was solved via an upgraded tensioner design.

Head gaskets received and updated torque spec that solved head gasket issues.

Khalbali > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/18/2018 at 10:49

Yeah not crazy about the vert, would really want a stick though and I don't have a garage or anywhere to work really. Awesome looking cars though, maybe someday....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Khalbali
10/18/2018 at 12:05

Buy an auto, swap it to a stick. Auto-manual conversion can easily be done in a weekend in the driveway.

Source: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/thought-id-post-up-my-old-acclaim-build-for-everyone-1823032640

Khalbali > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/18/2018 at 13:15

Don't even have a driveway lol, staying in my parents condo now and moving to an apartment in a few weeks.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Khalbali
10/19/2018 at 07:10

Now you’re just making excuses.

Source:

Changed my old Acclaim’s headgaskets on the side of the street at our apartment....

Khalbali > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/19/2018 at 07:40

Its true I am scared of taking the plunge, though at least you probably could do that from topside. I wrenched at a dealership for a couple years so I’m not entirely inexperienced but have never really modified anything or done any internal engine/trans work, we always just replaced the whole thing. And I’ve never even really wrenched wi thout a lift a nd air tools and such in a driveway, I was spoiled like that.

RT > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/30/2018 at 18:23

Technically a 90s Mopar, also an excellent choice to modify.

Kinja'd!!!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > RT
10/31/2018 at 07:07

All honesty:

You can get 500 whp out of a Mopar (mitsu) 3.0 V6 easier and cheaper than you can out of those . All the while being in a lighter chassis in most cases ( Eclipse GSX weighs almost as much as my SWB minivan, for example ) .

I get what you’re saying though. ;)