The Price of Nostalgia

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori) 01/25/2018 at 10:40 • Filed to: Project Dumpster Fire

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Since Project Dumpster Fire is on the home stretch for its restoration, I’ve been debating adding up all of the money I’ve spent getting it back on the road. Part of me knows that tracking the costs associated with a project car is a very bad idea, but I was also damn curious. I also wasn’t sure how you people would react and as a result have been sitting on this post for two months now... Before I get to the number, let me explain a few things:

First: I knew going in the cost was going to far exceed the value of the vehicle. This was and is a sympathetic restoration.

Second: This does not include the work the previous mechanic claimed to have done. I can confirm most of the work he claimed to have done was done, but not all. In either case, let’s let it rest that I spent an absurd amount of money to get it back from him.

Third: As shown, this cash was spent over many months, if that makes it better? I think it does...

Fourth: Not all of these things were necessary and a few things (like fuel filters) have been purchased multiple times. Omake is marked. Things that, in hindsight, I did not need are included in the total.

The List (formally The Table)

06/16/2016 Repair Manuals - $80.00*

07/01/2016 Transport (Trailer + Gas) - $302.00

07/07/2016 Brake Flex Hoses - $30.82

07/15/2016 Junk Yard Parts - $86.00

08/09/2016 Tune Up Parts - $135.06

08/16/2016 Starter - $93.78

09/22/2016 Clutch Hose - $34.34

10/15/2016 Headlights - $17.76

10/15/2016 Wipers - $13.82

11/11/2016 Fuel Pressure Regulator - $84.97

12/05/2016 Fuel Filler Hose - $21.08

12/12/2016 Fuel Pressure Tester - $124.90

03/28/2017 Warm Up Regulator - $149.95

04/03/2017 Thermal Barriers - $43.80

04/03/2017 Vacuum Hose (Spool) - $13.15

04/03/2017 RR Brake Caliper - $81.88

04/23/2017 Brake Light Switch - $26.66

04/30/2017 Fuel Distributor - $50.00

05/07/2017 LED Bulbs - $91.95

05/24/2017 Ignition Module - $33.97

05/27/2017 Distributor Dust Cap - $15.65

09/05/2017 Gauges (Non-factory) - $232.00*

09/07/2017 Fog Light Lens (Factory) - $31.53*

09/12/2017 Gauge fittings - $37.32*

09/14/2017 Fan Relay - $16.60

09/16/2017 Speakers - $59.27*

09/18/2017 Dash Bulbs - $19.54

09/20/2017 Heater Control Valve - $44.24

09/20/2017 Taillights - $136.48*

09/25/2017 Oil Filter - $5.59

09/25/2017 Oil - $20.00

09/25/2017 Wiper Relay - $19.61

09/28/2017 Sprayers - $6.53

09/28/2017 Seat Repair Kit - $13.24

09/28/2017 Dimmer - $19.99*

10/02/2017 Tires - $237.60

10/08/2017 Injectors - $163.15*

10/08/2017 Window Seals - $125.58*

10/09/2017 Battery Tie Down - $10.99

10/11/2017 Fuel Filter - $15.15

10/14/2017 Fuel Filter - $25.00

10/16/2017 Hot Start Kit - $18.99

10/16/2017 Fuel Strainer - $7.57

10/18/2017 Distributor Wiring Repair - $8.99

10/19/2017 Cap and Rotor - $19.18

10/31/2017 Feed Pump - $27.55

11/01/2017 Misc Parts and Chemicals - $143.01

11/01/2017 Air/ Fuel System (2nd Spare) - $100.00*

11/7/2017 Radio Removal Tool - $13.97*

12/1/2017 Trunk Lock - $48.60

1/15/2018 Vacuum Tester - $43.40*

1/15/2018 Power Lock Actuator - $35.00

*Indicates Non-Required Purchase

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

There we are.

Now you know.

benjrblant > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/25/2018 at 11:17

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It’s definitely sobering to see it all summed up. I did a writeup on owning the Land Cruiser for just under a year. Granted, we did a LOT of PM and baselining. Maybe even too much.

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/25/2018 at 11:19

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Where’d you get your caliper from? My brother needs to do all four corners, and we’re looking at the Centric ones on RockAuto.

rillweid - Now with more TRD and less TDI > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/25/2018 at 11:27

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Honestly, that’s not near as bad as I was expecting.

sony1492 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/25/2018 at 11:29

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I thought it’d be worse

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro 01/25/2018 at 11:30

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That. I bought a Centric one from RockAuto. Happy with it and happy with their core return process. (Shipping is really cheap if you print your return label though them)

86notchback > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 09:17

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thats not too too bad the 8V turbo sedans are quite rare now....having owned an 8V turbo before I dumped alot of money into it and regret selling it....I miss that car...

MINIGTI > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 20:50

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My 1985 XJ6:

$2000 purchase (September 2017)

$2800 transmission rebuild

$1000 misc engine work

Needs:

Inner rocker repair and new passenger floor $3800

But runs and drives beautifully

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/28/2018 at 15:22

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1/15/2018 Power Lock Actuator

I don’t think you told us about this one. What was wrong with it?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro 01/28/2018 at 15:33

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APPARENTLY the trunk lock is also part of the central locking. It has never worked in the history of my ownership. Someone was clearing out his warehouse of car parts do I figured I’d pick one up.

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/28/2018 at 16:01

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Interesting.

Yeah, after learning that my brother might have been the one to break his Saab’s ignition gearset, he managed to find a ’92 owner’s manual (hopefully that’s close enough to ’91) to help with all the quirks and features .

Right now all of his locks work except for the driver door, so we consulted that owner’s manual, which explained the central locking feature. Unfortunately, the key doesn’t turn, and the button doesn’t go down. So I guess we’ll be looking into that soon, too.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro 01/28/2018 at 16:27

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Well if it makes you feel any better. I spent hours taking apart, lubricating, prying, pleading with, and generally messing up my driver’s side door lock. Wouldn’t lock with the key. Wouldn’t lock with the button.

Finally, I figure out that the door has to be closed for it to work . Never thought to try that.

:facepalm:

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/28/2018 at 18:15

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D’oh! Gonna have to give that a shot...