I am very anal about the condition of my vehicles. Before I begin to mod them, They have to be mechanically sound. They also have to be very clean. I am very meticulous about how my vehicles look.
I was looking for a good deal on a clean Lightning. Looked at quite a few. Drove to California to look at a couple and the Lightnings were not as described and photographed VERY well. I found this Lightning on Ebay and after chatting with the owner he seemed very shady. I decided to blow him off. When I told him I was not interested as he could not supply me with detailed photos and a vin he got me them right away and said he was busy. I looked real hard at the photos and it seemed to be a good enough Lightning for the price. I called a buddy and we hopped a plane to Portland.
Got picked up and headed to see the Lightning. There were a few things wrong with it and we negotiated a price and we were on our way driving back to Phoenix. Changed the oil, cleaned the air filter, checked the tires and 1500 miles later we were in Phoenix. the only event of the entire trip was the drivers window went down and would not go back up. Not bad as with total trip expenses I was in the 107k mile Lightning for $3k back to my door.
Once home I had plans to get the rest of the Maintenance done on this Lightning. Time for another oil change, coolant flush, rear end change, tranny drain and fill, brake fluid and power steering flush, new brakes and rotors, cap and rotor, wires, plugs and the works. Basically I like to be at square one when I buy a vehicle so I know what has been done.
Friday I was driving home and stuck on the freeway for an hour for an accident. Thats when the tranny fluid began to dump out the bell housing. I pulled it over and never did i completely run out of fluid while trying to go. i am hoping I can replace the pump and seal and will be good to go. the tranny fluid is still red and does not appear burnt or stink.
In the Mean time i did a ton of other stuff. Heres a few pics of the Truck picking it up up until now.
You will notice a pattern here on the trip back with my copilot.....
My daughter said she approves!
So shes home in the garage. i started on pulling the tranny and got that accomplished.... Not without some swear words and deciding that I need a new midpipe now. The stocker was not coming out without cutting it.
I removed the bed rails, euro light covers and started on the interior clean up. New bushings in the window regulators, removed the old ass tint, Cleaned all the carpet and seats. I will be laying sound deadoner and reinstalling the interior tomorrow. One thing I dont have is the liner between the door panel and the door. I am hoping Ill be ok without it and lay fat mat over the big holes.
