The 97 CV "Tank of Justice III" (TOJ3)

[GM_Guy]

Good save.

[jaywish]

yes the panthers we built to cruise.

[SVT98t]

Quick recap:

Had an odd issues withe the cruise control switch. I talked with John to help me figure it out. My car had the recall done to it, but I couldn't verify which switch it needed because this car doesn't have ABS and the switch is not on the booster, but on the distro block for the front brakes. Werdo no-optioned P73 HPP car....
Anyways, the fuse help popping as soon as it was turned on. Then I put a fuse it, left the cover off and watched. The switch started smoking before popping the fuse. eww.
The part needed for non-ABS aeros is Motorcraft 3561.

Also ended up putting new front caliper on because I snapped off both bleeders trying to bleed. So it got a new cruise switch, front brake lines, pads, rotors and calipers. I was really hoping to do the Big Brake upgrade on it, but whatever.
I also ended up putting a new rotor and pads on the rear about a month after all this.

I also put some LED blubs in for the high beams. WOW. Understatement.
28,000 lumens each. 50W LEDs. They even have fans built into the back of the housing. I'm pretty sure they're illegal, but wow, can I see.

Broke 200k about 3 weeks ago. Currently over 202k. This thing is catching all the miles right now.
Its about to get new Falken tires for about free through, lol.


-ryan s.

[SVT98t]

It's been hanging out in the driveway since it's winter, and it's only 3 inches from the ground (if that) and it's snowing. I still need to get the new tires mounted because they're just chilling in the garage.
I also bought an Accufab upper plenum and throttle body for cheap off FB marketplace. I'm looking forward to adding a few extra hp, but really interested in trying to model it for printing

Yup,


-ryan s.

[SVT98t]

End of year update:

Ended with 210k on it. Put about 6k on it this year, including a fun trip to SF!
List:
- Replaced tail light 7 weeks after it received a lacrosse-ball-sized hole in it after being warned 27 times to look behind where he's throwing the ball..... (I was waiting because I WAS NOT paying $200 for a used, rear tail light assembly)
- Replaced pitman arm
-Installed the 4 new Falken tires finally
- Replaced low beams because, well, one went out, and I was ok with that for minute. Then I left for work in the dark and the other died. So....
- New lower ball joint after the left front blew out at Tractor Supply and I had to be flatbedededddedd home. ugh.

For next year:
It's getting a major overhaul in March. I just got a new job that requires a 104 mile commute every day. Fortunately, 103 miles of that is highway.
So, full front suspension (Upper, lower control arms, poly bushings, proper lowering springs, Tie rods, etc.
Also, new mufflers, and I FINALLY GOING TO MAKE THE EXHAUST GO OUT THROUGH THE BUMPER DAMMIT.
Accufab/Carbon Fiber upper plenum and throttle body, CVPI intake/80mm MAF and a tune maybe?

I'm going to be putting like 20k miles a year on this thing, so I might as well make it super fun, until (if) it dies.


ciao.


-ryan s.