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| The Red Baron; Restoration of a 1993 Geo Metro XFi | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 8 2013, 05:45 PM (19,089 Views) | |
| Hydrojim | Feb 8 2013, 05:45 PM Post #1 |
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As some of you may know, last night I purchased a 1993 Geo Metro XFi with 182,000 miles. This post will contain a log of all work done on the car. Progress is going to be pretty slow until summer which is when I'll spend a lot of time fixing her up. Pictures from the night I brought her home: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() here are the known problems with the car: -small crack in windshield -Hood has dents -needs driver side door handle -needs driver door window regulator(window doesn't stay up) -suspected exhaust leak -paint faded -engine runs a little rough but it could be anything I plan to spend a good chunk of my summer down in Tennessee fixing the car up and then bringing it back home with me to Ohio in top-notch condition. My plans/ideas are listed below: Interior: remove, clean, and reinstall all plastic panels, seats, and carpeting. Install instrument panel with a tachometer Install MPGuino Possibly install a new head unit with some speakers depending on how the speakers sound Maybe new steering wheel? Maybe new seats? Exterior: Remove hatch, doors, fenders, bumper covers, hood, etc. Possibly install some swift body pieces Paint the car reinstall removed parts New Windshield Under body rust protection Drivetrain: Remove engine, transmission, CV axles, uprights, hubs, etc. Engine rebuild if it calls for it New transmission fluid switch if the car is shifting fine. Rebuild if it's not. New clutch if it needs it CV axle rebuild(unless it's only a little more money to just get rebuilt ones. Replace all wheel bearings. New exhaust from the manifold back Suspension/Steering/Brakes: New front lower control arms. replace ball joint boots with better ones. Lowering springs or cut springs. cut springs are free, but harder to go back to stock if you cut your springs New struts New tie-rod ends Alignment New rotors and drums Maybe new calipers if it's needed Maybe new brake lines if they're needed also. Extra Stuff: Turbine Tech Frame Brace G13 flywheel Underdrive pulley New hose kit Possibly a new radiator if it needs it Sway bars if I can find them Front and Rear strut bars if I can get them at a decent price Basically, I want my engine compartment to look this clean: ![]() And I'd like the exterior to look like this one but blue instead: ![]() Of course, all of this will be determined by what kind of budget I have by summer, so some of the goodies might have to wait until later, but all of the big modifications will be done this upcoming summer. |
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| Reista | Feb 8 2013, 06:04 PM Post #2 |
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Clutzy Shadetree
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Looks like you've got a good plan made ^^ I'm sure it'll be the envy of all frugals out there
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| idmetro | Feb 8 2013, 09:37 PM Post #3 |
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That list could certainly take a summers worth of effort. Good Luck! |
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| Hydrojim | Feb 9 2013, 10:51 AM Post #4 |
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My dad was inspecting the car down in Tennessee and telling me what he found so I know what to expect when summer comes. Looks like it's gonna need a new gas tank: Anybody have any ideas about what I should do about this? or anybody with experience changing out the gas tank on one of these geos? He also said there 2 spots of rust. 1 on the driver side rocker panel and 1 on the driver's side floor pan but that they're not too bad. So it looks like I'll need to do a little welding or body filling, but I was going to paint the car and undercoat it anyway, so it's not a huge deal. Otherwise, I guess the car looks pretty good |
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| Hydrojim | Feb 9 2013, 12:03 PM Post #5 |
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Found what's wrong with the window. I might just pick a door up at the junkyard instead of trying to repair this mess ![]() Engine Compartment. Fan is ghetto rigged, so I'll have to check it out and see what it needs My dad says the exhaust needs a gasket, so when I strip the car, I'll decide to replace the exhaust or not. ![]() I've been planning out my plans a little more, and I think I'm going to strip the car down like so: ![]() and then I'm going to paint and undercoat it. I'll focus my funds into the engine and if I don't have enough for the lowering, ill save that for later. |
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| Deleted User | Feb 9 2013, 01:04 PM Post #6 |
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If you don't have one, get a Factory Service Manual. They are available on Ebay. You're going to need one. New fuel tanks are available. |
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| Stiffchezze | Feb 9 2013, 01:51 PM Post #7 |
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Sir Metrologist
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![]() Get a FSM (factory service manual) NOW. The BEST $50 you will spend on the car I PROMISE! (I can't believe I'm posting this ) You might want to get a Haynes too because it is a little easier to read for someone who is just starting out. ALWAYS verify any information with the FSM. There are inaccuracies in the Haynes. Do not get one without buying a FSM too. When in doubt, ask us.
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| Deleted User | Feb 9 2013, 02:00 PM Post #8 |
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![]() Test on Friday . . . |
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| Hydrojim | Feb 10 2013, 12:19 AM Post #9 |
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I guess my dad misses working on cars since he's been out of the game for so long. He just decided to start tearing into everything without me. Luckily he's only there for a day or 2. Sucks I won't be able to get to the car until late march at the soonest. It'll just be part collecting until then! Here are some more pictures: It's so tiny ![]() Exhaust leak was due to a bad gasket, so my dad tried his hand at cutting out his own. If it doesn't work, I'll just need to pick one up. ![]() Window regulator works fine, but the splines on the crank are all chewed up. Anybody have any suggestions? ![]() |
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| Stiffchezze | Feb 10 2013, 12:41 AM Post #10 |
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Sir Metrologist
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Link--->Walker Exhaust Gasket $3.99
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| Hydrojim | Feb 28 2013, 06:30 PM Post #11 |
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Got my Metro Factory Service manual in today. Definitely $45 well spent!![]() This is how I'm thinking I'll be painting the car. (ignore the poor photoshopping) ![]() That's all I've accomplished so far. I've been busy with baseball and the science fair, but after that I'll be ordering up some stuff in preparation for the summer. |
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| Stiffchezze | Feb 28 2013, 07:27 PM Post #12 |
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Sir Metrologist
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Now were talking! $45, a little on the high end but still well within spec. ![]() EVERY question you have about your Metro is within is pages. Do not forget that. I can't tell you how many times I have struggled with something only to find an entire chapter devoted to it in the FSM. It can be hard to read, but as soon as you can figure out HOW to read it, it is a breeze. Remember large parts of it were wrote by people who have never even seen the car! AND don't forget to ask us if you can't figure something out!
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| Deleted User | Feb 28 2013, 08:01 PM Post #13 |
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![]() Very true about technical writers not ever seeing the car. Reclusive fellows, the ones that I've known. Not to mention, there's the Japanese to English translation factor. |
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| Johnny Mullet | Feb 28 2013, 08:30 PM Post #14 |
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Fear the Mullet
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Must be a North East Ohio thing............... ![]() |
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| dayle1960 | Feb 28 2013, 08:34 PM Post #15 |
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Fastest Hampster EVER
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I wonder if you need to hit the upper portion of the wheel wells with an inch of black paint? Might set your two tone paint job apart from the other ones. |
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Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.












Looks like you've got a good plan made ^^ I'm sure it'll be the envy of all frugals out there





) You might want to get a Haynes too because it is a little easier to read for someone who is just starting out. ALWAYS verify any information with the FSM. There are inaccuracies in the Haynes. Do not get one without buying a FSM too. When in doubt, ask us.







7:24 PM Jul 10