Proud owner of 88 rt4wd..UPDATED more pics...

H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
in Rides & Builds- Civic wagons
Ok well I am looking and have found 3 wagons.One 2wd 2 are Rt4wd.If one is still available great. I have some questions though. I am like most limited on money and some guys I work with have said stay away from the 4wd. This being said is the rear problam I have read about that bad? What do I look for exactly. I need this car to run and not be down for any amount of time so I need some help from the veterans here. If I were to end up with a rt4wd (cant get it out of my head) If problems arise with the rear could I turn it 2wd and pull the drive shaft? All I could find was converting 2wd into 4wd. Not the other way around. Sorry for the paragraph but I need some insight here. Thanks
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Comments

  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Research buddy!
  • nwWagoRTnwWagoRT New Wagonist
    From what I've read in the day I've been looking at this forum. You simply need to loosen two bolts and flip a 'switch' on the trans to disable the rear portion. It will still spin with the wheels but the transmission won't supply it with power. Hope that helps.
  • dukevonDANKdukevonDANK Wagonist
    Some say no to the RT4WD for a couple of reasons.
    The first is parts availability from Honda, viscous coupler/rear drive shaft/u-joint issues are expensive and hard to find, they are wagon specific and RT4WD wagons are rare...do the math. But you have to have a real beater to need that stuff. Mine has 236k and i dont need anything but a newer motor.

    The second is motor-swap-ability, the tranny is key to this, and the only motors that bolt up to the stock RT tranny are D series, if you want a B series motor, you need to swap CRV driveline parts and from what I've read a big hassle, but can be done with some metal manipulation/fabrication.
    There are write ups though.

    I hope this helps you be an informed buyer.
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Thanks for the replies.Ive read and been doing research. Also the prices and rarity of that stuff is what they were talking about. The mechanic at the shop I work at,his brother works for honda and actually owned the only import shop in my area. Thats why he said stay away cause well money is a main issue. I dont plan on doing any B swaps in fact I like the 1.6 sohc dont ask me why I just do. Well thanks again and Ill keep ya posted. If anyone else has anything to add please do.
  • simplyhondasimplyhonda Council Member
    Do not shy away from the 4WD! I love mine and it has yet to give problems. I am limited on funds also but if something breaks, I will find parts to fix it. There is info on this site on how to repair just about everything on our cars including the viscous coupler & there are enough junked wagons in this world that you can find the parts you need relatively cheap. You may just have to do some hunting. Bottom line is its's a Honda! The most reliable car in the world. Treat it nice and it will return the favor.
  • AE86wagonAE86wagon New Wagonist
    Get the 4wd. If the rear is f-ed just pull the driveshaft and sell it to me :lol:

    In the event it's trash to you or you cannot fix it, the resale should be more or if you part it out you'll probably make out better!
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    There's a lot of factors here.We don't know your end purpose.Wagons are great.It's just a Civic except for some of the Wgn.specific parts.A lot of parts are just Civic parts.The Wagon 4WD is the Si of the wagonline.

    The only prob w/the 4WD is the 26 mpg mileage & it's 4WD drivetrain.I would go 4WD & when you can't fix it convert it to a 2WD.They're threads here on the 2wd to4WD conversion.Manual conversion isn't that hard.I don't know about the AT.
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Thanks guys, Hey ae86wagon are you just collecting drive shafts or in need of one. Unless its someone else you are always saying sell it too you.lol Anyway I think im gonna go 2wd. Dont have major plans just want it slammed some fatfives or blades and go with that for awhile. The rt4wd near me the guy wouldnt go any lower than 1800 and it needed work so im passing that one up. Off to bed I go ill keep ya posted.
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    You passed on a RT for 1800? IMO Unless it was completely trashed I would've gone for it.
  • AE86wagonAE86wagon New Wagonist
    No, I seriously need one to get this on the road, No hoarding for the wagon. My life is already f-ed from going overboard on AE86 parts. :lol:
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Serious,1800? Good deal? Well it had some rust , dented rear door still had the panel though, it had been kicked. 246,000 miles and third gear is notchy going in. That makes me a lil nervous. Couldve used wrong trans fluid but still. As of right now I have 2000 to work with but need to have some left for fixing gaskets, Changing timing belt water pump etc. if need be.Ae86wagon if I find something ill let ya know ive not be to the yards here yet to much snow still, and hope there not crushed yet.lol
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Clean title? That would be a definate plus for me. You take any pics of it?
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    I didnt even ask about the title.lol. pics Ill try and putem up.
  • AE86wagonAE86wagon New Wagonist
    whoa, this is the one you turned down for 1800? That looks to be in great shape!

    u-turn.... I say go back and get it. Maybe flash 1500 (if that is closer to your budget) in the sellers face. Explain you were a bit taken back by the cosmetics/mileage and you want to feel like you are getting a good deal too?

    And +1 for the brown interior, brothers separated at birth!
    Good Luck
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    I was thinking 1500.00, Ill see what I can do. Maybe if it doesnt sell he will go lower? I guess from looking on here I see all kind of good deals you all have gotten and I too want one.. I know im not going to get something for 900 or even a 1000 but that wouldve been nice. Ohh that one has a jdm zc in it. The tranny and rear drive worry me. If I spend 1800 on something and 3 months from now It isnt drivable my wife will kick my arze. I have 3 kids so trying to get something running is harder (or hunting down the parts) than just cosmetics. The interior color doesnt bother me at all. I like all of them.
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    When I got mine I got it for $1000 but it was salvage title and beat the ef' up. Suspension was shot, interior was filthy(had something growing under the seats, seriously) leaking everywhere. If this is the one you turned down than I will say you are turning down a golden opportunity(get it, cuz it's gold/tan lol). Anyways, I'd go back and show him $1500 maybe $1600 and see if he'll take that. Point out the door and mention how hard it is ti find parts *cough* *cough*. Than go home and let us know what happened. Good luck!
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Ok so heres the deal we arent getting as much back on taxes, but my wife still agreed to let me get my new obsession(dont even have it yet and already obsessed with her)lol. The thing is I only have 1500.00 to work with, so Im going to talk with him again and hopefully its what he will take. Wish me luck and hope to be an owner soon.....Really want to meet some of you at IA in Nashville this year.
  • SONY4059SONY4059 Band Wagon
    Hope u get it!!!
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Well its a done deal 1500.00. Alittle more than I wanted to pay but There is something about that makes it ok. I still have to pay but he did accept my offer and agreed too hold it for me, for another week.(until my money gets here) Unless he is a total jackass and changes his mind she'll be home in about a week.........
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Might have been more than you wanted to spend but it will be well worth it. These are very fun cars to have. Congrats and enjoy!
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Well I picked her up this evening and talk about fun to drive.will put more pics up soon. Now its time to hunt....
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    :mrgreen: :D Congrads :!: :!: :!:
    It took me 6 years to find mine.

    You're lucky!
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Thanks Today is the first real day ive had to mess with it. Went around took those seat covers out that you see in the one pic, I thought i was missing the 2 covers that go over the shock mount in the rear but I found one in spare tire well. Still need to finda another. Also missing the fuse cover that is under the steering wheel but no big deal. Hopefully putting some adjustables on this week. It has 13's on it which dont know what it will look like. I also hate those wheel covers. Found out there were speaker pods but are gone. Sucks. Well I have a qustion about my inside door handles so I will post that in the interior section.
  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    Here are some more pics. Any feed back is welcomed. One thing I did today was push ou the dent in driver side rear door and reinstall the trim piece...The metal isnt perfect but looks alot better than it did. Next is the rear passanger side(theres a small pushed in part under trim)226.jpg
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  • H_civic66H_civic66 Senior Wagonist
    230.jpg
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  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Looks good!
  • GizmoGizmo Wagonist
    Only thing the USA Wagons.

    i DONT Envy that interior colour :|
  • simplyhondasimplyhonda Council Member
    I like it! Another gold wagon! Get some wheels on her quick! Not a bad deal. Cash +trades mine ended up being right $1500 also.
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Gizmo wrote:
    Only thing the USA Wagons.

    i DONT Envy that interior colour :|
    I didn't like the tan interior at first either(mine has it too) but it grew on me. This is a very nice looking wagon.
  • RiskEverythingRiskEverything Wagonist
    That's because you're in denial.

    It's not tan, it's poop brown :lol:
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