DRMORTY - Mad Max Wagon and how to use a wagon as an SUV

DRMORTY

Mad Max in Action



Yeah, this is "Dick & Jane" she was named by my friends a few years back. My friends used to tease me that it was the car you are meant to drive when you hit rock bottom(like in the movie, "Fun With Dick and Jane".. LOL, I never hit rock bottom! I just like odd cars.. and, looks aren't everything! She sure can be Fun & very useful!

1991 Honda Civic Wagon Dx Automatic

Upgrades?

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Multi-Point swapped from a Civic Si
Cold air intake
Strut Bar
A/C blows Cold.. LOL
Sony Radio...
Wheels Vary from time to time
Tinted windows..

Lets be serious.. She is a Driver! I don't need to Mod her all out.. She Rolls, She's Fun and I love her..

I will be adding a few things here and there for FUN! cause that what she is all about.

Pics from Way back, before I blew her up in the earlier days.. She was still ugly, but I loved her.



Then I blew her up! and there she sat for 2 years.. Because I have way to many projects

Well....
I had a little time..
And a few spare parts motors...

The last few months I have Dying to get her back on the road..

The first d15 no good..
The second not good enough..
The third was the winner... I did pick up #3 as a freebie motor (well kinda, it came free with a bunch of AWD parts I bought)

Here she is in her un-glorious state.. My 91 Dx


I thought is might be easier to just take the motor out.. And, leave the tranny in..


Motor #1 as I spun her, she clicked.. Not Good


Motor #2 The oil leaks didn't scare me.. The burnt valves and low compression did..


Motor #3 :roll: I hate to use it.. I was saving it for another car.. But desperate times.. d15b7 bottom (rebuilt) & d16A6 head (used, but nice)


I went and got a bunch of stuff for the motor.. I figure, I might as well make most of it New, while I'm there..

This pic is just for Bam.. Of all my parts motors, this is the best coolant tube.. and I refinished it to make it pretty

#3 is the winner... I really didn't want to use it on this car.... But, I will find more stand by motor..

I have been outta town a lot lately.. So, I am amazed that I finally pulled it off..

It had a Paint RED valve cover.. I wasn't feeling it..


I free handed a new paint job... then it fell and I caught the wet paint.. S.O.B... Oh well look at the car.. valve cover isn't hurting the looks..


I re-assembled and renewed a d15 and installed it.. and I am back up and running.. with a few bugs to work out..



My friend Craig lending a big hand..


She runs again!!!

Just have to work out a few bugs...

I am also working on my RT and other projects.. Soon! Oh yes soon!

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BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN!


I was reading through an old thread I made on another site, before I she was named "Dick & Jane"... From way back when.. and I remember I was gonna give it a name when some mods were done. It's time to change the Name to what it was originally meant to be..

Ladies & Gentlemen I would like to introduce you to "MAD-MAX"

And NOW in her new glory






And she even made an appearance at IA Spring 2013

Aaron

looking good man, you wouldnt happen to have any interior parts laying around for a hatch?

Zach

Good job. If I were you, I'd do a quick valve adjustment on the motor you installed, if you havent already.

Keep up the good work!

cstanya88

Keep it up man.. Nice valve cover

bam-bam

Nice! Is this one going to make the next trip to VA?

DRMORTY

I am hoping to take this one to VA for the next trip.

As for the bugs to work out:
-Oil light is coming and going
-might have a leaky heater core
-keeps throwing code for idle air control valve, but I have tried 3 and it is running perfect.
-would like to install the lift so I can up my tires a little.

Other than that, she runnig really good. W/ice cold air and hot heat.

H_civic66

Nice work, lol 3 different motors, glad to hear she's running good atleast.

The_Head

Yo Morty, Do you still have that sweet white hatch, the DX 5 speed?

DRMORTY

No white dx?
I have a blue dx & a white si.
Still got them..

DRMORTY

the worst part it that I had to remember the tranny kick down linkage.. I kept it automatic when I did the multi-point swap. Just had to get a PS9 Ecu from a 90-91 EX.. The linkage on the throttle body was all custom made..

DRMORTY

I got a Steel Non-JDM Bull Bar from an old member on here.. was mock fitting it on my 89 hatch just to see what it might look like.. I am probably putting it on my RT, but I may put it on the DX..

What ya think?

wagovanguy

That looks pretty sweet, needs some paint but still looks awesome.

DRMORTY

I just painted it with silver aluminum paint

dmoore0412

I like the bar. Who made it and is there anyway you can let me know the measurements. Im about to make one before i get hit with snow.

3rd4ce

DRMORTY wrote:

I got a Steel Non-JDM Bull Bar from an old member on here.. was mock fitting it on my 89 hatch just to see what it might look like.. I am probably putting it on my RT, but I may put it on the DX..

What ya think?

DRMORTY
I LOVE IT..... this is the exact look i wanted :!: :!:
wish my corner lens on SCRAPPY looked like that .. ( but it did try ..)

DRMORTY

Dick&Jane has failed me again... she wants to flash that little oil light.. just days before I leave for VA.. BAD OMEN... Your staying home them...

DRMORTY

For letting me down, I hope Dick&Jane is Jealous of my 89 Hatch (call her Gas Mileage / Little Blue).. She get to rock some Eye Candy and my both my wagons should be jealous...

1 point 6

Something about white steelies on that color that does it for me.

bam-bam

Nice. Why don't we just go ahead and convert ol' blue to rt4wd?

DRMORTY

I'm ready... Let's do it Bam..

DRMORTY

This is just an update on my car thread.. already announced in lift thread

Few weeks back I Finally Got to playing with these.


Cleaned then and through some paint on them.. No Pics

I started with the Rear
Passenger Side measured 26.5"

Drivers Side Starting measure 26" (low tire)


Installed!!!
Drivers Side went smooth..
Passengers side had me cussing.. LCA Inner and outer bolts snapped off.. Needless to say.. I was Not Happy.. Lucky I have spares & a little patience..

Drivers MEASURED right round 30" (low tire)


Passengers MEASURED right 30 & 1/2"



I painted the tops GREEN, so they'd show in pics. Top Hat is recessed. New Bolts are stainless with locking washers.




Right Now without a Maiden voyage.. I am sitting at about 4 Inches of Lift.. Which I suspect will settle down to 3" - 3.5" Inches of lift.

DRMORTY

Went and drove it to settle the suspension.. 3 Inches of lift is the final on both sides.. I can still fit a beer can.

Rode just like it was stock.. I will try to get the fronts on today/tomorrow..

(on a side note, I may have him start cutting another set at 2.5 inches in aluminum)

DRMORTY

Waiting for the Oak Trees to stop Dumping pollen on everything.. I hate this GREEN time of year.. The weather is perfect.. But, nature wants you to stay inside.. or make you suffer.. And, all my cars are green...

DRMORTY

Oh yeah, last month she made it back on the road

Pic shot by Pebbles & Bam driving chase car (Thanks!)

Here is my hatch, sporting some of my wagons goodies.. That may change.. might not.. This wagon is getting it's own flare..

FSC4wd

Good stuff. I'm glad to see someone with a DX auto wagon keeping it auto. I don't have pics yet, but I just scored a 89' DX auto(blue) that needs an oil pan and a lot body work for free(no one will be jealous when they see the condition it's in). I was planning on keeping it auto and swapping my old A6 into it. So you might be getting a bunch of questions about parts needed in the future.
Also, the hatch looks great with the RT rims. I really like the blue body/ white rims look. You're lucky to have Bam-Bam as a friend, just reading his exploits makes me get off my ass and get work done.

BillBoard

that hatch rolling picture is awesome!!!

DRMORTY

BillBoard wrote:

that hatch rolling picture is awesome!!!

Thanks.. My wife is actually driving.. Pebbles shot it.
I was leading in my wagon.. I should post some of the Go Pro shots.. it was on the hatch windshield.

H_civic66

Glad things are comming together again.. The hatch looks really good. I like low but all y'all gonna have fun in lifted wagons makes me want to as well.

DRMORTY

Oh, put a newer battery in her today... Newer one came from hatch I just picked up and old was was doing hard starts. That makes 4 for the core guy.

reno_hooligan

damn that's mean lift.

DRMORTY

Newer battery failed me too