The Master Wish List
Everything I want to do.
The repairs, upgrades, restoration projects, ridiculous ideas, and finishing touches I hope to give this 1985 Chrysler Town & Country Turbo, assuming the wagon and my bank account cooperate.
The Big Picture
This is the plan. For now.
Some of these projects are essential. Some would make the wagon safer, more comfortable, or more reliable. Others are here because I think they would be cool. This is not a strict schedule or a promise that everything will happen quickly. It is the evolving vision for what I hope this strange, rare turbo wagon can eventually become.
The first priority is getting the engine healthy again. I am not pouring restoration money into fresh paint and new woodgrain until I know the wagon has a dependable future.
Priority One
Make it run again.
Cylinder #1 has extremely low compression, so the engine problem comes before the cosmetic wish list. I need to find out exactly what failed and repair it correctly instead of throwing parts at it.
Resolve the compression problem
- Determine where cylinder #1 is losing compression
- Remove the cylinder head when the diagnosis supports it
- Inspect the head gasket, cylinder head, valves, and block
- Have the cylinder head evaluated by a machine shop
- Repair the actual failure instead of guessing
- Get the wagon safely and reliably back on the road
Refresh the supporting systems
- Replace deteriorated hoses and seals
- Make the cooling system dependable
- Inspect the turbo oil and coolant lines
- Address accessible leaks and worn components
The Expensive Part
Complete exterior restoration.
The exterior does not need a few touch-ups. It needs to be redone. Eventually, I want to give the body, paint, woodgrain, and trim the complete restoration they deserve.
Body and paint
- Remove the old woodgrain vinyl
- Repair dents, rust, and body damage
- Properly prepare the entire exterior
- Completely repaint the wagon
New woodgrain
- Install completely new woodgrain vinyl
- Restore or replace the surrounding trim
- Recreate the original look as closely as possible
Exterior details
- Restore the roof rack
- Polish the chrome and stainless trim
- Restore the badges and emblems
- Replace deteriorated seals and weatherstripping
- Add dark, heat-rejecting window tint
Rolling Stock
Wheels, tires, and suspension.
I do not want the wagon to feel like a modern performance car. I want it to feel like a properly sorted version of itself: comfortable, controlled, quiet, and safe.
Whitewall tires
- Install a new set of whitewall tires
- Restore or refinish the wheels
- Clean and polish the wheel covers
- Detail the wheel wells
Suspension refresh
- Install new shocks and struts
- Replace the old springs
- Restore the proper ride height
- Replace worn suspension bushings
- Refresh the sway-bar links and bushings
Steering and brakes
- Inspect and repair worn steering components
- Eliminate suspension rattles and squeaks
- Inspect and improve the braking system
- Get a professional alignment
Inside the Wagon
Make the interior feel loved again.
Seats and upholstery
- Carefully rejuvenate the leather seat
- Restitch the vinyl front seat
- Repair worn seat foam if necessary
- Preserve as much original material as possible
Carpet and trim
- Find cool floor mats that suit the wagon
- Restore the cargo-area carpet
- Repair loose, damaged, or faded interior trim
- Give the entire interior a careful deep cleaning
Comfort and quiet
- Reduce interior rattles and squeaks
- Add discreet sound-deadening material
- Restore the steering wheel
- Add a removable cupholder that causes no damage
Sounds and Electrons
Audio, lighting, and electrical.
Better audio
The wagon already has a visible Bluetooth radio. The goal is to make the existing system sound better, not pretend it is hidden.
- Install better speakers
- Improve the speaker wiring
- Reduce vibrations around the speakers
- Keep the installation clean
Brighter lights
- Install brighter headlights
- Improve headlight power delivery
- Install brighter exterior bulbs
- Restore every marker and license-plate light
- Improve the dashboard illumination
Electrical cleanup
- Clean corroded bulb sockets and grounds
- Restore the courtesy and cargo lights
- Make every gauge and warning light work
- Add discreet USB charging
- Add a simple voltage monitor
Because It's a Wagon
Build a tailgate-party setup.
One of my favorite ideas is turning the rear of the wagon into a removable tailgate-party setup. Nothing needs to be permanently attached, and the cargo area should still be usable as an actual cargo area.
Portable power
- Secure a portable power station in the rear
- Power lights, speakers, and chargers
- Keep the setup removable and safely secured
Party equipment
- Create a removable folding table
- Add a cooler or drink station
- Add rechargeable vintage-style lights
- Put together a period-inspired picnic set
Cargo organization
- Build storage for chairs and supplies
- Create a dedicated Wagon Party Kit
- Add a removable canopy or awning
- Make everything easy to load and unload
The Less Glamorous Stuff
Make it dependable.
These jobs may not be as exciting as whitewalls and fresh woodgrain, but they are what will make the wagon enjoyable to own and drive.
Under the hood
- Refresh deteriorated vacuum lines
- Replace aging coolant and fuel hoses
- Repair oil and coolant leaks
- Inspect the engine and transmission mounts
Electrical reliability
- Clean and repair grounds
- Inspect old wiring and connectors
- Make the gauges and warning systems dependable
Road-trip insurance
- Service the automatic transmission
- Assemble a wagon-specific tool kit
- Carry useful spare parts and supplies
- Improve reliability without erasing originality
The Fun Stuff
History, shows, and future adventures.
Preserve its history
- Find period-correct Chrysler accessories
- Collect original brochures and advertisements
- Reproduce the original window sticker if possible
- Create a restoration history book
Build the display
- Create a before-and-after photo album
- Make a Broke Weirdo's Garage display sign
- Restore a vintage cooler to match the wagon
- Assemble a period-correct roadside kit
Actually enjoy it
- Bring the wagon to its first car show
- Take it on a proper road trip
- Keep documenting every repair and victory
- Drive it instead of turning it into a museum piece
To Be Continued
The list will keep changing.
Some ideas will become real projects. Others may turn out to be impractical, impossible, or less important than I originally thought. I'll keep updating this page as the wagon and the plan evolve.