Everything I've Done To The Wagon.
Every repair, every mistake, every mystery, and every small victory from trying to bring a 1985 Chrysler Town & Country turbo wagon back to life. This is the complete story so far.
Start with the bigger picture.
This page is the running list of what I have done so far. If you are thinking about buying a 1985 Chrysler Town & Country wagon yourself, I would start with the Buyer’s Guide first.
That page covers the stuff I wish I had known earlier: rust, cooling issues, vacuum lines, old interior parts, electrical surprises, and the little things that add up when a forty-year-old wagon comes back into your life.
This is not the highlight reel.
A lot of restoration websites make it look like progress happens overnight. This is not one of those websites, and I am definitely not that kind of mechanic.
The wagon is not finished, not restored, and currently believes transportation is optional.
That's okay. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is getting one more thing working than yesterday.
Current condition: complicated.
The mechanical stuff that decides whether this is a car or yard art.
PCV Valve Refresh
A simple maintenance item that was long overdue.
Complete EngineSpark Plug Inspection
Reading the plugs to understand what the engine was trying to tell me.
Complete EngineThrottle Body Cleaning
Trying to solve rough running and hard starting.
Complete TroubleshootingVacuum Line Spaghetti
The never-ending adventure of Chrysler vacuum hoses.
Ongoing EngineBoost Leak Treasure Hunt
Searching for lost boost and mystery vacuum leaks.
Ongoing TurboFuel Smell After Shutdown
Tracking down a smell that definitely should not be there.
Active FuelHead Gasket Saga
The repair I hope I do not need, but probably do.
Watching EngineTrying to keep the wagon cool.
Thermostat Replacement
The first suspect in the overheating investigation.
Complete CoolingCooling System Overhaul
A broader look at getting temperatures under control.
Ongoing CoolingThe electrons have opinions.
Dash Lights & LEDs
Trying to bring the instrument cluster back from the dead.
Active DashInstrument Cluster Adventure
Half the dash lights worked. Then things got interesting.
Published InteriorDimmer Switch Cleaning
One tiny part causing surprisingly large dashboard problems.
Published ElectricalPower Door Lock Revival
Forty-year-old locks rediscovering their purpose.
Complete ElectricalKeyless Entry Install
I considered adding modern convenience, then decided not to introduce new problems after the power locks started working again.
Paused ElectricalThe inside is becoming its own side quest.
Sagging Headliner Fix
An $8 solution that actually worked and made the wagon feel better immediately.
Complete Cheap FixInterior LED Conversion
The goal is to keep the original green glow, just brighter and more reliable.
Coming Soon InteriorSpeaker Grille Restoration
Small details make a huge difference, especially inside an old wagon.
Coming Soon InteriorDash Chrome Touch-Up
Bringing back a little luxury to the interior
Complete Cheap FixLooking better than yesterday.
Paint Mistake Recovery
The bad orange peel paint job came with the wagon. The sanding, primer burn-through, and mystery roof bondo are now my problem.
Published ExteriorRattle Can Paint Prep
Learning that preparation matters more than paint.
Ongoing PaintCan The Wagon Be Cold Again?
The long road toward functional air conditioning.
Researching ComfortMaking it less boat-like.
Coil Spring Situation
I tried installing coil spring spacers. The wagon disagreed. The next attempt involves removing the tires and trying again.
Published SuspensionRear Shock Research
Finding affordable suspension parts without accidentally making the wagon worse.
Coming Soon ResearchWhat has happened so far.
The mysteries currently occupying my brain.
Hard Starting
One of the first problems I noticed. Still gathering clues and ruling things out one step at a time.
ActiveCooling System / Overheating
Probably the biggest reason the wagon is currently off the road. This one needs to be solved properly.
ActiveFuel Smell After Shutdown
Not the kind of old-car smell I want to ignore.
ActiveSpeedometer Accuracy
The speedometer was already questionable, and the instrument cluster adventure made that side quest more complicated.
ActiveInstrument Cluster Lighting
Some dash lights were out, one wiring harness was disconnected, and the green LED conversion is still on the list.
ActiveGear Indicator Alignment
The gear indicator started catching after the cluster went back in. Old plastic gets respect, so I stopped before breaking it.
ActiveThe list grows faster than I can complete it.
Interior
Interior LED conversion, speaker grille restoration, sun visor restoration, and making the inside feel less like a storage unit for old foam dust.
Mechanical
Cooling system work, suspension refresh, fuel system troubleshooting, speedometer repair, and whatever the 2.2 turbo decides to ask for next.
Comfort
Air conditioning revival, possible R134a conversion, better speakers, cargo area power outlet, and the dream of being comfortable in a square 1980s wagon.
The real project car experience.
One of the reasons I wanted to build Broke Weirdo's Garage was to document the real experience of owning an old project car. Not the highlight reel.
The victories. The mistakes. The moments where you spend three hours diagnosing a problem and somehow create two new ones. Or discover the previous repair is now the thing that needs repairing.
This wagon and I are still getting to know each other. This page will keep growing as the story continues.
One more thing working than yesterday.
The wagon is not done. That is kind of the point. Every repair, mistake, and weird little discovery becomes part of the story.