newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

I figured after many years of ownership but only recently having the funds to mod my 2002 WRX I figured it’s time to make a log of progres. So without further due, here is the life and progress of Chompy T. Wagon.
The current look as of Oct 2017:








And now the back story:
In a former life I had a 2002 PSM sedan and an 83 GL 4WD Swingback.

The Fire Breathing Awesomobile;
(Owned 2008-2010)




and Pinion:
(Owned 2004-2010)



In 2010 I got married, sold close to everything I possessed and moved from California to Canada. After spending some quite time unemployed (due to immigration policy) in 2012 I purchased a bone stock 2002 WRX Wagon ...with a 4EAT. (Don't ask, the wife demanded an auto)

These are the pics off the on-line ad.










The initial plan was to just keep it stock until the wife got her own car and then sell it and get an imported JDM STi (Canada has them all over the place)

Well that didn't happen.
in 2011 the wife was going to school full time and my single income didn't go that far, so extra funds for the car (outside of maintenance) were not really set aside.


Winter 2012





The car came with 2 sets of tires, All-seasons and dedicated winters.






Then in 2012 my dad was diagnosed with cancer, 9 months later in Jan 2013 he passed away. Emotional I pretty much shut down and didn't put any time or energy into the car, I drove it to work and eventually drove back home to help out my mom deal with things.

The plains of Alberta - Summer 2013



Montana, just before reaching Yellowstone National Park - 2013




During the road trip back to California, I had tires issues in Nevada, so I got to spend way too much on some new all season tires.





More time went by where I didn't do anything at all to the car.
Summer 2014, took the wife camping.



I had some serious squeaking coming form the drivers seat-belt, so I took measures to address it, the belt was rubbing on the cover, took it off and trimmed it with a razor blade, then I was super-green




While not really a 'mod' learned how to fix the dasg clock, over time one of the resistors is prone to getting hot and melting the solider. So I fixed mine.



Then in late 2014 I got word my step-dad took his own life. The same week I quit my job to look for a better one... needless to say the drive (and funds) for
working on the car was zip. More tiem went by doing notign with the car. Paid a shop to do the timing belt, that was it...

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

Not much happened for the next year, went back to school, didn't really find a new direction for where I wanted to go, so I went back to mt old job.
in Oct 2015 I got word of an aurora (northern lights) event so I headed out of town and took my camera with me.

These are from that shoot.









I was working again, the wife was done with school and working as well so I decided it was time to do stuff to the car starting with cleaning up the damn headlights.



After that I gutted the broken oem radio and turned it into a storage bin. (used: glue, felt, thin sheets of modeling wood)

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

Then in the spring of 2016, a friend sold me a set of 16x7 Volk TE37s off a JDM STi for stupid cheap,

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

They don't look half bad.


Note: The tires were a 205/50/R16, not a 205/55/R16 like stock. That's why they look "funny".


Next up. I replaced the DIY box with a new head unit.



At the same time I covered a dent in the back with a much loved sticker.





I then noticed how messed up my fog lights were...




So they got removed, And then some time passed.. the engine started running like crap.. and it failed a leak down test. So I tossed it in my bro-in-laws yard as I worked a plan.



While it was in storage not being driven I decided to do all kinds of mods.

Hood struts:



Then bought a crap ton of stainless fasteners to replace the factory ones that are rusting away.



Got me a proper battery to get me through the harsh winters.



Replaced the OEM battery tie rod with a DYI aluminium one:





Got a 04 STi shift boot to cover/hide the 4EAT shifter. (This guy is a phony)


Then sourced a center A/C vent from an 05 Impreza (The cup holder I removed doing this was junk anyway)


Next up. the brakes.

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

Starting in May 2017 I re-did the brakes to the old thing.

(I ordered my own powder coating kit and use a small toaster over for my tiny projects)

Took off and re-built my calipers cause it's cheaper than buying new ones.




While I was at it, went with the old H6 rear upgrade.




Also cleaned up the inner fenders, a whole lot. also under coasted it all

Before:

After:


During all this, added some SS brake lines. They're cool I guess.



Looked nice when finished.



But the under carriage still needs lots of work... so much rust...

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

But first lets fix the fog lights:





There's quite a bit involved with this...



Well since the headlights are off lets see what's on e-bay...:



Even better than expected:



and since the bumper is off:




oh yeah the fog lights, let get soem yellow LED bulbs, but they don't fit, so lets make them fit:



now lets put the front end back together.





The fog light covers are by Grillcraft.


Oh yeah the engine bay forgot to mention that...
Before:


Oct 2017:



The big mods are:

SPT intake:


Rebuilt coolant tank:


And A/C delete:

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

I recently gave away my head unit and clock to friends. the bit that's where the clock goes was used by dealerships in 02 for gauges, but it also hold single din radios. I got plans but won't mention them just yet.




As winter came in this year I plasti dipped the wheels and spoiler when I put on my winter wheels. Deleted the rear wiper, and touched up the bits under the rear bumper skin.










I was in the process of deleting the rear seat-belts when I found some serious rust.




So I ordered and installed a rear strut brace to hold things together while I figue out the best/ most affordable way to fix it.

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

I think that gets us up to speed, I'm not sure what I'll do next, the engine needs to be replaced, but i also want to do fun mods. Got some STi Forester springs to install for a 1" lift. Got a set of new struts sitting in a box, waiting to be installed.

Plan on deleting the front sway bar when I do the lift.



But until then it's just hang out and think of mods as I chill with my peeps.

rallied out wrx

iTrader: (6)

interesting build. I look forward to seeing more.

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

Thanks.

stupidchicken03

iTrader: (38)

I remember seeing a lot of rust prevention and care on IG. But jeez I forgot you did THAT much.

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

I axtually have a bunch I didn't mention. mostly cause I was summering up a 5 year time line.


Restored the tow hook



Wire wheeled, powder coating then bed liner it.




Pulled the driver side carpet, cleaned up and rust converted.







While carpert was up restored and re-installed the gas door pull bracket (the bolts were replaced with grade 2 titanium)





Had to get custom wires for the Prodrive headlights



Got a new shift ****, despide it beig an auto.



Had to removes the hose for the rear window sprayer cause it was leaking intot the headliner




And here are pic of more of the rust removal process



I didn't get pics of it, but after the rad support brackets were cleaned, i powder coated them clear


And this was the old battery bracket before it got cleaned and powercoated

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

Cleaned up and painted the TMIC this week.








It's got a bit of corrosion under the paint, didn't want to open that can of worms by addressing it so just covered it for now. Just buying time until I can afford to replace it.

stupidchicken03

iTrader: (38)

fins look better.

Time to just get an STi tmic.

newyorkreload

iTrader: (4)

I'm thinking Grimmspeed.