New (To Me) 1987 Chrysler LeBaron

[fcasta308]

Hello TM community, I purchased a 1987 LeBaron last year out of necessity... at that point I was driving a 92 Camry that was on its last legs. The LeBaron is a 2.2L TI (I believe) with an original Garrett turbo and a 5 speed manual trans. I think the car spent its entire life in the rust belt as it suffers from plenty (though) not severe rust. The top end of the motor has been completely rebuilt, the turbo was rebuilt with the Mom'n'Pop 360 kit. Recently the self-adjusting screw in the rear drum broke and all the hardware was bent by the wheel... both drums and hardware AND rear cylinders were replaced and the car is back on the road. I had a cosmetic-only accident (curse that black Chicago ice!!), so the car needs a new front end (see Parts Wanted section...). I've heard great things about the TM community and I am looking forward for the expert advice I see from these forums.
My first question that I'm hoping someone can answer for me: Does a 88 Dodge Daytona front end (including fenders) swap directly to a LeBaron, or do modifications need to be made for that swap?
Second, my digital dash tends to fade as I'm driving. At start up it is always on, but progressively and intermittently while driving it will fade and come back, has anybody experienced this before? Any troubleshooting suggestions?
Third, I need a new windshield due to a small crack from a vicegrip incident (that I'd much rather not talk about). Can a convertible windshield be used for a coupe? Or are the sizes/shapes different from one another?

Thank you all very much for your time and responses!

[Gearhead24-7]

Congrats on the buy. Almost nothing more fun than a 5spd turbo convertible.

As far as you questions go, A Daytona front clip is not a "bolt on" swap. I'm not saying it can be done, but some welding and fabrication skills will be reqired.

From expreience, I'm willing to bet your positive battery cable is the problem with your dashboard. I chased that very same gremlin in my car for several years.

I'm about 75% sure the windshields interchange, a call to a local glass shop would be an easy way to verify that.

[fcasta308]

Thank you for the info! More than likely this project will have to wait until the summer but, seeing as how I've been offered a Daytona front end to replace my LeBaron front end free of charge, it'll be worth the effort. I'll have to take out the dash to inspect that positive cable. Since this is my daily driver I'll have attempt it during the weekend.

Did I read your profile correctly, you have a RWD LeBaron putting out 466hp?? Do you have a picture of it?

[RoadWarrior222]

Somebody did it a few years back to make a Daytona convertible, I think consensus was that it was "okay" but that the body lines didn't match up too well.

Can't seem to dig anything up about it at the moment, hopefully somebody else remembers it, so we get some more clues.

[Gearhead24-7]

I'll have to take out the dash to inspect that positive cable. Since this is my daily driver I'll have attempt it during the weekend.

The positive battery cable is under the hood, attached to the positive side of the battery. Why would you have to pull the dash to look at it? I'd just open the hood, it would be much easier.

Did I read your profile correctly, you have a RWD LeBaron putting out 466hp?? Do you have a picture of it?

Yea, got a few pics. There's a build thread in the project log section. http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/sh...ing&highlight=

[dwh4784]

I don't remember a Lebaron with a Daytona nose, but I do remember this.....the "Daytegra"....and in the Halloween spirit here's a link to a terrifying picture!
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_..._large.jpg?v=0

[philip1]

I don't remember a Lebaron with a Daytona nose, but I do remember this.....the "Daytegra"....and in the Halloween spirit here's a link to a terrifying picture!
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_..._large.jpg?v=0

its like an angry bucktoothed crosseyed thing

[martin kolner]

windshield is the same for coupe and convertible

[Dodge Aries K]

Out of curiousity, this doesn't happen to be my old LeBaron coupe, is it?

[RoadWarrior222]

Third, I need a new windshield due to a small crack from a vicegrip incident (that I'd much rather not talk about).

Ahahaa, just processed that. Yah, it's probably a home mechanics achievement badge that "Put vicegrip on too tight, ricochets round workshop when pried loose" just rather unfortunate that yours found something that mattered.

[fcasta308]

Out of curiousity, this doesn't happen to be my old LeBaron coupe, is it?

This is EXACTLY your old LeBaron coupe! Granted, the head has been rebuilt, the top end completely resealed. Turbo also rebuilt. Brake shoes literally dissolved within the drum, all of that has been replaced too. I hope you're relieved to know though, grandpa LeBaron is still boosting like it was 1987!

And yes RoadWarrior222, in an attempt to save money by fixing the hood lifts myself with the help of vice grips, the ricochet effect happened all over the windshield.

[Dodge Aries K]

Aww man, I'm glad that car is still alive. Next time you're up this way, I have a disassembled digital dash cluster that I was going to modify for a Dodge Shadow. Last I checked it still worked. You can have it for the ol' girl if your dash is having problems.

[fcasta308]

Oh wow that is generous, I appreciate that! I've ruled out the positive lead cable because the oil pressure/temp sensor/battery voltage gauge and fuel gauge, which are on the bottom section of the dash, those work 100% perfectly fine. This leads me to believe that the tach, speedometer, etc. is wired on a different circuit board. More than likely there is a loose or old solder there that just needs to be redone.
What are the odds you have a fender just laying around...?

[Dodge Aries K]

Fender yes, for a LeBaron no. Have one for a Neon and for a Caravan haha.

[fcasta308]

I found an 88 LeBaron at a junkyard with fender and headlight assembly in perfect shape. Now to pull the parts and bring them home. Does anyone have any advice when removing the fender from these cars? Any extremely specific tools that I'll need? How many bolts total should I look for? For anyone in Illinois, you know that the temperature just dropped to the 40's and it's a pain in the butt to be working outside. Any advice will cut down on the exposure time out there in the cold, thanks!

Also, the car has a digital dash, I may pull that one out and place it for sale, as long as the junkyard won't overcharge me for it!

[RoadWarrior222]

Usually they have at least a couple of bolts in the door hinge area, then a load of easy ones under the hood edge, maybe one or two under bumper or lower.... sometimes the scuttle/cowl has to come off. Sometimes there's one right underneath in line with the rocker at the back....

Those aren't LeBaron specific, just general Chrysler type places, sometimes they also have a kitty corner rod brace inside bottom engine compartment from back of bumper area to front bottom area. Also have seen a few crosshead self tappers under the headlight bowl area on some cars.

Tools, you'll probably just need 10mm and 13mm sockets, but extensions will be very handy for getting in behind door... might want a small prybar, some are sealed on pretty well, and just need a little help. Might need a crosspoint, think some cowls use them. Cheater pipe is always handy, sometimes with these fender screws, the ends protruding into the wheel wells are very rusty and you can be a while coaxing them out, and it's easier just to snap all their heads off by turning as if to tighten with cheater pipe.

[blk86trbo]

Hey nice to see you posting on the site...did you have any luck contacting the guy with the red Daytona for sale?

[fcasta308]

Hey nice to see you posting on the site...did you have any luck contacting the guy with the red Daytona for sale?

It took me a while to figure out who would know about that red shelby and my contact with them. But then I saw listed on your rides you have a 1989 CSX #382... I contacted the guy, he said the windshield is smashed in and I quote: "Because his son drove an ATV through it." He's firm on $650 but that's a bit much than I can spend right now. Also, I don't have a good track record with red Shelby vehicles!

I was able to get my new fender, thank you RoadWarriror222 for the advice, it cut down on the time! From the junked LeBaron I got some Infinity Speakers, 12 Button traveler, Digital Diagnostics, Digital Dash, and I also took apart the window motor since all I needed was the small gear inside. Good haul!

[Zoskalon]

Does anyone have any advice when removing the fender from these cars? Any extremely specific tools that I'll need?

Yeah, I got some advice: bring someone with who knows wtf he's doing. Lmao!




Glad we got all them parts, bro!

[shmedley]

Awww man Wish I knew you guys were going yarding, I would have tagged along.
Good to see you on here