Saab front end rebuild
- toxicavenger
- President Tranny
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Saab front end rebuild
My daughter recently got her drivers licenses. Since she grew up riding in our Saab wagon she decided when she starts driving it will be her car. This is tough for me because I love driving this car all these years. Three months after getting her license she got in a minor accident doing about 5mph. The person in front of her had a trailer hitch and it decided to destroy the radiator, intercooler, a/c condenser, a/c lines, transmission line, power steering lines, bumper reinforcement, and bumper cover. Luckily no one was hurt.
After talking to her and trying to figure out the best option I told her I could rebuild it. This involved me finding another 9-5 with a front end and cutting it off before the crush zone. I then drilled out all the spot welds on both cars and starting putting them together. One thing is the Saab 9-5 used a lot of the same parts for about 10 years. This made fixing the car easier imo.
One thing I could not find locally was a good front bumper. So used a bunch of zip ties and Jb Weld 3700lb epoxy with fiberglass matting to put it back into working order. This took me almost a month of gathering parts, and working on it to get it finished . I think my daughter spent about $500 on parts to get it going. If I wanted to make this car perfect I would have the bumper professionally painted. But that is not what I was shooting for. I just wanted to get it on the road asap since my daughter is currently working.
This was a fun project and one I was glad to get back into operation. Even at 201k miles it still runs great.
After talking to her and trying to figure out the best option I told her I could rebuild it. This involved me finding another 9-5 with a front end and cutting it off before the crush zone. I then drilled out all the spot welds on both cars and starting putting them together. One thing is the Saab 9-5 used a lot of the same parts for about 10 years. This made fixing the car easier imo.
One thing I could not find locally was a good front bumper. So used a bunch of zip ties and Jb Weld 3700lb epoxy with fiberglass matting to put it back into working order. This took me almost a month of gathering parts, and working on it to get it finished . I think my daughter spent about $500 on parts to get it going. If I wanted to make this car perfect I would have the bumper professionally painted. But that is not what I was shooting for. I just wanted to get it on the road asap since my daughter is currently working.
This was a fun project and one I was glad to get back into operation. Even at 201k miles it still runs great.
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- toxicavenger
- President Tranny
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- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
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Re: Saab front end rebuild
Pics aren't in order. Sorry about that.
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Website: http://smallwhitestubbies.com/
- toxicavenger
- President Tranny
- Posts: 48115
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
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Re: Saab front end rebuild
Mo pics
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Website: http://smallwhitestubbies.com/
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Nice work!
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Lots of work
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Nice work again! Next for you will be a YouTube channel. Maybe invite local parents over to show them how to fix all the stuff their teenage kids break.
- demer03
- Current Forecast: Vintage Doxa
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Re: Saab front end rebuild
Nice!
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
- Erratic101
- Posts: 2885
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Re: Saab front end rebuild
Nice job. I have an affinity for unique and odd cars, my son has picked it up from me. He just flew to Kansas to buy an ‘00 9-3. I think he’s overpaying a bit, but he really wanted it and he’s making it all happen.
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Damn T that's some project devotion and mad hard work. Great job. You are THE dad!
The Hapa
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Yeah, but how many bricks did you use?
Re: Saab front end rebuild
I've come to believe that first vehicles for teen drivers are donor vehicles. Meant to keep them safe as they get a handle on driving.
When my daughter took over my Isuzu trooper, I had wanted her in something big, slow, and safe.
She was hit twice (neither her fault) before the motor finally gave up the ghost.
Mad props at you car repair skilz...
You're a good dad brother.
When my daughter took over my Isuzu trooper, I had wanted her in something big, slow, and safe.
She was hit twice (neither her fault) before the motor finally gave up the ghost.
Mad props at you car repair skilz...
You're a good dad brother.
Greg
- gonzomantis
- Posts: 3423
- Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:40 pm
- Name: Mike
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Hell of a job T! I thought she was going to be driving a pickup, but I’m sure plans change.
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Wow T! That is amazing.
When my daughter started driving I put her in a 300E and the only other car she was allowed to drive was the Land Cruiser. Both big heavy and safe for a new driver.
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When my daughter started driving I put her in a 300E and the only other car she was allowed to drive was the Land Cruiser. Both big heavy and safe for a new driver.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse.
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Looks great T! Nice to see the old wagon refreshed for more years of service.
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Hey T, did you grab a new hood?
In the Saab crash pic the hood looks pretty wrinkled in the front, but in the complete pic it looks pretty straight.
I was just wondering if you were able to fix the hood or were able to find a paint-matching replacement.
In the Saab crash pic the hood looks pretty wrinkled in the front, but in the complete pic it looks pretty straight.
I was just wondering if you were able to fix the hood or were able to find a paint-matching replacement.
- gonzomantis
- Posts: 3423
- Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:40 pm
- Name: Mike
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Looks like a black hood on a blue car to me.
Re: Saab front end rebuild
My eyes must be tired! I didn’t notice the color difference until you mentioned it!
- toxicavenger
- President Tranny
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Re: Saab front end rebuild
yeah i got a black hood. my daughter likes the look of the black hood so it will stay.Ryeguy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:41 pmMy eyes must be tired! I didn’t notice the color difference until you mentioned it!
Website: http://smallwhitestubbies.com/
- toxicavenger
- President Tranny
- Posts: 48115
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
- Name: HeadDIK
- Location: Colorado Springs
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Thanks brother. I am a tinkerer by trade but not this in depth.
A shit ton brother. But I had fun.
YouTube? Way too much negativity there for me. lol
Thanks Moke!
Yeah I like odd cars. I think this is or 4th Saab. But no more Fiat's for me. lolErratic101 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 20, 2022 8:37 amNice job. I have an affinity for unique and odd cars, my son has picked it up from me. He just flew to Kansas to buy an ‘00 9-3. I think he’s overpaying a bit, but he really wanted it and he’s making it all happen.
Congrats on the 9-3. I hope he has fun with it.
Which dad? lol Thanks man this kicked my ass.
Thanks Lance! I hope things are good brother.
I saw that crazy ass video before. I have seen some crazy repairs when I lived overseas. That shit won't fly around here.
Thanks Doc. I remember you were holding onto the truck for her. Thankfully it served her well. Hey you need to come to the next GTG so we can catch up!!!DoctorC wrote: ↑Sun Nov 20, 2022 2:37 pmI've come to believe that first vehicles for teen drivers are donor vehicles. Meant to keep them safe as they get a handle on driving.
When my daughter took over my Isuzu trooper, I had wanted her in something big, slow, and safe.
She was hit twice (neither her fault) before the motor finally gave up the ghost.
Mad props at you car repair skilz...
You're a good dad brother.
Great memory. She was driving the truck, but gas mileage was eating into her pay check. So i got the "beast" to drive now.gonzomantis wrote: ↑Sun Nov 20, 2022 4:48 pmHell of a job T! I thought she was going to be driving a pickup, but I’m sure plans change.
I love some 300e's. I still want another one. LC's are way out of my price range.
Thanks brother. I hope to get at least another 5-10 years out of it. Take care.
Website: http://smallwhitestubbies.com/
- demer03
- Current Forecast: Vintage Doxa
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- Name: Mike
- Location: Lake Michigami
Re: Saab front end rebuild
I’m still mystified about what happened to Saab. I loved the two I had.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
Re: Saab front end rebuild
I think it was just the same thing that happens to many small companies that get bought by large corporations.
Their identity starts to get diluted (remember the Saab branded SUV’s toward the end?), they lose some market share, and the corporate parent closes the business when they fail to meet their revenue targets.
It is hard to predict an “alternate history”, but I like to think Saab would still be around as a quirky independent brand purchased mostly by VT college professors if GM hadn’t bought them.
I survived the worst car accident I’ve ever been in (hit by a loaded car carrier) while in a Saab, so they’ll always have an appreciation from me.
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Very cool stuff T. Way beyond my skill level.
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Chase after the dream, don't chase after the money
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Chase after the dream, don't chase after the money
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Awesome work T!
Re: Saab front end rebuild
Great skills Terry.
On a different note, my wife got a new Merc C300 with AMG accents (Brakes, suspension & body stuff) last year. Still recon our last 93t was a better ride on the freeway than her new Merc.
On a different note, my wife got a new Merc C300 with AMG accents (Brakes, suspension & body stuff) last year. Still recon our last 93t was a better ride on the freeway than her new Merc.
Strength is = 2 or > than "tipping over a so- called smart car plastered in “Coexist” bumper stickers".
Pat McNamara.
Pat McNamara.