2001 Bonneville SSEI

[01WHTRNGR]

Figured I never got around to doing a thread on my ranger before timing guides went out, I might as well do one on my new rig. It's a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI with all the options. Picked it up for $3500 with 131k miles. I overpaid, but I wanted the supercharged 3800 and it was the lowest mileage one I could fine. Needs a new front bumper cover, but besides that it isn't too bad. Has some hail damage but you can't tell unless its close. There's a Bonneville GXP in a junkyard near me I'm planning on stripping this weekend for parts. Plans for the car are to just clean it up good and wait until summer to mess with the engine. With my ranger having timing chain guide problems, and my other car cracking the block I figure I need something reliable.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Figured I never got around to doing a thread on my ranger before timing guides went out, I might as well do one on my new rig. It's a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI with all the options. Picked it up for $3500 with 131k miles. I overpaid, but I wanted the supercharged 3800 and it was the lowest mileage one I could fine. Needs a new front bumper cover, but besides that it isn't too bad. Has some hail damage but you can't tell unless its close. There's a Bonneville GXP in a junkyard near me I'm planning on stripping this weekend for parts. Plans for the car are to just clean it up good and wait until summer to mess with the engine. With my ranger having timing chain guide problems, and my other car cracking the block I figure I need something reliable.

My buddy had a riveria with a SC 3.8. Besides oil leaks and shit he drove it 90 mi a day for 4 or 5 yrs untill it got tottalled with no trouble

 

[01WHTRNGR]

That's what I'm hoping. I only need it to last until I graduate college, but it'd be nice if it lasts a whole lot longer. I'm pretty happy with cheap insurance and no car payment.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

We had one for a loaner at work at my last job during the height of the pandemic. At one point we were down to that gem and a '99 Intrepid.

The GM opened it up once on the highway and terrified himself... he swore the front end was going to fall out from under it. Had to be careful how they lifted it because it had weight reduction underneath...

 

[Blmpkn]

Yeap, the GM 3800 is a cockroach of a motor. 50 years is a damn impressive run.. they started putting it in stuff in the early 60s and didn't stop until 2008.

 

[Shran]

Those were excellent 200,000 mile cars. That was about as long as they lasted out here before they died from rust or neglect on the rez.... a LOT of those cars and Tauruses ended up down in Pine Ridge or Rosebud. Kind of funny driving through there and seeing a house with a whole line of dead Pontiacs - they probably laugh when driving past my house and seeing a line of Rangers.

Intake gaskets were the main problem on those. Some combination of neglect, Dex-cool and a poor part design caused problems.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Those were excellent 200,000 mile cars. That was about as long as they lasted out here before they died from rust or neglect on the rez.... a LOT of those cars and Tauruses ended up down in Pine Ridge or Rosebud. Kind of funny driving through there and seeing a house with a whole line of dead Pontiacs - they probably laugh when driving past my house and seeing a line of Rangers.

Intake gaskets were the main problem on those. Some combination of neglect, Dex-cool and a poor part design caused problems.

We replaced a lot of plastic coolant tubes on them.

And we were CDJR dealership...

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Junkyard had a Bonneville GXP, so I went there this past weekend and stripped it. Got a new passenger side mirror. The previous owner of mine must have replaced it before, but had used screws to hold it on. Got all the carbon fiber trim, chrome handles, and chrome shifter knob from it. Grabbed the taillights from it annd swapped them in. Also found some rubber floor mats which i prefer to run in winter. I really wanted the white gauge cluster but somebody beat me to it. In my Ranger I swapped in a gauge cluster and I love the way it looks, especially with both vehicles having a white exterior.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Got my cb mount, just waiting for my antenna now. I decided on an NMO mount, versus the fender mount I used in the Ranger. I’m taking the cb out of my Ranger, because I don’t know when I’ll have time to get it running again.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Got the CB antenna hooked up and coax ran, just need to throw in the CB from my Ranger. Used a permanent NMO mount about 6' from the rear window. I have a sunroof so couldn't go dead center. Used a Browning 49" antenna. Hoping for a lot better performance than the 3' firestik on my pickup.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Figured I should get some pictures in here. Don't have many pictures of the car, haven't taken it out for a photoshoot yet. Also some pics of my Ranger because I’ve never shown it off. Also has an Explorer interior, overhead console, and rearview mirror(auto dimming and headlights). Not rust on it, just dirty

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Ordered 3 window regulators and new rear shocks. Front passenger window is the only one that currently works

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Got my rear shocks replaced. Makes a huge difference. Who knew cars are supposed to be smoother than pickups? Not sure my auto leveling is working, gotta test that sometime.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Took it on a 20 hour trip this weekend. Handled good and got 27 mpg. Went to the city tonight to get my technician license for ham radio and smoked a deer going 80. About best case scenario, I’m alright and the car isn’t too damaged.

 

[bobbywalter]

bummer