1987 Plymouth Reliant Survivor

[@gyost8147]

Nice, these were great reliable cars

[@ronfountain8993]

I had a red one just like this and was feeling nostalgic, thanks for the vid.

[@jonathanterrebonne]

Cool black radio!

[@gyost8147]

Great original car. Hope you kept it that way

[@buckgonsalvez384]

The humble K car ! These cars were comfortable to drive and simple to maintain . I hope you get many more happy motoring with your Plymouth Reliant . CHEERS ...

[@onefortheroad2291]

Thank you brother!

[@buckgonsalvez384]

@@onefortheroad2291 I passed my drivers licence roadtest in a 86 Plymouth Reliant back in the 80s LOL FUN TIMES ! CHEERS BRO !

[@onefortheroad2291]

Me too! My grandfather took me for my test in his “really cool” 87 Reliant. Same color as mine but four door and column shift/bench seat. As 16 year old in the mid 90’s I had zero appreciation for that car and was just embarrassed by it. Looking back 25 years, it’s funny how things change

[@buckgonsalvez384]

@@onefortheroad2291 Likewise I used to laugh about the K cars back in the day but today (2020 ) I really appreiciate the K cars for what they were simple and bulletproof cars . I would not hesitate to buy and drive one today ( 2020 ) .

[@johnclyne6350]

That’s a rare sight to see? A K car with a never used ashtray & lighter. Most of the ones I knew of were owned by smokers. Hence why they had cavernous ashtrays in the dash they were usually choked with ashes & butts. I never owned one & only test drove a few. They were for sale & all smelled of cigarette smoke. That was it for me.

[@onefortheroad2291]

All my experience with them as a young guy was my grandfather buying a used one every couple years. They were ALWAYS smokers cars

[@johnclyne6350]

My boss & I flew out to a trade show in LA in 1985. He rented a Chrysler LeBaron & it was a K car. We drove that around while we were there for a few days. It was brand new & smelled like a new car. My boss used the in panel ashtray as a sunglass holder. I didn’t know what it was at the time? I thought it was a pretty nifty cubby to hold stuff because the car was a 6 passenger model. Years later I discovered what it’s true purpose was & couldn’t believe cars were still being made with that super size ashtray anymore?

[@marklucas3140]

I see one every day; but I'm a weirdo.

[@Marco213s.mexicanpower]

I like it.It looks like a Mexican notchback Foxbody

[@onefortheroad2291]

Never thought of it that way, but I can see the similarities in the K car and the Fairmont so yeah that makes sense! Thanks for watching!

[@JuniorFan08]

Back in 1991, the bank I worked for repossessed a 1985 Reliant. It was a 2 door with bucket seats and a floor shift. I have forgotten the circumstances concerning the car now, but it was in excellent shape with only 40K miles. The bank gave it to a dealer to sell on consignment. About 6 months later with no word from the dealer, they inquired only to find out the dealer had parked it in his back lot and forgotten about it. The bank retrieved it and put out to bid, sold it for $400. I would have bought it because I was driving a 1980 Impala with 115K on it but as an employee, I could not bid on it.

[@onefortheroad2291]

Damn that would have been a steal!

[@nonelost1]

@@onefortheroad2291 That’s exactly what I was thinking!

[@blue06lt]

My parents had a 1983 Aries wagon with the center console and even rarer 5-speed manual transmission.

[@onefortheroad2291]

Damn especially in a wagon, that is rare!

[@blue06lt]

@@onefortheroad2291 my dad custom ordered it with the manual transmission. It also had manual windows, manual locks, no a/c, and no factory radio. My dad installed a digital tuning auto reverse head unit in it (very high tech for 1983.) And it was a one-owner vehicle for its whole life, my parents owned it from showroom to scrapyard however it didn't even last 10 years and 100,000 miles before it rusted out.

[@onefortheroad2291]

Sometimes these cars got a bad rap mechanically, but rust is the main reason you don’t see too many around anymore. The supposed mechanical issues weren’t nearly as bad as they were made out to be back then

[@Channel-cm7yc]

That was most likely what would become known as an SE trim package at that time but likely not labeled as such. My folks had an 84 red woody wagon with buckets and center console shift lever.

[@marklucas3140]

I have a rust free '84 body that came from central florida. It was a Mitsu 2.6 car. The previous owner scrapped the motor. We're doing a 2.2 TBI swap on it in the near future.

[@georgewesterman8305]

THANK YOU

[@JVLIVSPhotography]

This was my second automobile. I had it between ‘94-‘97. Yeah, it gave me some issues, but I loved it! It was the ONLY two door I’ve ever owned. And it was my great grandfather’s last vehicle as well.

[@onefortheroad2291]

I could barely stand them when I HAD to drive them then, but now I truly appreciate it. Thanks for sharing you story! Please subscribe if not too much trouble, it’ll help the channel grow!

[@pl5624]

My father had a new 85 aries se that had buckets/console and 5 speed.

[@onefortheroad2291]

That’s exceptionally rare!

[@BMan100]

man that is clean..... the.. "Buzzer" for the door., not sure of that muffler position but goes to show you, take care of it and it will last...

[@onefortheroad2291]

Yeah the muffler was aftermarket and even had a chrome tip on it. I asked the elderly woman about it, as it seemed unusual that she would have something like that on there. She responded “I have a flashy personality” 😂. She wasn’t kidding. Her initials in chrome letters near the door handle, that crappy chrome stick on door edge molding, etc.

[@marklucas3140]

Have you bent it shut on a tight egress angle yet?

[@BMan100]

@@marklucas3140 no, but I own a scat pack challenger now.....

[@marklucas3140]

I was talking about the exhaust tip on his Reliant.

[@onefortheroad2291]

That was pulled shortly after the video was made lol. The chrome door edge and the letters as well. I wanted to keep it like she had it, but it was just too gaudy to deal with

[@DavidBonnstetter]

Beautiful! I have the exact same car. Bought it for my daughter on her 16 bday, 2 years ago. Been running good since. Recently had an extreme cold spell in Nebraska. -20 several days in a row. I had to go out and start the car for her. Took about 5 minutes to do. A couple days later she tried to start it, nothing. I went out and tried as well. I could hear the starter whirring beneath me, but! Didn’t sound like it was making contact with anything. Hoping maybe the extreme cold caused, I don’t know, maybe some of the teeth on the starter to bust off? Or, maybe an inner component on the starter not pushing the ?spindle? Out? Haven’t had time to get under the car yet. Hoping the starter is damaged in some way that it is still able make the whirring noise but not start the car. Would happily buy a new starter to keep the car alive. Any thoughts?

[@onefortheroad2291]

What a coincidence! I haven’t ran mine in a few months and the starter is doing the same exact thing! I’m leaning toward the starter itself having gone bad (the bendix that basically thrusts out the starter teeth) but they’re cheap enough I’d just get a reman starter before looking at changing just a single component. Let me know how you make out

[@DavidBonnstetter]

Thank you for the info! Definitely checking into that tomorrow. Driving to the kiddo’s and jacking the car up. I guess, take the starter off and take it somewhere for the bench test. Fingers crossed for a faulty starter!🤞

[@DavidBonnstetter]

Well, went and kinda got a start on removing the starter today. Big disappointment! Took me ‘bout 5 minutes just to locate it. Kiddo trying to help. Got the car up on two jack stands. Spent the next 2 1/2 hours on plastic on top of ice and snow trying to get the first bolt out! Ugh! Going back over the next few days to try and finish the job. I’ve changed 2 or 3 starters on different cars, each time, very simple. It’s like the manufacturer intentionally tried to see how far they could bury that sucker up in there! Hopefully I can make it happen next round. Happy travels!

[@shawneebonnstetter4627]

I’m the daughter of David Bonnstetter. We figured out the problem!!… Two teeth broke on the fly wheel. We got the starter out, took it to an O’Reily’s and an Advanced Auto Parts.. Turned out the starter was fine. My dad got under and looked again, BAM! Two teeth were ground down. 😅 He’s trying not to take the wheel out and we’re gonna see how much it can handle and how lucky we get with the starter… The plan is: Drill a large enough hole through the casing so I can start it myself in the event it catches the grind. 😂

[@tomlewis3658]

Wow, that's clean, & should be a lot of fun to drive.

[@onefortheroad2291]

Thank you brother!

[@vado575]

Beautiful klean k kar

[@BradThePitts]

WITH PINSTRIPE

[@marklucas3140]

Fancy meeting you in these comments!

[@vado575]

@@marklucas3140 well howdy

[@marklucas3140]

Did you read the comment from the tow truck driver up above? His comment said "CHEVYCHEVYCHEVYCHEVYCHEVYCHEVYDANGOLBENCHSEATMMMMMYSISTERSLOOKINREALGOODCHEVYCHEVYCHEVYCHEVY!"

[@marklucas3140]

Did you see CSX #719 is back up and functional?

[@luisalejandrogalvan358]

Nice The Reliant, Best Model Of Chrysler, Congratulations Friend!

[@BradThePitts]

Great video mate! My second car was an '85 Reliant K, gold, 2-door as well. These cars were fantastic in the snow - short wheelbase and significantly higher off the ground than compared to most passenger vehicles at the time. I got my car from a Puerto Rican guy from the South Bronx. It was pimped-out with sheepskin seat covers, curb feelers, and a statue of The Virgin Mary on the dash. It also had Jesus decals on the (flat) headlights with mesh wire protectors. Looking back, I should have kept it that way for a while LOL

[@onefortheroad2291]

That’s hilarious! I once had an 89 Acclaim that was a 4 cylinder, but the kid I bought it from had V6 badges on it, limo tint windows, fake stick on hood scoops, and at least a whole roll of that crappy chrome door edge molding. On the doors, wheel arches, etc. it stayed on there all of about 8 hours after I bought it haha

[@jordandarian4105]

instablaster...

[@mrhighway]

wow what a classic. I'm dying to buy one,

[@onefortheroad2291]

Haha you know most of them look at us like we must have lost our minds..”seriously, a K car??”. They have their charm. Thanks for the support!

[@mrhighway]

@@onefortheroad2291 They are classic a part of history. When i was a kid my parent had 1985 Dodge Aries K wagon, i use to hate that car but now i would love to buy one

[@onefortheroad2291]

Yeah that’s how it was for me. My grandfather owned a few of them over the years and it’s even the car I learned to drive on. Thought it was so lame wand embarrassing but grew to appreciate it for what it is haha

[@onefortheroad2291]

Dude that’s awesome! I wish I would have been able to keep my grandfathers old car. Put up some videos of it, I’d love to see it!

[@chevelleburke7252]

Im 50 years old that car reminds me of when i drove a old chev ramp truck how many times i towed them in the 80s it was a timing belt bad trans or head gasket cvc joints them and the caravan charger omni got laid in a few girlfriends granparents car lol i was driving a 76 camaro or a fullsize k5 blazer and a 69 nova 350 4bolt main cregers air shocks traction bars good old days ther was 350s 454 400 everywher back then roch clip fethers on my rear mirrror and my vanhalen shirt and mu mullett love and miss the 80s WHAT THE

[@onefortheroad2291]

Haha hearing you tell it puts me right back there! 😂

[@MyerShift7]

I'm trying to restore my '88. I'm from MI and went all the way to eastern PA for a header panel a couple weeks ago.

[@runforit420]

Floor shift - my friend's 1989 four-door Reliant (back in high school) had bucket seats and column shift! It was probably to use up the leftover parts as the Reliant was discontinued later that year. My grandmother had a 1987 red Reliant LE four-door. The '84 that she had left us stranded one time, and it had issues with vapour locking and causing it to stall. That car is in fantastic shape - was it from the south?

[@onefortheroad2291]

Thanks for the comments! I remember my grandfather getting a red 87 4 door when I turned 16 so that ended up being the car I learned to drive on. He ended up owning two more before he passed away and I ended up owning one of my own shortly thereafter. The two door cars were around but the floor shift seems to be quite rare. The reason I picked up the car was because of how clean it was, couldn’t pass it up! I actually found it in north Jersey which is where it spent its whole life, having bought it off the original owner. I want to get more videos up of the car but have been so busy with other projects that I’ve been using the reliant as a work car about 2-3 days a week. I do have some plans for it but my buddies always laugh not seeing the charm in it haha

[@runforit420]

The Aries and Reliant turned out to be pretty reliable vehicles as the model years progressed. The early models had some head gasket issues, and well, the vapour locking. That car is is phenomenal shape for north Jersey - garage-kept makes a difference. A lot of them of that vintage now have either a seriously hanging headliner or one that's been ripped out completely. My suggestion for a mod - turbo I 2.2 - that Reliant would fly with 146 hp!

[@onefortheroad2291]

I like where you’re head is at but what if I told you I have access to Tiii drivetrain out of a scrapped 91 spirit RT? 😉 Shhh don’t tell anyone lol

[@runforit420]

Dude - that's amazing! Swap the struts and rear springs from the Spirit too if you can, although I remember in a Popular Mechanics test drive of sport sedans (early 1990s review - sporty sedans are pretty much dead these days except from the Germans) wasn't very complementary of the Spirit R/T's suspension tuning. Is it pretty easy from a wiring perspective? I guess the whole wiring loom needs to be swapped out because the '87 has the logic module on the passenger's side and power module under the hood, whereas the Spirit has the SBEC under the hood. I would think that the engine mounts etc would be similar, since the block is the same (I think the 2.2 TIII uses the common block, which is similar in size to the 1981-1988 2.2 block???? (maybe the same size??))

[@onefortheroad2291]

Yes pretty much everything gets swapped over because of the sbec setup on the later cars. Everything swaps over pretty easily including suspension, the larger 4 wheel disc brakes, etc. debating backs and forth between swapping the 568 5speed or keeping and beefing up the 413 auto. I do have intentions of drag racing it so might stick with the auto for consistency even if it does kill the fun factor slightly. Me and my nephew have a long history with the turbo dodge cars including 4-5 RT’s so I’m fairly comfortable with the swap. Just gotta get working on it!!

[@DavidBonnstetter]

How do you get the door panel off to access the window glass? To put it back on track, or put a belt on?

[@onefortheroad2291]

There are a couple of screws in the door handle and then the rest of the perimeter of the door panel are clips that you pry out. Don’t be surprised if a few of the clips snap and you have to get a few replacements online. They are cheap but you will probably have to wait for shipping

[@DavidBonnstetter]

Thanx! Getting into it now.

[@jkay707]

I am looking for parts For a 1986 Plymouth Reliant k car If you know where I can find parts please let me know

[@onefortheroad2291]

Pickings have gotten very slim for them as most are crushed at this point to make room in the yards for newer cars. Depending on what you need, I would recommend carpart.com. It’ll give you yards with available inventory based on distance

[@jkay707]

@@onefortheroad2291 I need a cruise control box windshield transmission actually the whole windshield wiper situation

[@onefortheroad2291]

Where are you located? There’s one or two K cars at the yard near me

[@jkay707]

@@onefortheroad2291 I am in Ellijay Georgia

[@jkay707]

@@onefortheroad2291 if you can get the parts can you Mail the parts to me I’ll give you an address on this response later you can call 706-273-1221

[@jonnyfennessy9812]

Lol..my parents had same yr 4 door blue. 3 yrs later going to the beach? A.C turn on & the car shit the bed. Lol

[@onefortheroad2291]

Once I got it recharged the AC hasn’t given me any issues yet. Fingers crossed haha

[@marklucas3140]

Gotta check that coolant level. Overheating is the only thing that can cause engine damage under 250,000 miles in a 2.2.(not including clutch drops/neutral drops:-/)

[@trr5291]

It looks great. Reliant paint faded bad.

[@georgewesterman8305]

IS THIS CAR STILL FOR SALE

[@onefortheroad2291]

It never was for sale. I put up the video shortly after I bought it

[@frankburns8871]

The K-car saved Chrsyler. They were inexpensive, good on gas, practical, and I guess decently reliable, at least up to a certain mileage. But given how many were made, and how few you still see on the road, I'm thinking they must have started to fall apart relatively early. Like 60k-100k miles.

[@onefortheroad2291]

They were thought of as disposable so rarely did anyone replace an engine etc if needed. So they went for scrap and is why it’s so hard to find one in decent shape now. I can’t tell you how many my family or friends had junked over the years!

[@MyerShift7]

They're over 30 years old. I don't think they "fell apart early" at all. We had an '87 New Yorker 2.2 Turbo all the way to 187K miles and everything still pristine and functioning when traded in for a '91 NY'er Fifth Avenue Mark Cross w/3.8!

[@marklucas3140]

I agree with Myershift. I even feel it may be the opposite. They had some quality issues and technology limitations even though they had the ingredients for a reliability masterpiece. The wrist pin holes in the NA motors were sloppy. 1986 was the worst year for this because they made noise right off the line. They made an incessant klacking noise for 300,000 miles that people mistake for a rod knock. I really wish they had made more effort to waterproof the wiring harnesses, and heat proof them over the manifolds. Capillary corrosion starts to cause drivability issues as signal grounds are slowly lost over time. Eventually you have to replace portions of the harness and install new connector pins. I'm sure many people have given up after throwing sensors at the car again and again. Head gaskets were not the best in the 80s. As better head gaskets were developed, these cars were pulled out of the garage over and over again and resurrected after sitting with just the basic problem they all suffered. Seepage in the passenger rear corner of the head gasket, into cylinder #1.