90’s Marin Palisades Project

[Maxeysm]

Hello there!
I recently purchased an old Marin (Palisades Trail?). It is in fair condition with no major penetrating rust or dents/bends.
From what I can see, it is equipped with Shimano Deore LX brakes, front/rear derailleurs, pedals. It is also equipped with Shimano LX Exage 300 Crankset. 26” Araya Wheels. The grips appear to be new.

I have browsed another forum in which a user stripped down and rebuilt their Marin and it looked quite fantastic. I am inspired to follow a similar direction. I am planning to upgrade the components and would like to perhaps get close to “Team Marin” spec, for lack of a better word.
I was hoping to use this forum to gather recommendations on particular components, and to listen to the suggestions seasoned riders, or anyone who has rebuilt a older MTB.
I do understand that this bike was lower mid-level when new, but I am still willing to spend some money to get it to where it needs to be.
I’d like to use this bike as a commuter with the ability to head off the paths if needed.
Lastly, I’d like to mention that this community has been so helpful with advice and opinions; as a beginner, the information has been invaluable. Thanks again!

 

[12boy]

I found a 92 Bianca Nyala frame at the dump and although lugged Chromo it has a heavy frame.
So, using mostly stuff I already have, I wound up with:
A rear 6 sprog rear cluster 12-34
An old sugino crankset with a 40 tooth chainring
I bought $20 v-brakes and $20 v-brake levers which work well.
Used Milan bars from Velo Orange with old Ergon grips.
The frame had an old Suntour long cage derailleur which I cleaned and greased the jockey wheels.
A Sram 8 speed chain
An old style pin type seat post which I sanded down 2 mm to fit and the requisite old style seat clamp.
A Velo Orange leather saddle.
SPD pedals, although I'll probably go to flat pedals for winter riding with studded snows.
Kenda Kwest 1.5 hybrid tires.
An old style 1 in Al stem with a removable 2 bolt face plate upon which I have an old Suntour stem friction shifter.
A $20 Tange headset
All new cables and cable housing
It is very comfortable and while hardly fast, shifts and stops well.
So for less than $70 and parts I already had it is certainly good enough for me.
I rattle canned it with red primer and then clearcoated it after treating the rusty spots with rust polymerizer.
Here's a pic although in this one it has old steel flipped North Road bars and 2 in knobby tires.