Full scale car projects?

[Willy iine 17928]

Looks good @berman!  Clean wheel well is one of the critical parameters in detailing so this is good. 

 

 I usually just apply Aerospace303 on the wheel well plastic to make them nice and black, but I can get away with this because I only drive these cars in dry weather.    Nice work. 

[berman 5313]

Yeah I normally do that on Japanese or late model Euro stuff with plastic inner fenders, but with this being a steel guard and it being a washed out undercoat colour, it was very noticeable, like in this photo that a random bystander took. Very happy and made a big difference.

 

[Wooders28 4558]

On 4/14/2023 at 9:10 PM, berman said:

 

Looking superb! 👏

Usually, I end with more jobs, as the rest then looks tatty, and have to refurb wheels etc, but that's looking good mate! 

 

After my last post, I tested positive for the dreaded Covid 😷, so not done a great deal..

Before i fell ill, I did manage to dig out the ICE (still called , In Car Entertainment, these days??), as I'm going to be laying cables ,I'll tie the speaker, RCA ,and DAB antenna cable in with it (just maybe not with the fuel pump live wire, maybe get noise feedback?) 

 

And fit the speakers back, to measure cable length.

 

 

The Sub isn't the one I actually wanted. When I placed the order, the Alpine R Serise was out of stock, with no back order date, so got the Kenwood, as it was cheap, and the same size. The Alpine are back in stock now, but gone up a few quid, so I'll get this up and running, and see how it sounds.

 

Did get a delivery though, which looks like its had an interesting journey from over the pond 😬, half open, ripped and not a side flat....

But, surprisingly good 🤷‍♂️

Will need a tweak, here and there, but reproduction panels do anyway, so...

 

Plenty to get my teeth into, once I'm back on my feet.

[berman 5313]

On 4/17/2023 at 8:39 AM, Wooders28 said:

Looking superb! 👏

Usually, I end with more jobs, as the rest then looks tatty, and have to refurb wheels etc, but that's looking good mate! 

 

After my last post, I tested positive for the dreaded Covid 😷, so not done a great deal..

Before i fell ill, I did manage to dig out the ICE (still called , In Car Entertainment, these days??), as I'm going to be laying cables ,I'll tie the speaker, RCA ,and DAB antenna cable in with it (just maybe not with the fuel pump live wire, maybe get noise feedback?) 

 

And fit the speakers back, to measure cable length.

 

 

The Sub isn't the one I actually wanted. When I placed the order, the Alpine R Serise was out of stock, with no back order date, so got the Kenwood, as it was cheap, and the same size. The Alpine are back in stock now, but gone up a few quid, so I'll get this up and running, and see how it sounds.

 

Did get a delivery though, which looks like its had an interesting journey from over the pond 😬, half open, ripped and not a side flat....

But, surprisingly good 🤷‍♂️

Will need a tweak, here and there, but reproduction panels do anyway, so...

 

Plenty to get my teeth into, once I'm back on my feet.

Thanks man! I'm like that with the engine bay at the moment, I'm just trying to tidy it up. I bought an Edelbrock air filter for it, which counteracts the cold air the original stove top air cleaner was providing, but looks a darn sight better. I am trying to just get it clean and presentable.  The intake manifold (and possibly the rocker covers at the same time )were painted matt black and poorly without masking anything off by a previous owner, so I am trying to fix up the intake manifold, and either paint or replace the rocker covers. I don't want to get too crazy spending money upgrading this motor as I don't know whether I am keeping it (it's getting tired) or swapping it out in the future or what, otherwise headers would probably be next.

I Like the stereo gear! I have a basic mp3 (not bluetooth) Pioneer head unit and have replaced the factory 4x6 fronts with Kicker (DS?) ones, haven't replaced the rears yet but they are 4x6 too (and a pain to get to) and hopefully will get a pair of slim 8" sub/amp underseats. Would prefer Bluetooth hands free as I have that in my little city car, but it works.

 

 

[Toolmaker72 480]

On 4/16/2023 at 9:39 PM, Wooders28 said:

Looking superb! 👏

Usually, I end with more jobs, as the rest then looks tatty, and have to refurb wheels etc, but that's looking good mate! 

 

After my last post, I tested positive for the dreaded Covid 😷, so not done a great deal..

Before i fell ill, I did manage to dig out the ICE (still called , In Car Entertainment, these days??), as I'm going to be laying cables ,I'll tie the speaker, RCA ,and DAB antenna cable in with it (just maybe not with the fuel pump live wire, maybe get noise feedback?) 

 

And fit the speakers back, to measure cable length.

 

 

The Sub isn't the one I actually wanted. When I placed the order, the Alpine R Serise was out of stock, with no back order date, so got the Kenwood, as it was cheap, and the same size. The Alpine are back in stock now, but gone up a few quid, so I'll get this up and running, and see how it sounds.

 

Did get a delivery though, which looks like its had an interesting journey from over the pond 😬, half open, ripped and not a side flat....

But, surprisingly good 🤷‍♂️

Will need a tweak, here and there, but reproduction panels do anyway, so...

 

Plenty to get my teeth into, once I'm back on my feet.

Just a little tip for the rear speakers.  You need to separate the enclosure space of the 6x9 from the subwoofer.   Even better if the subwoofer has its own enclosure also.   
If left all free air, the subwoofer will be pushing the 6x9 cones and vice versa which starts to cancel out the subwoofer frequencies.  
The subwoofer if boxed will also give a consistent sound regardless of boot open or shut.    It’s yet another job but worth doing.   I’m doing something similar on a saloon rear metal shelf but using just 4” rear stereo speakers, smaller sealed enclosures and the subwoofer sound will be via a bandpass enclosure port into the cabin.    

[Wooders28 4558]

21 hours ago, Toolmaker72 said:

Just a little tip for the rear speakers.  You need to separate the enclosure space of the 6x9 from the subwoofer.   Even better if the subwoofer has its own enclosure also.   
If left all free air, the subwoofer will be pushing the 6x9 cones and vice versa which starts to cancel out the subwoofer frequencies.  
The subwoofer if boxed will also give a consistent sound regardless of boot open or shut.    It’s yet another job but worth doing.   I’m doing something similar on a saloon rear metal shelf but using just 4” rear stereo speakers, smaller sealed enclosures and the subwoofer sound will be via a bandpass enclosure port into the cabin.    

That's the plan.

Although, I'm going to be struggling for space, as I'm still needing room, to fit a pair of glass T- Tops in the boot too, (great British weather, means even if there's not a cloud in the sky, the chance of rain is never zero....🙄🤣).

I'm thinking, if I fit the enclosure underneath, I can leave just enough room ,to slide the T Tops under it.

I've made this out of 22mm, and a thinner 6mm one for above, to clamp the rear shelf, (cutting channels, for the ridges in the shelf) for strength, and to try and eliminate annoying vibration and rattles. 

I don't think I'll get the necessary volume (a 10" is around 30-40 litre?) , but its got to be better than nothing.

Not sure, if I'm just going to guesstimate, or if I'm better waiting until the boot has its carpet, and I've made a bag for the T-Tops (thinking or reworking ,a cheap sleeping bag?), and get a mm perfect measurement.

[Toolmaker72 480]

3 hours ago, Wooders28 said:

That's the plan.

Although, I'm going to be struggling for space, as I'm still needing room, to fit a pair of glass T- Tops in the boot too, (great British weather, means even if there's not a cloud in the sky, the chance of rain is never zero....🙄🤣).

I'm thinking, if I fit the enclosure underneath, I can leave just enough room ,to slide the T Tops under it.

I've made this out of 22mm, and a thinner 6mm one for above, to clamp the rear shelf, (cutting channels, for the ridges in the shelf) for strength, and to try and eliminate annoying vibration and rattles. 

I don't think I'll get the necessary volume (a 10" is around 30-40 litre?) , but its got to be better than nothing.

Not sure, if I'm just going to guesstimate, or if I'm better waiting until the boot has its carpet, and I've made a bag for the T-Tops (thinking or reworking ,a cheap sleeping bag?), and get a mm perfect measurement.

That looks a big parcel shelf to enable a 10” sub. What is the depth under it?  Newer subs tend to work with smaller enclosures but I still stick with 1cubic ft for a 10 to 1.5cubicft for a lower note but it does reduce the power it can take before it flaps around.  The other way is just box the 6x9’s and let the sub use the boot space.  The rattles and vibrations good luck lol. Keeping things sealed and well constructed is key.  Tiny air leaks whistle and very annoying once everything is back together.  

Regarding the T-tops,  why don’t you make something specific to hold the roof parts in the boot rather than a bag that can still move around within the boot space?  Just an idea 💡🙂

[wolfdogstinkus 1716]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:42 AM, Wooders28 said:

l.🤔

An issue to try and get my head around, is the side marker lights.

🤷‍♂️

Wondering if I should drill a 3mm hole in the marker, and fit a wee 3mm white top hat LED and wire individually, giving me marker and a working side turn signal?? 

American cars have turn signals!!!???

I thought they just made the horn louder.

You should definitely leave them alone and just drive straight..

[wolfdogstinkus 1716]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:42 AM, Wooders28 said:

l.🤔

An issue to try and get my head around, is the side marker lights.

🤷‍♂️

Wondering if I should drill a 3mm hole in the marker, and fit a wee 3mm white top hat LED and wire individually, giving me marker and a working side turn signal?? 

Please delete 

[wolfdogstinkus 1716]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:42 AM, Wooders28 said:

l.🤔

An issue to try and get my head around, is the side marker lights.

🤷‍♂️

Wondering if I should drill a 3mm hole in the marker, and fit a wee 3mm white top hat LED and wire individually, giving me marker and a working side turn signal?? 

I broke the internet 

[wolfdogstinkus 1716]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:42 AM, Wooders28 said:

l.🤔

An issue to try and get my head around, is the side marker lights.

🤷‍♂️

Oops massive postage.

[Wooders28 4558]

21 hours ago, Toolmaker72 said:

That looks a big parcel shelf to enable a 10” sub.

The rear shelf is part of the car chassis, so I'm thinking a substantial brace (?) underneath will help put some rigidity back into it, help reduce any vibration and more importantly, I had this wood to hand...🙄😀

21 hours ago, Toolmaker72 said:

What is the depth under it?  

Not a great deal, somewhere around 400-500 at a guess (really should measure it..) 

21 hours ago, Toolmaker72 said:

The other way is just box the 6x9’s and let the sub use the boot space

The 6x9's will be for the mid and treble tbh, they usually fall apart and just get noisy (?) when asked to do bass work, so normally set the speaker amp down on the bass, and let the sub do its thing.

 

21 hours ago, Toolmaker72 said:

why don’t you make something specific to hold the roof parts in the boot rather than a bag that can still move around within the boot space?

What I've found works, is using the rough part of velcro, and have that on the part you don't want to move. It grips the carpet, and stays put.

I have a B&M storage box in my dailys, which have the stick on rough part velcro out of screwfix , stuck on the bottom, even filled with a few tools, 12v air pump, 12v power pack, screen wash etc, it doesn't move an inch, even with my lead foot.

Might use a bit of fibre board or something similar for a base with the velcro on, and glue/screw/staple it on the bottom of 2 sleeping bags (need to measure the width, might get away with cheaper childs ones) stitched together. That would give 2 zipped, padded storage for the glass T-Tops...🤔

 

7 hours ago, wolfdogstinkus said:

American cars have turn signals!!!???

You're thinking of BMW's?....😏

[Toolmaker72 480]

400-500mm depth is plenty to box in the 6x9 speakers.  You need to do this as the subwoofer will move those 6x9’s and it will sound poop. Use a 80hz high pass filter on the 6x9’s to start with and tune until you have a good distortion free sound.   Then adjust the subwoofer to suit the 6x9 sound.  Box the 6x9’s from the shelf straight down and use the angle of the rear seat backrest for a little more volume.  Line the bottom of the boxes with Dacron wadding to adjust the volume within to suit the speakers.   Keep the sub unboxed below the shelf to use the remaining boot volume.  That should give a nice balanced sound overall.  Then adjust the headunit bass and treble afterwards to suit your music.

[Wooders28 4558]

On 4/23/2023 at 8:26 PM, Toolmaker72 said:

400-500mm depth is plenty to box in the 6x9 speakers

Not sure about under the 6x9's, as I've nailed in some 10mm steel plate gussets, to run 3 point inertia rear seat belts. I'll need to have a head scratch, and dig out some templates (aka, cardboard box), and see what I can come up with.

[Wooders28 4558]

Managed to have a crack at the split  intermediate shaft boot.

Couldn't find a direct replacement for the boot, but one for a Jeep was just over £6, so worth a punt..🤷‍♂️

 

Defo needed doing, boot was hanging on by a thread, and the grease full of grit.

 

The new boot didn't quite sit as nice as I wanted, so reused the backing plate off the old one, just forgot to fit it, before pressing the pin back in....🤦‍♂️

 

 

Fits! 😀👍

 

 

Just now it could do with a lick of paint, and the rag joint looks worn.... 

 

[berman 5313]

On 4/21/2023 at 10:43 PM, wolfdogstinkus said:

American cars have turn signals!!!???

I thought they just made the horn louder.

You should definitely leave them alone and just drive straight..

One thing that I didn't realise is American stuff doesn't have a flash headlight function, so you can't warn other drivers of gatso's etc.

On 4/26/2023 at 7:19 AM, Wooders28 said:

Managed to have a crack at the split  intermediate shaft boot.

Couldn't find a direct replacement for the boot, but one for a Jeep was just over £6, so worth a punt..🤷‍♂️

 

Defo needed doing, boot was hanging on by a thread, and the grease full of grit.

 

The new boot didn't quite sit as nice as I wanted, so reused the backing plate off the old one, just forgot to fit it, before pressing the pin back in....🤦‍♂️

 

 

Fits! 😀👍

 

 

Just now it could do with a lick of paint, and the rag joint looks worn.... 

 

Good job on the boot. Did my rag joint recently, apparently the solid XJ Jeep steering shafts fit my truck 🤷 your steering shaft doesn't look a lot different than mine.

I bought some squarebody rallys for my truck a few months ago. I had them sandblasted and have been painting them over the past few days. Couldn't find the exact paint I wanted but got a colour that appears very close. High build primer, about 4 coats of silver, two coats of black on the back and a few coats of clear and they don't look half bad. I found some center caps but unfortunately the chrome is blistering. I have some beauty rings but they are decidedly second hand as well. 

I bought 4 tyres as well as the ones on the rear of my centerlines are stuffed. I went one size wider on the rear and a lower profile, so I may have to get the lips rolled on the rear of the truck.

Just waiting for the shop next door to work to mount the tyres and will throw them on.

 

 

 

 

 

[Wooders28 4558]

2 hours ago, berman said:

One thing that I didn't realise is American stuff doesn't have a flash headlight function, so you can't warn other drivers of gatso's etc.

It's illegal to warn other drivers of Gatso's in the UK, think its a £1000 fine!! 🫣

Our 'Highway Code rule 110' states - Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

But aye, they pull the power from the switched side of the headlight switch, so high beams only work ,when the headlights are on. On my list for the rewire 😁.

 

2 hours ago, berman said:

Good job on the boot. Did my rag joint recently, apparently the solid XJ Jeep steering shafts fit my truck 🤷 your steering shaft doesn't look a lot different than mine.

Cheers!

I've done the rag joint since,  and gave it a lick of paint, couldn't not do 😏

 

 

2 hours ago, berman said:

I bought some squarebody rallys for my truck a few months ago. I had them sandblasted and have been painting them over the past few days. Couldn't find the exact paint I wanted but got a colour that appears very close. High build primer, about 4 coats of silver, two coats of black on the back and a few coats of clear and they don't look half bad. I found some center caps but unfortunately the chrome is blistering. I have some beauty rings but they are decidedly second hand as well. 

I bought 4 tyres as well as the ones on the rear of my centerlines are stuffed. I went one size wider on the rear and a lower profile, so I may have to get the lips rolled on the rear of the truck.

Just waiting for the shop next door to work to mount the tyres and will throw them on.

 

 

Looking superb, you've done a great job!! 👌

You can get a fairly cheap tool that you bolt onto the hub, and roll the lip, not tried one so not sure how effective they are though.

 

 

 

I was going to refurb the wheels myself, I built a shotblast cabinet to blast them, I did 4 of my brake calipers before sending them for powder coating, plus other bits and bobs, then some other parts for mates.

 

My compressor just didn't have the CFM to 'blast' for long,  didn't have enough of a venturi effect to suck up the shot from the bottom, so let gravity help from a watering can..🙄.

The 8x15 snowflakes aren't that abundant in the UK, but put the word out, ended up with 10 🤦‍♂️. Not a set though and all different colours, , bought as pairs or singles, with 4 turning out to be not 100% round either! Sold them to a mate, as he likes to cruise ,rather than get the hammer down, so he was happy to take them for the price.

Since I've moved house, didn't have the room for the blaster, so given it to another mate, and thinking I'm just sending them away for refurb, bit they're wanting £100 each 😳😬

The 6 I have left, believe 3 are early wheels, and 3 later wheels (slightly different thickness spokes), but hoping once refurbed, 2 on one side and 2 on the other, and no one but a pure TransAm geek will notice 🙄😏

 

 

 

Early on in the week, i saw a post on an American car page on FB ,someone down south had got new rear cards and was getting rid of his old ones. I messaged to say I was up in Glasgow, would he post etc. Turned out he was from Glasgow, and was heading up midweek working/seeing family , so met him at a services, and got better ones than mine, Result!! 😁 (still need work though, but a better starting point).

 

[AshRC 212]

Looks like you’ve done all the hard work for those wheels. £100 a corner is too much, I think you should do them yourself. A few years ago I bought some knackered Audi wheels and spent the winter sanding, filling and painting them. It did take a lot of time but it’s easy work and quite therapeutic. I think I spent about £45 on materials. Definitely better than £400 on refurb.

[87lc2 2575]

The Jeep steering shaft is an awesome upgrade and makes a huge difference.  Put one on my 87 Grand National about 10 years ago and it made such a difference.  

[berman 5313]

12 hours ago, Wooders28 said:

It's illegal to warn other drivers of Gatso's in the UK, think its a £1000 fine!! 🫣

Our 'Highway Code rule 110' states - Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

But aye, they pull the power from the switched side of the headlight switch, so high beams only work ,when the headlights are on. On my list for the rewire 😁.

 

Cheers!

I've done the rag joint since,  and gave it a lick of paint, couldn't not do 😏

 

 

Looking superb, you've done a great job!! 👌

You can get a fairly cheap tool that you bolt onto the hub, and roll the lip, not tried one so not sure how effective they are though.

 

 

 

I was going to refurb the wheels myself, I built a shotblast cabinet to blast them, I did 4 of my brake calipers before sending them for powder coating, plus other bits and bobs, then some other parts for mates.

 

My compressor just didn't have the CFM to 'blast' for long,  didn't have enough of a venturi effect to suck up the shot from the bottom, so let gravity help from a watering can..🙄.

The 8x15 snowflakes aren't that abundant in the UK, but put the word out, ended up with 10 🤦‍♂️. Not a set though and all different colours, , bought as pairs or singles, with 4 turning out to be not 100% round either! Sold them to a mate, as he likes to cruise ,rather than get the hammer down, so he was happy to take them for the price.

Since I've moved house, didn't have the room for the blaster, so given it to another mate, and thinking I'm just sending them away for refurb, bit they're wanting £100 each 😳😬

The 6 I have left, believe 3 are early wheels, and 3 later wheels (slightly different thickness spokes), but hoping once refurbed, 2 on one side and 2 on the other, and no one but a pure TransAm geek will notice 🙄😏

 

 

 

Early on in the week, i saw a post on an American car page on FB ,someone down south had got new rear cards and was getting rid of his old ones. I messaged to say I was up in Glasgow, would he post etc. Turned out he was from Glasgow, and was heading up midweek working/seeing family , so met him at a services, and got better ones than mine, Result!! 😁 (still need work though, but a better starting point).

 

Yeah same here in NZ, any flashing (of headlights you bunch of sickos) to warn others of any police presence is illegal here, we wouldn't want people to slow down, just pay the revenue, right?

You've done a nice job on that steering shaft, looks good all tidied up and painted 👍

I like what youve done with the wheels. I looked into buying a sand blasting box but like you, I knew my compressor wouldnt support it. Watched youtube for gravity home jobs and it looked labourous considering how much I had to do (quite pitted) and when i went and got a quote, he charged me $220NZD (£110) to do the fronts and backs of all four. 

10 hours ago, 87lc2 said:

The Jeep steering shaft is an awesome upgrade and makes a huge difference.  Put one on my 87 Grand National about 10 years ago and it made such a difference.  

It's something I'm looking into later, either that or the Cunningham Machine one 👍

[Wooders28 4558]

21 hours ago, AshRC said:

Looks like you’ve done all the hard work for those wheels. £100 a corner is too much, I think you should do them yourself. A few years ago I bought some knackered Audi wheels and spent the winter sanding, filling and painting them. It did take a lot of time but it’s easy work and quite therapeutic. I think I spent about £45 on materials. Definitely better than £400 on refurb.

That was my original plan, but ,there's no way I could get a diamond cut polish , as good as a company with a CNC machine for the job. The wheels and paint are THE most crucial part of making a car look pretty.

I did my old 306 GTI-6 wheels myself, using a pressure washer sand blast kit, (back garden looked like blackpool beach..😬 ⛱️ ), and sprayed them 2pk Ford Strato silver and a loads of 2pk clear coats, and they looked great, but these snowflakes are slightly more, involving(?)...

This is the look I'm going for - 

Going with Audi Sepang metallic blue for the body though, sprayed the dash in the colour, myself so far...

 

When I've spent a small flat in Glasgow on it so far (obviously joking if my wife's reading this....🙄), getting the tyres fitted is around £20 a tyre, and could earn the money doing overtime ,quicker than messing about with the wheels myself, makes sense to get someone else to do it..

[AshRC 212]

Ah, diamond cut … say no more.

I had a GTi-6 for a long time, great cars. Many happy memories from owning that.

[berman 5313]

If that's the end result, @Wooders28.. that's going to look gorgeous 

Got my tyres fitted. I tried one of the beauty rings and the center caps on one wheel and I'm not sure, kind of like the raw look of a silver painted steelie at the moment 🤔😄

Funny thing is, I was actually considering painting the wheels gloss black and just running the center caps, so it had that Nascar (or squad car lol) look. Did a poll on FB with pics of both and majority said do them silver.

Have to get the rear guards rolled because the offset is lower on these wheels an I put a wider tyre on the rear. 

 

 

 

[Wooders28 4558]

15 hours ago, berman said:

I tried one of the beauty rings and the center caps on one wheel and I'm not sure, kind of like the raw look of a silver painted steelie at the moment 🤔😄

Must admit, they do make it look a bit... Farm Truck? Kind of expect it to roll up next to you at the lights, and purge the nitrous..😏

[berman 5313]

22 hours ago, Wooders28 said:

Must admit, they do make it look a bit... Farm Truck? Kind of expect it to roll up next to you at the lights, and purge the nitrous..😏

Yeah they certainly looks a little agricultural. I quite like the old school bigger sidewall, white lettering type look. Unfortunately the 'in a perfect world' wheels I really want are 18x10 and 18x12 and stupid expensive.

I put the center caps on, and I must say, I like these far better than the Centerlines I had on previously...

Now I just have to roll the rear lips with a rubber mallet and a heat gun, called a guy that does them professionally and he won't touch it because they are double lipped.