So the daughter wanted a Cruiser Ute for her first car - great choice but a little hard on the pocket. We ended up with a Hilux - a nice single cab maintenance ute that came up for the cost of a favour. Bit of a dog but a good start:
Next she really wanted to be able to camp in it as she likes to get out in the bush - googling only made her want a tub - now there is "rare as rocking horse poo" and then there is unicorn poo - found one straight as 4 hours down the road - couldn't believe my luck:
Then I taught her how to use tools and store nuts and bolts etc - her job was to pull the interior out using the 22 pages of workshop manual - a few hours later I check on her and its looking good - dash and all interior stripped for cleaning:
The paint work had a few dents, scratches and covered in weld and grind splatter - not a simple job of polish her up - next job - paint, so with the help of a good mate we started in on it. It was amazing the amount of panel damage when you get started - the roof was like a trampoline:
Whilst the paint was being sorted we were worried a bit out the quality of the mechanicals - needed a new clutch so when I was offered a new recond engine with a new turbo from a reconditioning mate for $2k we decided that the engine needed to come out to fit the clutch
:
Painting was done by this stage and it started look pretty sweet - we started to chuck the interior back in. When the daughter was happy to replace the three seat bench arrangement with a bucket arrangement I was more than happy to spring for a set of 2014 buckets - one less teenage idiot in the car right?. New carpet, hood lining and some bling items and it was looking schmik:
The missus got involved at this stage and said something like "whilst the tub is off you might as well fit whatever else you need to fit......" - Don't mind if I do said the daughter. Opposite lock were having an overstocked sale up this way - the results of that trip and others is:
3" exhaust fitted - as it is easier to fit whilst tub off
Side step protection from a dual cab - only minor mods to make em fit:
Long range tank - definitely easier to fit whilst off:
So last weekend we finally got around to bolting the tub and wheels on and for a 4x4 single cab I think the girl is going to be happy with her new ride as it looks pretty sweet even not being finished:
Other works being attempted are:
Front mount intercooler from scratch (she may be a good alloy welder by the end of this project)
Front and rear protection bars (MCC rocker)
Canopy
Dual Battery tray
Compressor and Tank to tub
Drawers
Fridge Slide
EGT / Boost gauge install
Usual spotlights and reverse camera
Mik gets her license in March 16 so we have a deadline as her first trip is five rocks, Byfield over easter followed by mid year holiday trip to the cape - I reckon that should get her hours up....... probably have to take lots of pics to prove her logbook to the DOT!
, awesome job, you's sound pretty knowledgeable and good to see her really involved in the build.
