So...I made some "Bunnings Flex" flares out of garde edging I got from Bunnings. There seems to be much more clearance now and the tyres are better covered. Much better for avoiding attention from the boys in blue.
"Bunnings Flex"
After getting the big Cooper tyres, I was concerned about the flares being too small. They were very close to the tyres and were also not quite sticking out enough to properly cover the new tyres.
So...I made some "Bunnings Flex" flares out of garde edging I got from Bunnings. There seems to be much more clearance now and the tyres are better covered. Much better for avoiding attention from the boys in blue.
So...I made some "Bunnings Flex" flares out of garde edging I got from Bunnings. There seems to be much more clearance now and the tyres are better covered. Much better for avoiding attention from the boys in blue.
New Tyres
I got the new Tyres fitted yesterday. Finally she's starting to look like a respectable off road machine. And...with those 33", she should start performing like one too.
Oh..and the wheels...I painted them Black. I used VHT wheel paint. I used a wire brish to clean the wheels up, then sanded them.....then about 3 coats of filler-primer...then 4 coats of black and 2 coats of clear. I was faitly happy with how they came up. Oh...tip of the week....wear a proper respirator when using spray paints....I didn't and I though I had enough ventilation....I felt crap all of the next day.
I still have a small issue to sort out with the suspension but overall I am happy with the progress to date.
I may have to change the flares though...they are a bit close to the tyres and I am not sure if they stick out enough.
Oh..and the wheels...I painted them Black. I used VHT wheel paint. I used a wire brish to clean the wheels up, then sanded them.....then about 3 coats of filler-primer...then 4 coats of black and 2 coats of clear. I was faitly happy with how they came up. Oh...tip of the week....wear a proper respirator when using spray paints....I didn't and I though I had enough ventilation....I felt crap all of the next day.
I still have a small issue to sort out with the suspension but overall I am happy with the progress to date.
I may have to change the flares though...they are a bit close to the tyres and I am not sure if they stick out enough.
Suspension Done
The suspension upgrade is finally done. In the end it all came together well. Thanks heaps to my mate Nudge who helped out with the install. Also thanks again to Zordo who supplied the kit.
The suspension seems fine although the front is a little bouncy. I guess that's just because of the heavy duty leafs I put in the front. It should all settle in after a few runs.
Next some the tyres. I have made the booking for Saturday for a set of Cooper ST's. I can't wait. In the mean time, I will be getting the wheels ready for their new rubber.
Before
After
The suspension seems fine although the front is a little bouncy. I guess that's just because of the heavy duty leafs I put in the front. It should all settle in after a few runs.
Next some the tyres. I have made the booking for Saturday for a set of Cooper ST's. I can't wait. In the mean time, I will be getting the wheels ready for their new rubber.
Before
After
Suspension - Part 1
We had a go at installing the suspension on Sunday. This took way longer than expected, largely to the sheer amount of build up crap on the underside of the car. We also had problems with the bushes on the rear passenger side. So...as a result only 3 of the springs are in and the whole system still needs tightening up and greasing. That will have to wait 'till next weekend.
The wheels are coming along ok. More paint is coming off. I plan to get in and tackle that a bit more on a couple of evenings this week.
Oh...and the carport is done (I think). The drainage pipe is up and it has been tapped into the storm water.
I am a bit annoyed that I didn't get the suspension finished on the weekend but as far as I can tell the lift looks awesome. I cant wait to see it when it is done.
The wheels are coming along ok. More paint is coming off. I plan to get in and tackle that a bit more on a couple of evenings this week.
Oh...and the carport is done (I think). The drainage pipe is up and it has been tapped into the storm water.
I am a bit annoyed that I didn't get the suspension finished on the weekend but as far as I can tell the lift looks awesome. I cant wait to see it when it is done.
De-stickered
So far I have removed all of the stickers and decals from the MQ. It looks a lot cleaner now and has lost a lot of the "80's Retro" look.
I have picked up the EFS suspension kit from Zordo. I am hoping to install it this Sunday with the help of my mate Nudge.
I have also tried to strip the old steel wheels that the new tires will go onto so I can give them a fresh paint job. There must be several layers of paint on them...so far I have found....white, green, white (again), red and black. No wonder they looked so horrible. So far I have tried paint stripper and using a wire cup brush on the drill with reasonable success. I have bought a sand blasting gun for my compressor with some special blasting grit. I will give that a go too.
I have picked up the EFS suspension kit from Zordo. I am hoping to install it this Sunday with the help of my mate Nudge.
I have also tried to strip the old steel wheels that the new tires will go onto so I can give them a fresh paint job. There must be several layers of paint on them...so far I have found....white, green, white (again), red and black. No wonder they looked so horrible. So far I have tried paint stripper and using a wire cup brush on the drill with reasonable success. I have bought a sand blasting gun for my compressor with some special blasting grit. I will give that a go too.
Finally picked up the MQ
I have finally picked up the MQ. I cant wait to get in and start working on it. The pic here shows the MQ on Saturday after I picked it up and gave it a bath.
Unfortunately the batteries were shot so the first thing I had to do was get 2 new batteries... $460 OWCH!
I was still finishing off the carport today so no work done on the MQ yet...stay posted.
The Carport
I spent the weekend putting up the carport with the help of my Brother-in-law. Just a few finishing touches needed now.
I have decided on the suspension and I am ready to order it. I have settled on an EFS kit with a 2" lift. Should be great.
I am picking up the MQ on the weekend from Mum & Dad's. I can't wait to start working on it.
I have decided on the suspension and I am ready to order it. I have settled on an EFS kit with a 2" lift. Should be great.
I am picking up the MQ on the weekend from Mum & Dad's. I can't wait to start working on it.
