shizzl

How feasible is it to swap the vague steering box,drag link arrangement out of the ute for a rack and pinion from say a Barina, and a electric assist column? is it a case of running a collapsing column as it is a very short shot from the rack to the motor. just questioning this idea. i already have a electric column that used to be in an escort rally car. So why not try and use that

Thanks, I’m also keen to see it. may just be a short half page thing. Not sure. guess we’ll see next issue

How’s this for ticking off the 25 year dream. that is everything ticked off that I set out to achieve back in 2001. time to drive the living shit out of this now

Great day for getting some shots taken of the ute.

Chocolate brown. That’s all I have on it. might be very similar to a H-RV colour

Decided that I was tired of the crap bonnet stay that wasn’t very stable of nice. so I ordered some gas struts and chucked them on today. job done, seems to work well. $80 upgrade. Sure I could have got them cheaper from pick a part, but these are new and fresh. Only one more thing I’d like to change on it now.

Pumped with how the stereo install, pods and console wrap came out. I only have the fire extinguisher to mount now which will sit underneath the glovebox.

Finished off the speaker pods today. got them sanded, wrapped and mounted. speakers are fitted ready to go. then decided that the black vinyl upper didn’t really match anything. I did plane to wrap the lower console but for some reason I cut it out of the tab. so tan it all went. Rewrapped the upper, it actually came out tidier than the vinyl did. tomorrow I’ll tidy up the stereo wiring and mount the rear speaker pod and fit the 4” speakers. Decide where to put the tweeters then power it all up and see what happens. colours aren’t coming out right in the crappy lighting. I’ll retake a finished shot once it’s buttoned up and cleaned out. stoked

After driving to and from REunion last weekend I’ve decided it’s too quiet inside the cab. so I’ll get the stereo running. speakers acquired and picked up some mdf. 2hrs later and I have the 2 kick panel mounts made up at 54mm and slightly rounded in shape. this takes the 6.5” mids. i have a pair of 4” coaxial speakers I decided to put in between the seats. so I made up a speaker box that sits on the tunnel and screwed into the rear panel. Fits nice and snug. just needs more sanding, filling, sanding and covering. also had a very interesting message pop up in my inbox today which is exciting. Watch this space

First pic I’ve seen of the ute apart from my stationary parked photos. @oldrx7 in the passengers seat snapping shots of the photographer

What’s the consensus for timings? puhoi will likely be packed around lunch, so if we aim for Dairy Flat at 12/12.30, or even 1? bakery munchies at Dairy Flat, either head to Wenderholm for a park and sharn, or up to Warkworth’s, then down to Puhoi for a mid arvo cold snack. the more the merrier. for those that are south based (below Greenlane”, could meet at Greenlane maccas before heading up. Chuck your thoughts and ideas out there.

Thanks, sorry I missed you yeah it’s wicked driving it knowing I created it from an idea I had 26 years ago.

Rotary reunion was epic. Probably due to being my first trip down. weather sucked many dicks. i feel the taxi stand made it really fun seeing i was driving solo. did over 600kms, and the only issue was the wiper nut came loose. The starter is a little dodgey now, but that is the only thing that wasn’t replaced. the whole experience of driving down, thrashing for 3 days and driving home was a trip. Ute ran so well. So many randoms throwing all flavours of gang signs and thumbs up. the highlight of the drive home was a little ripper, all of 6 years old on the north side of Putāruru with a sign “brap brap”. too right I gave him some revs. What a champ. anyway, back home and changed the wheels over and gave it some non bump stop ride quality. and proceeded to go for another drive, because why tf not when it drives so good. hope you got some decent photos from the passenger seat @oldrx7

Saturday 14th March?

Another stunner day for a cruise. tally is up to 440km for the weekend, even took the Mrs along today. 80km left to go on this 1000km break in. then it gets tuned ready for REunion