TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Dec 27, 2009 2:51 pm

So I know I wasn't going to put any time into this thing over the holidays, but I got a few hours in on the sly while the girl was at the after xmas sales :wink:
Nothing real flash Just started bolting a few things together, welded a few brackets and tabs ( the little boxes are right up near the front so that the HID ballasts are protected) and cleaned and threw some paint on those rear fender frames. Think you can get a rough idea of the shape now. Also got a pair of #450 springs in the mail today (going to get rid of the torsion bars at the rear, its annoying trying to tune in the suspension with both)

Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:01 pm

Nice build man. I had to laugh that you're using a Daewoo Lanos steering rack though...that's my daily driver! :D

How technically minded are these engineers that inspect it? Do they care about material properties (ie mild steel vs chromoly)? To me, it seems like they aren't too bright, wanting you to keep that mangled frame head.

Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:25 am

OK guys back to the daily grind, . . . . .Oh, and the baja.
Have done so many little things in the last week I'm sure i will miss some

- cages front and rear are painted, I think I have found a new least favourite thing - painting barwork :evil:
The quick release pins I have found are pretty cool though. On purpose there are no lights, wires, number plate or hoses on my cage, this way it takes all of 30 seconds to remove it

- Brakes are adjusted and bled, the rears and the cutter works awesome, but the duel 22mm cylinders on the front still suck up way too much fluid so it always feels like the pedal goes further than it should (this was always a problem) Nice set of discs would be good 8)
Handbrakes work well aswell, I used '64 combi cables and cut them down using the old fashion cable shortners. (filled them with epoxy before putting the cable in and fastening the set screw to be sure)

- new springs are on and is soooooo much friendlier than running torsion and coil

- Got the old wiring cover to fit with alittle trimming which is great and found a seal to suit where my bonnet sits higher than the wiper panel

Left the girlfriend in charge of the headliner and shock boots, so will be curious to see what becomes of that (she is wanting more and more to help out with this thing, should i be worried :!: :?: ) Will start the wiring this weekend I think, get the engine ready to fire, or maybe finish those fenders finally :wink: Either way is really staring to look whole

Hey funk. . . . . . . .there are the usual jokes about these engineers as are with all government employees. there are actually 2 different groups, the first are private engineers who have to go though government training to be called an "department approved engineer" they are you first port of call and how much information they share with you and how much you can get legal comes down to how much you can impress, talk bull or pay them. It is there name going on the plates and certificates, But that said the scape goat is always "It wasn't like that when i approved it" :?
The second are government employed roaming patrols, these are there scary ones because without proper paper work your car maybe off the road on the spot or fined heavily
Even worse still are the police, though not likely to pull you over in the first place, if they do feel like making your day hell they can order you to take your car to the government employed boys again for an inspection. Kind of like waiting for a leg to be cut off.
The bottom line is wether or not they know anything they do not like modified cars here, so play by the rules and maybe they won't take your toys from you.

Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:17 pm

The girl came over with the material for the headliner on saturday . . . . . .. . . . . . :shock: It's different
It's not i whole OE style headliner, just the center section because the rest is just painted yellow.
She also did the rollbar padding, seats, and belts

While she was busy glueing up the remains of the muppet she must have skinned earlier that day, I was finally getting those fenders skinned along with a few little bits and pieces that have been annoying me. It really is getting to that piont where it is only bits and bobs left. Next week, wiring and hopfully fire that engine

Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:26 pm

Skinned Muppet BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! That's exactly what came to my mind! Looks great

Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:32 pm

That headliner is great! Probably going to be a bitch to keep clean though... :D

And is that a giant spot light tucked next to your engine?

Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:37 pm

that head liners bad ass i wanted to do something like that in my baja but no patience for it haha
that things looking great
like the spot light by the motor

Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:00 pm

Hell of "backup light" :twisted: :wink:

Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:33 am

Hi guys! has been awhile since I have had a chance to post, seems everytime I fire up the laptop something comes up. I see alot of cars being worked on in the last few weeks. Work has been all over the place at the moment, particularly with all the rain and public holidays. I have more baja time but alot less money :cry: Am getting alittle stressed that by the time this thing is done that i won't be able to fill the tank.
Not too many photos to post, Have just been slowly working though all those little things. Wiring is almost done, I used a Kwik wire kit from the US of A, thanks to Baja5 for sending that over. there are a few things that are a little backward as a result, but its a process i guess. Fired the Engine FINALLY! :twisted:. Pulled the plugs and ran the oil pressure up first, put those little sucker back in, turned on the coil and fuel pump and BAM! straight off the key! (am chuffed with my first rebuild and still patting myself on the back) Ran the cam in for 10-15, all is well. I have a small oil leak on the lefthand side bank, cracked pushrod tube i think. bought a set of new stainless ones and will change them over when I drop the oil and readjust the rocker gear.
Also made some mirrors, I used blind spot lenses so I can see alittle more. Painted the rear rims while I had the gun out, Have been unable to find another pair of centers so these will do for now. Will buy some rear tyres when I have it on the road and get a feel for the gear ratios.
Mounted the air cleaner. It may look asthough it is bolted to the fender, but is actually bolted though the body just behind the rear quarter window. Also detailed the rear fenders abit, just to get away from all that raw ally.
But most exciting of all! The engineer came friday to do the final inspection. Only thing wants me to change is the number plate location to the back of the cage and the tailights are borderline, but will leave that to a later date. Now have 2 blue plates, with 8 codes and 2 mod certificates. This is as close as this thing is going to get to legal and at the very least has enough paperwork to confuse anyone.

And yeah guys, that is a back up/work light - is and old hella I had lying around, still need to get a smaller bulb for it. Something tells me 100watt is alittle big :oops:

Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:50 pm

Your build is looking good. I like the extra wide hood. I got a few questions for you, not about baja's, but Australia. I have been dreaming of moving there since i found out about the HSV Maloo Ute. Thats a kick ass truck/car. Im curious to know and i got to ask, whats the average opinion of Americans down there? i know we're not liked in many corners of the world, and in most cases i cant hate on that opinion. Also whats a website that has a lot of job listings and housing listings? Im a 22 year old certified phlebotomist and im schooling to become a nurse and maybe go further down the medical road. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. I was trying to find a location to live that is no more then 30 miles from the ocean but also near the snow since i love to snowboard, and also a place that is a few hours from the desert. I read in your first post that you live near the 2 (or 3) largest sand islands in the world. Can you drive your baja on these sands? How much does it cost to get your baja onto the island?

For those who dont know what a Maloo is...400+hp and no weight over the rear tires :twisted:

Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:47 am

hey satelliteguy, don't have time right now for a long post. But anything to do with the medical industry is in HUGE demand here, you'll find a job most anywhere. Also the government heavily subsidies further medical studies.

Check out SEEK.com

Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:48 pm

Sweet, well its good to know there is a demand in the medical field. I hear you guys pay about $6.50 a ga.l for gas which is about $1.60 a liter. Is that really true? Also what do you know about the town of Forster. I was looking at that place. Thanks for your reply.

Wed Feb 17, 2010 4:26 am

No photos at all this week, have just been chewing thru the to do list.

Have a new set of rear tyres though!
what do you think of these? http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Road+Venture+MT+KL71

had a noisy wheel bearing, but replaced that and a few other pieces, adjusting limit straps tighting bolts adjusting toes and cambers. probably have about 200km on the engine at present, first freeway run today.
The big question that was on my lips was . . . .. . . . the steering? What can I say, . .. . . perfect. Is funny to drive actually, there is so little wrestling with the steering wheel you forget that you are driving a VW. Until you come back to the real world as that noise of virtualy no muffler makes, the neighbors hate me already :lol:
The 3 turns lock to lock takes a bit to get used to, because you have to turn the wheel a bit more. But is so light to park and turn, I would be happy to give it to the girl to drive. . . . . .. . Or not, yet anyways
Picked up a 2/3 sheet of 5mm alloy today for $60 and will build bash plates saturday.

Have a trip to fraser Island confirmed on the 12th of march, will post up plenty of photos and a trip report when I get back.
Will see some of you at the pub on sunday :mrgreen:

Satelliteguy - sorry about the late response.
We call it a Ute down here :wink: will definately suck down the juice and yes the petrol can be up to 1.60, but depends on the day of the week. 1.30 is closer to the truth at the moment. As far as Americans are concern, aussies love everyone and girls here love accents. as long as you don't take anything personally, you'll be fine (we like to take the piss out of everyone, its not personal, it's just the done thing)
don't know anything about forster, but looks to be a tourist town. be weary there is less work to be to found as pretty as it may be. I have friends in newcastle just a little south of there. Is quite a hub for everything in the area. If you like the area, check there. work is plentyful as the hot cars.
The sand islands are all off the coast of brisbane and would be quite a hike from there. It is dear to get on the islands, but the permits are cheap. fuel can be up to $2 a litre and beer is REALLY dear, plenty of backpackers though! :D Closer to newcastle is stockton dunes, is like a small version of Baja Ca. just not busy. nice spot. Good luck with the plans!

Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:23 am

finally got a chance to put a real post together, Still going though that list of little things :roll:
Here's a quick photo from the show on the weekend,

Had my first shake down run in the forestry after the show on sunday. First thing, welding the roll cage to the body is noisy!! there is a reason all this stuff is put together with rubber. It rides very, very well at speed, maybe alittle stiff at lower speeds. spring rates seem good, maybe 400s instead of the 450s, but revalving is on the cards.
There is a sharp crack noise coming from the rear when you hit a sudden large pothole, My thinking puts it coming from the center of the torsion housing ie. the old bars rattling around in there - add torsion eliminators to the wish list.
I seriously have no idea how you boys build a car and it just WORKS as planed!
Had the carby rebushed and tuned aswell, so runs ssswwwwweeeettt

Made the bash plates before the show on sunday, so for anyone I didn't see and wanted to say hi. Sorry I didn't get there till 12.

Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:04 pm

nilza wrote: Made the bash plates before the show on sunday, so for anyone I didn't see and wanted to say hi. Sorry I didn't get there till 12.

OUTSTANDING!! what a way to think... great way to make up them bash plates... and overall what a great rebuild, only a faint memory of it's former self... good job!!

Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:00 am

it is slightly different, huh? :lol:

Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:51 pm

hahah thats one hell aof a metal press you got there!

Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:14 pm

I love the box break (?) to get your metal bent. Use what you have they say. The buggy looks incredable as well!

Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:25 am

GaryJW wrote: I love the box break (?) to get your metal bent. Use what you have they say. The buggy looks incredable as well!

Thats right, really easy to flip the car upside down with that thing too :lol: easy to wash underneather. thanks for the complements gary, can't wait to go the fraser island in 3 weeks!

Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:40 pm

Went for another quick run out in the forest on sunday, alot of time spent finding rattles. I am going to have to invest in some torsion eliminators, or some other way. The bars are rattling in there :x
Also made a quick false floor for the back so i have some more storage space off the floor and some jerry can holders, ( No I don't plan on having them there for any extended period off road, just from the barge to the house on fraser Is.) Petrol there is $1.80-2.00 a litre
Neatened up my tool boxes and oil cans aswell with some tie downs