Duncan Posted August 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) It's hard to work very long with the heat and humidity, but I got the seat bottom done.. Didn't spend a lot of time prepping this like a painted surface that would be seen. It looks fine, but there's some sanding scratches showing through the paint if you look closely. It's the bottom of the seat. 'nuf said.. Spending more time on the seat back. I'll probably have this carpeted, but there will be paint exposed. I'll have to make this nicer than the seat bottom. Edited August 12, 2018 by Duncan 2 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) B4.. After.. Mooch betta, IMHO. Got some new stainless bolts, too. Not having to stare at that logo is nice ? Edited August 14, 2018 by Duncan 3 Quote Link to comment
KELMO Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 You should be staring at the road, not the stinkin' center of your steering wheel. wink wink nudge nudge. I agree, it looks the goods. WTF did I do here? \/ Quote 1 Quote Link to comment
blairis Posted August 15, 2018 Report Share Posted August 15, 2018 Looks nice and it's on the correct side of the car.?? 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) I finally got the seat back painted today. I did substantially more prep work on this than the seat bottom. Since this piece shows, it really needed to be nicer than the bottom piece. It was supposed a chassis black, but it's a bit glossier than that, IMHO. I don't plan or re-painting it, though.. Edited August 16, 2018 by Duncan 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 On 8/15/2018 at 4:33 AM, blairis said: Looks nice and it's on the correct side of the car.?? Can't argue with that... 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2018 (edited) Got my rear seat back from upholstery. A 510 bench seat is not anything like a BMW, but these do look like the front seats. Edited August 27, 2018 by Duncan 3 Quote Link to comment
tr8er Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 Nice seats. Shoulda made a few and sold em 2 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) He gave me a good price, but to make enough money to make it worthwhile I don't think any would sell. Plus, Tanker would want some in pink and leopard print... 'Cuz Ratsun and all.. I now gotta find a place to repair or (preferably) make me a new heater core. I can't add carpet until I get the heater working correctly. I also have a spare set of wagon leaf springs that I pick up tomorrow. I had them de-arc them just a bit, and also increase the spring rate a bit, too. I'm experimenting with that, and we'll see what happens. The cost was very reasonable, so what the hell. I hoping for a firmer ride with less rear end squat. Edited August 28, 2018 by Duncan 2 Quote Link to comment
opalbeetle Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 I don’t think I’ve posted in this thread before...but this build is hands down one of my favourites anywhere. Absolutely awesome. Absolutely inspirational. Thanks for sharing it. 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 On 8/27/2018 at 7:57 PM, opalbeetle said: I don’t think I’ve posted in this thread before...but this build is hands down one of my favourites anywhere. Absolutely awesome. Absolutely inspirational. Thanks for sharing it. I had not seen your build thread, and just spent about 20 or so minutes looking through it. Your build is very impressive, and I'd like to take some time to go through it more closely. Your build seem to be similar in scope as mine. Thank you for the kind words. I look forward to watching yours, and it looks like it's going to be beautiful when it's done! Mark Quote Link to comment
opalbeetle Posted August 30, 2018 Report Share Posted August 30, 2018 Thanks for your encouragement, Mark. It's been a long term project, that's for sure. I live on a gravel road and am happy with a 20' paint job. It's far from perfect, but it'll look good from afar and while it's moving! I'm looking forward to driving it again.... Todd Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted September 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) Started putting the back seat in. I got about this far when my neighbor with the Pantera showed up. I threw him in the back of the wagon and went for a drive. I needed a second person to pinpoint where my gnarly-ass rattle was coming from. He confirmed my suspicions that it was from the left rear quarter. After pulling the tail light and the upholstered panel that covers the inner quarter, with no luck, we started looking under the car.. Even though I could grab and shake the exhaust without it rattling, it looked way too close to the left shock. I wedged a piece of dense foam rubber between the shock and the exhaust, and my mystery intermittent rattle finally disappeared. It took a while, but I now have all the rattles taken care of. (It still is an old car, though..) So on Tuesday, I need to find a muffler shop and see if they can replace the section from behind the muffler to the rear of the car. I'll be very happy to get rid of this dilapidated (formerly) chrome tip. It really looks like shit, it sticks out too far, and it needs to go. I just want a piece of down turned pipe. No fart cans, please... Even though I have a long list of things to take care of, it's getting there, and I'm having a ball driving it! ? Edited September 1, 2018 by Duncan 1 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted September 2, 2018 Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 Looking good. 1 Quote Link to comment
sebpv Posted September 2, 2018 Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 (edited) you could simply use cargo straps to hold the muffler on one side and another strap to pull the exhaust away from the shock. Then pry the exhaust end to its original position EDIT: nevermind. I missed a part. Carry on with the exhaust shop Edited September 2, 2018 by sebpv 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted September 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 (edited) 10 hours ago, sebpv said: EDIT: nevermind. I missed a part. Carry on with the exhaust shop No worries ? I've always hated that chrome end piece, and it shouldn't be too big of a deal to replace all of it from the muffler back. I could always use a wratchet strap and possibly pull it away from the shock a little bit, but I don't generally like doing things like that unless it's absolutely necessary. With that said, you should see how I tweak doors to fit.. Edited September 2, 2018 by Duncan 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted September 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 Still fixing shit.. Changed my rear springs today. Comparo of stock vs modified: Had a local spring shop add an additional leaf then de-arc the set about 1 inch. The modified pack is in front, the stock is in the rear. You can see the extra leaf in the pack, and it's a lower arc compared to the other. Haven't driven it other than around the block a couple of times, but the wagon has a firmer ride, and the back end doesn't squat nearly like it did before. I was a bit concerned that it might be too much, but I think it's going to be just fine. I'm still playing around with air shock pressure, but I think it's going to be a nice improvement over the old springs. I don't know what the old/new spring rates are, but the front springs are 225lbs each, and it seems more balanced now. 2 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted October 15, 2018 Report Share Posted October 15, 2018 Is. this car done Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted October 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 Are they ever done? When it's ready, I'll take it and show it somewhere. I could have cleaned up and installed the old carpet and actually taken it to JCCS, but I don't want to show it until I'm happy with it. You can come by anytime if you want Ray. You're always welcome, Big Guy! 2 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted October 17, 2018 Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 Thank you sir. Family in town tomorrow and on straight days. You need to do a quick body and paint on my wagon. Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted October 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 (edited) Sure. Mine only took around 5+ years. We can get yours done in about 3 years maybe.. You'll be patient all that time, right?? Edited October 17, 2018 by Duncan Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted October 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) Been a while since I've done any updates. Still wasn't happy with the gap between the driver's door, and the rear driver's side door. (Too large a gap) Before: Now: It's now about half the size it was before. I ended up moving the front door back, along with moving the rear door forward a bit. I sort of devised a come-along with some all thread and some heavily padded 2x4's down at my friend's shop in San Diego. All the door gaps on the car are now very consistent. It's been a real bitch because of the replacement doors, but I'm okay with them now. I did the 200 mile round trip in the wagon, and realized that even though the Lizard Skin was reasonably effective, I DO need some more sound deadener. So this morning I yanked the heater, passenger seat, and the rear seat. I took a bucket of hot water and added a bit of dish soap and degreaser, and scrubbed down the passenger floor and back seat floor. I vacuumed the soapy stuff up and followed with a lot of clean water scrubbing to get the residue off. More as I go... Edited October 23, 2018 by Duncan 2 Quote Link to comment
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