It took just two hours for the Hilux to go from semi complete to a bare chassis. I have to clean the dust and dirt down from the chassis and apply rust prevention spray so i can start on stage 3, the final stage.
I start to think about the steps to finish this off and get a little daunted, i then take a look over what i have achieved and it motivates me to just keep going. Go back to the very start, TIG welding scared me, bending, notching and working with tube was something i thought was reserved for race car fabricators.
As soon as i start looking at this project as a whole, it scares me. As humans we question ourselves and think some things just arnt possible, well I’m here to tell you they are, you just have to break things down, nearly every project consists of small steps combined to make the final product, do every step to the best of your ability and the final product may leave you astounded.
Now i look at what i have to do to finish this, i break it down and then move on step by step, ill be honest i don’t know the first thing about wiring, brakes and most of the processes needed to finish this off but if i spend some time learning about each step i will know it for life.
Thanks everyone for following this build and your patience as its not going to be finished overnight
david
As much as i would love to see this done and completed i take my hat off to you each step forward is amazing and credit to you
Group
Taste the victory,
it is delicious, no?
Pat88c
Wow nice work
Amazed it got this far in small backyard workshop
harry
nigel, i don’t know you but you did and still do an incredible job.
over the years i started to read a lot of automotive-blogs and then i stoped reading them after a while. this one is diffrent, i come a long nearly everyday to see what the hilux is about. just amazing how you taught yourself everything and just started from zero.
keep up the good work and greetings from germany
BasicElement
Keep it up, You’ve been an inspiration for me. It’s amazing what motivation can come from another persons work. As well as the project has turned out so far, I’m sure you’re fully capable of wrapping this Ute up in a good fashion. Congrats on the progress thus far, and good luck with the finishing touches. I’m holding my breath for the finished product whenever it comes!
Tristan Deall
Very true, you can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it and think it through! Last year I was barely doing anything on cars as i though it was all too hard, at the moment however mostly because of the inspiration this build has given me, I’ve got my car in pieces planning intercoolers, custom inlet manifolds and experimenting porting exhaust manifolds and the like. Hats off to the work you do Nigel, you’ve inspired many people who would never have had the confidence to attempt anything without seeing the amazing work you do 🙂
Tom
Nigel you are my hero. Your driving, car building, everything has inspired me so much since i started following your build which is when you made your very first post on speed hunters. This post especially, made me realize how even someone without a bunch of schooling can build amazing things and i will definitely be taking this with me through the rest of my silvia build. Cant wait to see this thing driving, i am so coming to australia to see you drive it when its done
Alvin Phillip
There is a saying where horse reach donkey will soon follow….hurry birds dont build good nest to live in……so with that said I’m sure that everyone that is following this build could agree that by you taking the time and dedication into this build we wont mind the wait 😉
geminiman
hey why not get the whole thing powder coated clear then you dun’ve to worry about rust issues and save you time on scratch repairs from just paint surface.
Nigel
Thats the idea, but theres a heap more things that need to be welded, this needs to be driven before it gets coated, so i have to prevent rust until at least the end of this year
geminiman
yeah great progress recently, can’t wait for news of your first run on this. Just wondering, how did you figured the corner weights to setup your coilovers when you started the frame?
Jimmy
mate the wilwood pedal box how much and where from?? or would your prefer the tilton one like in your s 13?
Jared
Nigel, do not start doubting yourself or this project at this stage of the build… It is not necessary dude! It is as bad ass as ever and truly amazing! You are an inspiration to me and my friends… And every time I visit your site I get more and more motivated to start on my project of a spaceframe Datsun 510, so keep on doing what you are doing and never look back!
Regards
Jared
Mitch
Keep up the great work Nigel! I was fortunate enough to see this amazing build in sydney last weekened, thanks for being an inspiration to the rest of us, looking forward to seeing it roll under its own steam!
JDMized
I said it before, and I’ll repeat it, it’s a great built. Take step by step, slowly and meticulously, and like you said, you’ll have one badass truck.
Have you thought about what brakes to use? For my truck project I’m using Wilwood Dynaline calipers and rotors all around. Great stuff for the money.
Thomas
This was an excellent post. Your work inspires me to do the same kind of stuff. Especially knowing that you are honest about what you do and willing to learn it all.
never change
Naci Go
I’ve learned a lot too from you Mr. Nigel.
Keep up the good work.
Streetz
What steering rack are you using
dane
so awesome to see this thing develop over time. real inspiring to see what dedication and hard work can pull off, I wish I could find that kinda tenacity to keep at my own projects…