The beginning of winter always puts me in a crappy mood, I have always been a self motivated person that’s driven by the pursuit of creation, the drawn out excitement of something coming together piece by piece right in front of me. The artistry in what I do isn’t as apparent in this build to me though, there’s more recreation than creation, I am working night after night just trying to re-write the wrongs.
It was a double edge sword, this car that sat for so long, steadily going backwards, steadily becoming further away from the goal I once set myself, the job ahead of me begun to grow, soon enough I was faced with a decision, cut it up into four pieces and take 4 trips to the metal recyclers in my van, face defeat and forever dwell on the decline of a dream or suck it up and work until I start to see a glimmer of the original spark, just leaving it for another year wasn’t an option.
I guess this gives you an idea into how my brain works, I am an all or nothing type of person, for the past three months I have been dedicated to this build, it hasn’t been fun, I am not pushing my own creative boundaries, I am not doing anything new or groundbreaking, it’s not spectacular but I am working my but off to have it finished to the level I always thought it deserved.
This is purely just the personal struggle within the world I have built myself, I am more than thankful for everything I have, the roof over my head and the opportunities I have ahead of me.
As the job list started to decrease my mood ever so slightly lifted, piece by piece things were starting to take shape.
I started to work my way through the wiring, I wrote myself a wiring diagram for what I had and disected everything until I knew what everthing was.
I made up a switch panel that would house everything I needed to control from the drivers seat.
My alloy welding is always getting better and better but I still have a fair way to go.
I am using a deutsch connector that came in a kit that I bought.
It was one of the best electronical investments I have made, Andre and Ben from HP Academy showed me how these work when we built the Hilux, the crimping tool and the way these work is a life saver.
I built a little raised heel floor for my pedal box, then continued wiring everything up.
I have been loving my little MaxJax hoist, I have had the car up and down a million times, the exhaust was next on the list.
2.5 inch stainless system with two joiners that snakes its way nice and high in the chassis.
Ending in the timeless fashion of some slightly angled, slightly upswept twin 2.5 tips.
Towards the front of the car I remade my tubular crossmember as the previous one made the engine mount making process a nightmare.
Its all nice and compact now and as strong as it needs to be.
I made sure the sump was well protected too with a small bash plate.
From above you get an idea of the new engine location.
It was difficult to pack everything in on the drivers side.
But once I did I could continue wiring everything up.
I am still in the process of adding things so I havn’t finished in here.
Spot the brake switch?
Speaking of brakes, the handbrake is actually the stock cable brake, I made this lever setup and still have to make some ratchet arrangement to lock it on.
Its starting to look organised though.
I took some time to build some ducting and seal the radiator into the air intake of the stock bumper.
Behind this is the new pulley system that I had been dreaming up for a long time. It consists of 3 ex Nascar dry sump pulleys, this stuff is dirt cheap and the quality is sky high, I think they cost me around $120 all up posted to Aus, I then went about making them all work. I calculated the ratios for everything and reconditioned my stock alternator, now I just have to get a HTD belt to suit.
At this point I am starting to get excited.
The weather forecast was looking good and I was at the point where the car could roll again.
As the sun started to set I raced home from work and rolled the car out into the sun, the first time this winter.
I have started mocking up the dash but I am in two minds to persist with the FRP S15 dash, I am starting to think about making one from scratch, its possibly going to be the same amount of work.
It’s one thing I am not looking forward to tackling.
I am also working on building a splitter, this is just a prototype version built out of ply, ill perfect the shape and then make it out of something a little more permanent.
I re-fitted the bonnet to mount the headlights, It all looks so neat in factory paint, ill keep it that way too.
Its just good to get out of the garage.
As the sun dipped down below the tree line I switched on the lights.
I am happy about the wiring and how its working out.
I took the opportunity to roll everything out of the garage and have a quick clean up, its good to be making progress, the goal of having this car finished is unfolding infront of me, it will be a huge weight off my shoulders when it is, each step is an exciting relief and the day I turn a few laps in it will be a sweet sweet moment!
Whats next? Well I have to finish the dash, I have ordered all the fittings I need to finish the fuel/brake/cooling system, then its time to start putting my engine plans into action, what are they? Well Ill save that for another post because its comprehensive!
Thanks for reading.