Cookie Monster's Hilux

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:08 pm

HI FD

Although the leather is very dirty it is still in very good condition so I will be re dying the seats I will most probly be doing the fitment the weekend after the on comming up

or mybe sooner just depends on getting the dye

Post by **Family_Dog** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:11 pm

Cool!

(Testing my new Avatar...)

-F_D

Post by **pietpetoors** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:28 pm

Ek het gedink hy gaan goed by jou pas

Scotty · Post by **Scotty** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:31 pm

Hey CM

Ja, Family Dog is right......I will probably be doing exactly the same job sometime soon. So your 'rekkie' here is going to help me alot.

Go man go!!

Scotty

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:07 am

No stopping me now Scotty

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:31 pm

Hi Guys

One slight set back I was kind of hoping to push things forward to this weekend however the company mixing the dye for the seats will only have it ready on Monday :o( So it only looks like I will be able to start on next weekend as previously thought.

By the way I am busy working on a dual batt system a managed to get a fuse block for free what do you guys think?

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:05 am

Hi Guys

Just a update on the seats here is a photo of the leather dye that I will be using. I should be stripping down the frames tonight just to clean them up and maybe starting to dye them as well

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:59 am

Justin

Please take step by step photos and tell us exactly how and what you've done.

(skryf 'n mooi prentjie opstel)

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:25 pm

Hi Bennie

Will do

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:06 am

tedrkHi All

Just a update on the seats :) I am being slowed down a bit by the fact that I have a really bad case of flew at the moment however here are a few pics of the seats that are being repaired and overhauled before fitment this weekend

Post by **Family_Dog** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:08 pm

Hi CM,

While the BMW seats are out, can you please measure the following:

With the seat facing you:

Left Rail, front to back mounting holes
Right Rail - ditto -
Front of seat, distance between the left & right front mounting holes
Rear of seat - ditto -

-F_D

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:03 pm

Hi FD

That should be to much trouble will do tomorrow morning. I will upload a few more pics then too

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:59 am

first coatHi Guys

Here are the seats assembled with first coat leather dye. I am going to fit the seats first and then I will air brush the next coat when they are installed just so there are no mishaps

Dont worry FD I will put those measurements in I was just a bit busy this morning assembling

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:04 am

FD here are the measurements you asked for.

The bolt holes are of equal distance between the rails and that measurement is 450mm
And the rails are the same length and they are 360mm bolt hole to bolt hole

Post by **Family_Dog** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:05 pm

Hi CM,

Thanks! I measured a Cressida's front seats and got almost the same measurements, varied by less than 10mm, so they might fit as well :)

The only thing to watch out for might be the height of the new seats, that one's head is not banging against the roof lining all the time.

-F_D

TopHilux Hilton · Post by **TopHilux Hilton** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:56 pm

The BMW seats can adjust up and down...(Well sort off) so then the headspace is ok.

With mine you sit high and the OE steering wheel was touching the legs, so we opted for a smaller sports one and I adjusted the seats to the lowest position. Adjusting the steering angle just isnt for me, then I cant see the gauges and it looks a bit cok-eye..

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:03 pm

Hi Top Hilux

Do you know what BMW seats you have because you have to use what we call E36 (dolpin shape) as they are Low seats the others are all high

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:05 am

Hi Guys

The Seats Are In :!:

Here is the final part. And Instructions

1. Remove bench seat and lift and fold front floor mat forward.
2. There are 2 ways of fitting if you are a large guy you will have to remove the raised member were the bench seat bolts onto in front. This will require some grinding and so on. Once this is all done you can then mount your seat flush on the floor of the cab. The other way is to mount the seat on top of the rail and to raise the rear mountings by about 20-30mmthis is how I have mounted mine.
3. However both these methods require only three holes drilled in the floor per seat. The 4th hole is the one closest to the B pillar which you use for the rear mounting.
4. Remove the Seat belt buckles from the floor and then trail fit the seats and mark all the holes. Remove the seats and drill holes with 10mm bit.
5. Now it is time to vacuum the floor of all metal fillings and so on. Then you need to fill the old holes in the floor and the ones which the belt buckles used with silicon after RUST PROOFING all the new and old holes :!:
6. Then refit the seats and bolt them using suitable 10mm bolts nuts and washers then rust proof again.
7. Fit the seat belt buckles using the mounts on the seat.
8. Trim then floor mats and refit.

FINISHED

Quick one how do I remove the red oxide paint on my mat

Any ideas

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:10 am

By the way I have managed to get hold of enough matching leather to recover the rear seat plus the head rests and maybe even the door panels

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:04 am

CM,

It looks good! The raised rail you refer to is one that runs across the front of the floor, left to right? The Cressida seats had the front mounting bent over as if it bolted into a raised rail. I think I must consider the Cressida bucket seats, they shouldn't be too uncomfortable and look as if they will be an exact fit. Will need re-upholstering, though.

Thank you for an excellent article!

-F_D

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:32 am

Yes FD

That is the rail I am refering to I used BMW seats because I know them and if I told you what this whole conversion cost me you would say I was lying

I am sure the cressida seats will be great.

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:05 pm

Justin

Looks great.

What happened with the red oxide? I guess thinners would desolve it but you wa is going to smell (like headache

) for a while. Maybe you will have to remove it altogether before cleaning.

On the fitment I have 2 comments.

No 1. Nice article but next time take a few pics while doing the work as well

No 2. Do you think that filling the existing hole with just plain silicon is going to last in the long run. Wouldn't it have been better to replace the screws in the holes and then fill with silicon?

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:34 pm

Hi Bennie

The red oxide comes from the previous owner who thought it would be a good idea to paint the van floor with it and spill it on the floor.

I didnt take photos of during because there was not much to show as it was so simple however if someone reqires more detail I will take a few more detailed pics

I sapose you could fit the bolts back into the floor if you want to but I wanted a flush fit so when I redo the flooring there are no bulges from bolt heads and I used sika so it will last forever

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:50 pm

My next project will be the bumper

I have sent a few drawings to some local engineers to get some ideas on costs. Of cause i will keep you all informed with photos.

I also whant to recover the back seat as well as the head rests. I am going to redo the roof linning the same colour as the seats and the floor needs doing.

Scotty · Post by **Scotty** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:48 pm

Hey Cookie Monster

You are a legend. :D Thanks for all the photos and advice - your vehicle looks great.

I am still trying to track down some bucket seats and will definitely use all the info you have posted when we fit them.

Seeing as you are a bit of a Beamer fundi........someone may be willing to donate me (strange but true) some 7-series BMW bucket seats - any thoughts on whether they will be a good fit/ option??

Scotty

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:41 am

Hi Scotty

Have a close look at the size measure across the rails and how high they are at there lowest because the 3series seats just fit so you might find that the 7 series seats are to high

. However let me know what year model they are and I will see if I can measure them up for you :)

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:39 am

I've spoken to Justin and I'm also going for the E36 leather seats. I can get the a of front seats for R1K from a local BMW breaker. I'll probably go for black or grey as my lux has the grey interior. Then I'll buy a matching rear seat and get the hilux rear bench covered with the leather from the BMW seat.

At the moment I've got these seats in the hilux, but they are a bit uncomfortable.
This is the best pic of them I have right now.....BTW, don't spin a 35" tyre in the sand with the window open, this is what happens

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:04 am

Zantus
Those seats look like they are from a corolla? Why do you say they are so uncomfy?
Surely they are better than the original board seats?

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:11 am

Forgot to ask, if you fitted them yourself, were they a straight fit or was extra drilling needed?

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:33 am

Firstly, those seats are not from any car, they are from Autostyle....they've got the holes for a 4-point harness as well.
Secondly, the seats are mounted on an elaborate steel frame made by the guys who did my conversion.....so it's not just a matter of drilling some holes.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:10 pm

Hi Zantus

When you say they are uncomfy are they to hard or do they not offer good saport?

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:32 pm

I think maybe I'm just too short for that type of seat.

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:40 pm

Zantus wrote:I think maybe I'm just too short for that type of seat.

As jy hulle uithaal kan jy hulle altyd aan jou langer maaitjie skenk

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:42 pm

Cool maybe you should take a seat in my van before you mount your seats then you can decide if you want to mount them a bit lower then I have. I am still in 2 minds I might lower mine I need to drive it a bit more

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:44 pm

By the way I am busywaiting for a few quotes from some local engineers on my bumper I was begining to wonder would it not be a good idea to go into business making these things

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:39 pm

Hi Guys

I just recoved a landy 110 v8 about 500m from my house lol he got stuck on a gravel heap beached on the chassis just a little bit of digging the gravel out from underneath however there was not much tracksion offered by the builders gravel so my van dug in alittle but I managed to get him out eventualy

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:22 am

With what did you pull him? If you don't have snatch strap, you should get yourself one. Don't buy from Mega, we've had some bad experiences with those snatch straps.(EDIT: only their older type red straps are bad, the newer white snatch straps are much better) I prefer to buy the Spanset strap, as sold by Makro.
I've recovered a fully kitted 110 landy that probably weighed about 2.5ton stranded on it's chassis on a sandy hill, with my zook that only weighed 800kg, by using a snatch strap. I was also on sand as well with no traction, but the energy from a 4m run-up was enough to get him off.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:30 am

Hi Zantus

I used a normal tow strap I think my next investment should be a snach strap looks like when you drive a hilux you bound to need it to help someone out of a bind

Thanks for the tip on which one to buy :D

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:53 am

I have said it before and I still believe that recovery equipment is expensive. I have a snatch strap but it has never been used. Mainly because every time I needed a recovery a light tuck with my pull strap was enough. If I can not recover someone with my pull strap, they can buy my snatch from me at normal retail value and I will then replace mine again.

I think it is rude to go to a trail without the necessary recovery equipment and then expect someone else to use up or damage their equipment on you. Lets say an instance arise where I am so stuck that I can not be recovered by my own kit and I need to say for instance be winched out and the winch cable break, I would insist on replacing it for the guy who helped me, but other people do not always think like me, and will leave the good Samaritan to cover his own loss.

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:18 pm

I do agree about replacing damaged recovery equipment and if I break my snatch strap or something on someone else's vehicle, I would hint that they need to replace it, but it would not be the determining factor in a recovery.
My view point about equipment usage is a bit different.
Firstly I cannot wait to recover someone else, for the excitement and more importantly it's constantly improving my recovery skills and reducing the risk of vehicle, equipment, environment damage and personal injury on future recoveries. The practice I get helps me to know what to do when something goes wrong and because I've done it before, it helps me to stay calm....and you cannot believe how important that is....people usually make a mess of a recovery because they're stressed out.
Secondly, I know my recovery equipment and what I can do with it. Someone else might not look after their equipment as well as I do and it could fail during the recovery.
Thirdly, I set up the recovery with my own equipment and I take the neccesary precaution like using safety straps at the attachment points, etc. Someone else might not take the same precautions and put the lifes of me and my passengers in danger.

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:05 pm

I have not thought of it from that perspective thanks.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:07 pm

I agree so I will make sure I have all the nessary stuff as I can affored it

:roll:

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:12 pm

If you have a decent strap or two, decent shackles and a high lift jack you should be able to get out of most situations. Also get a few pieces of rope to secure shackles and other kit so that it does not become flying missiles during failure and you are set.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:28 pm

Cool I have all that I just need a snatch

d4d · Post by **d4d** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:53 pm

If I may add some additional recovery Gear that is extremely cheap to carry around and
it does not take any space...
1. Sandbags. ............
You can buy them from WPK, Argricultural market or even keep your
old Fire wood bags, not the plastic ones,
Folded they take no space.
You can then Fill them with sand, small rocks, maybe your skoonma etc
and put them in under the
wheel (x-axle) or what ever situation, or a few bags on sand after one another
in the track, its amazing how many uses and how well it works.

2. a default tool is a lekker compact spade as well

3. small bucket, this is a tested menthod, especially done next to the Namibian
coast. Vissermanne stop sommer met 2 wheel drive bakkie, net voor hulle
waai, gooi hulle so paar emmer see water in die track voor die agter wiele
beide kante. Vas trap plek en daar gat jy.... make allot of difference.

just my 2c

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:04 pm

Hay D4D
Thanks for the useful tips will keep them in mind

Sifu-Lux · Post by **Sifu-Lux** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:36 pm

Hi Justin,

This is the diff internals I have (minus ring gear, but with bearings)

Andrew

Sifu-Lux · Post by **Sifu-Lux** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:39 pm

I see your signature says you have a rear locker. What kind? I don't know if this will work then.
Let me know.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:55 am

Hi Welcome to the site Andrew

I dont have any lockers maybe you might be getting confused with SFA which stands for Solid Front Axil

So the diff will be great thanks

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:18 am

I see were you are getting confused it is with our ratings on the left depending on how meany posts you get a rating from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive high and so on

Sifu-Lux · Post by **Sifu-Lux** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:49 pm

Yes, figured the ratings thing out after I posted the reply

I was thinking about your diff noise, and maybe the parts I have will not help if you have a worn ring and pinion. Best to pull the diff and visually inspect the ring gear and pinion and check the backlash. The gear mesh should be OK if the pinion has not been removed before.

From memory I think the backlash should be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm but I stand corrected.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:36 pm

Hi Andrew

I think the noise is comming from the spider gears I have had a look into the diff with boreoscope (sorry about the spelling

) and the ware on the tooth face on the crown wheel and pinion is ok even though the back lash is a little to much. However I am not going to stress to much about it when I take leave in a few weeks to fit my bumper I will take it down to a mate of mine who is clued up on the imported axil and he can check it out for me. Depending on the outcome there I will then decide what to do. My worry is that spares are difficult to come by so if it turns out that i need one or some of the parts that you have I would apretiate it if I could buy them from you

How often do you drive your van?

Sifu-Lux · Post by **Sifu-Lux** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:18 pm

Lets see, ~4000km in 4 years = 83km / month on average!

I'll try drop the diff off with you this week if I get a chance, otherwise phone me and come pick it up after work.

I pulled it out of my spares pile last night.

Beware of Jagtvlakte - It claims victims...

SYRON CONVERSIONS · Post by **SYRON CONVERSIONS** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:40 pm

What is a Jagtvlakte
I see in your pic, it looks like you rolled your vehicle, looks nice with the black paint along the sides, do you have lots of Hilux spares and if so do you sell them?

Cool looking Hilux

Sifu-Lux · Post by **Sifu-Lux** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:58 pm

hi Simon

I have "leftovers" in my garage after my V6 conversion and I was thinking of posting them for sale on the forum. I only joined yesterday after leaving 4xforum last year.

1 x '87 Hilux DC 4x4 minus loadbody and engine ( I removed the JT3000 Ford V6 and put it in my vehicle)
Body has some rust and no rear seats but chassis, g/box, axles complete and in good order.

1 x 4 Y engine in running order removed from my Hilux.

I'LL TRY TAKE SOME PHOTOS THIS WEEKEND AND POST THEM.

Vehicle has been scrapped and no longer licensed, so is good for spares or as an offroad project.

This is the vehicle before I threw the "bak" away.

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:15 pm

Hi Sifu Lux
Please provide me with the parts that is left and what you would like for it.

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:50 pm

Depending on price I may be interested in the rear or even both diffs.

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:31 pm

Andrew, if you're going to break it up, I'd like to come around and see what's left, there might be a few bits I can use on the Hilex.
I'll PM you my number and e-mail address.

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:49 pm

SYRON CONVERSIONS wrote:What is a Jagtvlakte
I see in your pic, it looks like you rolled your vehicle, looks nice with the black paint along the sides, do you have lots of Hilux spares and if so do you sell them?

Cool looking Hilux

Hi Simon Jagtvlakte is a local sand pitt so to speek were there re some really nice obsticals and so on check photos on this post

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=273

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:17 am

Simon, all the video clips belowe were taken at Jagtvlakte....sorry, not all hilux's, mostly my friend's black colt, but it gives you a good idea of the type of obsticles.
This area is where many of our local 4x4 challenges are held. The closest major land mark is the VW factory, which is about 2km away, so it is right on the edge of Uitenhage, and very easy to get to.
Justin, did you know you can drive from Jagtvlakte along gravel roads all the way to St Albans?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lwF2MG6bDM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgIRBckrVwE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QQwSTLsomk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErcDwgKHB20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTrS7n_OXes