Bulldog gets New Clothes!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:46 pm

Ewald,

Your graphics always fascinate me!

I have trouble drawing a straight line, let alone any fancy shapes & curves and things!

-F_D

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:03 pm

I agree Bennie

4Y's RULE 8)

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:19 pm

The doors have been refitted, but the Hilux still looks very bare!

The Chassis after being painted - I think it looks very nice!

Another view:

Side view...

Note the different shades of the doors: They rubbed them down after spray painting to ensure perfect smoothness - not that I could feel any roughness any how before being rubbed down

- and then buffed same to bring up the shine. Tomorrow, Tommy wants to spray the engine booth - good luck to him here, there's a myriad of piping and wires all over the show - and touch up on the inside of the cab.

The load bin was also sprayed today:

The Hilux just has to be finished in another two days time. We're pushing it fine, but I have my hopes that Tommy will do this.

-F_D

Scotty · Post by **Scotty** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:56 pm

FD!

You are setting the standard for providing a detailed report. Please keep it up! I had no idea so much effort went into a respray.

After the respray are there any plans to re-furb your interior trim (is this possible??) or to re-carpet? Will you fit the new seats and rock sliders yourself?

Holding thumbs you get it all done in time.

Scotty :D

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:45 pm

Hi Scotty,

The interior is in good nick. I am in two minds about whether I should fit a carpet or not, currently I have a brown vinyl mat which is still in good condition and definitely easier to clean than a carpet. But I might, but then I will have to cut the Toyota emblem out of the existing floor mat and incorporate it into the carpet. The roof lining is still good, as is the dash.

I am hoping to fit these front seats, which came out of Wikus' 2.7 Hilux:

I will have to re-upholster the seats to match the interior, but that will only be done next year. In the meantime, seat covers will hide the mismatch of colours.

Tommy will fit the rock sliders in place of the running boards that I had on before. Still a lot of work to be done, I really hope he finishes everything in time before his annual shutdown.

-F_D

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:43 pm

Hi Eric I was also thinking about putting carpet in my van much more homley

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:19 am

Eric

While test driving a van with my cousin the other day I noticed the guy through out the vinyl and had the floor covered with dark greyish/black rubberising which I guess from looking at how it covered the bare metal nooks and crannies must be at least 1 cm thick . It really helps curbing road noise and is very practical to keep clean.

Post by **Family_Dog** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:52 pm

Hi Bennie,

I will go see Danie the Upholsterer and get his recommendations, but only in the New Year. Currently, my way of thinking is to retain the existing vinyl mats with the Toyota badge on them for reason of originality, and also because they still look good and are easy to clean. But we might fit some underfelt underneath to kaap noise levels at a minimum.

Here are today's photos:

Notice the Rock Sliders...

If you look carefully below the waistline, you will notice the wrinkled texture on the body work. This is caused by the Stone Chip" which Tommy added. Apparently as strong as steel, and helps protect the bodywork. In the previous photos, this shows up as a white colour.

I'm in two minds whether to highlight the "Toyota" embossed on the tail bin in black, as it was originally, or leave it plain... I think it looks kind of nice the way it is!

The engine bay before repray...

The engine bay after respray!

The Canopy in the nude after respray

Transferring the slide rails from the old seats to the 2.7i seats I got from Wikus

Dolling up the Roll Bar

Tomorrow is the big day!

I will collect her at close of day and I am so looking forward to driving my "new" car home. She will have place of honour in the garage, my platkar will have to spend the night outside

-F_D

ToyX4 · Post by **ToyX4** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:24 pm

She's looking good, Eric.

If you don't mind me saying, but make the "TOYOTA" on the bin black. It would be a nice contrast.
But that is my opinion.

Sleep well

Post by **Family_Dog** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:32 pm

Riaan,

If Tommy hasn't got it on tomorrow, together with the "Hilux" & "2200" logos, then I will have a whole month to think about it, because he shuts shop tomorrow until the New Year. He will be going down to Mossel Bay, he's a keen sports fisherman. Catches these big fish from his boat and then throws them back into the sea.

The Hilux & 2200 logos are must haves, hope one can still get them from Toyota. I will most probably redo the Toyota sign as well, after all, I am proud of her!

-F_D

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:45 pm

Hay FD she is looking so good

I see the wheel arch covers

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:47 pm

By the way thought about the wheels FD

Post by **Family_Dog** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:09 pm

Cookie Monster wrote:By the way thought about the wheels FD

I have, but that will have to wait. I only bought those rims a few months ago, they will charge me as much as I originally paid for them to powder-coat with another colour!

-F_D

Post by **Family_Dog** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:34 pm

TA-DA!!!!!!!!!!

: The Auto-Electrician, Auto-Trimmer and The Assistant...

The Interior Fitter....

: "I'm proud of my handi-work... "

Still some small niggling things to sort out, but that can wait until next year!

-F_D

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:39 pm

Wow she really looks great FD

8) I am jealious :!:

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:14 pm

Hi Eric, she looks very nice. :D :D I hope you don't mind me saying that your choice of models to re-launch your new look bakkie detract some what from her new good looks

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:13 am

Eric

Darn but it looks nice, do you want to trade for a Pajero?

DOELLOOS · Post by **DOELLOOS** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:05 am

I'll call Bennie's Pajero, and raise you a Patrol....

You cant call my Pajero if you do not have one yourself :!:

DOELLOOS · Post by **DOELLOOS** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:22 pm

Well, I quickly bought one for R5 at the discount store....so there, consider yourself raised...

Post by **Family_Dog** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:02 pm

Your offers are most tempting, lemme consider them.

Mmmmmmmmm...... OK, considered, and the answer is.....
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Nope, Sowwie!

-F_D

iHilux · Post by **iHilux** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:42 pm

Well done Eric!!!

She looks awesome...... you can be proud of a job well done.

Post by **Family_Dog** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:53 pm

Thanks Wade, will probably take some decent photos of her over the weekend if it doesn't flood here again -

-F_D

Ramkat · Post by **Ramkat** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 6:41 am

Looks very nice Eric, that colour suits a Hilux very well. What did the sprayjob cost you? My Ramkat is also in for respray, should get it next week but I still need to do a lot of work before I can start using it again, I stripped it myself, and will be putting it back together myself.

ToyX4 · Post by **ToyX4** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:05 am

She looks amazing!

Maybe ask Ewald to organise a few models thats more pleasing on the eye, for the next photo shoot

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:43 am

ToyX4 wrote:She looks amazing!

Maybe ask Ewald to organise a few models thats more pleasing on the eye, for the next photo shoot

Riaan,

You're supposed to be looking at the Hilux, not the "models"!

Will try arrange something for you...

-F_D

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:48 am

Ramkat wrote:Looks very nice Eric, that colour suits a Hilux very well. What did the sprayjob cost you? My Ramkat is also in for respray, should get it next week but I still need to do a lot of work before I can start using it again, I stripped it myself, and will be putting it back together myself.

Hi Ramkat,

Took them just under four weeks to do, and the final price was R9500, but that included the extras such as repairing the front seat runners (I swapped the standard front bucket seats for ones that came out of a 2.7i, but the runners were damaged) and also fitting the Onca Sliders. Then I also have a Canopy, which added about R1000 to the final price.

-F_D

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:36 pm

Eric, apart from the models in the pics she looks very very nice and for that price awsome. One question is she getting new mags as well

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:39 pm

Niel,

Mags are tempting, now that you mention it! Problem is I had just bought those rims, they are not even 6 months old yet. But you have raised an interesting point...

Anybody want to buy 5 x 15" white steel rims, the spare has never even been on the car, it's still in my workshop!

-F_D

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:44 pm

Eric, it is almost new. pitty you require spacers for you 2.7's mags on the SFA.

Andries · Post by **Andries** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:49 pm

Hi F D

Ek is skoon jaloers, as my bakkie nie klaar rooi was nie het ek jou gecopy. Ek like die kleur baie. Wys nie so gou stof soos die rooi nie. Sal eendag my plaas Isuzu die kleur maak, maar is tans bietjie vies vir die bakkie.(vies vir Isuzu, gee my op die oomblik baie K@#. Nie eers vroulief wil met haar ry nie!) :roll:

Gaan jy die 4Y fuel injection maak? Stel ook belang om dit te doen, maar ek sit op "Anuspoort" en ver van al die elektriese en ander fundies!

Andries

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:59 pm

Hi Andries,

Dankie, maar daai rooi bakkie van jou lyk net so mooi!!

Ek is van plan om EFI in te sit, dit sal 'n 'learning curve' wees vir my ook! Maar gelukkig het ek vir Bennie om te help me goeie advies

-F_D

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:37 pm

Hi Eric, I spotted this add for mags on the 4x4comm site:
http://4x4community.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14846

Post by **Family_Dog** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:02 am

Niel,

I saw that too. But they are not a direct fit, apparently I would need spacers. If that causes the wheels to stick out again, then it's not the way I want to go. Pity, because I think the Hilux would really look nice with a set of Legend mags on it.

-F_D

Ramkat · Post by **Ramkat** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:15 am

Family_Dog wrote:Niel,

I saw that too. But they are not a direct fit, apparently I would need spacers. If that causes the wheels to stick out again, then it's not the way I want to go. Pity, because I think the Hilux would really look nice with a set of Legend mags on it.

-F_D

Eric,

You can have spacers made at your local engineering shop, I paid about R300 for 2, you only need for the front wheels.

Post by **Family_Dog** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:37 am

Jack,

You're certainly tempting me! How thick are the spacers? Do you require new studs as well? Is your front wheel track width now greater than the rear wheel track?

I've shot him a PM, let's see what he responds with, regarding the condition etc of the rims.

-F_D

Ramkat · Post by **Ramkat** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:51 am

Ek kan nie onthou hoe duk die spacers is nie, sal vir jou meet, as jy mooi vra kan jy myne by my koop, ek wil nog van my 2.7 rims ontslae raak, en glo nie ek gaan spacers weer gebruik nie.Met die spacers wat ek laat maak het, het jy nie nodig om die studs te verander nie.Ja, jou voorste wiele sal bietjie wyer loop as agter met die breedte van die spacers, tensy jy 4 spacers opmaak.

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:45 pm

My spacers is 8mm IIRC.

Post by **Family_Dog** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:13 pm

Bulldog received his credentials today...

-F_D

Post by **Family_Dog** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:52 pm

As part of Bulldog's ongoing beauty treatment, I took him to Speedy Den and had some accessories fitted. First, a fancy remote operated central locking and VESA alarm system and then I had some speaker boards made for the previously rather unsightly manner that the speakers were mounted in all four doors.

I don't know if I have any photos of how the door speakers used to look, will browse some time and see if I do, but the new board is an outstanding improvement.

The front speakers:

The patched door grip is going to be replaced as soon as I get the new one from Toyota.

The rear speakers:

The rear speakers have a raised portion because one of Bulldog's previous owners tried fitting the speakers (6x9) vertically - and then couldn't operate the window winder. So in ortder to cover the unsightly patch they had fitted, we put an extension to the sound board.

Note that the speakers now look very shabby

We have allowed for a slightly larger size to accommodate complete new units when the mood gets me.

Finally, the changes seem to have met with the approval of the Chairman of the Board (Hilux4x4):

-F_D

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:00 pm

Looks good, FD!

leonbrink · Post by **leonbrink** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:19 pm

Where did you have the speaker boards made? I want some too!!! Mine looks horrible!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:25 pm

Thanks Johan! I have been keen to do this ever since I saw your excellent speaker pods, but wasn't sold on the amount of footspace I would lose with my size 11 running gear! These are probably more like kick panels rather than an acoustic masterpiece, but I feel they've improved what was previously a very shoddy job by one of the previous owners.

Only problem I can see now is that soon I will probably be laying out on new speakers, inspite of our esteemed Reserve Bank Governor. One thing leads to another, Bulldog was just supposed to get central locking and an alarm...

-F_D

Post by **Family_Dog** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:32 pm

leonbrink wrote:Where did you have the speaker boards made? I want some too!!! Mine looks horrible!

Leon, from Speedy Den, here in Klerksdorp. I really wish I had taken a series of 'before & after' photos, my Pioneer speakers looked sick sticking out about an inch from the door panel and were always getting kicked by those entering and exiting the vehicle. The boards are heavy as hell, made from 16mm Supawood and then upholstered in matching (sort of, anyway!) upholstery. They were purpose made and they weren't really that expensive, R750 per set of two. I was only going to do the front doors but figured the back door panels looked really crappy with the vertical cut-out & patch.

If you like, I can enquire whether he has still got the sizes but they prefer fitting them at the shop because they will not know where your existing speakers are, the holes are cut to match individual speakers. I asked them to make my recesses large enough to accept a new speaker & cover in case I want to update in the future. I probably will, I just want to see if the grilles still get kicked in when entering and leaving Bulldog.

-F_D

leonbrink · Post by **leonbrink** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:37 pm

Thanks for the reply. I think I must go to my local sound shop to hear if they can do something similar. I am going to print out the pics of your door panels if you don't mind. It really look way better!
Lekker aand!

Dadz Toy BFI · Post by **Dadz Toy BFI** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:09 am

Nice..., VERY Nice FD :!: :!:

I've got a pair of 500w 14" SubWoofers collecting dust in my workshop - in a "behind the back seats" board which I used to have in my Nissan Hardbody SC - you can have 'em, if you come and collect :)

I took them out along with: 4x 6x10" 3-way, pioneers, 4x 150mm 3-way pioneers, 4x 100mm 3-way Competition and 800watt Amp - all hidden under dust in my workshop.

I used to have the Amp fitted under the passenger seat of Dadz Toy, but new BMW Seats won't permit

I just carried my iPod on a lanyard around my neck and plugged it and out when I felt, awesome sound but these days I prefer the Music from my Lux's freeflow

Maybe I'm getting old and decrepid :roll:

Cheers and enjoy your sound :!: :!:

Rich

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:52 pm

Realisng how *a* the armrest looked in this photo, I ordered a new one from Toyota. Expensive, but the original did last over 20 years and as it was originally on the driver's side, it worked hard.

The part number is 742108910305 and it cost R286.00, in case anyone is interested.

Other stuff:

Plastic grill clips (between grill and bodywork) part # is 9046712022 and they are about R8.00 each.

Plastic clips for holding windscreen washer pipe to bonnet, part # 9095901136 and they're damn expensive at around R67.00 each.

Plastic (Nylon) grommet that armrest screws into on door panel Part # 9018906018 at R6-70 each.

-F_D

DOELLOOS · Post by **DOELLOOS** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:35 pm

I don't think anybody here is interested or even cares about such an old Hilux...

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:35 pm

Bulldog is in the prime of his life!

-F_D

blom · Post by **blom** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:56 am

Post by **JohanM** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:17 am

Eric,

I do agree with you on that one........Bulldog is only now starting to enjoy life...

Maybe its because the other people are not driving SFA's anymore that is causing the remarks about age.

Jealosy is a nasty thing Ewald...

Post by **CasKru** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:07 am

JohanM wrote:Eric,

I do agree with you on that one........Bulldog is only now starting to enjoy life...

Maybe its because the other people are not driving SFA's anymore that is causing the remarks about age.

Jealosy is a nasty thing Ewald...

I think BD is now only loosened up from when it came from the factory.

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:39 pm

Bulldog is now sporting the refurbished ARB Bullbar.

Here, my two Foremen, Rusty & Tammy, inspect the new Hilift Jack points, manufactured by a well-known and respected Shock Absorber manufacturer in the Kingdom of Landrovia, appointed on behalf of the Monarch. The OHMS Appointed Manufacturer also fitted a base plate to the left of the right headlamp, which will be used to mount either (or both) an antenna/s for 29MHz and/or HF/SSB radio, as the mood catches me.

Powder coating was done in Potch and I have been assured it will not fade in the harsh West Tvl sunlight. New Golf Indicators were bought and a very slight modification had to be made to Bulldog's chassis to accept the ARB, which caught on the last 1mm chassis which jutted out in front of the cross-member.

-F_D

Tristan · Post by **Tristan** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:18 pm

Rusty and Tammy dont look entirely convinced yet :!: What was there final verdict

Looks to me that they are very thorough and wont except any half bake jobs

blom · Post by **blom** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:36 pm

Eish madala Erick that looks like a MMMMMMmmmmmmmm Steers moment
where is the arb logo sticker majig thing
Powdercoating is nice and shiney?

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:49 pm

blom wrote:
Eish madala Erick that looks like a MMMMMMmmmmmmmm Steers moment
where is the arb logo sticker majig thing
Powdercoating is nice and shiney?

Blom,

Looks very lekker! Tammy & Rusty quite happy with the hi-lift points :)

The ARB sticker thing is still in my shirt pocket (Note to self: Take it out - NOW - or it will most likely end up in the WASH!).

Ons het gou eers die ou gom van die sticker afgehaal, sal dit more met SooooperGloooo vas steek (Is that the right word?

)

Powder coating is good, one little place where they scratched it, but Johnny had some special 3M stuff that took it out :)

-F_D

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:17 pm

Jislaaik, Eric. Looks lekka!

Have you sold your NudgeM yet?

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:23 pm

Not sure... Darryl?

I paid a total of R6700 for the ARB, the NudgeM is only a year old and in perfect condition. I have no idea what a new NudgeM costs now, but how would R5500 sound? This is the price as suggested by Johnny at Warthog 4x4, here in Klerksdorp. I originally bought the NudgeM from him last year.

-F_D

blom · Post by **blom** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:32 pm

Madala seeing that you are not married you kan "steek vas" anything you like my china

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:25 pm

Let me just go see Blom this week and then I'll let you know, Eric.

ToyX4 · Post by **ToyX4** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:05 pm

Hey Eric, glad you have Bulldog back!

All I could see was Bulldog, and inside behind the wheel, one heluva big, broad smile

That sparewheel carrier looks real good. :!: