luke86's Sprinter

[Dom86]

The booster has a big metal gasket type thing behind it. You will be able to bolt it straight back up.
Keep it going.

[luke86]

Okay guys, well I've had a bit of time off work up my sleeve and I've been up to no good... no not really but heres what I've done:

I've stripped the engine bay right down to nothing bar the speedo and throttle cables and a loom. Can I just say, removing the booster was a c#nt of a job and I don't really want to do it again... ever.

Also removed the hard brake lines (rounded out the fronts) and fuel lines. I thought I may as well go the whole way and removed all the little bolts, grommets and what-nots from the engine bay and im glad I did too.

I spent the crappier parts of about hmm say 5 days doing a few hours each day wire wheeling the engine bay and plastering on the paint stripper. Wasn't the most exciting part and I was getting bored fast.

FYI paint stripper burns like a mofo.

So today I had my first hand attempt at painting anything automotive so I was a bit nervous but I got over it and got onto painting the engine bay. It wasn't the best day coz of stoopid Melbourne weather.

I knew from the start that the final product didn't have to be 'show' quality
so If there's any imperfections Im not fussed at all. Like near the turrets and firewall there was still paint there but I cbf wire wheeling especially where it couldn't go.

So I used etch primer, surface primer and then an undercoat of acrylic white. I really wanted to use white as the final colour but decided against it and went with matt black instead. Well technically its not matt black but I just haven't finished it up with clear so you could say satin? You decide...

So the plan from here is to transfer the rear drivelines over and then swap the brake/fuel lines. Then I have to still suss out the fueling of it (the EFI tank is in pieces) So for now we will see how I go.











These were taken with the tripod light off.




Cheers
Luke

[luke86]

Got a bit more done today all though it was for only a couple of hours. I attempted to swap the front suspension on both but I only had enough light to finish the trueno.

My first go doing this and I tried to call a couple of mates for help, coz I was stumped at one stage, but I eventually got there. Fairly straight forward but very tiring undoing the two bolts that go through the steering arms and even more so with the coil-overs with the RCA's.

I've got some pics of them side by side and yeah I don't really know much about the coils. Im a bit suss about them when I looked closer (see pics) do you guys think I should worry about it? Also the face bit where the wheel studs come through is that rust bad, as in don't use them or would I be alright?

Im going to install them into the sprinter tomorrow and then start on the rears. Im going to have to source some braided front brake lines as the JDM lines were pretty worn and stretched. So to make it easier I just snipped them.

Anyone know where? Does a site sponsor sell them? How much would I be looking at?

Anyways that is all........









Cheers
Luke

[Golberg]

Bit of a sketchy job done on those coilovers.

I would recommend taking the shocks out of them and checking if they're ok.

I personally wouldn't worry about the rust on the hubs, just give it a lather with WD40 and that'll stop it from rusting further.

AJPS sell braided lines, but I personally would just go to a brake place and get them made up. I have found most brake places are cheaper than AJPS and also give you the plastic/rubber coated braid for extra protection. Just take in one of the other lines from the original struts so they have something as a guide for length.

[luke86]

Thanks again there Golberg! So not much of an update but I've finished swapping the front suspension parts over. Those RCA bolts are a plick of a thing and annoying having to file down the LCA so I can get a socket over the bolt.

When I finished up installing the coils, it looked like the studs that came through the camber tops were going to poke through the bonnet. But luckily when I fitted it up the studs missed the bonnet all together but Im sure they're like 1mm away from the bonnet but meh.

I fiddled around with the camber and (don't laugh) but was my first time 'adjusting' them and I undid the 4 small bolts with allen heads and the strut and spring just dropped out of place.

After I realised what I had done I was thinking wtf how do you do these?

So I just got a jack and pumped the LCA up until the plate came up to the top and I manuevered (sp) it into place and wacked the bolts back through it quick smart.

Again easy-e doing the swap really and I'll have the next couple of days to swap the rear ends over.





Cheers
Luke

[Golberg]

Looking sweet keep it up.

When you swap the rear ends over, tighten the links with stands under the diff so that the suspension is under load.

Just thought I should mention that before you start.

[.ady]

TUFFF CAMBER BROOOOO get fat wheels !

[Dom86]

HAAHA. I love playing with my camber too. I can get something like 7 degrees. Looks cool.
The welds on your coil overs is pretty bad lol. Nothing to worry about if they have lasted this long. I hope my welds come out better lol.
Keep it up buddy.

[luke86]

Yesterday was another busy day and it started off with a parcel. (cheers 44GTE) Sooo wrapt I though I would start on the car early and I got stuck into that and the diffs.

I had to drill the extra holes for the centre piece and I think I choked a bit but not by much. That was done in about 10 minutes. Then once that was done I started to remove the sprinter rear.

Fairly straightforward removing them but when trying to line it back up with the trailing arms, by yourself, its much harder.

The Sprinter had a blown shock so thats why my car was so slanty on one side?!! Anyhoo that diff has gone into the trueno so to keep it rolling.

The t series that came out of the trueno is leaking something chronic so I need to get that sealed back up before I re install it.

Question: Do I go to supercheap/autobahn/bursons and ask for a t-series diff seal? Also does it have to be torque wrenched back up?

After I fix that leak Im going to give it a clean and a couple of coats of black. Do you guys think I should bother with primer?

Im a bit busy over the next couple of days but I want to try and have that diff wire wheeled by monday. So I can get the parts needed to be leak free and painted minty fresh.

Anyways pics say a 1000 words.






I'll be using the blue springs (unknown specs) and the adjustable GAB struts


What are these? Do I need them and how do I take them off?


4WD spec


This is where Im left off with,



Cheers
Luke

[.ady]

how much did the red lines set you back? everythign is looking good man. dying to come over and see the finshed product! those black things on the rear aren't really needed...you can hack saw them off