The Baja - Progress Thread

[Hawk Tuah]

Ok, so I've got it painted.

Still a long way from being done, but at least the colour is on.

So here it is....

 

[Hawk Tuah]

What else are you doing to it?

Looks good, I probably would have kept it black though!

There are already 2 black Baja's around this way, so I wanted something different.

I'm going all military, so this is just the flat base.

I've got a set of cannons on their way, chrome bits for the engine, a louvred rear window. I have new trim for the windows, and I need to get some proper rear lights. (Those are just temporary). The light rims need to go on (still wet) and I'm going to get some grills to cover them.

I'm going to add some graphics on it. Probably a union jack and a number.

I'm also going to add a roof rack, and maybe some cargo netting.

Then I'm going to find some proper off road tyres.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Looks cleaner in this colour though.

One thing however, howcome this is now the 3rd thread on the development of this car? most people would have just kept updating the first one....?

I'll keep them to this one now.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

That's was quick! Your spraying/re-assembly speed PWNS!!!

Spray........

It was rolled.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

How fast is it?

I know its not all about speed when going over sand dunes and stuff like that because most speeds feel like you are flying but im just curious.

Where are you gonna drive it to?

Its not exactly fast. Its a bit wobbly at speed at the moment so I havent taken it over 70. I dont think it would do much more than that.

I have it booked in next week with a specialist for new joints on the front suspension. That should tidy the steering out, then I'm going to invest in a new set of shocks.

I dont really intend to drive it anywhere as such. Just have a bit of fun cruising around. Might go to a few VW events and stuff. Will be fun down the beach if it ever gets nice.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Got the new exhaust fitted. I thought I'd give a go at cleaning those alu fins up a bit. I think they look quite cool.

They sound great. A lot quieter than the stinger. The neighbours will be pleased. Now I need to tidy that engine up a bit!

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Can I just ask, whats stopping a stranger walking up to the back of the car and messing around with it?

Whats to stop me walking up to your car and undoing the wheel bolts on one of your wheels?


Oh and.

OOOf.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Adjustable coil overs. So I can raise the front end up a bit more.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Got lift?

Need to do the rear and fit bigger wheels now.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Got the new lights fitted, and put the louvred windscreen cover on.

Looking a bit more distinctive now.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Aye, cos it was a proper repmobile before, wasn't it? Nice work mate.

When I got it, there were 3 matt black Baja's around here.

When I showed the Baja club, they thought it was a baja another member must have sold me. Not that unique looking tbh. The matt black thing is done to death on them.

Now it is distictively my Baja.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Have you actually been driving it much? Takes a bit of getting used to after the Coupe I reckon...

Yer, I drive it all the time.

I use the bike to commute to work, and this is my 'round town' bit of fun.

Its very different to a coupe. In fact its very different to most things. But it works, sounds ace and is a lot of fun.

I should post a video of how it sounds now with the new exhaust. Much deeper. More like a harley.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Can I just ask how much has it cost you so far?

Not an awful lot. (he says )

Hmm let me think

£150 on replacing the ball joints. (at garage)
£100 on door cards and front coil overs
£40 on lights
£25 on new speakers
£75 on paint
£15 on sandpaper, brushes, rollers etc.
£45 on new window rubbers
£28 on the rear window cover.
£20 on aerials and
£6 on flag
About £50 on sparkplugs, leads, coil cover, manifold boots, fuel cap, oil cap, breather filter and fan belt.

So about £550 on top of the £1250 I paid for it.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Got the doors done now.

Mmmmm, tasteful.

Old.

New.

Much better.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Spent all day today painting the underside and repainting the exhaust. Turns out hammerite doesn't withstand high temperatures very well.

I've never been so coated in paint. Hammerite is a pain to get off skin! Should keep the undersides nice and protected for a few years to come though.

Plus, for future reference, Halfords very high temperature 'Metallic Black' would be better labelled 'grey'.

Should have some MONSTER tyres coming soon. 33 inches.

Still havent been able to repair the broken windscreen though.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

A set of rear coilovers are in the back of a delivery truck right now.

If my parents didn't go out Friday, they'd be on now. The rear is going up more.

I may put the tyres I have on the rear, on the front.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Picked up the new tyres.

OOOOf!

Now I need 2 more.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

The mrs took her to a dog show. Dont ask.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I've spent all day doing it. Fitted new coil overs. They came with a crappy C spanner to raise them up a bit, but its so flimsy I couldn't even tighten them up off the car, let alone with all the weight on them. So that'll have to be a job for later.

Spending most the afternoon with Mr Hickory to make them fit. My right hand side appears to be tighter than the left. I've got plenty of clearance left, but the right is very very close. It drives fine until I hit a bump or turn hard right. This weekend will have to involve some angle grinding to sort that out. :gun:

Anyway here's the pics.

The front is looking a bit more brutal with the fat wheels.

Now I need to find some matching wheels for the front axle.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

It did previously have a larger displacement engine in it. However it wouldn't look much different from the outside. There was a 'stinger' exhaust there which took up more room inside the cage.

I think the cage is wrong too. Should be pretty simple to rectify. May do it while I'm grinding the arches.