Offroad-Express

They are nicer and quieter than the old tread pattern.

Man I love the Murdered look on TJ's - its what Im chasing to achieve. Am currently talking to a powdercoater in One Hung to get all bumpers done matt as truck currently looks really "90's" with Chrome rims and brushed bullbars all round (not to mention the top gun detailing). The rims are pretty sick too - were there any offset issues?

Rims are Procomp Alloys in matt black finish. No issues at all. I don't like chrome, hence its been either replaced or painted over. You can easily paint the bumpers yourself.

Well, one of the tyres developed a bubble/bulge in the sidewall last week that can't be explained. I have done less than 600 kms on these tyres. Seems like a moulding anomaly where the outer sidewall skin is starting to separate from the inner belts. Its back with the shop for assessment and replacement.

Last night, cable for tumble action on the passenger side broke inside. The seat now can't tumble when pulled on the lever. Another item to fix.

There is a catch under the seat to release the backrest untill you can replace the cable. The cable is over $80 from NZ dealers. You could try and make something using bicycle gear changing cable.

vitara888 wrote:There is a catch under the seat to release the backrest untill you can replace the cable. The cable is over $80 from NZ dealers. You could try and make something using bicycle gear changing cable.

Thanks, yes I know the catch. But kids are just going over center console so its not a problem. I will see where the break is in the cable and then go from there.

Big thumbs up to Herb Morgan Tyres for new replacement tyre free of charge. They are are a good bunch of guys who look after their customers.

Changed turn signals from normal bulbs to LED replacement bulbs. Much cleaner light.

Just about got all TJ rear disc factory parts. Time to swap soon.

Been a while, but I should be coming back a bit more frequently now. I came very close to selling it last week. But things have changed.

Changed diff oil in both ends. It was a nice autumn day. Greased all joints. Changed engine oil and filter. Changed water pump, radiator hoses, thermostat and thermostat housing.

I just now have to fix the rear drive shaft end piece, its letting the grease fall out as the driveshaft extends and compresses. Its one of those plugs that popped out.

Taken off the winch to service it. Hopefully that's done in the next week. I have never taken it apart before. Learning curve should be steep the first time around.

I have my black hard top for sale now. Its not damaged anywhere and is tinted for security. I haven't put it up on TradeMe yet.

I am thinking about getting rid of the back seat as well and turn it into a 2 seater with a nice storage box in the back.

What you looking at getting for it TJ? My brother wants one but funds are not flash at the moment? I will mention it to him anyways. Where abouts are you?

Removed the rear seat, I don't need it anymore. Removed all the brackets as well. Now I have a lot of space to buy/build a cargo box.

Seat is on TradeMe. So is hard top.

Hard top sold. Soft top on order but won't be here for a few days.



It was a bit breezy driving around in the evening today.

Took the carpet out. Back tub is fine but the front foot area is down to bare metal on both driver and passenger side. I guess carpet backing acted as fine sandpaper over the years and took the paint off completely.

I might have to do Hippoliner in the entire tub to prevent it from starting to rust. There is no rust yet, but without carpet it will be more exposed to the elements.

Picked up bed liner kit from Car Colors of North Shore, great bunch of guys.



I'll start the prep now, everything has to come out from the inside to do a proper job. I will somehow have to hire or borrow a compressor to do.

Took the doors off today and drove around with no top and no doors. It felt a bit naked, but got a smile from a passing cop!

Sweet, I look forward to seeing the end results
I'm planning on using Raptor to do my Hilux when the time comes.

Inside strip out is almost complete. All seats are out, carpet gone, seat belts undone and tucked away to keep safe from paint, all brackets off, and rubber grommets tagged/bagged. Only left in is centre console (which will be removed soon). Then comes sanding and washing. Then all the taping and cover up. Its a lot of prep work. I still haven't figured out where to source the air compressor from for a weekend to paint (don't really want to buy it).

New Spectre intake turned up today. Now have to design a snorkel too. Winch seals turned up. I can now service it and put it back in.

Best of all new soft top arrived as well.

Depends where you are ofcourse mate but I've got a compressor you are welcome to for as long as you need

Greg
Ashhurst
Manawatu

Fully stripped the interior, except the dashboard. Washed the insides. Then sanded it in preparation for Raptor bed liner. Took me 4.5 hours to sand it lightly. Too many bumps and ridges in the tub.




Picking up a compressor tomorrow. Hopefully I can clean and mask everything tomorrow evening. Then spray it on Saturday.

Interior scuffed up with 150 grit sandpaper:



Most of the masking done - white patches are primer touch ups to where paint was down to bare metal by carpet rubbing:



All ready to spray. Interior wiped with Wax & Grease remover. Sprayed with Grip # 4 (2 light coats):



Close up of transmission tunnel shows the texture:



After 3 coats, waited for 90 minutes and took all the masking tape off to leave nice clean lines:



Now I have to wait for 7 days for it properly cure and be ready for use. It can be used after a couple of days, but I can't do much during the week anyway.

Looks good man.

Very tidy, good job!

Ace job, well done!

Thanks guys. There was no overspray to clean up, thanks to two days of masking effort. I can still smell it in the garage a little. Now the fun part starts off remembering where everything goes.

Nice... !!!

Looks great TJ so when ya coming to do mine?
Green with envy!

Any time you are ready to do it, I can give you all my learning out of this little experiment.

Everything was nice and dry after a week. Seats are back in. New soft top is on. It was a struggle to do it at night as the material was very stiff. Used a space heater to warm everything up. Finally fits. Took it for a spin. Very quiet for a soft top. I went with Bestop Trektop NX. Fastback look.

nice job on the liner tj......can you snap a pic of your new top......thanks