Quote: Originally Posted by yohoes [View Post] The VZ SS ones don't exactly look like it's from the future, we're talking Commodores here haha.. It does have a clip/button on the front.. I'll take a photo of it in my ute to give you an idea I imagine fibre glassing the GPS to the compartment lid, and fibre glassing the compartment insides smooth + painting it all same dash colour How the fark did the iPod dock get done? I imagine it's a regular dock thats been fibre glassed in + trimmed the same as the console?? I'm not really very original, but have you just generally had a browse of late 80s Jap and Euro cars to see what awesome "futuristic" stuff they were pumping out in that era, so you can retro-steal their tech? I swear the Nissan Bluebird had a HUD in that sorta time frame iirc If you can please take a pic of the holder both in and out and pass me measurements of the width, it would be appreciated. The iPod dock was actually built out of wood. Then a guy in Perth who specialises in plastics matched the colour and plastic grain of the VL console and did his magic with the plastic coat over. Yeah, I have spent a lot of time (some would say, obsessively) researching the technology of the time and also having access to some GMH people who worked there at the time (I was there 1999/2000 as a consultant). The HUD you're thinking of for the Nissan Bluebird was mid 90s on their SSS model I think. The HUD I have in mind should be simple green digits that would match the aesthetics of the instruments and cabin design. I already have a unit design in mind and will start planning for it when in get back to Perth next.

The thing about leaving a car sitting around for awhile is that issues crop up from time to time. And I've had my fair share even after a full rebuild. 1. Wasn't getting Injection Pulse I searched through various forums including this one and it appears its a problem that crops up time to time. Car would turn over but not fire up. Spark but no injection pulse. So started with the Crank Angle Sensor. Pulling apart the dizzy I was surprised to see the level of corrosion or whatever the residue is. I've not had water in the engine bay since rebuild and was puzzled as to how it got like this. Condensation? So I replaced the CAS and cleaned the gunk and reinstalled the dizzy. That didn't fix it. 2. ECU? Pulled out the ECU and started going through the codes. Still couldn't figure it. 3. A Quick Bypass The voltage was dropping to about 8v when it hit the injectors and we couldn't figure out why. According to manual there's a relay to check but we couldn't find it given the car has had much of its wiring hidden or chopped and redone. We rigged the car to start using a bypass. Running like a dog through.... 4. Relay Finally located that relay. [/URL Replaced it and all issues went away. Car returned to being awesome. But it took us a better part of a day to troubleshoot the issue. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

A shame these issues crop up from time to time,Hence the reason I try and use the cars as often as possible. When possible get out and enjoy! Cheers Marty

Very impressive build! Gave me some ideas... Thanks Evilpet

Hi EvilPet, how are you mate? was it hard to change dash globes to LED, or straight plug in?

whats progress evlpet? always a wicked build! by the way your not this steve / sven character in w.a. with the commodore custom electronics company thats popping up a lot?

No he's not..

Quote: Originally Posted by INFLYTmelb [View Post] Hi EvilPet, how are you mate? was it hard to change dash globes to LED, or straight plug in? Straight replacement. The kits are available on eBay. Refer post 75 on this thread. ---------- Post added 05-04-15 at 06:24 ---------- Quote: Originally Posted by SIroller [View Post] whats progress evlpet? always a wicked build! by the way your not this steve / sven character in w.a. with the commodore custom electronics company thats popping up a lot? Still thinking of things to do. But sort of lost interest given I'm overseas. I do want to see the HUD done. I have got a unit that just does straight green digital numbers and it would be taking the signal straight from the digital speedo cable. But I'll sort it out when I'm back next, not sure when. No, I'm definitely not Steve. I live in London. The car is a hobby project when I'm back in Perth.

Love this build. Original for sure.

Can someone please pass me the dimensions of the VL rear view mirror? I'm thinking of installing a mirror cam and want to get one that's closest to the dimensions and want to sort one out before I get back to Oz in December. BTW: Has anyone got one of these? Trying to find a review of it. Pros / Cons? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5Inch-108...item1c56bc7bb6 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5Inch-1080p-Rearview-Mirror-WiFi-Bluetooth-GPS-Navigator-Dual-Camera-Car-DVR-32G-/121714277302?hash=item1c56bc7bb6)

Quote: Originally Posted by EvilPet 4. Relay Finally located that relay. [/URL Replaced it and all issues went away. Car returned to being awesome. But it took us a better part of a day to troubleshoot the issue. That looks like a piece of **** of a relay! Hope you popped a decent one in. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Does anyone know of a place in Perth I can either have my steering rack replaced / swapped / reconditioned? Seen some on eBay, not too sure whether anyone have tried those. Any tips on buying outright / swapping / reconditioning appreciated.

Power Steering Specialists in Malaga have done a few for me for numerous cars. Have done exchange and installed myself, and also left car for a few hours to have them do the job..

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve [View Post] Power Steering Specialists in Malaga have done a few for me for numerous cars. Have done exchange and installed myself, and also left car for a few hours to have them do the job.. Thanks! Will check it out.

As many who've been following this thread would know, I had the engine stripped and rebuilt. Thing is, as I'm not here most of the year, I don't drive all that often and the car hasn't even racked up 2000kms since 2010/11. But besides going through 4 batteries during that time, my water pump gave in this trip. It was in Rockingham when it finally gave in. Rather than drive with a can of water and top her up as required, and possibly fry the engine, I opted to get her towed to Morley. Upon taking the water pump off, we noticed a lot of muddy crap in there. The radiator and whole system needed a high pressure flush but I'm doing that again when in get back end of the year. Anyone have any ideas how to slow down or stop the muddy crap buildup from car sitting around I'm open to ideas. Oh, BTW. Thermostats (genuine) are rare as rocking horse crap so unfortunately had to go non-genuine. ---------- Post added 05-03-17 at 23:04 ---------- UPDATE 2: That Old Steering Rack I've been wanting to get the steering rack replaced now for two years and finally got it sorted this time around. Bought online through an exchange service this was waiting for me when I got back to Oz. I managed to even find a BRAND NEW IN BOX Power steering reservoir bottle. Woo Hoo!! When the work was done there were two issues; 1. We didn't have the boss removal tool so couldn't straighten the wheel. I was flying out a few hours after this work was done so it has to be left until I get back. Can someone on here lend me the tool in December? 2. The steering now seems heavier. Again didn't have time to troubleshoot but if people on here have ideas I can go through each suggestion when I get back. ---------- Post added 05-03-17 at 23:31 ---------- UPDATE 3: More Modifications Ok, these might be going slightly off brief to what I originally wanted as a "Concept Car" but I think will be invaluable for ongoing use. Heads Up Display - Version 1 Finally installed this thanks to the help of a few members here (esp. Steve & Simon Bachig24u). Next time I'm back, I'll get the little unit which is quite covertly installed colour coded and matched to the dash and see whether I can coat the glass rather than have that small reflective patch, which looks so aftermarket. So the glass may have to come off. But it does the trick. I haven't lost demerit points in over 10 years and last year I lost 6 in a 2 month period. This of course supports my little digital dash customisation which was a key part of this build. USB Phone Charger Yeah yeah, this was never anything anyone ever thought of in the 80s for incorporation into a vehicle as USB wasn't invented (millennials freaking out reading that...and we thought hard drives with 20MB were huge....) but I'm sick and tired of my phone battery draining. So, we looked how they would have done a similar customisation in the 80s and it's apparently vinyl! We manufactured the piece to fit where the ashtray went. Lights up in a nice green to match everything else. I also did a couple of other mods worth about $7000 which I probably shouldn't put on a public forum but all I can say, to quote Han Solo "I've made a few special Modifications myself..." including a key attribute of the Klingon Bird of Prey.... Anyways, 10 more months and I think I'm on the final leg of the mods including seats retrimmed and restoration. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

very nice. i thought if you use the correct coolant it didnt rust? ive been following for ages and was just recently thinking tech changes so much that there are a few things you will need to change so the HUD and usb charger are good.

The first photo looks so gross! It's like a dirty wound...

Back in Perth and I�ve already taken the ol� Girl to Toodjyay and Lancelin with no incident. Will be taking her to Margaret River a well. I miss driving long distances in the VL. It�s a second to none feeling putting the foot down and rocketing by cars on an overtake. So whilst I�m here for the next two or so months, the following will be happening; Steering Wheel Restore - Currently happening. Get it back Friday. Dash wiring for digital dash - making the wiring a bit more accessible by extending the loom. HUD Customisation - Going to mould the HUD into the top of the dash and have the speedometer numbers appearing just above the steering wheel at the 12 o�clock position (its off to the side now) Rebuild and Re-upholster the 2 front seats - I�m waiting for some Repro samples from Melbourne and then I�ll buy the material and get the two seats to the upholsterer. General tidy up of engine bay - got a nice black anodised thermostat housing to replace the one that�s slightly rusted. Replace the coolant reservoir with a NOS item and just a spruce up. And then...I think I�m done. Let�s see whether I can get it all done in 2 months. I will be really busy so see what I can fit in. Some of you know I�m a pro standup / musical comedian and will be preparing and appearing at Fringeworld in Feb with my show �The Rock �n� Roll Relationship Show. Even got a car song for ya.

Spewing, I can't see the pics Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by EvilPet [View Post] Steering Wheel Restore - Currently happening. Get it back Friday. Where have you sent your steering wheel to be restored?