Thought I would start a bit of a record of progress on the ute. I take photos from time to time but would be good to keep them all in one spot ie: here.

Im no mechanic nor do I have any real automotive smarts, I'm just having a bit of a go and learning along the way. I'n sure Ive done plenty of things wrong and plenty of other things that arent to some peoples taste but oh well.

Picture of the Ute as I first got it about 3 years ago. I'll add some more pics as I upload them......

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That s a nice looking ute, doing things the wrong way is often the quickest learning curve. Have fun learning and I hope if doesn't cost to much along the way. What do you have planned for it?

Like I said, have had it for about 3 years..... up until about 6 months ago I would drive it most days. It already had an A15 in it so the plan is to keep it looking pretty original. Not a total granny spec but just something neat and tidy to cruise around in.

From the time I bought I have done the following.....
- Had every suspension bush replaced with nolethane bushes.
- Installed lowered King springs in the front
- Removed the lowering blocks and had the leafs re-set
- Installed a 120y sway bar
- Had the front seats re-upholstered
- Installed a new alloy radiator from a Gemini (it's hot up here).
- Removed the engine fan and installed twin thermos
- Had a new tarp for the tray made.
- Bought some different wheels.
- Removed the original tarp hooks from around the tray.
- Fitted electronic ignition
- New webber
- New door cards

Apart from that I had just been driving it really.

Crumb - Ben I actually met you a while back at Simons place when he had a dyno day before we moved back up north.

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In the last few months I became a little more adventurous and pulled the motor and gearbox out. I also bought a 5 speed, some twin dellortos, an inlet manifold and some extractors..... now it looks more like this....

And after some cleaning, paint, some new bits and pieces and the 5 speed mated up the engine is looking like below....

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great mate.

Todays project..... Upsize on the front rotors.

Looks a bit nicer under the wheels too...

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Should stop a bit better too

Cross drilled always look good but sometimes create weak spots and cracks under extreme heat cycles. Grooved ones are the goods.
dont stress I used drilled ones too atm

They aren't totally drilled thru, only dimpled and slotted.
By the time I get it all back together I would have forgotten what the stopping power (or lack of) was like in the first place.

The old rotor and the new.

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Readjust the rears too so you know they will bite better.
stops the diving so much. Its amazing what a difference it makes.