Boxa's old girl

[Boxa]

Well after umming and arring over different models, and nearly getting a 100 and an 80 with dual cab conversions on different occasions I have finally bitten the bullet and purchased a vehicle.

I had three wants/needs, "80 or 100 series with full electrics", "Dual cab conversion" and "6.5L diesel conversion".
Other accesseries like lights, tyres, suspension, bar work.... would all be a bonus if they were on it.

Up here in Qld's north, the only dual cab conversions for sale are from the mines. They go for cheap enough at auctions, but you can see they have been flogged and they smell like Sheit. (apologies to you coal miners out there).

After considering different pricing options I figured that getting a wagon with the engine conversion would be cheaper for me, than to get a dual cab and do the engine conversion. It was then that my new girl came up for sale down in Brisbane.

I hear she is a common site at LCMP, so let me know what she has been up to if you have seen her there.

Specs:
1991 former 4.2L TD GXL wagon
6.5L GM/Chev V8 diesel
2" Body lift
3" Megalift coils/Tough dog adjustables, 4way RTC, Incab kit
35" Maxxis on ROH alloys (schmick as)
Warn Hi mount (currently servicing on my days off, not an auto sparkie so takes me longer. LOL)
Snorkel
3" custom Booker exhaust (really complements the 6.5L gargle)
AVM free wheeling hubs
Bar work and swing away is all custom and a bloody good job too (formerly registered by TJM in Victoria so they did there bit to it)
UHF, Driving lights....a couple of dents came for free, and about 5kg of mud from LCMP.

Anyways, the dual cab conversion is on the cards, just have to decide if it will be the new shed or the chop first.
Here are some pics, I will update as things happen, cheers:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/image0015.jpg
There is a story behind the JONES'
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/image0019.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/image0022.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/image0025.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/image0011.jpg

[nate]

shit yeah :D

[Mike Amen]

Nice one Boxa.
You wont regret getting the V8 Diesel. I love mine.
Mike.

[crewser]

chop chop

[VANDETTA82]

Thats a mad looking truck, :D

[boof]

Nice 80 good buy

[MRF-Dru]

great car, but wheres the tray!! u need chop the back and make it more unbreakable like a hilux :P

[Rocky4.4]

Nice rig mate

[kingchevy]

Sweet joined the ranks of a v8 owner nice car

[Boxa]

Well after battling with the wagons steering geometry for a couple of weeks, I figured that the wondering/drifting of the steering from the 3" suspension lift was far too dangerous and darn right annoying. I ventured on possibly replacing the front arms with correction or replacing the bushes with offset for correction. I chose the cheaper option and within two days had the offset bushes sent to my front door through an Ebay shop dealer ($120).

Simple instructions, press out the old, press in the new using a 100% scale template provided. That is where the fun began.

I tried to press the old bushes out using my 6Tonne shop press, NO GOOD.
So I called in the big guns and went to a mates workshop and tried his 10Tonne hydraulic ram press, still NO GOOD. So we changed out the ram and went to the 20Tonne ram. Finally. I could not believe it, 20Tonnes of pressure was required.

Anyway, here are some pics of the job.

Arm off
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Castor0003.jpg

New offset bushes with the old ones
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Castor0005.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Castor0006.jpg

All sorted
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Castor0002.jpg

Easy install despite the initial press requirments, I had an alignment done the following day and now drives like a dream. I felt I had done such a top job I treated myself (and the missus) to a few days at Airlie beach to test the steering of course. LOL

[timespast]

she looks good mate, must be nice having that sort of power in her.

[NATHAN_91_HILUX]

hey mate
nice cruiser
i was up in townsville not long ago wanted to go 4wdn but i didnt no if you had any good spots
gl with ya beast

[Bricki]

What sort of fuel economy do you get out off the 6.5 V8 in the 80

[Bazza_rips]

(drool)

[Boxa]

she looks good mate, must be nice having that sort of power in her.

Thanks mate, the power seems to roll on and it seems almost endless too.

[Boxa]

hey mate
nice cruiser
i was up in townsville not long ago wanted to go 4wdn but i didnt no if you had any good spots
gl with ya beast

Cheers Nathan, we have a few spots all within 30 minutes drive from town here. Just depends what kind of driving you want I guess. It has been pretty dry lately but the rains have just started so wet runs will be on the cards me thinks....

[Boxa]

What sort of fuel economy do you get out off the 6.5 V8 in the 80

Bricki,

My last calculation which I purposely ran the tank to empty, was 70L for 485Km. So that is 14.4L per 100km. That was a mix of all driving types. I am pretty stoked with those figures because it is a big vehicle pushing a fair bit of weight.
I still have a few more performance changes I intend on doing yet, so it all looks good I reckon.

[Boxa]

(drool)

Im hearing ya mate,
I still drool about it, so much that I cant let it sit in the drive on its own. I just have to pop the bonnet, measure this, grease that, tweak these.... I am a shocker with it. I am glad I have a good paying job and an understanding missus.

[MudCowMan]

Love the cruiser. The problem you had with the old bushes not pressing out... for future reference, when I did mine I just melted out the plastic with an oxy and hacksawed a slit in the steel outer ring. Sorry for the hijack.

[Boxa]

Love the cruiser. The problem you had with the old bushes not pressing out... for future reference, when I did mine I just melted out the plastic with an oxy and hacksawed a slit in the steel outer ring. Sorry for the hijack.

Nah, no apologies mate. Believe me, I oxy'd out the rubber on the first one and contemplated hacksawing the outer ring, but I am abit of a pedantic bloke and didnt want to risk jepordising the integrity of the arm by accidently sawing through any of it. The oversize socket set definately came in handy after that.

[Barnzey]

Nice rig.

Is the flex shot taken on Mt Stuart? Always a good place for a play.

[Boxa]

Nice rig.

Is the flex shot taken on Mt Stuart? Always a good place for a play.

Thanks Barnzey,
The kinda flex shot was at Mt Louisa. I havnt yet made it to Stuart, although I do plan on it one of these days off.... Watch this space....

[Barnsey]

I've got my account sorted out now, and I'm back to my original user name.

There's quite a few of us from TSV on both this forum and Outers.

Yeah, Mt Stuart is quite a good drive. The turn off is just after the one lane bridge on the RHS on the look out road.

Maybe organise a day out over new years? I'll round up some Outers crew.

[Boxa]

I've got my account sorted out now, and I'm back to my original user name.

There's quite a few of us from TSV on both this forum and Outers.

Yeah, Mt Stuart is quite a good drive. The turn off is just after the one lane bridge on the RHS on the look out road.

Maybe organise a day out over new years? I'll round up some Outers crew.

Sounds like a plan Barnsey.

[Phat Mav]

Holy Crap!!!! How did I miss this thread!!!!????

Nice work Shannon!!!! What does Lee and the dogs think???

:D

[THE RIG]

looks tuff and sounds like it goes alright too man,have fun with it i know i would mate

tom

[Boxa]

Holy Crap!!!! How did I miss this thread!!!!????

Nice work Shannon!!!! What does Lee and the dogs think???

:D

In a short answer Patrick, "WHO CARES what Lee and the dogs think". I have my wagon and they have the Crewman. Nah, they love it, the dogs keep trying to get in it, but that aint happening, not until it is a ute anyway.

How is your new wagon coming along?

[Boxa]

looks tuff and sounds like it goes alright too man,have fun with it i know i would mate

tom

Tom,
Thanks for the words. I see you are from Kallangur, I got this wagon from Narangba (spelling) so you may have seen it before.

[weeman]

good looking 80 series u got there

[Tank64]

Hey nice truck. I seen your rig today at Bunnings, then looked on here and seen this thread. I to am a Townsvillian. If you are ever keen to go for a drive sometime, I know of some good tracks that would test your 80.
How did you come across it for sale? I have always wanted to upgrade to an 80, I love there offroad ability and aftermarket support.

[-BJ-]

Hey Boxa, I didnt see this thread before. Man your cruiser is looking sweet :cool: Gotta be happy with that !

[Boxa]

Well I went wheeling a couple of weeks ago with some mates to Ollera just north of Townsville. It was a good morning out, mud in the middle and a creek at the end to clean up.
Here is a funny vid. My Bro in law's hilux tried and tried to get through this bog, I had to pull him out 4 times.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/th_Stuff005.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/?action=view&current=Stuff005.flv)

Then I had a go. There is alot to be said about ground clearance LOL

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/th_Stuff007.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/?action=view&current=Stuff007.flv)

The run ends up at the beach so we drove along the beach for a short run and a drink.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Stuff013-1.jpg

And wouldnt you know it, they both overheated on the run back up the beach. LOL

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Stuff016-1.jpg

Anyways, I noticed my wagon overheating itself this week while towing the trailer, so after investigations and alot of water through the radiator, Air con and oil cooler grills, with alot of muddy water exiting, everything is running cooler again.

Things on the go:
Brooksy has been approached to build me some sliders. Schmick.
I am trying to get some MTZ's on my wagon but being quoted $410 per tyre fitted (need 5) is crazy. (freights a killer up here)

[Boxa]

good looking 80 series u got there

Thanks mate.

Hey nice truck. I seen your rig today at Bunnings, then looked on here and seen this thread. I to am a Townsvillian. If you are ever keen to go for a drive sometime, I know of some good tracks that would test your 80.
How did you come across it for sale? I have always wanted to upgrade to an 80, I love there offroad ability and aftermarket support.

Bunnings aye, I cant keep myself away from the place. I am still trying to find my feet with the 80, so any track is a test at the moment (Shes pretty tall) You are right with aftermarket support for 80's, plenty of everything. I think I had good timing when it came to finding this wagon, I wanted one, as the old owner wanted to sell one.

Hey Boxa, I didnt see this thread before. Man your cruiser is looking sweet :cool: Gotta be happy with that !

Thanks mate, I am pretty stoked with it.

[cruiserx2]

Had the same dilemma about getting a 80series dual cab. hard to find and was not sure about getting a conversion done. finally bought an 80 series after having a cruiser ute for many years. not enough room to take the whole family.
see white cruiser below ear marked for conversionhttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q71/cruiserx2/tyscar011.jpg

couldn't do without the car for work while the conversion was being done and got sick of putting tools in the back so sold it 6 months later.

Luckily a 92 turbo diesel dual cab 80 series was available at the same time. A little rough around the edges but took us to the cape in 2005 towing a camper trailer. great to throw everything in the back. It has an extended chassis and is nearly 6m long. Glad we have a big garage to fit both my dual cab and my wife's 97 80series wagon in there. Trying to convince her to get the lift kit, bigger tyres but she only uses it on the black stuff.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q71/cruiserx2/tysute.jpg

[-BJ-]

Mate your bro inlaws Lux went nowhere !! Did you brag a bit after that ?:D

[Boxa]

Mate your bro inlaws Lux went nowhere !! Did you brag a bit after that ?:D

I brag about it as much as I can. I have it on my Ipod too, and show it to him as often as I can. He wants an 80 now. LOL

[ferremit]

LOVE that V8 Diesel burble...

And you can still tell those posers in their SS Commodores that your truck has more cubes!

[Boxa]

Well a few weeks back the better half gave me the go ahead to get some sliders made up for the rig. So, Brooksy got the call, and a few PM's and a couple of phone calls later they arrived as requested.
This was the guinea pig for Brooksy as he has not made them for a manual 80 series before, so it was going to be trial and error.

The verdict: let the pics tell the story.

Old aluminium have to go
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Sliders001-1.jpg

I had to remove my body lift to get at these bolts
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Sliders006-1.jpg

Fresh out of the bubble wrap, and looking schmick as
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Sliders014-1.jpg

All fitted up, no problems
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Sliders018-1.jpg

Check out the clearance now
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Sliders019-2.jpg

Extremely happy with how they look
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/boxrox/Sliders017-1.jpg

Given how much work I have seen coming out of Brooksy's workshop, I dont know where he got the time to knock these up.

[josh0]

Love it mate.. good work.

[HG]

Grouse stuff.

[Phat Mav]

Looking good mate!!!

:D

[boof]

Its looking great mate. Tell your bro in law he just needs to send his lux to Brook it'll get through then :)

I saw those sliders in the shed on the weekend and I cant wait to see mine powdercoated. The difference it made to yours was sensational.

[Boxa]

Thanks for the comments guys, but all I did was have a bit of input toward design, pay for them and fit them, Brooksy deserves all the credit.

Its looking great mate. Tell your bro in law he just needs to send his lux to Brook it'll get through then :)

I saw those sliders in the shed on the weekend and I cant wait to see mine powdercoated. The difference it made to yours was sensational.

Boof, yeah I have showed my bro in law the work going on with your rig, he is definately getting some ideas. You thought my sliders looked sensational, I cant wait to see your rig finished. It is looking unreal.

[boof]

Thanks for the comments guys, but all I did was have a bit of input toward design, pay for them and fit them, Brooksy deserves all the credit.



Boof, yeah I have showed my bro in law the work going on with your rig, he is definately getting some ideas. You thought my sliders looked sensational, I cant wait to see your rig finished. It is looking unreal.


Again mate same as you all the credit has to go to Brook. All I did was find some trucks I liked and said there cool can you build it:D

Tell your bro in law to keep watching Brook has some pretty insane ideas to come yet. Everytime I chat to him he has some new idea that just blows me away.:eek: :cool:

[bravoboy]

Those sliders look sexy as, great custom job by Brooksy....and they look awesome on the 80!!!

[fullberries]

dude thats a narly 80 banger

[Bricki]

Hey Boxa

what sort of ball park figure are we talking for a chevy v8 diesel conversion like yours???

$$$$ wise??

[Toad]

Hey Boxa

You didn't aquire your 80 from a place on Bellini Rd in Narangba/Burpengary by chance? It certainly looks like the one thats been cruisin around the area and I reacon I said to myseft I must drop in and check it out or ring the number on the vehicle as it purred down the road about a thousand times. If it is the same 80 youv'e done alright with it thats for sure. Lookin good mate.

[Boxa]

Those sliders look sexy as, great custom job by Brooksy....and they look awesome on the 80!!!
SEXY is how I describe them too.

dude thats a narly 80 banger
Thanks Berries

Hey Boxa

what sort of ball park figure are we talking for a chevy v8 diesel conversion like yours???

$$$$ wise??
Really depends on how handy you are with installation compared to someone else doing the work, donk age and condition. You have to upgrade a number of items which all add up ie....Radiator, Clutch....
You can get up to as high as low $20K.
Really depends on what you want and get.

Hey Boxa

You didn't aquire your 80 from a place on Bellini Rd in Narangba/Burpengary by chance? It certainly looks like the one thats been cruisin around the area and I reacon I said to myseft I must drop in and check it out or ring the number on the vehicle as it purred down the road about a thousand times. If it is the same 80 youv'e done alright with it thats for sure. Lookin good mate.
Could be, could be. I got it from Narangba last year. It is not an easily forgettable wagon that is for sure. The bloke had upgraded to a 100 series which didnt stay stock for long, it now bellows out with a supercharged V8.

[Toad]

Geez it has been a long time since I last saw it. How time flys while having so much fun.

[Bricki]

You can get up to as high as low $20K.
Really depends on what you want and get.


crickey!!! 20G's!!!
OUCH!!!!

[Boxa]

crickey!!! 20G's!!!
OUCH!!!!

There is no way that I paid that much, but you can pay up to that much. LOL

[offroadn]

Very nice truck mate. I'm lovin the sliders, gonna get Brooksy to knock some up for me soon :D

[MJ80]

sliders are awesome