HX Sandman project.

[wbute]

Well I drilled all the spot welds along the top inside edge. However it’s bloody hard to see where some of them are up the pillar and around the window. So I cut the bulk of the quarter off with the grinder. Now I can see where the joins are and it’s going to be so much easier to do.

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Just a tip, the sunroof caused most of my rust issues and the stick on bump strip the rest. This quarter was more or less rust fee except for the pin holes right along the bump strip. It had a few good dents in though. The sunroof has caused moisture to run down the inside of the B pillars. Don’t ever put one in your car!
I don’t think you could ever call rust free if you haven’t pulled the quarters off either. There are rust traps behind them. Unless you actually have a country car that’s been shedded it will have rust in it I reckon.

- - - Updated - - -

I’ve got a HX ute parts car sitting on the farm. I’ll try to remember to get some pictures in case you need any little patch panels. Can never remember if the body is any good.

If it’s got a good body let me know!

[wbute]

Just about got it all off. Only the wheel arch to go. No where near as bad as I expected but I am worried about how hard it is going to be to weld the new one on.
Have noticed a few subtle differences between the two Sydney built HX utes and my WB which is Adelaide built, that I never noticed before.

[Kiwivan]

Awesome work!
Really impressed!

Cheers Kiwivan

[stickthis]

Good one!
the efi 5L is a great simple conversion! Highly recommend! Same thats in my HZ Sandman ute. Did it back in 1998 with a new VS 5L engine. Back when there was not a wire harness etc you could just plug in.

[wbute]

Good one!
the efi 5L is a great simple conversion! Highly recommend! Same thats in my HZ Sandman ute. Did it back in 1998 with a new VS 5L engine. Back when there was not a wire harness etc you could just plug in.

Yeah probably more straightforward than when you did it. Always liked the fuel injected 5 litre.

[axistr]

I put an injected 5lt in one of my Toranas. The engine was out of a club sport 195kw. I modified the original EFI harness, at the time it looked daunting but was actually not that hard. I grabbed a Gregory's EFI book which was very simple to follow. Really there is only a few wires you have to reroute. If you're using a vr, VS or vt computer and harness you can even use a 5volt input to simulate the vats system controlled by the body control module., that will save having to get the original gm computer reprogramed.

[wbute]

Funny I have this ute for years but never really looked at it. The doors are nearly rust free which is a real surprise. C84C9F34-068E-4AFF-A72D-26C4CBADC59D.jpeg
I have had a good look at the rust in the B pillar. I can’t tell for certain till I cut it out, but I think it’s only pretty superficial.
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The accident damage to the plenum/cowel is not too bad. It’s rusty from moisture under the bog that was there, but it’s not gone right through. I will get a rust cut out of another ute I have here to fix it. After battling with a repo panel on another ute, I would rather try and use a genuine bit.
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Sun roof is out, I have a good roof to patch it. No doubt it will be more difficult than I expect but I’ll have a go.
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It must have been a nice ute before it got stripped. Nice seats and door trims. Braided lines etc. it came from Ballina originally and then at some stage it was in Canberra. I bought it from a bloke in Melbourne.
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The ute that will give up its roof.

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And the all important tag with the 18V trim code.
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[Beachy]

The wb kingswood looks to good to cut up

[wbute]

More rust. I pulled the windscreen out (fun job not) and thought it was looking really good for rust.... then I noticed this.
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Pulled the guard off to get to the cowel panel. I have cut the damaged bit out and found a bit of rust in the plenum. I think I might have to pull the cowel off. I really want to reuse it though as I can’t face the cost and frustration of making a repo one fit.
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[Sandaro]

That's par for the course to find that under screen rubbers. Tack in a small replacement bit of metal going to be easier than whole panel for sure