NQCruiser's "Chief - the Beginning..."
OK, so a while ago I posted up my new-to-me HJ60 wagon named "The Chief" in the 60 Series registry. It's a 2H powered, 5spd manual with 4.11 diffs and the ambulance doors. It was a basic/standard model from factory, but has had the 1 & 1 3/4 front seat arrangement replaced with a 2 x Bucket seat setup. After pulling all the old crappy seat covers and bead mats off it I found that I had scored a set of Recaro seats, but they are in need of a bit of TLC to be really comfortable just yet. I've been farting about with it here and there between far too many work commitments and trying to be a good Dad to my also-newish-to-me 14 month old daughter, who will hopefully grow up to enjoy trips away in it.
I've been scraping together bits and pieces from ebay and other 4x4 forums, as well as mates, mates of mates and family to try and build a reasonably capable "outback" and beach tourer that will someday get me to the gulf/tip and back as well as over to the Northern Territory and W.A. I've gotten some good and not so good deals, and been sniped on plenty of good stuff over the last 6 or 7 months that I've had the vehicle home, but we are finally starting to put the whole show together.
I'll only chuck up the before and after pics for the minute until I can get the better ones from my work computer, but you will get the idea.
The start...
The Globe Bathurst rims were fited to replace some old and mismatched 15x7 white steelies, but otherwise this is how it was driven home from Brisbane, 1350km away. The tyres are 31x10.5 R15's and the springs & shocks are just flat as all hell. On the cards for the next month or so is the OME Heavy spring upgrade and new shocks as well.
Next came the extended shackles, bonnet protector and Hella Ralleye 4000 lights that were swapped off my recently departed 100 series work vehicle. The shackles at least made it look less obvious that the springs and shocks were toast, but eventually they just sagged back to their normal level of stuffed-ness
The next major upgrade was the purchase of a used early series ARB winch capable bullbar from a guy in Melbourne (about 2500-3000 km away). Managed to swing a deal that got it to North Queensland for FREE baby!!! Was a little rusty and had a couple of rust holes in it but with some strategic drilling, grinding and welding it looks as good as new and now has the indicator holes it it which the earlier ones didn't have. Also got a cheap 9500lb Moto-Zone winch through the Aldi grocery chain for $500 with 2yr warranty which has been fitted but not wired in yet. Plan is to mount the control box under the bonnet somewhere, so that it isn't out in the weather all the time. Also blacked out the light surrounds, grille and rear vent panels. I have also KillRust-ed the frame and towbar and repainted the rear bumper and fitted a used old-school Kaymar swing-out carrier. I'll post photo's of this once I get the chance.
Then I bought these tyres and rims form a guy I worked with down south - Cooper STT's in a 285/75 R16 size, only done 5000 or 6000km on a trip around Australia and bought all 4 rims and tyres for $1K. Each of the tyres alone would have set me back about $430 each new. Unfortunately the rims are from a Nissan Patrol - the stud pattern and size is OK, but the rim doesn't have the right backspacing, so the rim rubs the TRE. I'm going to try and trade all the other rims as well as these ones on a set that will fit properly.
Before:
After:
I fitted them on anyway to see how it looks - I did crack a minor horn over the looks so I guess it is starting to look about right. Unfortunately it also tells me that I need the new springs and shocks NOW....
The cardboard box under it is to soak up a small diesel leak from a perished hose, and it looks like the rear diff pinion seal is starting to leak also - I guess now the madness really begins...
Hopefully I can get the new rims in Black and then continue the black theme with sliders/steps and some darker tinting.
At this point I would like to thank/curse Trapper.50cal and a few others for some of the photos that have been inspiration for this slow build.
I'll get there eventually - patience is a virtue.........that I do not possess in any way, shape or form.
Thanks for taking the time to have a look!!
NQCruiser
OK, so a while ago I posted up my new-to-me HJ60 wagon named "The Chief" in the 60 Series registry. It's a 2H powered, 5spd manual with 4.11 diffs and the ambulance doors. It was a basic/standard model from factory, but has had the 1 & 1 3/4 front seat arrangement replaced with a 2 x Bucket seat setup. After pulling all the old crappy seat covers and bead mats off it I found that I had scored a set of Recaro seats, but they are in need of a bit of TLC to be really comfortable just yet. I've been farting about with it here and there between far too many work commitments and trying to be a good Dad to my also-newish-to-me 14 month old daughter, who will hopefully grow up to enjoy trips away in it.
I've been scraping together bits and pieces from ebay and other 4x4 forums, as well as mates, mates of mates and family to try and build a reasonably capable "outback" and beach tourer that will someday get me to the gulf/tip and back as well as over to the Northern Territory and W.A. I've gotten some good and not so good deals, and been sniped on plenty of good stuff over the last 6 or 7 months that I've had the vehicle home, but we are finally starting to put the whole show together.
I'll only chuck up the before and after pics for the minute until I can get the better ones from my work computer, but you will get the idea.
The start...
The Globe Bathurst rims were fited to replace some old and mismatched 15x7 white steelies, but otherwise this is how it was driven home from Brisbane, 1350km away. The tyres are 31x10.5 R15's and the springs & shocks are just flat as all hell. On the cards for the next month or so is the OME Heavy spring upgrade and new shocks as well.
Next came the extended shackles, bonnet protector and Hella Ralleye 4000 lights that were swapped off my recently departed 100 series work vehicle. The shackles at least made it look less obvious that the springs and shocks were toast, but eventually they just sagged back to their normal level of stuffed-ness
The next major upgrade was the purchase of a used early series ARB winch capable bullbar from a guy in Melbourne (about 2500-3000 km away). Managed to swing a deal that got it to North Queensland for FREE baby!!! Was a little rusty and had a couple of rust holes in it but with some strategic drilling, grinding and welding it looks as good as new and now has the indicator holes it it which the earlier ones didn't have. Also got a cheap 9500lb Moto-Zone winch through the Aldi grocery chain for $500 with 2yr warranty which has been fitted but not wired in yet. Plan is to mount the control box under the bonnet somewhere, so that it isn't out in the weather all the time. Also blacked out the light surrounds, grille and rear vent panels. I have also KillRust-ed the frame and towbar and repainted the rear bumper and fitted a used old-school Kaymar swing-out carrier. I'll post photo's of this once I get the chance.
Then I bought these tyres and rims form a guy I worked with down south - Cooper STT's in a 285/75 R16 size, only done 5000 or 6000km on a trip around Australia and bought all 4 rims and tyres for $1K. Each of the tyres alone would have set me back about $430 each new. Unfortunately the rims are from a Nissan Patrol - the stud pattern and size is OK, but the rim doesn't have the right backspacing, so the rim rubs the TRE. I'm going to try and trade all the other rims as well as these ones on a set that will fit properly.
Before:
After:
I fitted them on anyway to see how it looks - I did crack a minor horn over the looks so I guess it is starting to look about right. Unfortunately it also tells me that I need the new springs and shocks NOW....
The cardboard box under it is to soak up a small diesel leak from a perished hose, and it looks like the rear diff pinion seal is starting to leak also - I guess now the madness really begins...
Hopefully I can get the new rims in Black and then continue the black theme with sliders/steps and some darker tinting.
At this point I would like to thank/curse Trapper.50cal and a few others for some of the photos that have been inspiration for this slow build.
I'll get there eventually - patience is a virtue.........that I do not possess in any way, shape or form.
Thanks for taking the time to have a look!!
NQCruiser
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