Aiiigggghhhht has been ages. Quite humorous (and cringe worthy) reading what I say is planned Vs what actually happens.
Alas.
Other than the usual pull apart, clean and detail sessions SO many super cool fun drives have happened inspired by the new handling of the wicked suspension. New suspension and new seats make for a completely different car!
The Recaro's are far from 100% mint and have a sweet matured authentic Japanese smokers aura about them. I tried cleaning them they were filthy AS beforehand, now not so much. Im kinda cool with it. It all adds to this car and what it evolves into. Its been by far the greatest single most purchase Ive made. Not just for its origami-esque interior and exterior, the sound, the experience of driving it or the imaginary flames I imagine it spitting, its been the best because of all the cool people Ive had the honour of meeting along the way. It was never meant to remain in my possession this long touch wood i never have to sell it. Its so much fun and continues to impress me and draw a huge smile across my face EVERYTIME I drive it. Thank you Toyota.
Photos of the updates and other shenanigans.
TOM'S gear knob:Been eyeing off these for ages. They come they go, so snapped this used without packaging as soon as i saw it then... a week later a BNIB one came up... in Sydney.
DRIVES:
RECARO'SNot quite a seemless installation I strongly encourage anyone thinking of doing the Recaro X Bride rail collab to check it physically on someone else's adub prior. Minor things annoyed me namely the clashing of the headrest on the visor, the increased degree of difficulty accessing the rail bolts and slightly tight rails fixed by spending some time finding the sweet spot and tightening the bolts. All things NOT evident with the correct Recaro rails as used in the Super Edition where these seats originated (I've compared the pair with our local Super Edition). Regardless they are awesome holding seats, firm and cosy. Great adjustment and the new seating position could benefit from a steering wheel boss extension. Great seats!
Clash. Headrest clashes with the sunvisor.
Bolt accessibility:
Bride rail codes.
FYI Bride rails have two logo variants:Decal 1 of 2: x1 Flag(Japan). The latest most recent decal.
Decal 2 of 2: x2 Flags (France and Japan / "PART SUPPLY FROM FRANCE") A little bit older.
I replaced this rail to have matching rails, decals and manufacturing year stamps. (Will be for sale!)
REAR UPDATE:Removed the original exhaust shroud and replaced it with a modified spare to see through the lower louvres. The original exhaust is long gone now replaced by the Fujitsubo kit which shines quite nicely through the gap. Further emphasising to those without a clue that this is NOT a Nissan Exa or a Ford Capri BUT rather a super cool almost forgotten mid engined Toyota MK1 MR2! Also continued the theme of removing all obsolete items, brackets, nuts and bolts when I find them.
The shroud.
Some shots of the custom AMR coilovers w/ Hyperco springs:
THE WORST JOB EVER:The RHS drivers side window was "clicking" and "knocking/catching" via a missing gear tooth when it was raised and lowered. The gearbox donor car kindly continued to donate its in better condition parts SO I decided to just hurry up and replace it. Easier said than done. TOOK TWO WEEKS. NEVER AGAIN. although it'd be a hell of a lot quicker next time round. Trouble was aligning it and ensure all gaps where as recommended by the factory guidelines. Anyways. Job done. Its all sweet now. Cleaned the inside of the door skin while I was at it. Needs new door service sheets.
This is how it stayed for two weeks without the glass properly secured:
BATTERY REPLACEMENT:Since day one its been on the "to do" list. After the numerous "spirited" drives with the suspension sorted this battery continued to cook itself, spilling its guts everywhere. It was replaced with a sweet new Optima red top battery. The cranking amps are rated so high its complete overkill in a car that runs no ice whatsoever. Ideally wanted a small odyssey but got lost in all the reviews and feedback vs "fit for purpose" vs street vs daily vs track car arguments. This was the best option when I went to purchase a replacement its a little on the heavy side but its a red top! Cool.
Engine bay is alot cleaner for it.
Before:
NEW HVAC SURROUND:Replaced the original with a non drilled "
for a ridiculous phone accessory holder" surround. Yay no holes and cleaned whatever B surfaces i could get too.
The original drilled surround.
Cleaning.
eeekkk
Whilst the HVAC surround and all surrounding panels and trims were out i took the opportunity to seriously, aggressively address the mega annoying rattle, squeaks and creaks using this thin OEM felt tape on all protruding ribs and contact points. Verdict... Job done.
Hows the code stamp! AW10! No part development here since the MK1 AW11.
Also randomly have been thinking the Adub lacks the front styling cues of the Celica and Supra captured when all three are alongside for the 80's brochure cover shots. Ive always had a minor thing about it... The Supra and Celica are boxy yet sophisticated, the little details like enlarged openings and subtle tweaks add aggression all from factory! The designers brought alot of character into the front of the MK2 Supra so I tried to do the same "less is more" and removed the eyelids to break the front up a bit. I actually dont mind it at all. Its stayed like this since:
Entirely crystal clear front end to modernise it without detracting from the 80's.
The calm before the storm... last photo taken at work. (Ford you've been ace.) Comparing the AW11 against a Fiesta and against a Focus its amazing to see how much smaller our Adubs are compared to "small cars".
Looking back through this thread and my sporadic updates this cars been amazing. It started life good and had a few severe early hiccups. Its grown with me and continues to. Its just a "product" but its been there with me through so much. Its so much more than just "a car".
post edited by MK1corse - 2017/12/29 18:23:52