Mike552 build thread "on the cheap"
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From: Ma
Mike552 build thread "on the cheap"
Well since I never properly introduced myself to the board, I figured I'd start a build thread that documents my process and invite people to give me suggestions on where to go with the SC400. So I've had this car for a little over a year now. It initially had the following problems:
-car wouldn't start
-rusted left rear quarter
-really cracked front bumper and cracked/broken fog light
-very loud power steering
-broken driver's side door handle
The car was being advertised for $800. It had 179k. So when I first went to look at it, I asked the seller if he was willing to let me try and start it, and if it started, if he would still be willing to sell it to me. He agreed, and so I went over to look at the car hoping that it was something electrical that I could fix. The seller told me that he recently replaced the battery, and so I thought it may have been the anti-theft alarm shutting down the ignition. Turns out I was right. I cycled the door locks with the key and it bypassed the anti-theft and the 1UZ fired right up!
I paid the guy the 800 bucks and drove the car home that night.
This is how she looked like when I got her a year ago:
-car wouldn't start
-rusted left rear quarter
-really cracked front bumper and cracked/broken fog light
-very loud power steering
-broken driver's side door handle
The car was being advertised for $800. It had 179k. So when I first went to look at it, I asked the seller if he was willing to let me try and start it, and if it started, if he would still be willing to sell it to me. He agreed, and so I went over to look at the car hoping that it was something electrical that I could fix. The seller told me that he recently replaced the battery, and so I thought it may have been the anti-theft alarm shutting down the ignition. Turns out I was right. I cycled the door locks with the key and it bypassed the anti-theft and the 1UZ fired right up!
I paid the guy the 800 bucks and drove the car home that night.
This is how she looked like when I got her a year ago:
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From: Ma
I got started on her right away by first fixing the door lock mechanism. I searched on the forum and saw that there were a lot of people with this problem. I tried the zip tie method but that last all of five minutes. I then fixed the existing arm by cutting a new fork end out of sheet metal and bolting it onto the existing arm. It was quite easy, actually. Took me no more than two hours including re&re of the door panel. Very easy job and I recommend anyone who has this problem to try my method. It has been a year now and it works perfectly.
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From: Ma
I then tackled the rear quarter rust. I used to mess around with VWs back in the day... the Mk2's were notorious for rust, and so I got pretty good at bodywork considering that I am a complete amateur at it. I spent a weekend on the rear quarter, going through various grains of sandpaper, paint coats, wet sanding, and polishing compound, and I eventually came up with this:
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From: Ma
As you can tell from the pic, I also picked up a set of 20's wrapped in Goodyear Eagle GT's with excellent thread, for $425. They aren't staggered as I wish they were, but the offset was right, they looked good, and my stock wheels had no tread left on them so I was in a position where I couldn't pass them up for that kind of money.
I then tackled the power steering issue. I bought the car assuming the worst, which I thought meant replacing the PS pump. Luckily, it turned out that the fluid was hella old, and the level was low. After bleeding the PS with new fluid I was happy to hear silence. The power steering ran great!
I then tackled the power steering issue. I bought the car assuming the worst, which I thought meant replacing the PS pump. Luckily, it turned out that the fluid was hella old, and the level was low. After bleeding the PS with new fluid I was happy to hear silence. The power steering ran great!
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From: Ma
Next, I decided to make:
1. a homemade front lip and lower the license plate, which I think is a must with these cars.
2. clear lenses. made by myself. a real pita but totally changes the lok of the car.
So this is what I came up with:
1. a homemade front lip and lower the license plate, which I think is a must with these cars.
2. clear lenses. made by myself. a real pita but totally changes the lok of the car.
So this is what I came up with:
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From: Ma
As you can see, I also installed a set of 6000k HIDs and a Isotta steering wheel that I had laying around from another car.
Next, I swapped the stock suspension out for TT springs. Man what a difference in the driving feel. This is how she looks as of this afternoon: (I know she is very dirty)
As you can also tell, the front bumper is still a project. Ideally, I'd like to find a cheap used front bumper but I am not sure what I am doing with it at the moment. I may just give up and fix it with fiberglass cloth and resin.
Next, I swapped the stock suspension out for TT springs. Man what a difference in the driving feel. This is how she looks as of this afternoon: (I know she is very dirty)
As you can also tell, the front bumper is still a project. Ideally, I'd like to find a cheap used front bumper but I am not sure what I am doing with it at the moment. I may just give up and fix it with fiberglass cloth and resin.
Last edited by Mike552; Oct 9, 2011 at 10:56 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Ma
Wow, way to be a real....well yeah, Im sure 90% of the people reading your comment can come up with something worth while to fill in the blank
silly-noob-haterAnyway, OP I think your on the right track..and that lip looks great!! Keep up the work
