Wheels, Tyres and paint prep - interim post

Hi there.

Under a bit of pressure to give an update..... So here are some photos of the newly acquired rims and a summary of recent progress. I will expand this post when time permits......

Recent highlights:

• The Bonspeed "Big Block" rims arrived from the USA (18" x 8" up front and 18" x 9" rear).
• Hancook directional tread tyres (235/40 up front and 275/40 rear).
• Had to get the RRS front rotors machined to fit the hubs (Done free by RRS - thanks!).
• Had to refit the engine block, trans, rear-axle, etc to get the car as close to "ride height" as possible to fit the rims/tyre combo and check for guard clearance. All ok.
• Found that there is heaps of room that exists to clear the front tyres & guards during lock-to-lock turning.
• Just purchased a full DeBeers "two-stage clear over color paint system. Color is "Toyota Black 212".
• Just finished the rear valence last weekend (for a prefect fit at the outer edges).

Still to do (in preparation for paint):

• Finish the upper cowl panel (and holes for the new wipers to suit the RHD conversion).
• Mount the wiper motor in the cowl cavity but with actuator arm mounted (in a leak-proof way) in the cabin.
• Adjust the existing firewall slightly to clear some engine/bell-housing bolts adequately.
• "Reset" the Aussie passenger side "sill panel to door" gap so the bottom run of the door rubber has enough room (there is a slight bow in the upper sill rail that would pinch the door rubber somewhat).
• Weld in the lower interior trim mounting points (as these got removed when the new floor was installed).
• Once all welding is done then strip off protective undercoat and spray the primer.

Apart from all the above, I will be lowering the front suspension a bit more I expect. There is still a fair it of weight to add as the block was empty of all spinning parts and there were no fluids of course. It is all adjustable thankfully so I see no problems with this. Of course once painting is done then it's interior trim to do and build/dyno the motor.

Anyway - here are the pictures...........

 

And here the tail is being worked on (again).
Valence needed adjusting and the bumber is being clipped. Left side looks good now, right side needs more work.....