Log in

View Full Version : Drewboy's GQ build up



Drewboyaus
18th February 2013, 05:17 PM
Hi Guys,
I've been around the place a little while now so I thought I'd begin a thread on the slow evolution of my GQ. I'm starting retrospectively from the beginning so the thread will start to take shape over the next few weeks.
The base from my project was a pretty clean and bog standard late 1997 TB42E LWB. It's first owner was the Victorian Police Dog Squad and the second owner (5 yrs) was a bloke who towed his daughters horse float to 3 day events around the state. All up it had only clocked up 202,000 very easy km when I got my hands on it. I had originally been after a TD42 but couldn't find one that I liked (at what I thought was a reasonable price) and in the end because its only a "fun" car for me the whole fuel consumption thing just couldn't be justified by the extra purchase price given the low km this car will do.
So the plan has been to build more of a "touring" setup rather than flat out weekend warrior style as I intend on doing at least one desert crossing and a cape trip over the next few years. That said, heading to the high country once a month means it needs to be capable in the mountain goat sense too.......
Below is how it was when I picked it up and drove it home.......some so-so Duellers on there, an ARB bar, a long range tank (147) and a crappy set of spotties. Other than that, "Stock as a Rock".
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=22348

threedogs
18th February 2013, 05:23 PM
Good canvas to start with, If you need a hand welding, Ra Ra Ra , I'm only up the road

Winnie
18th February 2013, 05:29 PM
So much different now. Great job by you!

Drewboyaus
18th February 2013, 05:40 PM
Thanks Winne,
Still plenty more to do.....
And TD.....mate, I've got no idea about welding but would love to know how to at some stage....

Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

Drewboyaus
18th February 2013, 05:44 PM
Next stage in a moment.....


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

Drewboyaus
18th February 2013, 06:58 PM
So the annoying thing is that I am hopeless at taking pictures while I'm in the process of doing something.......there are lots of pics of finished jobs, not much in between. Anyway, onwards......

So once I got it home it was straight to my mate's (Peter the Patrol whisperer) house. He is an outstanding mechanic and has an absolute weapon of a TD42 shorty we call the "Mars Lander". Nothing extreme to look at but will go anywhere he points it....and its been pointed in some extreme directions......

Anyway, some fluid changing and a tune up was first on the list.
Next-off he added some extended diff breathers, UHF, a Safari snorkel, a set of 5 BFG KM2's and an OME lift with the Nitrocharger shocks all round and some HD springs to accommodate the future fitting of a winch and a drawer system in the back.
We also removed the Kingsley side steps because with them attached to the floorpan there was too much chance of bending the floorpan on some of the tracks we do.......
So here is what it looked like once we were finished with that lot.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=22349

ajaxism
18th February 2013, 07:16 PM
Thanks Winne,
Still plenty more to do.....
And TD.....mate, I've got no idea about welding but would love to know how to at some stage....

Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

TAFE might be your best bet for learning to weld. Ill be starting a course soon. $100 per 6 months with a government 'concession'

Alitis007
18th February 2013, 07:42 PM
Haha tafe, 5mins i'll have you welding like a pro lol

Nice write up Drew! Cant wait for the next installment mate!

Drewboyaus
18th February 2013, 08:14 PM
Got a bit more to go 'till I get to where I'm at today......
Picked up a second hand belly tank on eBay yesterday, so that will be one of the next write ups as I push my fuel capacity from 147L to 220L!
I've found a few gems on eBay that have saved me a shed load!


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

Winnie
18th February 2013, 08:19 PM
Can never have enough fuel with a TB42! Hahaha but seriously with that many litres you could get some series kms done without filling... Well over 1000