Toyota Hilux MK5 Restoration And UZ Swap.

[Siena]

Some non high-resolution pictures taken today:











Note the truck still needs to be flatted, and polished. Flatting has started on the bed.

[Siena]

Pictures of the bed lid:

[Siena]

After much thought, I have decided to have the truck painted again, by a reputable shop, who understands the intricacies of working with pearl and candy finishes.

Where the current shop erred, was to paint the doors and hood OFF the truck. I removed the doors and hood to allow the new color to reach the door shuts around the hinge areas, the inner doors as well as the under hood area. They should then have been refitted, then the whole truck painted as a whole.

This is what is going to be done next. But, the current shop doesn't get off easily. They are buying more paint for the lid, which is being painted tomorrow. The back end has also been polished, and looks heaps better. Just the rest of the cabin to be flatted and polished. This is how the bed now looks:

[Siena]

Tomorrow I will be picking up my truck, exactly 19 weeks after I dropped it off to the shop, and spent the entire Saturday stripping her down. She has been flatted, and polished, and if not for the imperfections n terms of the front doors (mismatched paint) she would be stunning.

I will be temporarily installing my old headlamps, tails and old grille, so she's legal, before driving her to the shop that will be repainting. Lead time is 1 week. We'll see how it all pans out.

[Siena]

After a bit of drama at the first "bodyshop" this arvo, I managed to prise my truck from their grip. It seemed all they wanted to do was frustrate myself and the recovery guy. The lid was meant to be bolted on BEFORE I got there, and of course, it wasn't.

More about that shambles of a shop later, so HIlux Surf owners in the area know where NOT to take their treasured rigs.

My rig is now in good hands, in a smaller shop that has come highly recommended. Their work speaks plenty, and the 3 paint finisher outfits in Hayes have only good things to say about them. I only wish I'd mentioned the first mob to local tradesmen, I would have been wiser, richer and would have saved myself a lot of aggravation and frustration.

Still, it's onwards and outwards. On a different note, I have made up my mind with regards to some sweet hoops and rubber. I'll keep you ladies and gents posted.

[Siena]

Grille dilemma!

I originally purchased a chrome-effect Hilux grille, then later discovered it was the 2-bar version, which was generally fitted as standard to 2WD models.

I also purchased another chrome-effect grille, not a Toyota item though. I opted for the Predator grille. I have been looking at both, and am not 100% sure which one to fit! Opinions are welcome.

[Siena]

I got a call from the shop this arvo, whilst still at work.

The truck is being painted tomorrow. Most of the paint the first shop laid down had to be removed, as the finish was so poor and rubbery. Loads of laquer on the front - nearside wing and bonnet were particularly bad, with the excess running to the lowest corners.

The offside sill also had too much paint, so was taken down to the original Toyota white.

I'll be paying the shop a visit tomorrow, so I'll see how she looks.

[Siena]

I've been a bit quiet on my Hilux project thread lately. Due in part to family joint projects (involving bricks and mortar) and just plain old work commitments. And also because with the first "bodyshop's" flop, I didn't want to tempt fate.

I got a call from the shop this morning, around 09:35 hrs, informing me they were going to paint today, and did I want to pop round? You bet I did! They were also gracious enough to allow me to view proceedings in the spray booth / oven.

This is the order in which things went:

Remove paint applied by first "shop".
Flat down original Toyota Hilux White.
Apply barrier coat to truck.
Prime truck.

These were done before Christmas, today things went this way:

Applied covering coat of aluminium silver.
Light flat down with 800 grade pads.
2 coats of Kawasaki Green Pearl Silver basecoat.
3 coats of Kawasaki Green Pearl topcoat.
2 coats of 2K clear lacquer.

Unlike the first shop, every part was painted at the same time. The fender flares were suspended from the mounting holes by wire, the front valence was suspended from the truck in the same way, and the 3 metal strips under the headlamps and grille were temporarily fitted.

I opted to have the original grille painted. This was just the grey section, painted in the same colour as the rest of the truck. The black sections had previously been refreshed in satin black.

The bed is just sitting on the chassis, moved backwards enough to paint between it and the cabin. The lid is being painted on Monday. This shop does NOT flat final paint coats, they simply give it a light double pass with a pad, then a good mop. I'm getting the windscreen guys out in the week, to fit a new front screen. The old one had a couple of chips in it.

I will be putting the truck back together next Saturday, and then driving her home. Next will be wheels.

Lots of pictures being uploaded. They are courtesy of my iPhone 6, so my apologies for the non high resolution quality.

[Siena]

[Siena]

[Siena]

[Siena]

[Siena]

[Bonk]

I know it's not a surf but I'm really enjoying this.

Great job so far.

[Siena]

I got a call from the shop yesterday arvo, to let me know my truck was ready. I went in today after work, and I'm stoked! The lid, despite being such a big, flat expanse of steel, has got a streak-free finish. It will be bolted to the bed tomorrow.

It was good to turn the key, and actually be pleased to hear the trusty D-4D engine rumble into life, despite it not being destined to remain in the bay. I haven't heard it for close to 7 months, I'd forgotten what it sounded like. I'm picking her up tomorrow to start the re-assembly. I need to get the glass guys to come fit a new front windshield.

Some non hi-resolution pictures taken this evening: