134 replies to this topic

[burty]

Finally got around to starting a thread on my UC to LX conversion. Thanks to the inspiration of Dirtbag and the like I fired up the angle grinder and started cutting!  IMG_2593.jpeg   383.43K   41 downloads

This is how the Torrie started.

[burty]

Got her up on the ramps and unbolted the taillights, left some big holes!  Pic_1025_049.jpg   16.26K   33 downloads  Pic_1025_050.jpg   16.74K   30 downloads

[burty]

Back end of my Donor car. Still havnt got around to cutting the UC at this stage.  Pic_1004_035.jpg   20.93K   26 downloads  Pic_1004_036.jpg   21.16K   25 downloads

[burty]

Finally cut the UC. The first cut was a bit nerve racking, but once it was done we got into it.  Pic_0215_098.jpg   16.42K   42 downloads  Pic_0215_104.jpg   15.66K   28 downloads  Pic_0215_105.jpg   14.06K   30 downloads

[burty]

Passenger side tacked in.  Pic_0110_072.jpg   15.65K   31 downloads  Pic_0110_073.jpg   16.53K   23 downloads

Had to do it. One last look with the LX and UC taillights side by side.  Pic_0305_112.jpg   30.76K   32 downloads

Attached Files

•  Pic_0305_111.jpg   14.02K   42 downloads

[Stinga]

the first part of any uc to lx conversion should be to send all the uc parts to Stinga.. can we sticky that somewhere??

seriously though, looks like your all over the tail light swap. look forward to seeing more of it.

was the uc grill any good? still got it? sell it to me??

[burty]

Both sides done, well welded in at least. Much work still to do. While the back of the car was accessable we also removed the spare tyre well.  Pic_0215_097.jpg   16.13K   33 downloads  Pic_0311_115.jpg   13.92K   28 downloads

This is all I did on the rear before starting on the front. It was fun moving the car on and off the ramps with no fuel tank!

[burty]

Stinga,
Im sorry but most of the parts went to another forum member (see UC 5000 thread). Still have the bonnet (immaculate) and the bumpers (99%) just a few scratches. Problem is transporting the parts from Darwin $$$$.

[burty]

The method I decided to use on the front end is similar to dirbags bulid, cutting back the gaurds rather than replace the inners and outers from a LX or LH. Bit of mucking around but the gaurds were in such good condition it was worth it.

Finally got the Torrie back on the ramps ready for some more cutting.  Pic_0322_123.jpg   17.29K   33 downloads

The bonnet from the donor car bolted straight on and helped in deciding where to start cutting. Once again thanks to Dirtbag for this info.

[burty]

Once the cutting was done the nose cone was used as a template to cut the sheet metal that would be welded onto the front of the gaurds.
I sound like a broken record but thanks to Dirtbag again! Pretty much all of the work done so far I have taken from his thread building his brothers hatch, credit where it is due.  Pic_0402_129.jpg   11.3K   29 downloads  Pic_0402_130.jpg   12.22K   27 downloads

[burty]

Bolted the nosecone onto the front end and spot welded the sheet metal cut outs th the front of the gaurds.  Pic_0411_134.jpg   15.19K   38 downloads


Notice the wedge missing from the top of the gaurd. The UC gaurds taper at the front more than the LX so they had to be cut back a bit to adjust to the shape

[burty]

After removing the nosecone you can see the sheetmetal tacked onto the front of the gaurds.  Pic_0411_136.jpg   13.99K   36 downloads

 Pic_0411_135.jpg   13.85K   21 downloads

Also the headlight mounts from the UC rectangle headlights have been cut off. The lower box section and lower edge of the radiator support panel had a bit of cutting to accomodate the LX nosecone.

That will do for tonight. Will post more updated photos in the next few days.

[Neils LX]

Looked like a good Uc before the chop. U goin to fit Lx dash too? I also have a UC hatch and want to do same thing but use all LX panels inc inner gaurds.

[burty]

Not going to change the dash, I quite like it. Even though i am changing the front and back to look like a LX I am not trying to fool people that it is an LX, I just didnt like the rear taillights especially. I will be quite happy to own up to the fact that is a UC the dash will give it away anyway!

The car was pretty much immaculate when I aquired it a couple of years ago and it is great to drive.

The way I figure it is that I want it to look the way I want it to look even though it is not and never will be a geniune LX SS, Some people like genuine everything fair enough, others wont like me taking a grinder to a UC becuase that is what they like.

None of the running gear is original. 308, Tremic 5 speed, 9 Inch diff, Twin 2 1/2 inch stainless exhaust, Simmons Wheels etc..........

The colour has even grown on me (opaline blue) with the SS black outs it doesnt look too bad.

[Neils LX]

Yeah it would look great if you kept the colour, my uncle had a LX hatch painted same late 90s.

[UCgazman]

Great to finally see some progress shots Burty! I like the 'dirtbag' style conversion on the front.
@ Stinga - sorry mate I beat ya to it... At least the parts aren't going to waste right?

[burty]

A couple more shots of the front of the gaurds tacked on and after welding and grinding, the nosecone now bolts onto the front of the gaurd.

Attached Files

•  Pic_0411_138.jpg   13.33K   28 downloads
•  Pic_0411_140.jpg   14.14K   24 downloads

[burty]

 Pic_0322_125.jpg   31.97K   29 downloads


With the nosecone bolted on it is starting to look a bit different. The UC gaurds dont curve in as much at the base so they will have to be

bolted in with a sheet metal bracket.

[burty]

 Pic_0322_124.jpg   34.52K   37 downloads

My young bloke likes how it is starting to look and already got his eye on it. (maybe in 30 years or so!)

This shot shows how the front/ base of the gaurd doesnt curve in as much as the LX/LH.

[burty]

Garth,
Bolted any of those UC bits on yet. Havnt noticed an update for a while.

[burty]

This is one of the more recent photos. The two piece front scoop doesnt quite line up with the front flares (cant really tell in these photos)

The front flares will require a bit of cutting and re fibreglassing to match the sides of the scoop, I am considering making the scoop one piece while doing the other fibreglassing.

I do like the way it is starting to look, so far the build hasnt been too bad and at times my neighbour Franky and I sit down to solve problems when they come up. I try to return the favour with his build.

I would recommend when doubts arrise getting another point of view, glad I did sometimes before making that extra cut with the grinder!

Attached Files

•  Pic_0412_143.jpg   19.42K   21 downloads
•  Pic_0412_144.jpg   36.19K   19 downloads

[burty]

Thats pretty much where I am up to at the moment. I did cut the front flares in the last day or two, just need to take a couple of pics before fibreglassing.

Also anyone wanting pics of areas not clear in my photos let me know before the bodywork starts, I dont mind taking more shots as most parts are still accessable at the moment.

[UCgazman]

Garth,
Bolted any of those UC bits on yet. Havnt noticed an update for a while.

Not yet, I just got back from a business trip in the U.S. (well, not all business - I did stop in at Summit Racing to get some bits for the UC). Should have some more progress shots soon...

[burty]

Garth,
Like everyone else, I get motivated and get stuck into it for a while and then get sidetracked for a few months. The work above was done in 3 stints over the last 6 months, doesnt sem like lots of work when you look at 10 to 20 photos but it took hours.
Anyway Im back into it again now and aiming to finish the metal work ready for the body work and sound deaden the interior and get it back together before christmas aswell as install a drop tank. Sounds a bit ambitious but we will see.