2118 replies to this topic

[UC308Hatch]

Hi Heath, obviously you have seen a unmolested UC Hatch rear parcel tray before.... But I'm curious, have you removed the shock braces ?


 ImageUploadedByTapatalk1428491604.637100.jpg   136.56K   14 downloads

In this early pic of my rebuild, you can see my shock braces, factory UC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by UC308Hatch, 08 April 2015 - 09:17 PM.

[Heath]

Hey Ron, I haven't removed them, it seems that some cars had them and some didn't.

Andrew, from an engineering perspective, moving that same false floor down 30mm (or less) does not in my opinion render a big difference in the integrity of the structure. I'll check it over with some others before ticking it off the list though.

[Bigfella237]

 ~ it seems that some cars had them and some didn't ~

 

Yep I've seen the same, some UC's had the shock tower braces, some didn't, but I'm wondering why?

 

Was it only 6 cylinder UC's that were braced, or were only Sunbirds braced, or were early UC's braced and later ones not? Did the height of the rear floor only change when the braces were deleted?

 

From what I can find, the UC Torana ceased production in December '79 but the UC Sunbird carried on till September '80, and there was only one ADR replacement in that time (for the Sunbird only), where ADR 28 was replaced with ADR 28A (Motor Vehicle Noise) effective 1 July 1980

 

ADR 34 (Child Restraints) was updated in January '85 but way too late to affect any Torana/Sunbird models.

 

My point is, I don't think ADR changes had anything to do with the differences we're seeing? But I'm sure interested in when and why they changed.

[Heath]

Well this car is a Sunbird, if that helps.

[IMORAL]

Sorry to get off topic but when did the LX stop production?

 

Sorry can that....found it. 12/78?

Edited by IMORAL, 09 April 2015 - 12:47 PM.

[Bigfella237]

As far as I know Paul, March 1978 was the changeover from LX to UC, I've been trying to pin down a more exact date but I'm not having much luck.

 

Thanks Daz, so if your UC Torana has the braces, I wonder if they were only deleted on Sunbirds like Heath's for some reason?

 

Next question, how do we measure to see if a UC with the braces has the same rear floor height as one without? Can you take a measurement from the floor to a common reference point Heath, then hopefully Daz or someone else with the shock braces can do the same?

[Bigfella237]

Heath has another thread going for this topic here:

 

http://www.gmh-toran...h-floor-raised/

 

So probably better to keep all the information in one place?

[Heath]

Been too long without an update...

 

So this is the UC False floor height, and it's bloody high in the back. There's stuff all room for luggage above the trap door area towards the rear, and the seats don't lay flat! Not much good for sleeping on.

 

Got busy with the grinder and the spot-weld drill again, and out she comes!

 

A bit of trimming and what not later... back in at the same height of an LX hatchback rear floor.

 

Bent this area out of the way to suit the longer shape lower on the wheel tub... bit ugly but the MIG will pretty it up.

[Heath]

Cut out these areas


Made some replacements to extend to the new floor height


 
Finished welding that ugly gap at the front just behind the rear seat backs.

 

 
Bit more dimple work... would be rude not to:

 
Before for height comparison:


Then on to a new area... a set of Alfa Motorsport Fibreglass Flares arrived:

 
Tried them on the rear:

 
Generally a good fit (not that I've ever fitted flares before), only the rear end had this little twist in it where it sat too flat. Ignore the wheels, they are cancer-inducing to the eyes but they were lying around the factory.

 
Slotted out and opened to the right shape:

 
Glassed up:

[Bigfella237]

Damn Heath, that looks tougher than Mr T

 

I actually don't mind the look of those wheels black on black... BTW, I can't remember if you mentioned it but is she staying Tuxedo Black?

[Heath]

Yeah I reckon it looks farken grouse, excluding the wheels.

 

Good question!

Edited by Heath, 27 April 2015 - 09:17 AM.

[Bigfella237]

Nothing looks better than a black hatch, but having owned a black car before I'd never have another one, stinking hot in the summer and no matter how often you wash 'em they always look dusty, not to mention it takes twice as much work to get the panels straight to begin with!

 

Although... if you've ever pointed a laser pointer at a gloss black panel you'd know they've gotta be good for avoiding LIDAR...

[Heath]

Good work Heath even though I nearly cried when I seen the flares

 

Yeah you're not the only one it seems. The UC Sunbird enthusiasts are up in arms over this one! hahaha

[Potta]

pfft, looks sh!t hot already even with the flares unpainted.

 

I reckon those wheels look pretty good too.

[RIM-010]

Or even better; UCALX2NV

[Heath]

I should have clarified, when I said "good question" I didn't mean "not sure" - I meant that is a good question, but I'm not answering it haha. A bit of anticipation never hurt anyone.

Don't get me wrong I love unflared Toranas. Also I love flared Toranas, and that part of this build was not negotiable. One of the guards is cut out massively now too, although forgot to grab a photo of it tonight.

Don't get too upset though guys - save your energy; there are more things coming on this build that will piss people off.

Edited by Heath, 27 April 2015 - 09:06 PM.