Mk4 LS400

[The-Acre]

4 hours ago, Connor2x4 said:

I didn't No, I've heard the whole car is a hard job but it was done at a good price and I've no complaints so far. The tints are warranted until I sell the car aswell which is great :)

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Trying to clean the back window is hard enough, I can't image how hard tinting must be.

[Connor2x4]

I'm old and as my son is always pointing out to me that it's different today and because of that I don't know anything. I have exactly the same colour LS as yours and I really love it but tints? they just make it look cheap.  It's just my opinion.

I don't think it makes it look cheap, but again opinions are different for everyone. And as someone who is younger I would be on side with your son lol. To be honest I prefer everyone not being able to pry in aswell. All that open glass makes me feel like I'm on display in a zoo [emoji23]

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[Connor2x4]

Trying to clean the back window is hard enough, I can't image how hard tinting must be.

It's not the nicest to do but Hey, people who do it day in day out would find it easier than me having a diy go at it lol.

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[Connor2x4]

After being on holiday I came back to find my wind deflectors had arrived ^.^ got them fitted and in the same day I returned home

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[Connor2x4]

Also made a start on painting the old, rusty calipers on the back. Not got round to the front yet, there is some green metallic flake in there but unfortunately still images don't seem to capture it very well and I can't upload a video :(

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[Connor2x4]

So the front brakes have been painted and I've finally got some new wheels [emoji16] they're in need of a refurb and some new centre caps to get them how Id like but they're a direct fit bar spigot rings

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[J Henderson]

Are those Nissan 350Z wheels?

[Spacewagon52]

I agree with Bluesman, it must be an age thing so please forgive us! Not a fan of black wheels, I thought your originals looked good. Your LS is now very distinctive, but as they are now getting rarer, even a bog standard one stands out to me. What I do like about the LS400 is that it is understated - a car not many people would give a second glance. Your mods, I am sure, will make it stand out. As long as you are happy, that is the main thing - it is good to see the LS being treasured.

[sorcerer]

Each to their own and all that Connor, but I'm afraid that I'm no fan of black wheels either (on anything). Your originals suited the car much better in my opinion but the main thing is that you like them so onward and upward  

[The-Acre]

I'm afraid I have to join the anti black comments, although when refurbished they may look better.   I'd have then done in silver personally as I quite like the look of them.  Do they affect the ride?  I put similar on my MK4 and changed them straight back as it just didn't ride as smoothly.

[sorcerer]

The more I look at them, the more I agree with Phil; the wheels themselves are a good design and look good, just need to be silver rather than black - for me anyway.

[steve2006]

On 22/02/2018 at 6:32 PM, Connor2x4 said:

Also made a start on painting the old, rusty calipers on the back. Not got round to the front yet, there is some green metallic flake in there but unfortunately still images don't seem to capture it very well and I can't upload a video :(

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It may have made the job easier if you had first removed the pad retaining clips from the caliper carriers and the slide pins and rubber boots.

[Connor2x4]

Hi all, thanks for your comments.

Yes they are rays 350z wheels, straight bolt on except spigot rings so that was easily done. The ride at the moment doesn't feel much different in my opinion, but then again for the past 3 and a half years I had a celica so I'm used to a rough ride, and the seats are more than comfortable enough to soften and speed bumps lol.

Although I don't mind black wheels they aren't staying that way, the squares in the spokes will be smoothed out aswell. At the moment I'm thinking of a dark grey, as silver is too standard for myself (young folk, can't leave things alone lol)

I'm pleased that everyone gives their opinion as it's nice to hear what you think. And as you guys have mentioned although this is modified it is still looked after, they are indeed a rare sight and I love being one of a few to own one of these that's still on the road [emoji16]

Hopefully over the coming weeks the wheels can be painted. I'm having an increase in hours at work so although I'll have less time, I should have more money to spend.

All comments welcomed, thanks guys

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[Connor2x4]

It may have made the job easier if you had first removed the pad retaining clips from the caliper carriers and the slide pins and rubber boots.

Those pad retaining clips on the side were taken off and cleaned up before being put back on, but in regards to the sliding pins and boots because I was hand painting anyway I was able to brush around them

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[Connor2x4]

Bit of a while since the last post but definitely been busy. I've finally managed to get round to smoothing the nasty holes out of the boot and although not perfect not bad for a diy home job.

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[Connor2x4]

Also have finally fitted some bc coilovers. Whilst I'm aware it will pretty much split the 400 community on here in half it's where I wanted to go next with the car. (Posting through the app on my phone only allows for 9 images. See next post)

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[Connor2x4]

And what a pain in the backside of a job it was. For those who aren't aware the whole back bench and seats have to come out to reach the top mounts for the rear struts. Whilst time consuming it isn't particularly difficult. The issue came when removing the bolt holding the bottom of the strut into the rear frame. The way it was put in meant that it hits the anti roll bar on it's way out! After a lot of wrestling and help from some friends we managed to get the rear done.

 

As for the front, also a pain in the backside. The first strut was no issue, remove the bottom bolt, the three in the top, and take off the top wishbone for more access. Job done. However on the passenger side all hell seemed to break loose. When the bottom bolt was taken out the strut shot into the base of it's seating area and refused to move. The sides needed prising apart enough to allow the bottom of the strut out through the front. Why this happened on one side and not the other I don't know but it's a job now done.

 

 

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[Farqui]

Well done, the boot lid looks much better.

How did you secure the mess behind the redundant number plate holes?

Are the coilover, BC something or others?

Do the coilover use rubber top mounts or are they bolted directly to the towers?

How's the ride now?

[Odysseus]

Congratulations on your skills and you’ve done a great job on the boot lid.

Like you say, the looks will split opinion and I must admit that in my view each subsequent mod you’ve made has made a once classy car look worse.

Putting it back on the right wheels with the correct ride height would improve matters no end. [emoji846]

But hey, it’s your car and it’s a good job we’re all different.


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[Newbie1]

Nice work. It's your ride so as long as it's all done safely everything is cool. Just nice to see someone spending time and money on it.

Be interested to have a ride in that some time to see how the coilovers perform.

Hold onto the old legs: I want to borrow a set of OEM springs and see if I can get some blokes down the road to copy them. Oh yeah, what condition were the upper mounts in? Pretty good, I bet.

[Malc]

is this a retro  ' gangsters  '  car now 

Malc

[Connor2x4]

Well done, the boot lid looks much better.
 
How did you secure the mess behind the redundant number plate holes?
 
Are the coilover, BC something or others?
 
Do the coilover use rubber top mounts or are they bolted directly to the towers?
 
How's the ride now?

Thanks, behind the bootlid holes are some aluminium mesh with some fibreglass filler, and the boot carpet will cover those up once that goes back on.

The coilovers are bc br's and came with the top mounts already on. The coilovers have 30 way adjustment between soft and stiff ride, I've currently got it set on 10 from softest and must say it's incredibly comfortable, not what you'd expect from coilovers but have always heard good about bc's and must say so far they're living up to the rep :)

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[Connor2x4]

Congratulations on your skills and you’ve done a great job on the boot lid.

Like you say, the looks will split opinion and I must admit that in my view each subsequent mod you’ve made has made a once classy car look worse.

Putting it back on the right wheels with the correct ride height would improve matters no end. [emoji846]

But hey, it’s your car and it’s a good job we’re all different.


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Thanks, I'm aware that it's not to everyone's taste but that's the great thing about having different opinions, what isn't nice to some is lovely to others. Anything that's done to the car is near enough reversible so by time it comes for sale (if I ever got rid [emoji848]) it would be back to factory spec. Everything that's come off can go back on and everything's that's gone on can go back :)

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[Connor2x4]

Nice work. It's your ride so as long as it's all done safely everything is cool. Just nice to see someone spending time and money on it.
Be interested to have a ride in that some time to see how the coilovers perform.
Hold onto the old legs: I want to borrow a set of OEM springs and see if I can get some blokes down the road to copy them. Oh yeah, what condition were the upper mounts in? Pretty good, I bet.

That's why I'm keeping this thread as up to date as I can. Everyone loves a thread full of pics and whilst it's not in everyone's tastes no-one can say it's not having time or money spent on it lol.

The old struts were actually in decent condition. I live in Nottinghamshire, what do you need copies for?

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[Connor2x4]

is this a retro  ' gangsters  '  car now 
Malc

Something like that [emoji6][emoji23]

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