It has been a while since I have posted any progress posts about either of my two projects. I believe the first day of the new year is an opportune time to share my goals and objectives for these builds for the upcoming year.
PROJECT Z33
As you may know, I have quite a few parts stockpiled for Project Z33. The car is still 100% bone stock at the moment. However, here is a list of the parts that I have waiting to be installed.
- 18" Volk Racing TE37SL wheels
- Kics Project Leggdura racing Nuts
- Tanabe Sustec Pro Comfort-R Coilovers
- Blox Shorty Antenna
- VeilSide VIII Aero Mirrors
- Tommy Kaira Hebi Bebi Shift Knob
- Nismo GT Titanium Shift Knob
- Redline Goods Shift & E-Brake Boots
- Nardi E-Brake Handle
- Works Bell Hub
- Vertex 10 Star Deep Corn (330MM) Steering Wheel
- TWM Performance Short Shifter
The following parts are en route from Japan:
- INGS+1 N-Spec Type E Aero (shown below)
- Longnose Front Bumper
- Rear Bumper
- Side Skirts
- Type II Bonnet
- Carbon Canards
- Z-Power Wing
- Runduce Big Brake kit
- 8-Piston Front kit (380MM)
- 6-Piston Rear kit (356MM)
- Amuse R1-Titan Exhaust
- Amuse R1-Titan Y-Pipe
So, clearly, there is plenty of work to be done once these parts arrive. I recently received word that my brakes are in California. I am just waiting for some of the other parts to arrive stateside so as to combine shipping and save a couple dollars. I am hopeful that we can get the project well underway by spring. On top of the listed parts above, I have a few other things I would like to address at the time that the build process begins. Namely, some other suspension components and tires - I am still up in the air as to what rubber to use on this build. The car is ten years old, so we are going to assess the condition of some of the suspension components and see what we would like to address in terms of replacing and upgrading. Other than that, we are going to wrap the car. I am thinking a similar color and finish to that of the R's Tuning R35 GT-R:
I am truly looking forward to getting this build underway. I know it will not come together overnight and I am sure there will be some snags, delays, and issues that arise, but I am hopeful that the end result will be well worth all the headaches and hiccups.
PROJECT FJ
Aside from a few small exterior modifications, the daily driving FJC is still in relative stock form, as well. A few of my plans for this build have changed with the acquisition of the Z33. I have decided to tone down the goals a bit. However, I think the end result will be a pretty fierce daily-driven FJ Cruiser.
Parts I have waiting to be installed:
- 18" Volk Racing TE37 LARGE PCD
- Pro-Comp USA 3" Lift Kit
- N-Fab Nerf Bars
- Trail Teams Edition Black-Out Grille
- Trail Teams Edition Black-Out Door Handles
Tires are also on the list of things to procure for this build. I have only recently, after months of research and back-and-forth, finally decided on the sizing. I would also like to upgrade the horn. The horn on this truck, in my opinion, is pathetic. Other than that, I would like to do a light bar and install a more aggressive front bumper, perhaps a Demello Offroad Single Hoop:
I think that will be it for this truck for 2016. But, then again, who really knows?
Though these projects have barely begun at this point, I would not even be close to where I am at this point without the assistance and support of my friends at Bulletproof Automotive, namely Ben and Bo, who have hooked me up with great sponsorship pricing on some of the best Japanese parts available for my platform and my good buddy Brian of Pro-Spec Auto who has had my back since Day 1.
Thank you for following the build log of these projects of mine. Stay tuned…
JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation
