FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hello everyone. just thought i would share with you the buildup of our dailer driver in the making, an fc ute (will be fe ;D )

When we found the ute (november this year) it was in fairly good condition, only haveing a few (very minor) spots of rust. the car was repainted by a spray painter about 5 years ago, and then it sat outside (good.....or bad?) there was only one tiny little buble in the passnger door (how rare, for a ute!!) and a little bit in the passnger sill. the rest of the car is in excelent condition. we had a really good inspection of under the car, and the previos owner had already fixed all of the rust around the fuel tank, and it was done quite well. then when we got to the front of the car, there was something not quite right. anyway a quick go with the wire brush revealed bog, thats right, bog in the subframe, so we pulled it off for a better inspection. there was a lot of bodgy work done on it, basically the guy got a piece of plate, held it on the area with his hand and covered it in bog (read:NOT GOOD). we cleaned up the subframe, and it seemed really bad, both y frames were....stuffed. so far we have body deadened the cab, and the entire undercarraige up to the cab, baremetaled the firewall and etched/high filled it. today i was sanding away as we welded up all the extra holes and that. with some luck it will end up with a really nice smoothe firewall ;D

The motor is currently getting done by CW in victoria, they seem to have great prices and they have been great to deal with, with some luck everone (whos going) will see it tat the nationals

cheers
Torque  8)

Wheres the pics Darcy!

Heres The Pics ;D

this is how we found her. she didnt look to bad

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcute014.jpg)

here is the floor. the body deadener was not a cover up, was just simply tidying it up and ofcourse sound deadening  ::) prior to fitting carpet.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/floor-1.jpg)

good one Darcy if you dont know how to post pics no one does.  More more!

yeh yeh  ;D

as i said in my first post, ive been totally re doing the firewall, its almost ready for top coat, and the subframe is going to the blasters in the next couple of days

will post some pics tonight ;D

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutefirewall002.jpg)

toquefc,
           i'am still scatching my head why
you stripped it down,look's to be a bloody
nice ute you have there.i know you said it
was bodge up a bit but did it need this much
work,or have you got bigger an better plan's.
anyway good luck with it as you now have
two on your hand's,looking forward to the
progress pic's too.
p.s please don't get shirty like some,
i'm just curious mate.
cheer's col. ;)

the body is really in good nic, but the subframe was absolutely stuffed!!! had a further look at teh subframe (using wirebrush ;) ) and both y frames are completely stuffed, they were just filled up with bog, not to mention all of the other rust thats in it.  it looks like around the fuel tank and floor pans were done right, but then subframe was absolutely rooted. anyway today finished off the firewall, tomorrow the subframe is getting sandblasted and powdercoated satin black (am using another subframe).

anyway pics on their way...

also heard abck from the engine place, motor should be done monday ;D

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutefirewall001.jpg)

picture doesnt really show much detail, but firewall is finished now its time to do all the brackets and stuff

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutefirewall006.jpg)

Pretty much finished detailing stuff for the firewall, now all thats left is regulator box, and do the a pillar repairs, then wait for the subframe back, then its just putting the front back on

regards
TorqueFC

i would load pics, but i cant seem to get into my photobucket album

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutefirewall004.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/firewall111111.jpg)

Hi Torque
Like your stuff so far & was interested to know how youve done the hinges/steering box etc - are they painted or powder coated & what colour is it

Cheers

with the silver bits, i stripped em to baremetal, etch primed em, then i sprayed em with a $16 can of 'platinum silver'. i think it looks ok (??)

Yeah I think it looks great & keep the photo's comming.

just done the trial fit of the new subframe today, and all went very well. everything fits perfect so its all back aaprt ready for rust repairs tomorrow (wahhoooo)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/subframe003.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/subframe002.jpg)

Fast work there Darcy,

but isn't that the ute I asked you to look at for me a while back?  ???

thanks :)

no it isnt the same ute, but it was spotted in avalon. was talking to a mate the other day, and aparently the sale fell through and the guy is still stuck with it, i was going to tell you but you already found a ute, and your ute looks a little better than that one hehe

hey torquefc,
                    how much is on this other ute if still available as i might be interested/any pic's of it too.
                                                                  cheer's col.

Sorry Darcy, "My bad".

Col, the bloke is in Werribee from memory, he advertised in Just Cars and the Trading Post for $2900, Mob 0410 529 837. There's only a crappy B&W pic in Just Cars.
I'll probably be calling him after Christmas, when I spoke to him ages ago he had a few parts he wanted to get rid of.

anyway back ontopic, been quite busy lately, things seem to be going pretty well, should be rolling in the next couple of days (thanks to ken mclean for welding up new outrigger on hr front end, greatly appreciated!!), then its just putting fresh motor together and fitting it.

regards
Torque

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutembrims005.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutembrims004.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcutembrims001.jpg)

all feedback is greatly appreciated

regards
Torque.

ps: the rake is most definately not staying ;D

gee's im embarrassed,my car looks same after 2 years and yours is shapeing up nice after only a few weeks.

just been very busy detailing everything the last couple weeks, hopefulyl get the motor back this week (waiting on the shop to go back to go back to work). i will post some pics once motor is fitted :)

Gday Torque ,Your acheiving more than most people double your age mate.
Keep the HARD work going and you'll be sitting in the driver's seat making revving noises after midnight ( ahhh , is that just me :) )
I love the style your going for and the cleanliness you work with is awesome ,Wish I could do the same ...

When ya get cruzin and ya hit the highway be sure to drop by this neck of the woods and Ill be sure to help down a case of bourbon with ya :)

Hi there Darcy,

Ute's body starting to look like a surefire winner but what are the specs of the motor you're having done up? I remember you telling me it's a hot grey but how hot is 'hot'?? ;) Let us all know .... keep up the excellent work in the meantime son.

Regards ...... Pete

Darcy
       The ute is coming along great, keep it going and how about some more pic's.

Cheers
Sarge

Thanks alot you guys - comments like yours is what keeps me motorvated ;)

as for pics, i will dig up a couple from A few days ago, otherwise i wont be posting anypics till the front is back together :P:P:P

regards
A very Motorvated, TorqueFC

very nice work indeed,when you do a bit every day it soon starts to take shape,keep up the good work ;)

i will hold off on engine bay pics, but heres a couple of update pics

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcuteupdate006.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/fcuteupdate011.jpg)

ofcourse, once it has a front end, it will be muchhh lower ;D

looking good darcy.ive got a bit motivated myself and started on the van :o :o

So much can happen out your way in just a short 12 hour period! hehe

Looking great
Matt

P.S. looks much better in the flesh!

Darcy is that the final colour your going for?

Cheers
Sarge

Hey Torque if you do plan to hit the road at a later date I'm officialy banning you from coming here untill you have a full finely styled mullet ,a flannel shirt and a real tinny stereo that blares at half volume with something like Highway to hell or Like a bat outta hell playing.

'If your gonna run those plates then you gotta live it bro'

Nah Harko Harko you old so-and-so .... Darcy needs music which is more applicable and identifiable to his generation. ;) Something along the lines of, WAIT I'VE GOT IT!!! ;D Barnesy doing 'Khe Sanh'!!! :P :P

Me .... if I was in Darcy's shoes I'd be doing the rounds with Richard Clapton's 'Girls On The Avenue'. 8)

Pete

good plates for a dying breed in Australia, I reckon these plates would really upset all the young apprentices at work.

Harko , i currently drive around with AC/DC blaring out of my FC now(51 year old Bogan), mate i even got a flannie, but sadly no hair for a mullett, i have just changed my name back from Bogan to give "the phantom"another run
                                      Cheers Rusty

sarge,  
         thats the final color, flat black :) going for that ratrod style, about to order some dummy spot lights from Kustom City (thanks for the help with that alex, appreciate it), and then its just mock up and interior, drop the motor in and finish off the brakes.

as for the plates, am i missing something? (as im bloody lost, again!)

anyway, thanks for ya comments :)

Looking good, Darcy.
Keen to see the shots of that motor.  8)

I think the plate thing is to do with a NSW term for the Flannel wearing, Mullet sporting peoples who occupy the Western Suburbs. These are reffered to as "Westies". I am not sure if anyone else here knows your last name is West!
You back on track now, Mate?  :D

Rob J

We were also called WESTIES living in the Altona/Werribee region... But you forgot the Black Moccies!!

Jason.  ;D

Darcy
        I asked you about the colour because I like the look of the Ute the way it is now. 4Hammers has the money about your number plate. Oh Jason you Werribe boys weren't the only one's to wear the mighty black moccies. Now liven on the Gold Coast my kids laugh at me when I slip them on of a night, but hey I am Comfy.

Keep up the pic's Darcy as this is one fine job that you are doing.

Cheers
Sarge

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/frontend003.jpg)

i just sprayed up front end in primer surfacer, now its just lightly scuff, do top coat then the front end goes back up!! :):)

Inspected this ute personally today and it is coming up a real treat i must say!!!   Good work from a 14yr old with a lot of help with his dad, will bve one trick ute when finished.  hate to see what sort of FC's he will be building by the time hes 18!!!!!!!!!!  anyhow keep up the good work darcy

                                                TAYZ

thanks for that paul!

looks like this ute will infact, make it to the nats afterall. monday the front end will be under it,  the diff should be in during the week, everything has been ordered from rares, the lifters were recieved by the engine place today, they will be done monday then the motor will be ready to pickup, then all thats left to do is wheels and finish off the brakes (not much), headlining, fit interior, windows, then its rego time :):):)


thanks to everybody for their support!!! it does wonders  8) 8)

just a little update....

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/gearbox.jpg)

thanks to Andy for the idea with using the engine stand :)

Pleased you used the idea Darcy – only thought of it cause I’m lazy….. if only I could make the fridge come to me when I want a beer ;D ;D

Andrew

Andrew,
Train the wife or girlfriend about the fridge.........takes a little bit but they get the hang of it eventually!!!  ;D :o

Nick..

p.s I only wrote that cos I know she will never come on here and read it...lol  :P

Nick

What a brilliant idea...I'll start the training tonight ;D ;D

Andrew

well its been a while since an update. Been fairly busy lately after a blown headgasket meant we didnt take the sedan to the nats. Anyways it went from a blown headgasket  to a top end rebuild so the motor in the sedan is just on its way back together.  The fc ute hasnt really had a heap of work done on it over the last few months, just mainly collecting some parts.  Also we purchased an ek ute a few days back, this will just go into storage until the fc ute i finished which will probably be a couple more months yet. Anyways main things that have happend are finding a mint tailgate and spare wheel gate, and painting the front half of the undercarriage. now the hr front end can go back under, and the fresh motor can go in. until next time, TorqueFC

Pic of a very tight front garage :O:O

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/pro_058fc_350/cars011.jpg)

This is the main reason why we need to sell the fc standard, we are running a little tight on space  :-[

EK should look cool once you lower the driver's side! ;)

G'day Darcy,

You're not wrong about a tight fit there mate .... you might just be able to squeeze in a G-O-G-G-O-M-O-B-I-L Dart in between the EK and Westy 3 though. ;D The EK sure looks like it could be a winner with some work put into it, keep us all posted.

Regards ...... Pete

It's a pity you didn't make it to the Nats, my wife and I were looking forward to having a look at the FC Ute and having a little chat about it ;)
I guess we'll see it at Mt Gambier then?

haha  ;D yep id say the ute will be at the nats, dont think the sedan will make it though, lookin at the price of fuel  :-[

Pete,
       that little gap inbetween them is filled with a Triumph Speed Triple, it seems you can never have enough toys  ;D.

cheers, torque

ps: you think this is bad? you havent seen whats behind that garage :O:O;)

flash up some pics of the speed triple.

i'm streetfightering my GSX1100 and putting twin lights on like a speed triple.
the cars look great too.

Cheers

Ed