The WonkyUte (SSV)

[iloveholden]

Very nice Wonky!

[Big_Valven]

I dunno if you're going in the right direction Wonky... if you have some trippy motorisation like that, you should at least put some speakers and neons underneath to keep the ricer crowds happy! haha!

Fantastic outcome, and very professional looking

[Wonky]

I dunno if you're going in the right direction Wonky... if you have some trippy motorisation like that, you should at least put some speakers and neons underneath to keep the ricer crowds happy! haha!

Damn!! Knew I'd forgotten something!!

[gladrock]

Great result Mate!

Tidy and unobtrusive, makes me even more excited about my project!

Thought ide show this one for a laugh, I found while reseaching the opener....

How did you go with the Hinges?

[Wonky]

Great result Mate!

Tidy and unobtrusive, makes me even more excited about my project!

How did you go with the Hinges?

How's yours coming along? Missing one measurement before the laser cutter can cut them to suit so hopefully be done in the next few days.

[gladrock]

How's yours coming along? Missing one measurement before the laser cutter can cut them to suit so hopefully be done in the next few days.

I think I have it planned out, just checking some stuff with an electrician. The hinges is a hurdle I have to get over. I plan to set them closer to the cabin with a shorter actuator to get a faster lift, but this will put quite a bit of pressure on the factory hinges.

ooo custom hinges? No luck with the others?

Just another thought, did you know you can get a boot to go over them to protect against the ellements and maybe (not sure), but maybe in black to hide against the liner. Not picking, just a thought!

[Wonky]

I think I have it planned out, just checking some stuff with an electrician. The hinges is a hurdle I have to get over. I plan to set them closer to the cabin with a shorter actuator to get a faster lift, but this will put quite a bit of pressure on the factory hinges.

ooo custom hinges? No luck with the others?

Just another thought, did you know you can get a boot to go over them to protect against the ellements and maybe (not sure), but maybe in black to hide against the liner. Not picking, just a thought!

I know on the VEs the factory (EGR) hinges are very heavy duty - couldn't see you running into any problems if the VZ Maloo had similar hinges. The hardlid guy is getting some metal hinges (pinned and painted black) made up but wanted $30 ea for them and I need two sets (worknssv and myself). A friend from the forum offered to make me some stainless ones and even if they do end up costing me a little (think he said free??) they'll no doubt be nicer and probably stronger than the others.

The boot looks good - depending on cost I may get some thanks.

Cheers,
Gary

[gladrock]

Sorry Garry!

Heres a link
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...products_id=96

[Wonky]

Thanks for the info on the covers. They aren't on the Australian Firgelli site so if you have to order them through America I probably won't bother as being where they are they shouldn't be affected by water, though in retrospect that could explain why it blew the fuse after I had it washed the other day at a place using pressure washers. If you order some from there would you mind ordering 3 for me please and I'll pay you plus postage.

I've had an email from the guy selling the kits saying that during testing they found that faster actuators caused potential long term damage around mounting points (hinges, brackets) on some lids whereas the slower actuators don't, so it's a commercial trade off I guess so they don't have people getting upset that their hardlids are suffering.

I've had a number of people PM me about the LED reversing lights. They came from Gerald at Gadgetmaster where many of us get our HID lights. See http://www.gadgetmaster.com.au/category/645947 From the quick glance I got as the auto elec fitted them I believe they're probably http://www.gadgetmaster.com.au/product/2003-6

They were certainly meant to be $30 ea but as he usually does for LS1 forum members he gave me a bit of discount.

[AussieTone]

Finally got some video!

Firstly, lid up and tailgate down. This was done sequentially for the video but in normal operation once the hardlid has gone up a bit the tailgate can be set in motion, thus halving the time required. Given how slow I am it's easily plenty fast enough for me!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNrTE873v9g

Mark the auto elec next to Chev's added a safety switch to the hardlid to prevent the tailgate being operated while it is down.

The tailgate has had the normal locking mechanism disabled so now operates purely on the actuator. Fantastic for me with my disabilities but the automatic hardlid would be great for many people.

A few days ago James made up a grabloop to my design so I have something to grab onto while I swing the walker out as my balance is poor to say the least! Heavy chain wrapped in black plastic tape - very comfortable even when my full weight is on it (as happened yesterday when I got over ambitious swinging my walker out! ).


Lastly for today I had a set of big LED reversing lights put in. Very bright and white though being LEDs I'm not sure that they put out a lot more light than normal but at least people will see me when I'm backing out of somewhere at night!


A couple more videos to come when finished uploading to Youtube.

The led's look great. Is there much involved in fitting them and do you know if the remaining tail light bulbs (indicators, brakes, lights etc) can also be replaced.

Re your hand hold in the tray, wouldn't it be safer to have something like a padded grab rail fitted for those times you may loose your balance. I was thinking along the lines of the handle Veterans Affairs fitted to my house to make it easier to get up the step from the garage into the house. It is just your normal style grab rail but only about 12" long. If you had something like this fitted and lost your balance at least it is fixed in position and would not swing on it's mounting point like your current set up would. I am sure you know the type of handle I am talking about but if you are not sure let me know and I wil take a picture of it for you.

Thanks for the tip about the new struts from EGR. I have a contact there so wil send them an e-mail. Stay well mate

Cheers
Tony

[Wonky]

The led's look great. Is there much involved in fitting them and do you know if the remaining tail light bulbs (indicators, brakes, lights etc) can also be replaced.

Re your hand hold in the tray, wouldn't it be safer to have something like a padded grab rail fitted for those times you may loose your balance. I was thinking along the lines of the handle Veterans Affairs fitted to my house to make it easier to get up the step from the garage into the house. It is just your normal style grab rail but only about 12" long. If you had something like this fitted and lost your balance at least it is fixed in position and would not swing on it's mounting point like your current set up would. I am sure you know the type of handle I am talking about but if you are not sure let me know and I wil take a picture of it for you.

Thanks for the tip about the new struts from EGR. I have a contact there so wil send them an e-mail. Stay well mate

Cheers
Tony

Hi Tony,

As far as I am aware you could do them all with LEDs. Most LEDs are pretty touchy and die relatively quickly and that would fit with my experience on the SSV sedan and LED parkers. For that I bought a number of sets of LED globes from Autobarn and none lasted all that long at all. The second set the guy kindly went out and installed for me and two days later I was back there getting one replaced (free of course). Think the most any lasted was about 3 months. I've now had my parkers from Gerald (http://www.gadgetmaster.com.au/product/2001-14 I think) in the ute almost 3 months, as has James and all are still going strong and I believe Gerald's others will too. Best thing to do is contact Gerald and ask him but I for one don't want my number plate lit up like Luna Park!

For fitting you apparently need a small hand (as someone else said about their experience with fitting them) or do as my auto elec did and just take the taillights right out of the body. Only takes a minute or two to do.

I'm not 100% sure about the grabrails as you describe them but given the relative lack of flexibility of my wrists the chains are perfect as the allow the rest of me freedom to move into different positions if and as required. If I had to maintain hold of a fixed rail it would probably limit what I could do. Thanks for the thought anyway!

Cheers,
Gary

[exwrx]

Looking good Wonky.

Any pics of the new fuel rails yet?

[EXCESSV]

Looking good Wonky.

Any pics of the new fuel rails yet?

[emtoofour]

Loving the mods so far mate, probably one of the cleanest and most tasteful utes I've seen around for a long long time. I do keep an eye on this thread regularly and I must say you're an inspiration to any ve ute owner, myself included, keep up the good work as I do fancy a bit of reading and car perving on these boring winter nights. :P

[Wyrms]

Ah man, beautiful car. I love SS Utes and yours looks amazing. The suspension is perfect, the colour's my personal ideal preference and the wheels look HOT!

Keep the hardtop, it looks much better. My next car is definitely gonna be either a Maloo or an SS ute, just a big manual V8 Holden ute, exactly what I'd love. hahaha

You have great taste in cars and in mods.