1JZ E30 Vert Build Thread with Pastry filled wheels

[straight6pwr]

what will the assembly process be? Are the two adapter bolts the last parts to be installed to bolt the column to the rack, or can everything be preassembled? can you just weld the screws into the adapter plate holes on the z4 joint side so you don't have to put a wrench on that side after final welding? or just weld a nut on that side and flip the fastener to avoid having to tap the adapter plate? i'm not sure what your main goal is here - professional fit/finish, ease of maintenance, or ease of fabrication, etc.

[Jdesign]

straight6pwr said:

what will the assembly process be? Are the two adapter bolts the last parts to be installed to bolt the column to the rack, or can everything be preassembled? can you just weld the screws into the adapter plate holes on the z4 joint side so you don't have to put a wrench on that side after final welding? or just weld a nut on that side and flip the fastener to avoid having to tap the adapter plate? i'm not sure what your main goal is here - professional fit/finish, ease of maintenance, or ease of fabrication, etc.

It can be preassembled due to the telescoping airbag steering column. I could weld the nuts or bolts to the adapter and call it done. I need to get the right diameter shanked bolts first to see if I’m happy with it. It seems like once it’s all tight, the flex disc deflects and the bolts will just push the material out of the way. 
 

If that’s the case, this might just be a mock up for a flaming river joint. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Jdesign]

Successful weekend. 

I completed the steering joint and installed it, bolted in new inner and outer tie rods, and I was able to make a pair of E36M3 boots stretch over the bigger bore Z4 rack by putting them in the oven and soften them.

My first expectation of the rack is that lock to lock is super quick. 2.8 rotations or so. Feedback sitting in place is a little bit of a struggle as I kind of expected from what I read online with a non-powered rack. I have had non-powered rack cars before so this isn't new to me. I will potentially look into a electric assist (Similar to this one) later on if it is really bother some. I painted it black in hopes to hide it better in the engine bay.

[Jdesign]

Sick of moving the hardtop around, and I didnt want to leave it on the top of the car, I decided to start taking the hardtop apart over the weekend. It proved to be MUCH more challenging than I expected.

One reason; GLUE. 

During the assembly, they literally use resin everywhere and glue almost everything in, EVEN if it has fasteners holding it in. Seals, trim, mounts, and fabric are all glued. On the plus side, I inspected all of the seals, latches, and trim and it is all in great shape, just the vinyl and headliner is in visually aging. 

Here are pictures as I dismantled it;

[Jdesign]

At this point I was able to pull all of the fabrics off. I didnt take any in progress pics but it was really easy and happened quickly.

[Jdesign]

The next step was to remove the glass. I want to keep the glass as it will make a nice guide for creating a buck for forming the Polycarbonate, but it sat a touch higher than the top, and in order to paint and re wrap the top properly it needed to come out so I bought one of these.

[Jdesign]

So yeah that happened. I was able to get 3 of the 4 sides completely detached and I didnt think it would be a problem to finish. Although it was a work out as the top wasn't secured to anything, I was holding the top and pulling the carbide through the seal without a problem. the last edge I stopped and determined if I wanted to tape the glass to preventing it from falling or shifting. I removed the tool and stepped back. Heard a loud sealing/suction type noise and watched the window blow out about 5 feet into the air as I was standing about 3 feet away.

I immediately went over to the fridge and poured myself a strong drink.

So here is the top now. Its a weird astro turf color which I would like to think is the dye from the canvas.

    

[KaiserRolls]

Must’ve had the rear defrost turned on

[Jdesign]

KaiserRolls said:

Must’ve had the rear defrost turned on

De-Frustered

[SteelBlue]

Are you still planning to make a copy of that roof with the large window?

[Jdesign]

SteelBlue said:

Are you still planning to make a copy of that roof with the large window?

Almost done already.

[B C]

****!

[straight6pwr]

thats an impressive photoshop, and damn beautiful!

i assume project #3 will be some sort of trunk chop so we can see your spare tire?

[Jdesign]

straight6pwr said:

thats an impressive photoshop, and damn beautiful!

i assume project #3 will be some sort of trunk chop so we can see your spare tire?

Thank you! And I was thinking LED valve caps.

[SteelBlue]

Jdesign said:

Almost done already.

Oh shit. Is this glass or some form of plexiglass?

How'd you get the bend?

Oh...is this a shop?

[B C]

The chop top shop in the shop made my eyes pop. twas a quality shop. i'll stop.

[Jdesign]

B C said:

The chop top shop in the shop made my eyes pop. twas a quality shop. i'll stop. 

[REKIII]

I cried a little when I saw the broken window. 

Cool Project.

[Jdesign]

REKIII said:

I cried a little 

Me too................................ m e    t o o.  I swear this started playing right after it happened. 

[Jdesign]

Cher sent me one of his light painting images. I had to share!