Mkernz22's Progress Thread V2, Starting over on a new slate Options

[mkernz22]

Sadly, the time has come and soon I'll be decommissioning my 1995 Celica GT. She's had rot that I wanted to fix, but I know it's going to be too much to handle.
Old thread here: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=75896

So I'll be starting on a new slate with a 1994 GT hatch. The car only has 127,000 miles on it and is in really good condition.
There are some flaws such as the rear struts being blown, the high beam being cracked, the radiator pretty much on it's way out, the cracked intake hose, small ding in the drivers side fender, and the door cloth insert piece falling off....
But it's not like those aren't easy things to fix.

Starting off, this car is not intended to be a project car. I made that mistake with my 95 and I hate having a project / dd. It gets annoying.
Most of the things I intend to do will be done this coming spring, but some of the other minor things will still be in the works.


So to start off with what will happen.

Obviously swapping over the JDM tail lights. That's just a given. Sex appeal = +150%
Putting my winter tires on until the spring comes.
Swapping out the cracked high beam, cracked intake hose, and swapping over the radiator.
Pulling out that little dent.
Swap out the muffler for one that I've had in my shed.
KYB struts all around and lowered on I think sportline springs? I forget the brand.

Here comes the fun stuff
Poly bushings all around as well as the suspension bits and under body being undercoated.
Putting in all new hard brake and fuel lines because I already have them, so why not? (at some point)
SSIII lip kit will be painted and installed, except for the fronts until I get a post face bumper. The little black euro splitters should look fine in the meantime.

And I'm sick of typing so here are some pictures.
















This post has been edited by mkernz22: May 27, 2015 - 7:29 AM

[mkernz22]

Alright so I'll give my opinion on putting in the poly bushings.
1) It f^cking sucks if you don't have all the tools.
2) If you have non rusted parts it's probably a bit easier, however, mine were rusted to sh!t so I had to cut some bolts and use a lot of heat.
3) Takes a bit of time if you want to do it right.
4) Besides the fact that it may or may not suck, in the end it is completely worth it.

Along with the poly bushings, I upgraded the F&R sway bar bushings to poly as well as all of the end links. New ball joints and tie rod ends went in as well as Suspension Technique lowering springs in the rear and my TRD coilovers in the front, which may or may not get swapped out for struts with the ST lowering springs. Just have to buy the struts. In all, it was worth it because the handling is so god damn tight and I absolutely love it. Once my tires wear out from the alignment being off, I'll be getting new tires and an alignment. I can't wait for that because it's going to feel soooooo good.

Picture of the front:


Then today I went and detailed my car because I actually have really nice paint instead of some sh!tty $400 Maaco paint job.

How it originally looked:


After clay barring and polishing:


Once the wax was done:




So she's looking really, really nice now and I'm really happy.
**And yes, I ****ed up on the wax. Started to rush it since it was getting dark and didn't shake the bottle which is why you see the streaks in the picture of the front of the car. Hopefully cleaning that up tomorrow.

This post has been edited by mkernz22: May 26, 2015 - 8:21 PM