Your fleet running reports

[Sundayjumper]

You’re not going to be fooling anyone that it’s real carbon fibre, but as a decorative finish I was pretty pleased with it.

[mr_jon]

Looks good! I priced up stuff like the door pulls from toyota as the silver paint is just plain worn, still 30 quid a side = just not worth it. So a bit of wrap may be the ticket. I guess with a door pull you have to put a seam into it on the rear? Bit trickier. May start with the more simple pieces to get the hang of it.

[Sundayjumper]

Oh, right, that does sound a bit trickier. I only did the trim on the doors, dash & centre console. I've not attempted anything that needs to wrap all the way around like that.

[Sundayjumper]

…wrap the B pillar black.

Done but failed. I matched the wrap to the top/bottom of the glass on the sliding door but it looks wrong. I need to align to the driver’s door window rubber.

And gloss black would work betterererer.

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[Sundayjumper]

Damn, do I need to wash the Fabia now? I’ve not cleaned it since Bramley. There is much dust and many spiders’ webs all over it.

Pfft. No need. It will get more dust and maybe some mud at the weekend.

[Sundayjumper]

Done but failed.

Better. Seeing as I started this with no training or experience it’s probably pretty easy with a bit of practice.

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[Beany]

You’re not going to be fooling anyone that it’s real carbon fibre, but as a decorative finish I was pretty pleased with it.

I can't believe you didn't build your own autoclave to create the real thing.

You disappoint me, SJ. Such, such disappoint.

[Jobbo]

Done but failed.

Better. Seeing as I started this with no training or experience it’s probably pretty easy with a bit of practice.



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Excellent work.

Now, you need a ‘Free Candy’ sticker on the side with the sliding door…

[jamcg]

[Sundayjumper]

I’d be far more likely to go dark and Krieger-ey.

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[Zonda_]

420d has gone, replace with a Jag XE (see other thread) initial brief drive home reveals it to have much sharper steering and handling. It’ll be getting booked in for a remap asap.

[nuttinnew]

I’d be far more likely to go dark and Krieger-ey.

Short of a repaint;




^ Pennywise without hands would be bestest imo (on the rhr would possibly deter tailgaters)

If/when painting, door handles could do with being body colour. I guess they're the same as on a saloon so you could get some pre-painted to avoid prep ag, maybe even mit chrom

[Sundayjumper]

If/when painting...

I am NOT repainting the whole van Believe it or not, I'm trying to do all this without spending money - either by using stuff I already have lying around, or at the very least restricting the spending to things that I can sell again later (diagnostic kit, roof rack).

I might have some white paint in the garage, the handles will be easy enough to have a go at.

[nuttinnew]

If/when painting...

I am NOT repainting the whole van

I wasn't thinking you would, but that in the general process of cleaning, fettling, and tinkering, you're bound to repaint some bits

How have you got on with coding?

[Sundayjumper]

How have you got on with coding?

Not done yet. It's a long and boring story of old laptops, old versions of Windows, tracking down obsolete drivers and trying to comprehend badly written "instructions" provided by "people". I think the core problem is that because it's all grey/black market under-the-counter stuff there's no real documentation for it. Just umpteen forum posts to wade through, try out, and realise that person's experience was specific to the hardware/software they had at that time. And some of these posts are 15 years old so hardly any of the links work.

That said, the HDD provided does have the software on it and I have been able to connect to the van and read fault codes and read the existing coding but there's a fault - most likely a corrupted file - that's stopping me accessing the coding in the very module I need to get to for the cruise control (ESP).

Right now I'm piecing together a totally clean install of WinXP, the right drivers for the laptop, and then start all over with a copy of the 2008 diagnostics software.

Computers. Gah.

[drcarlos]

With Scotta's musings thread I thought I should update on the L200, Corsa and Combo, which I'm giving a bit of attention.
L200 first.
I've added an EVC throttle controller (10 minute job to fit) and set it an Ultimate1. Now the throttle actually responds when you want it to and at the level you want rather than thinking about it and then selecting about half the level you want. It was very frustrating and you literally had to Prince2 exit from junctions. £170 well spent so far.
I also added the Eagle 4x4 tailgate lock which now power locks the bed tailgate so extra security for £60.
Arrived today is a £60 autofold module for the mirrors so they'll fold off the locking controls rather than the daft button that's there. A job for next weekend.
Also added recently was a Sony XAV-AX5650 headunit, purchased at a useful £350 as an opened box but new unit, gives me my 2x USB ports (1 for usb key and 1 for phone) and DAB radio. JVC unit (also android auto) that was in there moved to the Combo now.
Thinking about a map soon and I've spoken with my mechanic as he can do that and he's suggested a blended one so a bit more power and a bit more economy (which was my main aim as power is pretty decent for a truck and I have the TVR for fun anyway).
It's proving to be a good companion on the whole.
Combo.
As above the JVC android auto headunit replaced the basic mechless one that was in there, so the wife can now have Nav for when she needs it and the other integrated features, along with the frankly quite brilliant DSP, which makes the standard shit speakers sound excellent.
It's chucking an ABS fault so I've taken a punt and got a new sensor which will go on the list for next weekend as I hunt the fault.
Corsa.
After Sundayjumpers donation of some replacement front speakers the adaptors arrived today and that will be another one for next weekend.

[Sundayjumper]

How have you got on with coding?

WE HAZ CROOZ CUNTROL !!! !!

In a classic case of "if you want something done properly..." I gave up wrangling with the supplied HDD / OS / diagnostics software and started from scratch myself. This website, for which you need to pay USD27 to register, was an absolute GODSEND in terms of finally tracking down the right software.

https://mhhauto.com/

The laptop is still complaining about missing drivers for various hardware (stuff internal to the laptop, not the diagnostics woggle) but it works. It bloody works.

Next: beer.

[Gavster]

…wrap the B pillar black.

Done but failed. I matched the wrap to the top/bottom of the glass on the sliding door but it looks wrong. I need to align to the driver’s door window rubber.

And gloss black would work betterererer.



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Looking super good

[nuttinnew]

How have you got on with coding?

WE HAZ CROOZ CUNTROL !!! !!

In a classic case of "if you want something done properly..." I gave up wrangling with the supplied HDD / OS / diagnostics software and started from scratch myself. This website, for which you need to pay USD27 to register, was an absolute GODSEND in terms of finally tracking down the right software.

https://mhhauto.com/

The laptop is still complaining about missing drivers for various hardware (stuff internal to the laptop, not the diagnostics woggle) but it works. It bloody works.

Next: beer.

It's a keeper now, yeah?

[Sundayjumper]

It's a keeper now, yeah?

Or maybe the opposite.... ??

A lot of the stuff I've done has added value, I would like to think, and I've learned a lot too. So if I can sell during the summer for a decent price (peak camping / middle aged men suddenly want #vanlife time of year) I can roll that money into a nice sundayjumper-spec V6 Vito

This one is overpriced but it's totally my spec and unusually low mileage for this kind of thing:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275290129960