A Toyota LN107 is Born: Hilux Pick-up, 1991 Restoration Project

[zanagra]

@nnabeel and @consigliori sorry dear sirs for keeping you guys waiting, this ongoing COVID-19 scenario has disturbed daily routines a lot! Couldnt post the next “Mano Ranjhan” today.

However assuring that tomorrow it will be worth the wait next “Episode”

[consigliori]

In Sha Allah bro. Waiting with anticipation...

[zanagra]

can u explain what is the work of tht switch (idle up) just above your digital temp gauge? i neva drive diesel machine thts y asking

and next switch for hydraulic shocks to make ride up and down?

As told by @ahmedpro747 (Ahmed Bhai), yes this is the correct usage, like old cars (petrol) used to have a choke and new cars have Auto Choke. However, on this very machine this button is not functional, neither the suspension select switch which makes the suspension stiffer / softer as per your selection. These buttons came mounted on this dash (the one that we replaced). So for now, these are only for decoration.

[zanagra]

Let the games begin

So finally we gave the vehicle for a full on paint job. We decided to strip the vehicle to the core, including all panels (doors, seats, rear loader, Fenders, Screens) so that we can paint it from scratch and ground up.

First target was to strip it off its old paint job.

[zanagra]

Now one of the biggest challenges while we started it was brining it back to its original curves. There had been many many application of putty and To be honest I was much anticipating that once we will go down to the sheet metal, its going to be rusted and damaged.

To my Surprise (a pleasent one), there was no rusting anywhere, instead, just to waste time on denting, it had been applied with coats and coats of putty

[consigliori]

The famous sticker on the side of Hilux is gone...

[zanagra]

Putting things to fast forward

The denting process, all in all took about 2 months time. Yes, it might sound a bit too long, but when you have the commitment to bring all the curves back, it takes that much time. I am grateful to the entire winning team of Auto Care Experts who kept there nerve, and kept the show going up to the mark.

This was high time to install the Snorkel, which we did in the due course

Although, I have no plans to ever put it in water, neither I'd recommend it to anyone, however, a Snorkel is always a nice addition to the "mean looks" of your rig!

@consigliori Sir, here is the Snorkel as per your instructions!

[zanagra]

Finally comes the big day to Paint the baby

Once we were done all the primer coats, finally came the big day to paint the baby. It was painted using a paint booth, available at Auto Care Experts.

Color Code: 3K3 - Red Garnet (Original Color of this old boy)

[capsat]

Please update every hour delay is not appreciated

[consigliori]

MASHALLAH. Sir snorkel means business.....

[ahmedpro747]

Snorkels are not only helpful when in water but also help by sucking in air from a higher grounds and not from near the wheel well as there is less dust and dirt up near the roof of the vehicle then with the wheel well where the tyres kick up a hole load of dust. Snorkels may also help to improve engine life by doing so...

[capsat]

Breathing from snorkel means relatively cold air into system without much of effort

[nnabeel]

Wow....such a nice finish. Awesome paint job.
yes endurance and patience is the thing which we should have while restoring a car.

[nagar1]

The doors are looking beautiful...good job

[zanagra]

Lets put it back

So once the paint was done, we started off with its assembly.

[zanagra]

Vibration and Heat Insulation

Now here comes my most fav part, I always wanted to heat insulate the firewall, the ceiling and do vibration damping on the doors, floors and the rear wall.

I used a vibration damping sheet (Orientech) which I sourced from Sheharyar Traders , these are made in China but serving the purpose pretty fine.

For Heat Insulation I used Thermo Break LS heat insulation Sheet

Source Chaudhry Auto Store

This sheet was applied on the roof and the firewall area behind the dash, on engine bay side

Time will tell how effective is the heat insulation, but vibration damping is highly recommended, makes a difference of night and day for the cabin noise.

[zanagra]

The Grand Finale

So dear Ladies (if any following this thread) and Gentlemen,

With efforts of almost a year (with some stoppage of works)... we have finally completed our job. This is the last post I am putting for the restoration thread, this very machine I truly love. I have literally built it from scratch, its good or bad, i love it!

I am thankful for your input, your interest and your patronage. I remain at your disposal, if any one of you requires any assistance for any part of this thread --- I am available with all my limited knowledge and ability.

June 2019

June 2020

**And if you still have a minute [Click here to watch the final test run
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I am thankful to all of your for your time and patience to bear with me! From this post onwards, floor is open to discussion, questions and suggestions!

Love for all! This is Zubair Nagra signing off!

[Bilalicious]

Whattay fantastic journey captured here. Can’t wait to have a ride on this bad boy when I’m in Lhr. Hats off to your consistent hardwork and patience. May the bad boy always stand by you!
Cheers.

[zanagra]

Thanks a lot bro! U own it, i just made sure its worth the honor to have you on the wheel!

Happy Landings!

[Spano]

Mashallah.
Great effort
Excellent results
Superb presentation