Suzuki Alto VXR - Revamp story

[nnabeel]

Hello Pakwheelers,

Its been a long time since i had got involved in a project other than smaller things. This car belongs to a chaddi friend of mine who is the single one owner since the car bought from showroom and has been a workhorse for him meeting his regular demands while he was only using the car and not taking care of the car as a person should do with a car that remains in the family. the only maintenance he does was oil / air filter change, some belts and no other maintenance....
The car is sealed engine with the auto fan working along with the thermostat installed and has done more than 110k kms driven both on fuel and cng while it was an official company fitted CNG vehicle..sooo i was literally scolding my friend to take care of the car as its in original paint so after a long time he gave me the car and the revamping story starts.

The car is mechanically OK as all the fluids, filters were changed. the tires were in good nick but the body , interior,suspension, engine rooms and the whole car needs love. the bonette had some holes which were covered by some mechanic previouly which was the only part that was touched in 2009 due to little damage to the bonette.

With the passage of time the bonette developed a hole under the putin.

[nnabeel]

So fist thing first..list of works decided to be done step by step.

The car went for suspension work and follwoing was done.

Rack replaced Kabli
Qainchi replaced with new ones along with bushings
front struts were replaced with agri autos. Springs remains sames.
Rear shock absorbers replaced agri auto new ones.
Wheel bearing of the left rear side was making a lot of noise so replaced with a new japanese one.
tire rods replaced.

With the above work done the car became much smooth with many noises gone.

[nnabeel]

Now comes the very long awaited part. the car much needed a complete wash while few more than things identified.

Bumpers needed repair and fitment
central locking not working properly
headlights and backlights need buff and bulbs
diggi tray knuckle broken
wiper assembly stalk was broken due to which wiper washer was not spraying water
ac not working.
alternator belt needs replacement
two outer door handles broken
A badly faded dashbaord
dirty engine bay and some loose wiring under dash

so striped the car out for complete wash. while the car was in service.....got the bumpers mended and lights work done.

seats were left with the cushion guy for covers and floor matting.

The carpet was washed along with the complete inner outer wash which took almost 4-5 hrs
the car was originally undercoated in 2007 so it was holding good expcept for few places which were left now

while the bumpers and lights away for buff and adjustments

@brownrose78
@Helper_learner
@abdulmunimqadri
@chinyoti
@nfsmostwanted
@miqdadkanani
@Xulfiqar
@capsat
@Hassan1991
@ali.7861

stay tunned some good things to come. although the thread will not be a lenghty one.....but its good

[chinyoti]

Get OEM central locking. Costs around 12k with locks.

I got Chinese for 4k, had to replace 2 locks. And it's still Chinese.

I have tried the coconut oil formula on the dashboard the dashboard has become lash pash.

[the_mira_guy_08]

Make sure to apply UV protectant spray onto the headlights and tail-lights. 2 coats should be enough to prevent it from yellowing again. Also the correct engine oil specification would be 10w40 or 5w40. Do a compression test before shifting to it unless it's already on it.

[miqdadkanani]

Perfect.
Where did you go for suspensoom works?

Also, share costs as well if possible.

[nnabeel]

the lights were already buffed and repaired, so the next time it will be replaced. till that time these will do just fine.

[nnabeel]

yes, i watched youtube desi totkas for restoring the faded dash. i tried coconut oil gave her time, didnt went well. then applied wd40, it did some effect. Used welding torch, it didnt helped either becuase where the car is parked it stays in full sunlight and the dash was never covered or protected with polish.

[chinyoti]

Apply coconut oil, the original one is mostly frozen these days even in Karachi, So you'll need to heat it a little.

also after applying the car needs to be parked in the sun, Been very helpful to me.

I need to apply it one more time. So it can be cured more.

[nnabeel]

Now the next phase for the car while carpet and seats were out. closed all the open holes with rubber bushes and duct tape. the holes were factory made and were original on floor and the foot rails on doors side. (picutres couldnt be taken.

Central locking work done, while removed all 04 door cards. Tightened all the loose nuts and bolts inside the door. cleaned and resales all the plastic barriers. the central locking wala guy checked all the connections and replaced where necessary. replaced some faulty guns and door switches which resulted the central locking working fine.

some rubbers parts and wipersblades were purchased. while the work was in progress, got the lights and bumpers fitted for the remaining work....i.e. beauty parlor visit.

Since the car was on original paint except for the bonette, gave the car to the painter guy who agreed to paint and touch the bumpers, bonette, qalams, rubbing and polish.
to be honest, i randomly find this guy for the work and he did awesome honest work. the work started.

Bonette was scrapped from only damaged portions with the idea to replace in future with new one. the holes were covered with fibre policate. the dent on the right door was half touched.

[chinyoti]

Diggi wala rubber kahan se milla, I needed one ordered from Daraz came out to be of a Mehran.

I have wired the Diggi light without that rubber boot on the diggi.

I have 12" Wheel caps lying around let me know if you need them. Can be delivered to you aswell.

Work looks like going in good pace.

The fibre policade does the job, but make sure ghisai manjhai is done properly else bubbles will pop up in sometime.

Specially because of being painted in cold weather.

[nnabeel]

yar diggi wala rubber i got from Japan rubber wala at Magazine lane. It was for left handed car and due to that it needed some solution for sticking it in place accordingly.

i can get u if u need one..
pls inbox the wheel caps if u have and they are in good nick.

as for the job. it was done in muharram and the weather was normal, not cold.

[nnabeel]

So here goes the final results. the guy took approx three days for all the work including two nights work.
while after the central lcking was in progress, the seat cushion guy informed to bring car for floor matting and seats which i got it done before the final rubbing polish.

the painter prep the car, removed all black marks, rubbed and roughed. prepared the bonette work, right door sides, foot boards & bumpers, then worked all his way till rubiing polish and final touches with qalam. he asked me to give wheel caps, 7cf, new front frill garnish and some clips.
He also surprised me with the painted dashboard which he did without removing it. that certainly changed the whole car look plus the added beauty of seat covers........Say Mashaallah.

[nnabeel]

Minor dinges and small pressed dents were purposefully not removed from body.
the guy did another amazing job with the engine room. he cleaned and painted the required things....

later i insatalled the necessary warnign stickers on the front and air cleaner for ac and radiator as well as oil grade. during the work i got the ac serviced from Sabir Ac who did a complete marvellous service and gas charging resulting chilled cooling. the only work remaining for the car is now the ac on off switch and the valve that increase the raice when ac is started.
Wiper stalk was changed from magazine lane which was taken out from kabli unit instaed of changing the whole assembly.

The work completed for this car now.

[chinyoti]

No will look for a proper one then from magazine line/ plaza.

Will send you pictures inbox they are local, I got them later upgraded to 13" Stupnies..

[miqdadkanani]

Amazing job so far.

The only problem with engine room paint you might encoubter is paint damage if it was a simple spray paint. I have seen peeled paint off airintake, gasket cover shortly after they were painted.
Paint should have been heat resistant one. I had used abro heat resistant enamel. It was matt so it did not give a shiny look but after almost 1.5 years, its intact.

[chinyoti]

Hello,

Any idea if this car comes with a rear number plate light? I couldn't find one.

[nnabeel]

yes, number plates lights to hotee hain.

check the below links....

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005002586961865.html

[chinyoti]

I will recheck the rear bumper. I didn't find provision will update.

[brownrose78]

Excellent job @nnabeel

Also write workshop name and associated cost please i.e. From where you did Suspension works, denting works, specially the guy who painted your dashboard