MK4 XR3i light restoration project
13-09-2013, 11:41 AM
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MK4 XR3i light restoration project
Found this MK4 XR3i which had sat in someone's garage for the past 13 years.
It is in lovely condition with just a few mods done to it by the previous owners, my plans are to return it back standard as it was when it rolled off the production line way back in the late 90's.
1st time out in daylight for a long time covered in dust!
right down to action.... decided to strip the interior just to see how solid it really was...
was pretty impressed with the boot floor (rock solid)
drivers floor pan were also pretty good too
passenger floor pan was also pretty good but there was a small weld patch where the floor meets the wheel arch (think I will get this re-welded while the carpets were up.)
at present all the interior seating is out getting valeted along with the floor carpet (drivers seat is at the trimmers getting repaired)
plan to tackle the dashboard and clean the plastics while waiting for everything to come back
will keep you posted on how I get on (oh by the way the bad boy bonnet is definitely going the journey)
Skoda....
It is in lovely condition with just a few mods done to it by the previous owners, my plans are to return it back standard as it was when it rolled off the production line way back in the late 90's.
1st time out in daylight for a long time covered in dust!
right down to action.... decided to strip the interior just to see how solid it really was...
was pretty impressed with the boot floor (rock solid)
drivers floor pan were also pretty good too
passenger floor pan was also pretty good but there was a small weld patch where the floor meets the wheel arch (think I will get this re-welded while the carpets were up.)
at present all the interior seating is out getting valeted along with the floor carpet (drivers seat is at the trimmers getting repaired)
plan to tackle the dashboard and clean the plastics while waiting for everything to come back
will keep you posted on how I get on (oh by the way the bad boy bonnet is definitely going the journey)
Skoda....
13-09-2013, 11:45 AM
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Managed to buy a set of original Ford lattice wheels for only £40 from e bay. they need a blasting then powder coating silver but should look the dogs dodahs when there done!
14-09-2013, 12:09 PM
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Good & bad news to report today.. got the interior back from the cleaners and wow he's wiped 23 years of muck away in just one day it smells fresh and looks brilliant, the drivers seat is at the trimmers getting repaired.
same again with the carpet....
Now for the not so good news, the front floor pans all the way along the edge (where it meets the sills) needs welding discovered this after having ago with the wire brush
so it's off to the welders tomorrow to get sorted then hopefully I will then be able to clean the interior plastics then re-fit the interior
will keep you posted.
same again with the carpet....
Now for the not so good news, the front floor pans all the way along the edge (where it meets the sills) needs welding discovered this after having ago with the wire brush
so it's off to the welders tomorrow to get sorted then hopefully I will then be able to clean the interior plastics then re-fit the interior will keep you posted.
14-09-2013, 12:47 PM
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15-09-2013, 06:33 PM
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Just a small update today....
Loaded the XRi onto the back of my old truck to take her to the welders
should have the car back by Wednesday happy days
Loaded the XRi onto the back of my old truck to take her to the welders
should have the car back by Wednesday happy days
15-09-2013, 07:04 PM
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22-09-2013, 02:02 PM
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Things are starting to come together now... got the interior back from the upholsterer and also the welding got done far quicker than expected.
So today I took full advantage of this lovely Sunday and put things back together starting with the interior then a good was wax & polish.
think she is starting to look good now what do you think???.
[url=http://s568.photobucket.com/user/skoda169/media/6_zps8d5a94a7.jpg.html]
The next stage of the project is to do the engine and engine bay area, it really lets the car down badly IMHO any tips tricks ideas or he;p as to where to start would be good thanks..
things left to do are as follows... get the lattice wheels sand blasted and powder coated, remove engine clean / paint engine bay area de-grease engine/gearbox paint it and dress it up renew all water pipes for maybe red ones!
under seal the bottom of the car and get various parts sand blasted and powder coated I.E front and rear arms ETC then I think that's about it
still a fair bit to do but it's a work in progress and I enjoy tinkering on with her.
I have budgeted £600 for the engine bay area and to dress the engine up as for the under sealing I have allowed 5 hours for this work
So today I took full advantage of this lovely Sunday and put things back together starting with the interior then a good was wax & polish.
think she is starting to look good now what do you think???.
[url=http://s568.photobucket.com/user/skoda169/media/6_zps8d5a94a7.jpg.html]
The next stage of the project is to do the engine and engine bay area, it really lets the car down badly IMHO any tips tricks ideas or he;p as to where to start would be good thanks..
things left to do are as follows... get the lattice wheels sand blasted and powder coated, remove engine clean / paint engine bay area de-grease engine/gearbox paint it and dress it up renew all water pipes for maybe red ones!
under seal the bottom of the car and get various parts sand blasted and powder coated I.E front and rear arms ETC then I think that's about it
still a fair bit to do but it's a work in progress and I enjoy tinkering on with her.
I have budgeted £600 for the engine bay area and to dress the engine up as for the under sealing I have allowed 5 hours for this work
Last edited by skoda169; 22-09-2013 at 02:04 PM.
22-09-2013, 03:11 PM
#15
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Change the wheels quickly!
DON'T get red hoses
As for engine take it out (easy to do) one on the hoist you can tidy it up easily. Id paint the black, gbox etc.
Clean the bay up and your done!
Personally id get an exhaust on it or at least a back box but nothing too mad!
DON'T get red hoses
As for engine take it out (easy to do) one on the hoist you can tidy it up easily. Id paint the black, gbox etc.
Clean the bay up and your done!
Personally id get an exhaust on it or at least a back box but nothing too mad!
25-09-2013, 03:55 PM
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25-09-2013, 04:37 PM
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those side repeaters dont fit too well.
on the whole a good car i had a white one many years ago.. that died the death and i stripped and stored in mums loft.
looks a good basis for a nice project tho.
on the whole a good car i had a white one many years ago.. that died the death and i stripped and stored in mums loft.
looks a good basis for a nice project tho.
25-09-2013, 06:10 PM
#21
Engine bay wise I am thinking of getting a steam cleaner, not the big industrial jobs but the more domestic variety. But I do agree to get the engine and the bay really sorted it needs to come out
26-09-2013, 06:19 AM
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Got both from e bay... below are the links...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1407751818...84.m1439.l2649
and the wing repeaters.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3009724440...84.m1439.l2649
I have been advised that they don't fit too well ,hang fire before you buy them and I will let you know if their a good fit or not! I plan to fit on Sunday.
Totally agree with you Woodstock it will look soooo much better.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1407751818...84.m1439.l2649
and the wing repeaters.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3009724440...84.m1439.l2649
I have been advised that they don't fit too well ,hang fire before you buy them and I will let you know if their a good fit or not! I plan to fit on Sunday.
Totally agree with you Woodstock it will look soooo much better.
28-09-2013, 11:45 AM
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Well I managed to get the orange indicators fitted a day early than planned
they are not a great fit, I had to modify the drivers side front indicator will keep them on until I manage to get some better fitting ones!
on a plus point I managed to get hold of some red strip for the front and rear bumpers which look great.
the red stripe on the rear bumper....
Front orange indicators & side repeaters along with front red stripe...
Getting there slowly but still a load of work to do on the car until I will be happy, however due to funds, nagging wife and juggling with work I have to stop until after Christmas
they are not a great fit, I had to modify the drivers side front indicator will keep them on until I manage to get some better fitting ones!
on a plus point I managed to get hold of some red strip for the front and rear bumpers which look great.
the red stripe on the rear bumper....
Front orange indicators & side repeaters along with front red stripe...
Getting there slowly but still a load of work to do on the car until I will be happy, however due to funds, nagging wife and juggling with work I have to stop until after Christmas
28-09-2013, 11:55 AM
#24
Ah that's looking better and better
The red fillet strip looks ace too. Just out of interest, was the fillet strip one of those rolls off of eBay?
Top work mate
Oh and how did you find the repeaters fit wise? Dad's cabby has got white ones which have gone smokers yellow in colour
The red fillet strip looks ace too. Just out of interest, was the fillet strip one of those rolls off of eBay?
Top work mate
Oh and how did you find the repeaters fit wise? Dad's cabby has got white ones which have gone smokers yellow in colour
Last edited by Wood5tock; 28-09-2013 at 11:57 AM.
28-09-2013, 12:57 PM
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Ah that's looking better and better
The red fillet strip looks ace too. Just out of interest, was the fillet strip one of those rolls off of eBay?
Top work mate
Oh and how did you find the repeaters fit wise? Dad's cabby has got white ones which have gone smokers yellow in colour
The red fillet strip looks ace too. Just out of interest, was the fillet strip one of those rolls off of eBay?
Top work mate
Oh and how did you find the repeaters fit wise? Dad's cabby has got white ones which have gone smokers yellow in colour
Yes the fillet strip was from e bay I bought it Thursday and it arrived today well chuffed with it. here's the link if your interested.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3906659129...84.m1439.l2649
The indicators were not a very good fit I would not recommend them to anyone I had to cut a section out of the passenger side one as it was miles off from fitting, though the drivers side was a better fit!
28-09-2013, 01:18 PM
#26
Thanks mate I am really enjoying the project very much, my plan is to be driving her around by next summer though as mentioned I need to leave the engine bay until after Christmas.
Yes the fillet strip was from e bay I bought it Thursday and it arrived today well chuffed with it. here's the link if your interested.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3906659129...84.m1439.l2649
The indicators were not a very good fit I would not recommend them to anyone I had to cut a section out of the passenger side one as it was miles off from fitting, though the drivers side was a better fit!
Yes the fillet strip was from e bay I bought it Thursday and it arrived today well chuffed with it. here's the link if your interested.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3906659129...84.m1439.l2649
The indicators were not a very good fit I would not recommend them to anyone I had to cut a section out of the passenger side one as it was miles off from fitting, though the drivers side was a better fit!
when you get a sec would you mind taking a few close ups of it fitted, especially where it is inserted into the ends of the channel on the bumpers. Just want to see how it looks as i am seriously considering getting some to replace the ones on the cabby and the eclipse Yeah pattern lights can be seriously hit and miss, Had to fit a new headlight and found one of the adjusters sockets was made out of a really hard plastic which of course snapped when I pushed the ball into it
28-09-2013, 02:28 PM
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Yeah thats the strip I have been looking at when you get a sec would you mind taking a few close ups of it fitted, especially where it is inserted into the ends of the channel on the bumpers. Just want to see how it looks as i am seriously considering getting some to replace the ones on the cabby and the eclipse
Yeah pattern lights can be seriously hit and miss, Had to fit a new headlight and found one of the adjusters sockets was made out of a really hard plastic which of course snapped when I pushed the ball into it
when you get a sec would you mind taking a few close ups of it fitted, especially where it is inserted into the ends of the channel on the bumpers. Just want to see how it looks as i am seriously considering getting some to replace the ones on the cabby and the eclipse Yeah pattern lights can be seriously hit and miss, Had to fit a new headlight and found one of the adjusters sockets was made out of a really hard plastic which of course snapped when I pushed the ball into it
wish i had some enthusiasm to crack on with my projects but im always busy freezing my arse in siberia or spending time with the kids!
01-10-2013, 07:01 AM
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I know what you mean about the time to do things bigryrs I work in excess of 70 hours per week have a wife and 2 kids to keep happy so I have very little time to do things but hey ho little steps!
many thanks for sending it over. Looks just right to! Proper job
04-10-2013, 03:13 PM
#33
Fleet Manager
Personaly I'd loose the bonnet get some original stickers for the boot lid, red stripes for the bumpers and go with some 2wd saph 15s as they look like the original 14s
Looks rely nice tho
Looks rely nice tho
15-10-2013, 05:35 PM
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managed to find an original working ford stereo (now fitted) and finally the crem de la crem......
I got hold of a genuine set of ford spot lights complete with brackets (done a 700 mile round trip just in case royal mail broke them in delivery)from this.......
to this......
will post more pics once I get the bonnet n wheels back.
18-10-2013, 09:48 AM
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a small but rather exciting update... I got my wheels back from the shot blasters this morning, this is the 1st time I have had anything shot blasted and WOW it's impressive to say the least.
whish I had taken a pic of the wheels before I had them done the difference is remarkable
They are now in the other workshop waiting to get powder coated can't wait
whish I had taken a pic of the wheels before I had them done the difference is remarkable
They are now in the other workshop waiting to get powder coated can't wait
18-10-2013, 12:29 PM
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I was real lucky to get hold of these at the price I did (£40 on e bay) on the down side I travelled to London to pick them up!