Fair point :lol

I still maintain I was simply the straw that broke the 27 year old gearbox's back, and she's come back fully reconditioned, and improved with the shift kit :thumbs and I've learned not to overuse that technique :lol

What did you do?

I blew an auto box to bit years ago driving a ford escort and it was a little expensive :lol:lol:thumbs

Overused a technique for downhill offroad descents in an auto that uses left foot braking while increasing throttle with the right to overcome the brakes. Gives the control back over speed without locking the wheels (ease off the throttle to slow down). Added benefit is it evens up the force across the diffs so acts like a crude difflock.

Downside is it makes the box work hard, causing heat so you can't overuse it for a continuous period. I used it more and longer than the old (and I suspect previously abused towing more than its 3.5t rating) box could cope with. Burnt out the 3rd speed clutch.

Recommendation once the box was dropped was a full recondition and I asked him to also fit the shift kit. Since then I've also fitted a transmission cooler in front of the radiator.

#scotbodge

ah yes I know the technique, certainly works. Lucky of me never had an issue. I guess a box that's had a hard life didn't like it.
cheers

New Seats
 

The original seats had seen better days so time for something new (ish).

Started off with an old Recaro seat and had my mates strip those, new foam, vinyl upholstery, modified pedestals to lift the smaller seat to roughly same height as the oem.

There are a number of options for seat swaps but these Recaro's are (IMO) one of the best "fitting" seats for me anyway.

the result below, hope you like as much as i did.....

Also found a replica carpet company in NZ, so the black carpet is new too. If any one is interested in a set just drop me a PM, if i can help i will.

Moved on to trying my hand at interior re-trim, modest results but enjoyable non the less.
Just removed the old panels, stripped them of coverings and used an acoustic carpet (the one from sub boxes) to retrim, remewed the plastic clips to brass upholstery clips and boom, done... did the doors and boot panels.
In hindsight a fabric panel was not the way to go, it just catches too much crap from the bush.

template making...

Drawer system
 

About time i had some way to carry the gear neatly so had a bash at a drawer system, rough and ready and needs finishing but certainly sturdy.

these were supposed to be a prototype so i could decide on layout etc so they will probably come out again but for now they do the job nicely.

the intention now is to build some side wings to give me a compartment over the arch, have a gullwing side windows installed for better access for my short arms.

Materials - The runners are 25mm box section 1m long, a bunch of skate board bearings and some self tapping wood/metal screws, i saw this idea on YT and royally nicked that. Pm if you want the link.
Took 2 sheets of 17mm structural ply and two "drop T handle" twist locks.

Nice update Dave :thumb2 :thumb2

Barrbeast has been toying with the idea of fitting some Gull Wing rear windows on his Y60 Safari, probably going to be a bit more pricey getting a set as we are over here in the UK :doh

Certainly a nice mod on the one's I've seen online

Thanks, it been a while since i posted anything.

The gull wing windows are pretty good but the cost of them seems dis proportionate to the material/labour in it.
There a few good diy versions which i may give a go sometime.