Kostamojen

Just had some guy from Japan contact me over on NASIOC... Looks like he's restored some FF-1's over there, here is his homepage: http://www.drawninthesea.sakura.ne.jp/

Here is something to give you an idea of what i'm working on while the car is at the bodyshop...

Picked up the car from American Stripping Co.!!! They did really good work, the car could be painted right now if it didnt need body work :-p I dropped it off at the bodyshop, also known as Roseville Rod and Custom. They are making an estimate for me that should be ready next week. Indeed, it probably will be higher than expected :unamused: but they did say they could do some of the extra cosmetic touches and even the rollcage, so thats good I do have to say, its the nicest shop i've ever seen bar none. I could spend hours in there just looking around! Anyway, here are a couple pics from picking the car up. I'm going to take some photos at the bodyshop this next week:

For reference, that is just supposed to be Rally Blue.

How do you start a poll here? I didn't see an option when I tried to start a thread...

If you guys don't mind wandering over to another forum, I started a poll for the colors using this photo... Here is the link: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1571886

Alright, now i'm just getting carried away with this, time to stop for the night...

And one more angle:

Different angle:

Had someone at work come up with a suggestion, so I did a few tests to see how it might look...

Cool link, that might come in handy soon. Thanks!

This is true. Loosing the white kind of kills the contrast of some of the black accents...

Alright, its getting close to the point where I'm going to have to finalize my paint decision... I put together a little photo with the four colors i've narrowed it down to (Honestly, I'm up in the air with any of them). White is basically my default color, and depending on how the bodywork turns out, I might have to paint it a basic white... HOWEVER, if all goes well, I should be able to use any color I want and have it turn out ok. So here is the list of my choices... My question is, should I put it to a vote???

Ya, he messaged me back then trying to sell it. I don't think I need TWO 1100's :-p

I took a little trip to the blaster today to see how my car was doing and take some photos Now this photo is interesting, you can see the actual blasted surface, PLUS I didn't realize there was some FACTORY lead work in a couple locations! I'm glad I paid the extra labor to have the undercoating removed, its showing some areas I couldnt see that well before, well worth it. The cost of this will be cutting into my paint budget though, so thats too bad. Hopefully the bodywork cost doesn't skyrocket when I bring it by next week for a final estimate there...

I just found some front shocks that will match my rears... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Opel-Ascona-Manta-heavy-track-front-shock-absorers-set_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34209QQihZ012QQitemZ220260686335QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting :-\ I'll probably stick to KYB's...

:D Yes, its out folks! Watch a video about me and the car on the PERIODIC REVIEW OF NASIOC: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23133651 :banana:

I'd go with the bilsteins, but i'm not sure if I need a super-duper shock... Plus, i'd want to use bilsteins front AND rear, and I just got those awesome Konis for the rear If the gas-a-justs are the way to go with the KYB's, thats probably what i'll do.

PMed you

Found a helpful manager at Kragen today. I used the catalog of Monroe struts I printed out and selected shocks I thought might be adequate to replace the Front shocks and checked to see which ones he had in stock... Turned out he did have one of them in stock, and I compared its mounting points to the one I have, and it probably will work. The Monroe part number was 37047. Also, the Monroe shock with a part number 911171 will work too, and has an even lower compression length (IE better if I lowered the car). I cross referenced those just now with the KYB/Monroe reference sheet I had, and came up with the KYB shock part numbers KG3556 (for the Monroe 37047) and 565045 (For the Monroe 911171). I used those to figure out which vehicles this shock works for... Turns out that ~2000 Xterras and Frontiers use those shocks, along with some other Nissans and even a 1980 Chevy Luv. Now the question is, which shock should I get? Monroe Reflex Truck Shock Absorber (911171) Monroe Sensa-Trac Truck Shock Absorber (37047) KYB Monomax (565045) KYB Gas-A-Just (KG5446) KYB GR-2 (344043) - Might also work, not sure though There appears to be an expensive option as well: http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/productdisplayf.php?sku=108811&hdwt=31101&loc=101&dealer=&company_id=100484 Or find another manufacturer that makes that shock?

No, maybe next year if the car is finished by then...

Let me know if you do go with a different engine/transmission, I might be interested in those when they area availible

Picked up some NOS rear shocks on ebay. They are actually a better fit in terms of length/travel than the Tokicos I also got, but they cost more and are slightly more hard to find... Although I'm still having trouble finding front shocks

If anyone else here in the U.S. wants a FF-1, one just went up for sale on craigslist... http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/763321397.html

The trip to the blaster was a success today The car was actually easy enough for THREE people to lift, but we used four people and it was damn easy to lift! FYI, I took the car to American Stripping Co., which is the premiere stripping/blasting/etc. facility in my area for full chassis work. Pretty much EVERYONE recommended I take the car there, and most people in the know i've talked to in this area just assumed I was taking it there They gave us a full tour of the facility, including the two blasting bays (one for plastic, the other for mineral blasting) and showed us the other cars in the shop and several things being worked on to give us an idea of how the process goes. Was pretty cool actually Here are the pics from today, the car will probably be finished within a week or two, then off to the body shop from there: Here is the actual shop, American Stripping Co. in Sacramento: