Anyone got a VZ Cross 8 Crewman? (But now I have one :) )

[Fu Manchu]

He once asked to have a go at a bolt under the car. “Yeah mate, Daddy will tighten it up after you do it.”


I didn’t need to tighten it up! Kid nipped it up perfect. He is a seriously strong kid.

Just knows how tools work and how to use them. Amazing. His first time using a timber saw was like watching a tradesman. A bit spooky.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Scored a big can of Heron white for cheap at Super Crap. Will touch up a few spots under the bonnet before I replace the insulation. Will respray the bonnet catch and degunk the bonnet spring and spray silver.

 

[VS_Pete]

" He is a seriously strong kid"
Must be doesn`t every wear thongs.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Mr 6 removed the bumper support today. He was able to crack the nuts and then undo them! I undid some with him, with our fingers once loose, and we lifted the bar off from each end. His hands got into the back a bit easier than mine.

Got a spare little trans cooler to go in place of the factory power steering cooler.

Would like to add a big trans cooler but funds need to be directed to more important things. Will be done later.

I will need -an fittings for that one.

The support bar has an interesting mod. It is thicker steel than the one on my other ‘07 Crewman. Has a welded on mount for a nudge bar or rack mount. I’d say rack mount considering it belonged to a roof mesh business.

Interesting bit is the back of the mount is shaped exactly as the support bar profile.

A bit of surface rust in there. Will get a wire wheel into it and a solid coat of cold galv.

The grey backing of the lights got an overnight soak with aerospace 303. Soaked right in. Looks near new. Had a solid clean with apc yesterday.

All the front will be cleaned down and detailed. Fixings will be cold galv sprayed. Maybe a few spots sprayed in Heron White before everything goes back on.
New nickel plated high tensile yellow bolts will be used where possible.

All under body plastics will get treated with aerospace 303.

Can I use any dialectic grease in the wiring connectors? Just to limit corrosion? Would like to know.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Roof lining fell off last night. It stinks of cigarette smoke from times past so kinda glad.

Wednesday will be carpet cleaning day. Expecting the water to be like the seat belt water (and I’ve seen clearer old bong water than that was)

 

[Fu Manchu]

Of interest also is the difference in the control arm bush. Such a robust front subframe. The AWD ones are a hydraulic Bush and will appear deformed when the car is stationary. This is normal according to Holden.

 

[Fu Manchu]

I redid the headlight. Much happier with the result this time. They were looking ok, just that they’d been sprayed with clear coat and it was a bit off in colour and not smooth. So these aren’t comparing really bad with repaired. Just repaired badly compared with well.

Went and got more grades of wet and dry. Still no 3000 grit anywhere.

Bought another buffing cone for the drill. Used a soft one last time but now I have a medium as well. Worked a treat.

Buffed with Maguiars plastic polish with medium cone and soft cone after. Not the first time I’ve done cones in that order.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Thought some would be interested in this difference in the AWD shifter. Looks like a cable shift. Gear indicators are much closer on the shifter too.

This is looking from the passenger side of the shifter.

(This all gets cleaned today.) Will vacuum out all the exposed places where the trims were. Have the upper centre trims out (and gauges)

Will be cleaning carpet too. Left it in the car. My neighbour has let me use his carpet machine.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Also got the roof lining out yesterday. Hopefully I get time to clean all the Orange schmutz off, ready for the new roof lining. (Yet to arrive)

I only get an hour or two a day if that to do anything.

 

[Derekthetree]

Going to look like new after all this. Great job and informative pictures for other owners.