Converting Series 2 VY Berlina to Calais

[Calaber]

OK guys, a little advice please.

My recently purchased VY 2 Berlina has most of the external items and colour to match the Series 2 Calais. Items I need to alter include:

Grille - until I purchased the car, I thought the only difference was the insert inside the chromed surround, but it appears that the actual surround is larger, with the top bar mounted to the bonnet similar to the VZ Calais. Am I correct?

Lower grille - the series 2 Calais has a different insert to the Berlina, with a honeycomb pattern rather than a single bar. Any idea of the cost of this insert?

The rear bar has a similar type of pattern on the black insert - cost? Also, how is this insert retained?

Sill panels and front/rear skirts - the series 2 Calais had SS type skirts, but I'm not particularly interested in them, as the Berlina had its own style of skirt which differed from the rest of the Series 2 range. In fact, I think the Series 2 Berlina had a lot of Series 1 Calais components fitted as standard.

Wheels - 17x8 five spokes. I've only ever seen them fitted to the Series 2 Calais and the late VZ SSV run outs. Any idea of the cost of these - they never seem to appear on Ebay.

Finally, removing the air-bag on VY-VZ. Unlike the earlier models, these appear to be clipped into place rather than torx-screwed. Has anybody removed the bag from a VY or VZ? The spokes on the Series 2 Berlina steering wheel are done in the dark metal colour to match the dash panel, rather than silver as per the Calais. I'd like to fix this, but the air bag has me stuffed.

Any assistance would be most welcome.

Regards

PJ

[dufus]

Here's a link to the VY II Calais wheels: Wheels

[Lumps of cheese]

The vyII calais wheels and the vz ssz wheels are different.
Run a search for the removal of the airbag, have done mine and it is quite easy, the instructions i followed are on here somewhere.

[Calaber]

Guys,

Thanks for the help so far. I have seen the "wheels" site when looking for the cost of these things originally. (I think the site is the Wheel King, isn't it?) They must be one of the most expensive standard Holden alloys (HSV and VE SS options excepted).

Juzo - have another read of my post. I mentioned the SSV, not the SSZ. The SSV was an end of model run-out for VZ's and they definitely used the Calais rims - every time I see them on an SSV, I envy the owner. They seem to be extremely hard to come by unless bought new - I have never seen them for sale second hand.

I have been able to come by a set of brand new genuine alloys which the dealer thinks might be HBD (Holden by Design). They have a part number stamped on them which is listed as VY 2 Calais, and they are similar, with 5 wide spokes, but the studs are exposed, not covered by a large centre cap as the genuine Series 2 wheels were. Not quite as attractive as the real thing, but they will definitely look better than the standard 16's the car currently has.

Let's see if anybody else can help with my other queries. I'll check out the airbag thread too - my sone recently paid $100 to have his standard VZ wheel replaced with a Calais wheel he had pre-purchasaed.

Regards

pj

[kave1]

I think you will need to change the head lights & tail lights as these differ from the berlina as well.

[Lumps of cheese]

Ahh yes, my mistake.
I've seen heaps of them for sale around, keep looking and they'll pop up.
As i said, changing the wheel is easy, check out the thread below.
change steering wheel vy11
As mentioned above also, headlights and tailights are different, check out my ride for a look, i've got the calais/clubby headlights and vz calais tailights in mine.

[dufus]

I have seen the "wheels" site when looking for the cost of these things originally. (I think the site is the Wheel King, isn't it?)

Yep its Wheel King.

[nEb.]

dude ... they steering wheel is a PIECE OF SHIIT to take off

it has four clips on the back (which are nearly impossible to get too), to unclip them u have to wedge something small and strong enough behind a small metal bar, and then pull to the side (right side clips must be pulled towards the drivers window, left side clips must be pulled towards passeneger window) .. ill add a diagram to explain

note: there are four clips, two on each side. Also it is a good idea to disconnect the battery (-ve terminal first) to eliminate any chances of the airbag exploding and possibly fataly harming you.



hope it kinda helps, and good luck.

p.s. i ended up performing surgery on a small fork and that ended up doing the job, have fun bud

[Calaber]

Guys

Many thanks for the advice so far, especially the airbag removal. My son will really be p***ed when he finds out how simple it was - we were told by the dealer that "special tools" were needed for the job and not wishing to stuff up a $1000 airbag, we decided to leave it to them. Bye bye $100 and the damned wheel isn't even on straight. Return visit to FHD (friendly holden dealeer) coming up for rectification.

Juzo - I know the headlights are different - in fact, I'm wondering if its possible to split the lens from the body of the lights and paint out the reflectors - that's the only difference there, as the lights are otherwise the same, but what is the difference between the Calais and Berlina taillight? I wasn't aware that they differed.

Has anybody split the headlights to do the black-outs?

Regards

pj

[Lumps of cheese]

Guys

Many thanks for the advice so far, especially the airbag removal. My son will really be p***ed when he finds out how simple it was - we were told by the dealer that "special tools" were needed for the job and not wishing to stuff up a $1000 airbag, we decided to leave it to them. Bye bye $100 and the damned wheel isn't even on straight. Return visit to FHD (friendly holden dealeer) coming up for rectification.

Juzo - I know the headlights are different - in fact, I'm wondering if its possible to split the lens from the body of the lights and paint out the reflectors - that's the only difference there, as the lights are otherwise the same, but what is the difference between the Calais and Berlina taillight? I wasn't aware that they differed.

Has anybody split the headlights to do the black-outs?

Regards

pj

Yes it is possible, a guy in melbourne does them for about $150 bucks i think.
If you change the tailights go for the vz ones, they look heaps better, the difference isn't alot but it is there on the vy ones.

[BANKS]

i tried to take my headlights apart to paint them like the ss. but when you try and take the lense off you start breaking clips and the actual headlight body because its a sealed unit at the front, not ment to be took apart. i was lookin into just actually buying a real pair but i was lookin for ss. the calais ones are expensive.

try a wreckers, although most people that have a set to sell know that they can get good money for em

[omar302]

To take apart the headlights you have to heat them first. put them in the oven (~90 deg C) for about 10 minutes to make the seal (or glue) soft. then you can try to seperate them carefully.

Check this for reference:
Install Umnitza Angel Eyes on GTO