(The) Low VX Taxi

Thanks for all the comments, makes me want to keep fixing and modifying the old bus (or rather taxi lol).

Have been thinking about what is next for the ol' girl, ultimate would be an LS or L67 conversion with direct injection gas, unfortunately my finances are still non existent so leaning more towards cheaper options like repairing the Roo damage and the worn areas on the rear bumper and side skirts and maybe some cleaning up of the exterior (the front end of the car has copped more than its fair share of stones and debris in some of NSW less pristine roads), I will hopefully get the Internet soon so I can make more regular updates.

Whilst my finances improve I will be helping my cousin in law with his project car for a while (I'm sure he will post up a my ride as the build progresses "nudge nudge" lol). Should be a bit of fun but it's a bit more of an involved build with a set timeframe so looking forward to it

Please feel free, imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but just remember to modify your car for you, no point spending your hard earned $$$$ on something that doesn't make you happy

 

Its about time for some updates (Please, hold your applause).

So We installed the trans Cooler a few weeks back, aside from running the lines back past the radiator and repairing the little bit out of shape brackets (Thanks again Mr Dead Roo) it all was fairly easy. We also gave the brackets and trans cooler a quick lick of paint to freshen them up a bit, was pretty happy with the result:





I also decided to utilise the ducting that came with the encased pod, there was really no real power to be gained but it was annoying me lying around my shed and I didn't want to waste it by throwing it in the bin. I also used some plastic fencing/netting on the end so no big bits of crap get sucked up by it:



Not sure if I like it yet, I may go with the original plan and connect the encased pod to the SS inductions tubing.....

We decided to let the trans warm up and check the fluid level (didn't spill more than a drop but we thought the trans cooler would increase the system capacity so best to check the level anyway) so we fired up the taxi and I went to get a drink. I returned to find a lovely red river coming from under the car, almost like in a horror movie, I ran and turned off the car. Some pics:



The trans cooler seemed to be leaking, we pulled it off a wrecked car that wasnt leaking (as it leaked everywhere when we pulled it off lol) so we thought it would be fine, unfortunately we were wrong.....DEAD WRONG (*dramatic music*). We pulled the thing off the car and discovered that it was damaged at the corner just near the piping:



It may have even been damaged in transport or more than likely when being stored but it didn't matter, we had another one so we pulled it off and discovered that it to was damaged at the same point (it looks like a weak point where if you try and tighten the lines [I.E if they are leaking] the core cracks and when under pressure leaks).

So I picked up another trans cooler, (this time checking the "weak spot"), haven't gotten around to installing it as yet but shouldn't be too long

 

Thanks, I reckon the "Hyper Yellow" Vx's only really look good with the VX clubby kits, just seems to suite the shape and the colour

Yeah the SV6 seats really did set off the interior, I will have to get some decent pics up soon.... I am also thinking about chucking the SV6 steering wheel into my car too.....

 

Forgot to add a picture that I found on my phone from when we were moving:



My wife decided that I would need company whilst we moved house, he was a gift from one of her cousins and is named "Roy". I got some pretty interesting looks cruising the great western....... :hmmm:

 

Yup she just keeps going and going and going!

Certainly do, some good and some not so good..... stay tuned.

The car got the nickname from some friends and family, as its on gas everyone kept on saying "did ya bring the taxi cab today?" etc, it just kind of stuck I guess. Thanks, still a lot to do but there is no rush as I would say she is staying around for a while.

It came with the kit, I have seen other kits on the Hyper Yellow commodores (SS, exec etc) but I reckon the Clubby kit lends itself best to the shape and colour.

Yeah "Roy" was one of the better passengers in my car too lol!

 

I finally got some half decent pictures of the interior:









Also discovered a "hitchhiker"..... No fare, NO RIDE!!!! lol



So I had left the taxi in the shed for a little while (was trying to save $$$$ by riding/walking to work), first day I decided to pull it out I angled it just a little too close to the shed, Some pics:



Shed 1, Commodore 0

Was pretty pissed off (with myself) but most of it was just bits of the white paint from the shed, still probably need to give the bump strips a hit of paint though.....

Was having some troubles with starting the car on gas, after a few weeks it got worse and now I can't get it to kick over on gas at all...... Will have to drop it down to my LPG mechanic and get him to fix it when finances recover.

Its not all bad news however with the Taxi having a permanent home now as my wife and I have bought our first home, with a lockable garage for the taxi.

Unfortunately this also means cash is once again "restricted" due to conveyancers, bank and establishment fees.....

Short term plans for the moment are to fix the damaged bump strips (two have been damaged on the other side as well in car parks), install a working trans cooler and get the gas system operating again.

In the future (hopefully not to long!)

New front/rear bars and side skirts (still like the clubby kit but may look at other options so please feel free to make suggestions)

New windscreen (mine has been peppered after living out in the hunter for a few years).

New suspension (drivers side front and passenger side rear are a bit rattly, no doubt due to the pot holes.....), depends on finances as to what I do, looking at maybe coil overs but they seem like overkill for a daily so maybe just another set of lovell or king springs and some nice shortened shocks (depending on what needs replacing).

Also would like to give the beast a bit more oomph, so looking at buying a "backup" block that "could" be sent to COME, you know, just in case my engine fails then maybe a twin throttle body setup with the rear throttle body connected to my gas setup and the front to perhaps a super or turbo charger....... to improve fuel efficiency.......... or lack thereof

 

Bit of an update:

New Trans cooler has been fitted, works like a charm

Checked the front end rattles, was just the brake caliper dust cover missing a rivet.

Also replaced the front door speaker grills (both drivers side and passengers) as they had small cracks in them.

Also picked up some colour matched paint to fix the scratch, been too cold to paint her yet though (was snowing/sleeting today so REALLY cold lol).

I also reinstalled my old amp (3000w mono bridged sound storm amp), removed it originally because the speakers couldn't keep up, now I have upgraded the speakers and added an amp to power them up a bit I thought what the hell, pretty good so far, haven't installed the remote sub control yet, but its on the "to do list" lol!

But the biggest news is that I have decided to sell the taxi, I have a few things I want to do to my house so the cars got to go........

Still have to get the gas fixed (should only be cheap, just got to get off my arse and get it done) and the touch up paint but aside from that she is in pretty damn good condition for a ten year old car with some pretty cool additions (SV6 seats and door cards, detailed engine, large sound system etc).

Kinda sad but hopefully it will go to someone else that will enjoy the car as much as I have.......

Will post a link once I get everything up.

 

There is a set at my work of chrome calais handles..... I have been thinking about buying them but a bit hard to justify if I am selling the car..... Plus I can get a set of silver vents out of the SV6 that donated the seats to my car.

Do you reckon it will help with the sale?

 

Quick update, I have started repairing the damaged side, colour match was spot on and now looks as good as new! will need a quick polish to be as good as the rest of the door but.

I have also put my plates on hold so she now is sporting new standard plates.

Also booked her in next week to have the gas serviced/fixed and will be putting another six months rego on her so should be a pretty good buy

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au...utive-hbd-vx-series-ii-sedan.html#post2218758