Walshy227
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2014
- Messages
- 21
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- Location
- Bathrst, Australia
- Members Ride
- 2001 VU S Ute
Hey guys!
A week ago I bought myself a 2001 VU S Ute in black and I absolutely love it! Although it has 296,000kms, it runs fantastic and nothing feels like it'll go wrong (touch wood). As much as I love the car right now, I would love to spend money on it and make it the coolest daily drive car, and I plan on keeping it for at least another few years. I want to spend money on things that will make it look better, sound better, handle better and drive smoother. The car in its' current state is obviously showing that it has been used for work - high k's, towbar, scratches and minor dints, a few cracked interior parts etc so I am also interested in engine modifications that will keep it running for longer and if not better. The price for a rebuild maybe?
So basically what I am trying to achieve with this post is I want suggestions on what I can do to it to make it cool. If you have one and you have done anything to it that you like, let me know and show me some photos. Also I'd love to know rough prices and whether or not I can do it myself (not much mechanical experience). And if I start getting some replies, then I'll be more than happy to put photos up as I go along. I want to go for sort of a black/red theme throughout.
The car currently has:
- 3.8L V6
- 5 Speed Manual
- Soft Tonneau cover
- 18" black Speedy rims (not sure of more exact details but they look OK)
- Red brake calipers -- Thoughts? I don't mind them but I wouldn't do it if they weren't like that when I bought it.
- It has got an upgraded catback exhaust system that sounds OK but it drones really loud in the cabin and will definitely be replaced down the track.
- Good speakers in both doors and an amp, but I don't care much for an amp in a ute so I might sell it if its worth anything.
- A crappy headunit that has no USB or AUX so I had to purchase CDs. also the antenna is snapped off so there's no radio either
Here is a list of some things that I'm thinking I want (feel free to comment and/or criticize. Or please add to the list if you can!!!):
- Leather interior (seats/door trims)
- SS body kit
- Twin hump hard tonneau cover
- VE Thunder rims?
- Possibly the black Altezza tail lights (since the ute is black it might look good?)
- Altezza Angel Eye projector headlights
- Exhaust (full system - twin tips maybe quad??)
- MAYBE an electric sunroof?
One other thing - is there any engine combination that would still be an NA V6 but to have a 6 speed manual??
I know it would be a big job and a huge investment, so what are the chances it is a viable option?
I'm sure I could go on with thinking about more things to add but I think you probably get what sort of things I want. I know that is an EXPENSIVE list and I probably won't get half of it, but then again, I have years to do it all. Plus I'll be putting money away every week to be like a little 'car fund' so I can get cool stuff.
If anyone has any suggestions or any input, let me know! Or just let me know what you have done to your own utes! I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks guys
A week ago I bought myself a 2001 VU S Ute in black and I absolutely love it! Although it has 296,000kms, it runs fantastic and nothing feels like it'll go wrong (touch wood). As much as I love the car right now, I would love to spend money on it and make it the coolest daily drive car, and I plan on keeping it for at least another few years. I want to spend money on things that will make it look better, sound better, handle better and drive smoother. The car in its' current state is obviously showing that it has been used for work - high k's, towbar, scratches and minor dints, a few cracked interior parts etc so I am also interested in engine modifications that will keep it running for longer and if not better. The price for a rebuild maybe?
So basically what I am trying to achieve with this post is I want suggestions on what I can do to it to make it cool. If you have one and you have done anything to it that you like, let me know and show me some photos. Also I'd love to know rough prices and whether or not I can do it myself (not much mechanical experience). And if I start getting some replies, then I'll be more than happy to put photos up as I go along. I want to go for sort of a black/red theme throughout.
The car currently has:
- 3.8L V6
- 5 Speed Manual
- Soft Tonneau cover
- 18" black Speedy rims (not sure of more exact details but they look OK)
- Red brake calipers -- Thoughts? I don't mind them but I wouldn't do it if they weren't like that when I bought it.
- It has got an upgraded catback exhaust system that sounds OK but it drones really loud in the cabin and will definitely be replaced down the track.
- Good speakers in both doors and an amp, but I don't care much for an amp in a ute so I might sell it if its worth anything.
- A crappy headunit that has no USB or AUX so I had to purchase CDs. also the antenna is snapped off so there's no radio either
Here is a list of some things that I'm thinking I want (feel free to comment and/or criticize. Or please add to the list if you can!!!):
- Leather interior (seats/door trims)
- SS body kit
- Twin hump hard tonneau cover
- VE Thunder rims?
- Possibly the black Altezza tail lights (since the ute is black it might look good?)
- Altezza Angel Eye projector headlights
- Exhaust (full system - twin tips maybe quad??)
- MAYBE an electric sunroof?
One other thing - is there any engine combination that would still be an NA V6 but to have a 6 speed manual??
I know it would be a big job and a huge investment, so what are the chances it is a viable option?
I'm sure I could go on with thinking about more things to add but I think you probably get what sort of things I want. I know that is an EXPENSIVE list and I probably won't get half of it, but then again, I have years to do it all. Plus I'll be putting money away every week to be like a little 'car fund' so I can get cool stuff.
If anyone has any suggestions or any input, let me know! Or just let me know what you have done to your own utes! I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks guys