Locost Build Diary

It Drives! (no, not really)

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:15:58 +0000

Making good progress. The frame is 90% together (albeit only tack welded at this stage), and we finally put everything in to check for fitment of the axle and engine. Throw in a spare seat, the steering column, a couple of wheels (look at that camber!) and it begins to look like a car!

When you don’t have a lift…

Nathan — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:18:30 +0000

After extracting what I could from under the 240SX, it was time to flip it over for easy access. Sure, having it up on a lift would be nice. Luckily the tractor was readily available, and after clearing a space (and making sure everyone stood well back), we flipped it like a turtle. Easy access to the tasty underbelly.

More progress

admin — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:51:08 +0000

Some more progress was made. The build table construction is under way. Should prove to be pretty robust, and relatively inexpensive. The top is 3/4″ MDF, with a frame of 2x4s adding structure underneath. The legs will be some rough sawn 2x4s (although in this case, REAL 2″ x 4″ boards). 4″ casters all around with brakes will make it relatively movable (just the top alone has to be around 100lbs). Total cost should be around $50. Wiring is mostly pulled from the 240SX as well. Next time around the idea is to pull the rear end, brakes and any other bits and then get rid of the carcass. Some photos:

Shocks ordered

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:43:47 +0000

Found a good deal on a set of coilover shocks. They are brand new units from the Shelby Series One supercar. Hopefully they will do the trick (planning to do a pushrod setup so that wheel rates are more customizable). Couldn’t pass up such a good deal either! A bit more that I was planning to spend on motorcycle shocks, but a much better (and new) product.

Cost: $440 (shipping included).

Link to original thread on Locostusa.com

The shocks in their original location, the inside of a Shelby Series One.

Update

4/12/08 – Shocks arrived! Very nice looking, perhaps I will just hang them on the wall until they are ready for the car!

Engine is out!

admin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:57:15 +0000

We finally got the motor out of the 240SX.Its something neither of us had done before, so it took a few weeks to get everything in order. We found a Harbor Freight engine hoist for sale locally which made things much easier (were thinking of using the tractor!).

I realized that the drive shaft wasn’t bolted directly to the transmission (duh!!!) after several hours of trying to release some nasty bolts at the front of the driveshaft. Oh well, live and learn.

Harbor Freight Engine Hoist – Review

Nathan — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:59:38 +0000

Purchase price: $125, used

Found a Harbor Freight (actual brand name: Grand Rapids Industrial Products) 2-ton engine hoist for sale locally. Had never been used, just assembled (always makes life a little easier). Looks to be very well put together, and quite heavy. Made getting the engine out much easier than using the tractor as we had originally planned. Having never used an engine lift before or pulled an engine before, I don’t have a lot to go with, but this one worked great, especially for the price.

UPDATE

Turns out to be rather awkward to move this thing with a load high up. It can’t roll or turn smoothly (thanks to the cheap solid wheels). We found it easier to move the engine in and out with the tractor!

Buying The Donor – 1989 Nissan 240SX

admin — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:23:39 +0000

Its Super Bowl Sunday, and I am only partially watching the game. I had been searching for a donor for about a month, and had come close to buying a decent slightly wrecked Toyota Tacoma in somewhat unknown condition. That deal fell through, so it was back to the drawing board (aka Craigslist.

Then there it was, a 1989 Nissan 240SX for, get this: $325. I sent an email, and figured I could look at it the next evening after work. I continued to watch the game while doing some research on the viability of a 240SX as a donor. It seemed like a good one, and so I went back to the CL listing only to see a number. Decided to give a call, and it was a good thing I did. The owner was getting inundated with calls! Talked to him for a bit, car sounded like a runner, and so I decided to see if I could take a look. Turned out to be about a mile from my house, so I got in the Saab and headed down the road (on a lovely rainy/icy/dark February evening). The car did indeed run, and the owner was willing to hang onto it for a couple days (the brake lines were shot and the tires bald, so it wasn’t going anywhere for a little while).

A week later I called AAA and had the car flat-bedded to my parent’s house where the build will take place.