Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 08:07 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
As some of you may know I had the opportunity to buy Dave Harts coil sprung UZZ32 from him late last year in October
Since then I've been running a Facebook page devoted to the car with regular updates on progress featuring plenty of pictures, touching on various finding and issues to contend with!
That said I'll start putting up some updates here too. I've been neglecting this wonderful forum a bit too much.
A lot has certainly been done, as it had coils, I sourced and refitted the active suspension shock, made a few tweaks and it works perfectly - without a doubt the most amazing car I've driven.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 - 12:52 pm, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
Interesting to hear that it is the most amazing car you've ever driven. Due to the active suspension, even better handling than your E36 with 1UZ?! Guessing this is one you'll be hanging onto
What are your overall goals for the car Mike? Are you planning on keeping it all as the factory intended, or making a few small modifications to modernize the car somewhat? I.e rush headers, perhaps a piggy back ECU of somesort with a MAF-less tune, and maybe a shift kit?
My Dad kept my UZZ31, and has been slowly making some good improvements to it. He recently fitted a mint condition cream interior which works really nicely with the dark green colour.
Even a factory black carpet would really set off the spruce interior.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand UZZ32 No.32 & JZZ31 3.0GT
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 - 01:27 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
I never knew what to expect with driving one. It was a car I never thought Id have in NZ, and bother with because of the complicated systems within..
Yet Dave Hart was selling his coil sprung de-activated one, and I took that jump of faith I could service it and get it working with some second hand active struts. Turns out they are actually quite simple once you know what you're dealing with, but it's not to say they won't go wrong - but so far the evidence shows they are extremely hardy cars.
When it comes to the handling the first thing that is apparent is it has the most lovely crisp turn in, it's really remarkable how much the active struts do without making a fuss. I turned the suspension off recently for a little test and it turned into a floppy Celsior, then when its back on it's amazing again. It really just gives you that extra confidence a regular coil sprung car doesn't give you when pushing hard. My JZZ31 drives nicely, it's fun but in certain cornering maneuvers it feels soft, and unsettled, making me want to hold back, the 32 is just so reassuring by comparison, of course the ABS, TRC and magic 4ws change the game in other ways too.
If you know any local 32 owners you should catch up and see if they will let you take theirs for a spin.
Plan for the 32 is just to get it all straight and true, everything working well without issues, cosmetically not perfect but 9/10, so at some stage I'll be getting the small dents removed & have a full respray, not sure if I'd go FSG or another factory colour - even perhaps out of the newer Lexus models.
Ultimately, a full exhaust, ECU, good tyres and a custom M112 intercooled supercharger kit would be as far as I'd go with mine.
Good to hear you father is looking after your previous Soarer - hopefully you'll buy it back off him one day!
It's funny you mention the black carpet, I actually like the idea of a darker shade of gray carpet, a medium grey would go well with the spruce. But while my carpets okay and has come up well with a recent clean I won't be going down that road
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand UZZ32 No.32 & JZZ31 3.0GT
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 08:29 pm, by: Roland Elliott(Aussie2013)
Mike Beck wrote on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 07:42 am:
Last week I did the not check for objects under my 32, Anyhow I had taken some stuff out of the boot and had not realised that there was a plastic bag sitting just under the rear muffler It was the only bag with paint in it, A friend dropped in and I wanted to show them the dance, I ended up with a 4 litre tin of paint squashed and blown all over the place. also be aware of things under the doors when they are open doing the dance nearly caught the door dropping on top of my car ramps one time.
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