I Purchased this 2012 GU Coil Cab with the intension of turning into a Tourer/Super Capable off road Weapon. I bought it in January 2023 for 30K
I want to catalogue every step of the build here.
These 3 images show what the vehicle was like when I purchased it. The only external mods were the Clearview mirrors. The mirrors that were on it were useless, they would fold in the with any forward motion, they were that bad it was dangerous.
First major work started pretty well straight away and was performed by DiffTrans in Sth Windsor.
The clutch was absolutely rooted so I got them to replace it with a Exedy Safari Extra Tuff Clutch kit and did a single mass flywheel conversion while they were at it.
Swivel Hubs were leaking so it was a no brainer to get them to do the hubs and wheel bearings.
It cost $5100.00 to get the clutch and hubs soughted but that was the starting point and they did a tremendous job for me with no vibration in the driveline at all.
Engine protection work started on 17/05/2023, I sent the vehicle to JC Diesel Tune in Narellan in Sth Western Sydney. I’d previously sent my Triton there and was reasonably happy with what they did to that car.
The Scope of work I gave them included…..
Fit 2¾” Beaudesrt Stainless Exhaust with a resonator.
Cross Country Ultimate Top Mount Intercooler.
I supplied the exhaust and intercooler. The intercooler is about 3 times the size of the OEM intercooler so the bonnet has to be cut and a larger bonnet scoop fitted. Cross Country supply a fibreglass bonnet scoop and I had that colour matched and painted by Rossi Smash Repairs in Riverstone.
I wanted the intake removed so as the crap that built up from the EGR could be cleaned out.
I’d previously fitted a pilla pod boost gauge, EGT gauge and water temp gauge, I wired the gauges and hooked up the water temp gauge but got JC to terminate the EGT pyro and vacuum line for the boost gauge.
I also wanted JC to fit some type of boost limiting valve so as it wont overboost going forward. Not sure what their plan is there but they seemed definite with the way they wanted to control the boost.
I suspected the turbo was buggered because there was a definite whine but I left that for them to diagnose.
Sure enough they called me and said the turbo was on the way out. They identified a vacuum hose that went to the turbo had a hole in it and was sucking dust, at least I found out the reason why the turbo was failing. I told them to replace the turbo with a new OEM one. They suggested I replace the vacuum hose with a silicone one because it was cheaper than OEM and would withstand the heat better. They further suggested to replace the exhaust manifold and studs which I gladly agreed to because I know they are prone to warping. I questioned them about blocking the EGR, their recommendation was to remove the bloody thing altogether, again, that was something I gladly agreed to.
Hopefully the last thing they will need to do is to tune it. I told them the ute will be used as a tourer that if something gets in the way on a track I want to be able to crawl it so low down torque will be important to me.
The reason why I had these mods carried out was in an effort to make it as reliable as it can be. With all the horror stories I have heard about TD30’s I want to give myself the best chance of not destroying the engine so most of the work being carried out is for purely preventative measures.
JC have had the vehicle at the time of writing this for two weeks. It is a pretty big job but I have to say I didn’t think it would take this long to do. I’m glad its not my daily drive. I am absolutely hanging out to get it back and see what it goes like……………To be Continued.