What started off as minor paint repair has now taken on a life of it's own!!

I began by refinishing my dorchester gray window trim and color matching
my mirror covers, and just went full bore from there. Delaminating clear on my left front fender was next, I then noticed my front tires were down to cord on the inside.

At this point a clear decision was made, instead of just replacing affected
parts, I decided to do complete suspension, upper and lower, with urethane bushes, upper and lower ball joints, stabilizer end links, tie rod ends. lowering springs, new tires, yeah, the full meal deal. The rear will receive the same treatment. Yes, I still have head gaskets to replace, I'll make that my final project.

Here's my thoughts, why not make this the "XKR" Jaguar should have done from the start. I feel this car deserves more than the factory allowed, so
this now is MY vision.

The wealth of info shared on this forum has saved hours of probable frustration. The paint was easy, the suspension came apart with very
little drama. I found the upper ball joint boots torn, and all except the lower shock bushings looked good, but all must be replaced to suit my vision, and so I began acquiring all parts, whether
needed or not, all was going to be new, here's the list:

complete Powerflex front bushes, upper and lower, and stabilizer bushes: Powerflex U.S.A (in stock)

new stabilizer links: Rock Auto

upper ball joints: Rock Auto

lower ball joints: Ebay

steering end links: Rock Auto

lower shock mounts:Terry's Jag Parts

upper shock mounts: Terry's Jag Parts

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta tires: (can't wait for the comments
on these!): 255/35ZR 18 front/ 275/35ZR 18 rear: Ebay, killer price!!

H&R springs: Ebay, new under 300.00!!

Brake Performance cross drilled rotors: Great folks to do business with!

At this point, upper control arms are complete, repainted and ready for install. The lowers I am taking to the machine shop this weekend, then
back home to repaint and install bushings, upper shock mounts get delivered tomorrow.

Yes, I know my speedo will be off, and the car will be very low, remember, this is my vision, (that's something Phil will surely appreciate,lol)

I have repaired the curb rash left by the previous owner on my Double Fives, then repainted and cleared, yes, even baked the paint in my kitchen oven, now hard as powdercoat, let me know how ya like the Dbl 5"s in Dorchester gray.

I'm in the Harley-Davidson biz, so time is precious, as riding season in the south is in full swing, so any time with my cat is welcomed, but few and far between, much to my angst, Yet I've
managed at this point to do all the work myself. Remember, this again is my vision, ported heads and supercharger are forthcoming, so this is why I'm going full bore on suspension mods. I like the looks of the 18" double five wheels, so chose not to go to 20"s, that might change once on the ground and drivng, time will tell. Here are some pics of my progress, let me know what you think.

Cheers, and Happy Spring to All

BK

 

An impressive work list.

But I'm in awe that you got away with this one:



I have a very understanding wife who has put up with (suffered) many car component cleaning and maintenance operations in the kitchen but I wouldn't like to try getting wheel baking past her!

Graham

 

I bet she rides like a dream now.

That wheel color looks amazing matched with the red paint.

Congratulations on a job well done.

 

I think we all know how a little weekend project can get put of hand.

Love the Double 5s in grey!

 

Great job, what type of paint did you use on the wing?

 

Graham,

If it makes you feel any better, know that if I attempted to bake a car wheel in my wife's Bosch convection oven, she would kill me in my sleep by driving one of her giant butcher knives into my chest....

 

Oh man. I'm picking up my double-fives today from being refinished and repainted their factory silver. I'm now having regrets after seeing yours powdercoated much darker. I love it.

 

Car looks and I'm sure will feel great on the road. Your double fives look terrific, almost the same color as mine look after one day of driving (brake dust). It would certainly go a long way toward eliminating my morning ritual of wiping down 4 wheels.

 

Nice job on the paint and the wheels look great with the body color.

I got caught using a plastic kitchen bowl for soaping up one part and have never heard the end of it from SWMBO. If I put anything in the oven, I had better be getting in there with it.

 

Looks fantastic!

 

looks great!!!!! nicely done.

 

Thanks Jon and Mike,

I was starting to worry that I had got myself stuck with an unreasonable woman.

That reminds me - I've left the floor mats soaking in the bath.

Graham

 

Nice work BK, I love the look of those tires, let us know how they work out for you, I need to replace skins this year.

 

Graham,

One of the best projects I ever did in my garage was to install an elevated bathtub with running hot & cold water against the rear wall way back in the summer of 1994. I built a frame out of pressure-treated 2-by-4s and lifted this inexpensive fiberglass tub about three feet off the floor. I bathe the dogs there while I'm standing up, wash any grimy car parts there, wash myself off after working in the yard there, water some of the outside plants and shrubs by filling up buckets there, etc. etc. etc. That elevated garage tub gets used every day of the year for something. It was well worth the $400 or so I spent for the tub, the fixtures, the plumbing, and tying it to our drainage system....

 

Well Graham, maybe a little buttercream frosting and a nice glass of Chianti will show the wife a "baked" wheel can be very appealing, and tasty!

The Phoenix Red and Dorchester Gray paint was supplied by AutomotiveTouchup.Com The clear is SprayMax 2k Glamour High Gloss Clear from Eastwood Co. I also used Eastwoods epoxy primer and urethane high-build sandable primers. Now the kicker, all from spray cans, yes c a n s!! New technology, easy use, professional results on a budget. Man, I sound like a commercial, but its true. I have done custom auto painting for many years, hate foo-foo cans, but this stuff works.

The wheels are done the same, all from cans, just baked each step to harden and quick cure. 275-300 degrees for 45-60 minutes. I had the tires mounted at Butler Tire in Atlanta, they were amazed to hear these wheels were painted at home and not powdercoated. Time will tell how well they hold up.

The upper shock mounts arrived from Terry's Jaguar Parts this afternoon, quick ship and great price, original equiptment parts for under 2 bills each, nice!

Should be done with front suspension in next week or 2, then on to rear, powerflex bushes all around, H&R springs and new rubber also. Hope to start motorwork sometime early summer, Eurotoys being my choice for head and supercharger porting.

I'm beginning to see a pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel, looking forward to the end result. I see my little red cat as a fine Brit that's being "shaken, not stirred", I'll post more pics as work progresses.

 

Oven baked wheels and elevated bathtubs in the garage - this thread is getting surreal.

Graham