May 30, 2006
It's amazing that I didn't do much with my car this month considering I have to take advantage of the very good weather. Average temperature this month was around 50 to 60 deg F but the only danger to my car is hailstorm. Twice this month hail poured down the Chicago area. I was glad I was able to use comforter blankets before it went down. I was able to cover my car with the last barrage of hail just seconds before it went down.
So far what I did was to replace the whole dashboard of my car from tan to black. Funny, because after painting the metal dash support and tediously replacing the dash, the final piece was the steering column cover. Guess what? it couldn't fit! I tried every possible way to make it fit but the dash installed is getting on its way, I tried unscrewing the dash to lift it up a bit but to know avail. I almost cried in frustration cursing the whole day.To make it short I had remove the whole dash screw for screw, install the steering column cover then started again from scratch reinstalling the whole dash...AAAARGH! Probably because of that I never want to touch my car for at least a couple of weeks hahaha. I installed some of the side panels except for the rear passenger side. I still have to replace the tan seat belts to black. Thinking of replacing it with a 4 point harness instead...but I decided not to...I would be deviating away again from my primary concept to keep it as a potent stock as possible. It is so tempting to add those race goodies that I possess, put stickers here and there (Ricer hahaha).

After having contemplated again in what to do with the TRD flares, Cusco 8 point rollcage (photos at page 6), extra metal bumpers, extra race parts, a brand new tranny and 2 extra engines (not 4K) that I have. I thought of getting another Starlet to be gutted out of its interior, bore holes to the frame, add strengthening plates, stitch weld and turn it to a full race spec KP.It's all talk for now in what to do, it's just what is coming out of my creative mind.

June 17, 2006 BODILY FLUIDS
Just replaced the differential one with fresh gear oil. Man what came out was totally stinky black goo. I have a feeling my car never had its differential oil replaced. Transmission oil will be next. As recommended these fluids must be replaced every year or 12000 miles if you use your car regularly.

June 24, 2006 FRONT SUSPENSION UPDATE

Finally, me and my brother started doing the front suspension. To be done is to replace the tierods, front shocks, springs to coilovers and add camber plates. We came to a stop.

First, I must trim the strut bracket hole to accommodate a more opening for the camber plates to be able to adust.

I removed the front shocks to replace with the new TRD ones that I have, dang my old shocks must be really old and busted. As I unscrewed the shock cover on the shock struts, oil flowed out from the old shocks!

Coilover sleeve install

The coilovers, I tried test fitting it, the GC sleeves are 2 inches (50.8mm)in diameter and the strut tubes are 1.75 inches (44.5mm)in diameter, that leaves a .25 inches (6.35mm)of space in between. I later found out that the spring holder on the struts isn't even, as you put the sleeves on it will not stand up straight. Hmmm, now I really have to remove the whole strut assembly where the brakelines are currently attached. I never wanted to do that for the reason that I might ruin the threads and lines. Anyway, I think I have to. I will have to modify the strut casing to accomodate the sleeves. By the way, the perch is made of 6061 aluminum. Do you happen to know where I can find steel sleeves so I can easily weld it to the casing? Email me at trd.kp61@yahoo.com.

similar as mine with the GC coilover but I chose the T3 camber plates with a TRD race spec gas shock tubes

I thought of another option/solution to install the coilover sleeves to the strut tube without welding. This solution will secure (not as secure as welding though) the sleeves and everything else related with the coilovers, no clanking noise whenever you hit a pothole etc.

I will be using a 1.75" diameter silicone hose (3 inch length same height as the sleeves) (pic1) to put in between the strut tubes and sleeves, you can use grease or shave the inner part of the hose for it to slide smoothly on the strut tube. A silicone reducer from 2" to 1.75 to hold the sleeves into the place (pic2)then secure it with two T-bolt clamps(pic3). You can easily get this materials mentioned cheap at Ebay and the T-bolt clamps at your local Autozone store.

Here's a diagram I made with the exact measurements for your future reference. This is for a Ground Control coilover. You can trim the height of the 2" part of silicone hose reducer for your proper application but not the smaller diameter unless the length can accommodate at least 2 T-bolt clamps.