Meet Darlene.

[DARLENE]

Ok so about 4 months I was going through a roundabout and got taken out on the passengers side, the Vitz RS didn't make it through leaving me carless (not careless, I was already careless prior to the crash).
Anyhow, enter Darlene the 1000cc, 5 speed man, green, (and blue blended?) nugget K11 march, (Yeah yeah, I know it's not a "micra" and it's 5 door but I got kids and it's JDM so 0 f**ks), complete with original key.
I picked her up for $1500 nzd with 147kms on the clock.
So far she's been trouble free motoring but I replaced a clicking CV and wheel bearing as the previous owner had tried to mount a curb, or so I suspect, as the alignment wants me to end up in a ditch, I must get that sorted but there are much more pressing issues to attend to, like stance......
So I got a tach for 30 bucks and fitted it and an aftermarket stereo for 20 and banged that in also. Those were the first "mods". I needed the tach as I wasn't sure if I was revving out the massive power plant, and to the contrary I was lugging her around like my gran getting a loaf and a liter.
I also manager to find some boiler tube and welded an adjustable panhard bar and squeezed some modified urethane bushes in... I couldn't believe the difference in the rear. I don't know if it was the bushes or the sad excuse of a "bar" that was the issue.
I picked up some wheels that were cheap to. I think they are BCW Steffans, they are 13x7 with a 25mm offset and they had new tyres on them so I was stoked with the bargain.
I jammed them on last weekend as my old tyres are down to the cords.
Also got some matiz springs vand some barina sb rear shocks on the way, so hopefully soon Darlene will have some low...
Here's some pics, and thank you if you actually read this. It's my first attempt at a blog!

 

[Lyte]

Ok so about 4 months I was going through a roundabout and got taken out on the passengers side, the Vitz RS didn't make it through leaving me carless (not careless, I was already careless prior to the crash).
Anyhow, enter Darlene the 1000cc, 5 speed man, green, (and blue blended?) nugget K11 march, (Yeah yeah, I know it's not a "micra" and it's 5 door but I got kids and it's JDM so 0 f**ks), complete with original key.
I picked her up for $1500 nzd with 147kms on the clock.
So far she's been trouble free motoring but I replaced a clicking CV and wheel bearing as the previous owner had tried to mount a curb, or so I suspect, as the alignment wants me to end up in a ditch, I must get that sorted but there are much more pressing issues to attend to, like stance......
So I got a tach for 30 bucks and fitted it and an aftermarket stereo for 20 and banged that in also. Those were the first "mods". I needed the tach as I wasn't sure if I was revving out the massive power plant, and to the contrary I was lugging her around like my gran getting a loaf and a liter.
I also manager to find some boiler tube and welded an adjustable panhard bar and squeezed some modified urethane bushes in... I couldn't believe the difference in the rear. I don't know if it was the bushes or the sad excuse of a "bar" that was the issue.
I picked up some wheels that were cheap to. I think they are BCW Steffans, they are 13x7 with a 25mm offset and they had new tyres on them so I was stoked with the bargain.
I jammed them on last weekend as my old tyres are down to the cords.
Also got some matiz springs vand some barina sb rear shocks on the way, so hopefully soon Darlene will have some low...
Here's some pics, and thank you if you actually read this. It's my first attempt at a blog!

Where did you get the deflectors from for all four doors.

Sent from my SM-G615F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[DARLENE]

Came with the car I think they are factory fitted?

 

[Lyte]

Came with the car I think they are factory fitted?

Kk cool

Sent from my SM-G615F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

 

[DARLENE]

Ok so today after work I had a few hours and managed to clean and (very briefly) polish and was Darlene. I'll just say I am surprised how shiny she came up. I also polished the headlights and repositioned the front number plate.... no one will notice but I didn't like how it sat previously. Also made a few nugget stickers and put one on the front windscreen at the bottom out of site.. just for ****zngiggle. Can't wait to low and my shocks should be here next week.... Hopefully.

 

[LiamC]

Kk cool

Sent from my SM-G615F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

I have a set for sale if you're interested

Sent from my LG K11+ (yes I did buy the phone specifically to have a K11 phone, I'm that sad)

 

[Lyte]

I have a set for sale if you're interested

Sent from my LG K11+ (yes I did buy the phone specifically to have a K11 phone, I'm that sad)

Sorry i then realize that reply. Yeah i need some but in sure when i want to get them. Are there use or new

 

[DARLENE]

So new barina sb shocks arrived yesterday, just need to mod the bushes and I can lower her this weekend, hopefully. I will say that whenever I go to do something, something breaks or doesn't go to plan... been happening allot, so fingers crossed.

 

[DARLENE]

Wasn't planning on it but I swapped the old wheels for a 12" sub on friday. I must be living my teenage dream. Tried putting the matiz springs on the front yesterday, I was all primed up to get it done, but the top front strut nuts are stubborn and proving to be a pain. Moved to the rear and had a fun time with the rear nuts so I left it for the night.
Today I thought I'd try the rear again, managed to free up the shock nuts drop the springs out put the new ones in with no trouble. It's all bolted up and captive with a modest drop which is perfect for me, I'm tired of being pulled over and it won't attract too much attention. The new shocks feel great but I noticed there's a bit of a clunk on full extension, but not when driving, I'll try sort it out later, I'm hoping it's just that they are cheap shocks.
Anyway here's some pics of the work I did.
I'll give those fronts a crack again later. Thinking of trying the stilsons method....

Yeah, so bought some stilsons and tried holding the shaft... the steel is to polished and hard that the stilsons won't grip and neither will my mole grips.... have to take them to work I guess and try the impact gun.
Changed my gear oil, which looked like a golden hydraulic oil it was that thin... so in with the new stuff, (after hunting around my garage for a 10mm allen key), which to my surprise was green so that's a win, will see if it's smoother on shifting.

 

[DARLENE]

Night shift at work so I made a strut brace, lower front brace, and I made this rear upper brace a while ago, haven't fitted it yet, will repaint them with something more durable than the cold galv. I really like the hammer finish paint for these braces so will probably get some more of that.
Also had another go at the front struts with an impact gun. Got one loose and the other one decided to free spin, I'll try hold it with the mole grips as I only tried that on the passenger side, hopefully I have some luck as this lowering project is becoming really tiresome.

 

[DARLENE]

It was a proud day for me and Darlene... I got the springs on the struts (finally) and got home at 0300 after night shift and put them in. I am so happy with the result, car handles and looks better. Im excited to put the lower braces on after i paint them. I'm hoping for a good result with that.

 

[DARLENE]

Had some time today to get some more stuff done. Fitted the lower brace, did an oil and filter change, did some tracking and managed to get the steering wheel straight again, tried out the M10 camber adjustment, which seems to be ok. Got a bit more camber now but I'm hoping that brace doesn't scrape on anything, it's looking a bit low. Still a bit shocked the car doesn't have a front or rear swaybar but the brace has made a noticeable difference.