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As always, asking opinions on here is like rolling a dice or is that die. Could this be a gear knob? Oh, no ? Not a ratrod or anything else super weird. My knob is loose (like my morals I hear you say) But I need to tighten things up. Having a random collection of gear knobs, collected over the years means I have options. However……. The standard does have a very good ergonomic feel to it. I have not tried to remove the knob, so no idea how it is fitted inside the stick. Screw on, plug in??? Thanks.
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As always…… just watching.
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Once again, thank you. I have no doubt that they are an unnecessary expense because the steels and tyres fitted are nearly new and would have given me years/miles of great service, just like the factory intended. I saw this cartoon last night and heard the sage voice of nickwheeler in the recesses of my mind.
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wheels look much better, seats look pretty good too should be a usefull economical run around. for the rusty conversion bis I'd just wire brush it then give it a coat of something like dynax UB should stop it getting any worse. Thanks Kevin. Regarding the Rusty undercarriage….. Agreed, clean up as best I can, some brush on rust converter stuff, and then brush on some random pant to try keep it contained, or at least slow the flow. But of course that lot will be due for after I figure the rear bumper removal and replacement out, and once I have prepped and painted the new rear bumper that needs a bit of work too.
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Excellent work that man! Much prefer those centres for the steelies - think it's the contrast in colour. And those 5 spokes are excellent. Considered a similar set for the Bora when I had it, but could not find any. Thank you mate. I am pleased with them. The black centres are just so weirdly right. The 5 spokes to me, have just enough detail with the detail on the spokes and the centre caps “smoothing” it all out. They are weird wheels. I have seen pretty mullered sets for £250.00 and some good sets ranging from £400.00 right down to £50.00 for this relatively immaculate set with two good tyres. I was tempted to just buy them.
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pedalcarjoe find us some of these. And then there was this. In a market where so many try so hard to be unique……..
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South African model AFAIK AVANTE was the luxury version when I had my hatch in 1987 . This was the BoIIoX at the time. Still a prettty car tbh.
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Last Edit: Nov 5, 2023 7:22:53 GMT by grizz
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So while I am modifying your van for you, all the way from down south…… I rediscovered these, new, unused, retro, and vintage. Possibly RARE (price goes right up) Mudflaps. If you were to agree to fit them to said van and hopefully not sell it a week later, due to the rarity of said Mudflaps (which I offered to someone else years ago, who never bothered to collect, may did not want to collect) then they are yours for both the cause and the van. Let me know,
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I have had two 1.5 Zetec diesels as daily, company cars. Number 2 getting collected in two weeks, due to redundancy.
But they are amazing cars to live with daily, in my experience.
Liking the mods except the light bar.
Where I live a few people use them as weapons and seem to forget they have them on at night.
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What a report.
When my back was killing me a few years ago, to the extent that the sciatica took between 30-60 minutes to settle in the mornings and an MRI scan suggested to a spinal surgeon that I could be put on a short list for some spinal surgery, I chose the least of the three options in my opinion, mobilising and exercise, coupled with a year of expensive osteopathy that got my back sorted to the extent where I am now “back to normal” I would say the osteopath made a huge difference, working on my lower back for months, slowly getting all that aligned and eventually also my neck, which she made a huge change to, and somehow “removed” a big lump on my back of my neck that had been there for many years by realigning stuff.
Long entry, but no idea what your total status and condition is like, but from Ibuprofen/paracetamol with caffiene 4 hourly for over a year and acupuncture etc, to where I am today, there has to be something said for these alternative therapies that work on simple mechanics.
Sciatica can be a real pain.
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![]() [/img]
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Wheels look OK. You'll have to get another seat, just for George ![8-)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cool.png) You mean…….?
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So part one of the day trip to collect the wheels was to go meet up with Sammo at his mums house. To look at this Caddy……. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_9037.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_9038.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Sam had offered me a pair of Golf VR6 seats to fit into the Caddy. Just plug and play was what he said. Greeted by the most awesome cat…… of course. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1899.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) I managed to buy the seats I had not planned on buying and also robbed the VW badge off the rear door, followed by a set of black bikini caps for the steel wheels I had at home. Sam also gave me some door lock inners. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_0909.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Loaded and headed out to Chertsy to see the alloy wheels. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1898_aHRZMynVe9a8MjuAhyPMLx.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1903.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Eventually back at home I got to look at these tired seats that I had bought from Sam. Cleaned the wheels and rear floor mat. Then headed back into the seats. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1909.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1910.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1911.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Also cleaned up the small centre caps I had bought for the steel wheels as fitted, as I did not like the flat caps. Much better I would say. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1914.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_0915.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) And straight on. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1797.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/9C21D75E-DFA7-4B95-AC2D-B81FD80C95C6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Seats after all the effort…….. Yes, not too bad. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1916.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1915.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) And of course approved and became the bed for the next four days 24/7 George cat scanned. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1935.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) And of course all including a rant in a short clip. Pan fried pork chops and vegetables tonight. Maybe the rain will stop tomorrow.
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I like them Grizz. When I had my 9n Polo I fitted some 17" Toyota wheels to it. Right offset and everything. Nice. I am cautious about all these large wheels, low profiles. Had a C230 V6 Benz in 2006 and hated the sports suspension and all it delivered for me, after a GTi.
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They look good to me ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Thanks mate. Paid for, so staying.
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Two days later……. Test fit. Of course you gotta do this. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_2129.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_2130.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Went for a drive to feel the front end. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_2135_528WEG96kapV3oaVFDbsXj.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Then came back, tried them on the rear. Missing the rear shocks. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_2171.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) And of course all round. 16 inch alloys. 195/55 16 tyres to be ordered. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_2174.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_2173.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) So………… Opinions. Yes, we all have them. I think that unless some mind blowing wheels come along. These can stay where they are.
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So agreeing to go see Sammo about some parts I decided to incorporate the trip to see the wheels I had seen on a random Caddy group post, which quickly led to a conversation with the owner Sams thread: forum.retro-rides.org/thread/201579/caddy-van-vr5-project-pedalsSo once again, the time frame is back to front, because my 140 mile trip led me to Sams place first. But here are the wheels, picture as seen on a chat thread. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1894.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) They typically were not what I was looking for, but actually ticked a bunch of boxes automatically. I like solid spokes, and 5 spokes are great when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Any lace or multi spokes are beautiful, but on someone else’s car. IYKWIM. A Messenger exchange and chat with the owner established a few things, yes they fitted, directly, yes they were for sale, yes he would sell me 5 of the 6 wheels as I had no use for a well and truly knackered one. And he seemed a nice guy. Bonus. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_1893.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) So when I got there, as often is the case, we spent over an hour speaking Caddy mods, issues and life in general. When I asked how much he wanted for the wheels, his reply was £80.00 please. So I agreed and we loaded the 5 wheels I had bought into the Focus. The 5th black wheel is super scruffy and Kerbed to death…… but as a spare, with a silly stretched tyre, it will do. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/35C46A63-EBD1-4DB1-9960-8899E1D4D557.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Seller also threw in a Caddy rear floor mat, to be used once I have levelled out the rear floor and fitted a better bumper. Cleaned up at home. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_0914.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Eventually back home by 3.30pm I had a coffee and sandwich for lunch, then went to lay stuff out to be cleaned. At which point first nickwheeler arrived, and followed later by Mickey next door. So 3/4 of a bottle of Jif/Cif/Handy Andy and a couple of brushes later, we had some sparkling purchases. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_0916_aWz5KxtBtkzZC85yFKx5zX.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Very importantly as well, four centre caps, one missing its retaining ring. And of course a ring found yesterday when collecting the rear bumper 50 miles from here. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_0918.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Butt ugleee spare. Decent tyre at least. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/36214168-4CE9-438C-B95E-3CAC87D2E2F6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) And the other four wheels had two good tyres and two that I needed to replace. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/776D0313-7D1F-411C-9BC1-303C70731569.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_0920.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Pretty pleased and smug with my relatively cheap find, which would need another £160.00-ish for two new tyres, I told amongst others mate Matt pegasus later in the evening. Another exchange ensued, summarised in these comments. Not always easy, but sometimes the right thing to do. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/B33DDC17-300E-4995-9EC3-CD68173DEEE3.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Have I mentioned before……. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/IMG_8808.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) Next job……. Try on the wheels on the Caddy. And buy tyres.
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Just been talking to Dan. The new forum format screws with his eyes and he struggles enough with on his phone to have walked away. A pity really, because his continued contributions unlike many others to all sorts of threads and show reports makes us poorer for the loss. Anyway……. In the spirit of his continuous changing of “This is a keeper” he has decided that having three cars plus his wife’s, and sons cars, and his own company car……….. The one I expected to survive the longest in terms of “this is a definite keeper” has become the one to be offered for sale. I really expected him to get rid of the Jaguar by now, but he seems to really enjoy it. So……….. Up for sale, without being advertised. I give you The Red Baron. Needs those two weird small spots of rust sorted to put it firmly on the top shelf. PM me if you are interested in actually buying and I will direct Dan here, or you to him. V6 is a gem.
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Quick out of sync post. Some of you may know that despite not going down the £1000 wheel route, I do like a wheel, and even more so of they are normal, but one can make them look a bit different. And even more so, those wheels you find from other makes that fit your car and makes people scratch their heads in wonder. So I was looking out for some interesting, non-standard/non-VAG wheels to maybe add to the Caddy. Had seen some 1990’s Renault Safrane wheels that would go great in two or three colours. Yea, I like to make work for myself. But the offset was wrong. Chatting to mate Matt pegasus about wheels, he started throwing some very pretty £250.00 plus restored wheels my way, excluding tyres and shipping. I declined all his suggestions, despite a few nice sets coming through and said I prefer curse word sub £100.00 wheels that then ended up costing me another £200.00 to get looking good, plus tyres. The wheels and tyres on the S10 ultimately went on at £950.00 or thereabouts, completely stupid I know. So next day Matt and I were chatting about other stuff and girls, when he again raised the subject of getting some nice wheels on the Caddy. I said it is a scruffy 21 year old van, and I am not planning to fit expensive, super shiny wheels on it, because unlike ratlook or barnfind cars that have that distinct work look that really shows off the wheels, this thing was just not enough in either camp. I would carry on looking to see if I could find wheels that I liked and could be acquired relatively cheaply and then either fitted directly, or cheaply, to blend more with the cars scrapes and age. Next reply from him kinda bowled me over. Of course I have done similar things in different ways over the years, but I struggle overall to accept kindness. ![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/mm90/niknakpix/4CAD7B75-D36A-44E7-97E6-9206FD857359.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) I did decline. Then, typically a few days later I found some wheels I liked the look of on a Caddy group on FB. Enquiring and realising they could be part of another trip, I had planned for the Sunday, I agreed with the owner to go look at the wheels he had. No price yet established. But I told Matt I had found some cheap wheels I liked. More in a bit.
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