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Convert UC to LX?

Started by notna , Jul 07 2008 10:23 AM

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39 replies to this topic

#1 notna

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 10:23 AM

I did a search and couldn't find anything, but I appologise if this has come up many times before.

I'm wondering who has converted a UC to LX? Front panels / rear tail lights.

Without looking closely, would it be possible to remove all front panels, including rad support, and fit LX ones? As for the rear, could you cut and weld around the tail lights / rear panel, to fit LX lights?

I'm thinking about all this on a UC hatch. I'd probably want to do the dash too.

No offence to UC lovers.

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#2 rodomo

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 07:46 PM

I believe the skirts are different too.

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#3 _ChiaLX_

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 08:55 PM

^^^ yep basically cut the front off from firewall and replace with lx. lots awork!!

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#4 yel327

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 09:43 PM

From memory the level of the hatch floor is different too. Can't remember exactly where and how, but I think the UC sits higher ie more room where the spare goes. I remember comparing an 11/77 UC Sunbird Hatch with my 2/76 LX Hatch side by side. This was 20 years ago though.

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#5 _ChiaLX_

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 10:12 PM

thats also correct as i have also seen this. about 50mm diff I think. not sure if it will affect the tail lights though.

Edited by ChiaLX, 07 July 2008 - 10:13 PM.

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#6 notna

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 10:18 PM

I believe the skirts are different too.

do you mean sills?

Can you retain the front rails in engine bay, and only replace the rad support, or is it totally different where the front guards bolt on along the top?

I don't mind a bit of welding, but i'm not keen on chopping from firewall forward!

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#7 slx 050

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 10:45 PM

When you get this project underway... Pictures would be good...

When I'm finished the LX SS hatchback (later this year or early next), I think I'll make my UC hatch an LX (I've got 8 sets of LX guards, nosecones and bonnets), but with a roll cage.

I think I'll make a BBQ too... when I get a chance...

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#8 TerrA LX

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Posted 07 July 2008 - 11:50 PM

I believe the skirts are different too.
do you mean sills?

Can you retain the front rails in engine bay, and only replace the rad support, or is it totally different where the front guards bolt on along the top?

I don't mind a bit of welding, but i'm not keen on chopping from firewall forward!

No he meant inner guards, which are different.

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#9 notna

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Posted 08 July 2008 - 08:51 AM

ahhh ok. I was thinking they may be different. cheers.

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#10 _hatcheddan_

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Posted 08 July 2008 - 07:46 PM

thats also correct as i have also seen this. about 50mm diff I think. not sure if it will affect the tail lights though.

I found this out when I tried fitting UC rear cargo boards in my LX

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#11 _lx304hatch_

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Posted 18 June 2013 - 07:43 PM

really easy conversion

i have completed 2 hatch's now one is my personal daily driver

any one that may have any questions pls pm me and ill write back

front is simple drill all spot welds out on front inner panels so you have 2 rails and battery and charcole canister plates still on there

1 small bend on batter side corner and 1 small bend on charcole canister panel then line the front up and re weld all the spot welds

rear is cut and shut each side 1 side at a time i found best

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#12 _UCL98_

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Posted 23 June 2013 - 07:00 PM

really easy conversion
i have completed 2 hatch's now one is my personal daily driver

any one that may have any questions pls pm me and ill write back

front is simple drill all spot welds out on front inner panels so you have 2 rails and battery and charcole canister plates still on there

1 small bend on batter side corner and 1 small bend on charcole canister panel then line the front up and re weld all the spot welds

rear is cut and shut each side 1 side at a time i found best

I like this idea, hard to find a good donor car for this tho. Wonder which way is best on bank balance as I see 3 way to attack the UC to LX as I'm doing a UC to LX also.

1 . I read up dirtbags build and I like the idea of using LX rad support panel after cutting back the UC guards and panel working the UC guards to match LX nosecone ( my fav way )

2. Putting LX guards onto the UC inner guards and doing some mods to fill the gap

3. Replacing the whole front end, using LX inner guards and adding the rest.

In having trouble finding fair condition parts I'm looking at either doing number 1 or 2 . I'm swinging towards number 1 as the cost for parts will still out way panel cost I think.

Cheers
Morro

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#13 Neils LX

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Posted 23 June 2013 - 07:27 PM

Have all parts same idea. UC Hatch , LH front cut from behind rails foward and LX Rear. Nead alot or welding practice or get job farmed out by someone

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#14 _BLOWN V6HATCH_

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Posted 23 June 2013 - 09:23 PM

I like this idea, hard to find a good donor car for this tho. Wonder which way is best on bank balance as I see 3 way to attack the UC to LX as I'm doing a UC to LX also.

1 . I read up dirtbags build and I like the idea of using LX rad support panel after cutting back the UC guards and panel working the UC guards to match LX nosecone ( my fav way )

2. Putting LX guards onto the UC inner guards and doing some mods to fill the gap

3. Replacing the whole front end, using LX inner guards and adding the rest.

In having trouble finding fair condition parts I'm looking at either doing number 1 or 2 . I'm swinging towards number 1 as the cost for parts will still out way panel cost I think.

Cheers
Morro

Option 3 is the only way to do it IMO. That's the way i did mine, because when i lift the bonnet, i want it to look like a factory LX, not a chopped up UC.

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#15 _ryan350_

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Posted 25 June 2013 - 01:35 PM

If you need a rad support i could help, I have 2 spare lh/lx ones sitting in a corner.

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#16 _petespipes1_

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Posted 04 May 2021 - 05:13 PM

Yes an old post from 2008

still relevant as 70s rustbuckets [yes our cars] are as popular as ever and harder to find at the right price

So im doing this today,UC to LX, so i recently join forum, search, and this is what i find. I must be doing something wrong? 8 year old post not updated?

I wont go any further. Surely someone will tell me where to look for the up to date info on this subject

everything is bolt on or glue on from ebay now right?

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#17 Bigfella237

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Posted 04 May 2021 - 06:09 PM

The thread hasn't been updated because nothing has changed.

Not sure what's on ebay but nothing is bolt-on nor glue-on as far as a UC > LX conversion goes (unless you mean the kind of "glue" that CIG sells)!

Post number 12 above pretty much says it all for the front end panels.

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#18 Ice

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Posted 04 May 2021 - 06:11 PM

Go to Members section and go to Heaths Hatch page 7 and keep reading that should keep you busy for a few hours or so

pretty sure Heaths got it down pat

Happy reading

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#19 Heath

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Posted 05 May 2021 - 11:37 AM

As per Gene's comment:

http://www.gmh-toran...hatch/?p=874546

This has been covered heaps of times, and done heaps of times. Your most detailed reply won't necessarily come from the first thread you find with a matching description in the title.

Some of the big build threads each cover several hundred good build ideas/executions, but it takes a bit of time to absorb, lol.

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#20 hawk

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Posted 06 May 2021 - 12:23 PM

Personally I wouldn't touch the Ebay Glue in conversion kits. The tail lights really should be welded in and the front kit you have to cut away a major portion of the radiator support panel and that could cause other issues.

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#21 burty

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Posted 11 May 2021 - 04:28 PM

This is probably the most comprehensive UC to LX conversion build. I certainly referred to it a lot for my own build.

Fixing my brothers UC hatch - Members Projects & Plans - GMH-Torana (gmh-torana.com.au)

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#22 burty

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Posted 11 May 2021 - 04:31 PM

My build, not as full on as Dirtbags but similar method

Burtys UC To LX Conversion - Members Projects & Plans - GMH-Torana (gmh-torana.com.au)

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#23 _petespipes1_

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Posted 11 May 2021 - 05:04 PM

what a load

if you dont know whats changed since 2008

how about something from someone thats actually used some of the new conversion gear.....

not my first rodeo

I have a good idea of whats available but i thought someone thats actually used it might speak up

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#24 _petespipes1_

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Posted 11 May 2021 - 05:16 PM

Look i appreciate the excellent posts you refer to about the old and trusted method to convert UC to a much better looking Torana. The time it takes to put these posts together takes a lot of effort and a great attitude to sharing which is what keeps forums alive

{not repeating other peoples info}

But times have changed like it or not.

Steel guards and bonnets are virtually unavailable for a start.

I will be using fibreglass guards and bonnet, possibly nosecone as well and yes glue on plastic stuff from ebay or wherever

provided i can check that it fits ok and looks ok.

Masny of these kits have been sold / used.

Perhaps owners of said cars are not up for possible criticism from others ??? personally dont care what the armchair experts think.

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#25 claysummers

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Posted 11 May 2021 - 05:32 PM

At least if you leave it as a UC it will be an honest sturdy car, which is half the appeal of these old jiggers. My 2c.

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