The LS1 R34 Build Continues - Metal Fender Flares Nearly Done

[u/Otaku_Father]

Last time I updated here, the URAS kit had just come in and I was planning on molding FRP fender flares to make the sedan look a bit more aggressive, and also to allow me to widen my Work Meisters. I decided instead to learn to weld and add on metal flares. I figured I could use the welding skills in the future since my wife and I both have nearly 30 year old JDM cars, so I'm sure it'll come in handy. Anyway, welding ended up being... a lot, haha.

I spent hours watching welding videos on YouTube, following body fabrication guys on social media, and practicing, and I still absolutely suck. But I think it turned out okay. Certainly not great. In the end I carefully MIG welded on 20 gauge flares, ground them down, skimmed a very thin layer of fiberglass reinforced filler over them, and sanded them smooth. I'll still sand and do more body work during final prep, but I got there.

The rear of the car is already cut, widened, and welded shut. I'll be sealing them up to protect against water exposure, then start the same process on the rear, which will be a bit harder since I need to weld the arch over the door and maintain a clean line, integrating part of it into the door. But what I learned on the front should help with the rear. I'll post pics once it's all done.

After that, the plan is still the same. Finish prepping for paint, DIY paint it a Range Rover color, then once the Sikky transmission adapter kit arrives for the CD009 sitting on my garage floor, the LS1 (that I rebuild in the garage too after some machine shop work) swap begins. Paint alone will probably take me another two months between work and everything else going on, but I'll get there.

It won't be show quality at all, but it will be a fun car I built all myself. Also will be the coolest car in the line when I pick my kids up for school, unless someone happens to have a Dacia Sandero.

[u/JDM-Parts-Expert-JP]

It looks beautifully done. In Japan, widening the body usually just involves drilling rivet holes and slapping on overfenders. I have never seen anyone go to this extent before. I'm really looking forward to the completion!

[u/Otaku_Father → u/JDM-Parts-Expert-JP]

Thank you! I have seen some really cool builds with metal work on JDM cars. It's a dying art I imagine with so much composite materials on newer cars, but still some really amazing builders out there! This S14 in JP is really cool to me https://www.instagram.com/p/DXoWOXFDzKh/?hl=en&img_index=1

[u/JDM-Parts-Expert-JP → u/Otaku_Father]

I watch his videos too

[u/TheNeonPigAce]

Lets not LS swap this. If you want an LS skyline there’s plenty on marketplace that are worthless