I first bought the car way back in 2002, she was 4 year old with 220000klms on her.  At the time I was looking for a Ford on LPG and had to be an EF or EL.  Car was bought from where I was working at the time, ended up getting her for $7990.

She stayed pretty stock for the next 2 years, as by then I had the missus and a new baby to worry about.  Then I used a car in front of me to stop with. So that was the impetus to do the EF XR bonnet and front bar.  Cousin is a panel beater and he had collected stuff over time in preparation for this day.  Had all the front end stuff organised, so I did a deal with the beaters, I’ll supply all the front end stuff and what I saved from insurance would go towards a respray. So in early 2004 the car was resprayed in the original colour. (Would have liked a change though)

Then a stroke of luck, found out thru a mate about an AU XR6 that had been written off due to it going for a swim.  Went halves with him as he wanted the front end and wheels, I wanted the drive line.

Over a period of 6 months the AU was stripped in preparation of doing some serious work to the EL.  First out was the wiring looms for the engine so I could try and merge it to suit EL.  This was not as easy as I had anticipated as I could not locate a factory wiring diagram for the AU, plenty of aftermarket ones, but they aren’t detailed enough for what I was planning.  Finally managed to source the info that was needed so full steam ahead.  Many, many hours later, was happy with the end product.  Was all I could do till the engine was in and then I could actually test it in the car.

Then, came the big day, time to rip the engine out and start putting in the VCT one.  Once engine was out, I made the call to see if I could use the AU sub frame so I could upgrade the brakes while I was there.  After much careful measuring and comparing made the call that it was possible to do.  At this stage still have not heard of any one else doing the same.  While I was there doing the front stuff, got this brain wave to adapt the IRS to the El as well (don’t know if it was a brain wave or brain meltdown)

So there I was with a perfectly good EL cutting away the front suspension, removing the diff and cutting the rear suspension stuff.  After 3 days of doing little bits here and little bits there, decided was better off concentrating on one area at a time.  So I concentrated on the IRS first.  That was the easiest part of the whole conversion.  Took me 2 ½ days to finish, but next time would be easier as I now know what to do, bearing in mind I had no one to turn to ask  for help or advice.

Once the IRS was finished, time to finish the front end off.  That’s been the hardest work I have done in a long time.  Drilling out spot welds, measuring everything three times and then welding it all back into place.  All the preparation work paid off, the front sub frame slid in like it was meant to be there.  Once the sub frame was in place I could then place the motor in.  Motor was dually installed and time to see if all the wiring I had struggled over was worth it.  Car didn’t crank first time..2 weeks later after going thru the looms 4 or 5 times, and about to convert to EL specs,  found the gremlin, 1 power wire not connected. Got the car cranking over but still would not start.  Had spark at the plugs, heard fuel pump running, decided to spray aero start in the inlet, and she fired!!  The found in doing the IRS conversion had to remove fuel tank and when replacing it had the feed and return lines on backwards.  So now I had the motor in and running.  Time to finish all the little bits and pieces and replace the radiator etc.  2 weeks later was happy enough to consider the car finished.  Took car for a test drive and you could not wipe the smile from my face.  Went back to the workshop and finished cleaning up and checking everything over again,  then time to head home, alas I didn’t quite make it.  After 2 klms down the road, heard a horrible noise from the back end.  Pulled over could not see anything.  Kept driving and just as I was pulling up outside my place the diff seized, half on the road half in the parking lane.  Got the old trolley jack and managed to move it over.  Ended up getting a mate to fit a 2nd hand centre as I live on a main road and was not game to work on it there.  Turns out, there was no oil in the diff, in all the work I had done to the car it did not cross my mind to look at the diff oil.  So after sourcing another center and installing all was well for a min, first corner I cam too the rear end was hopping and jumping around the corner.  Yep, 2nd hand centre was U/S.  Sent that one back and replaced and has been good since.

Since the conversion was never happy with the original AU exhaust, so once I had the funds it was off with the old exhaust, on went a set of extractors, a high flow cat and a 2 ½” sports system.

So far have enjoyed driving the car.  Get quite a few comments when people see the work involved.  Have been to a mates workshop and showed people on the hoist what work has been done. Once they see the work involved the go either I am crazy or I got to much time on my hands.  My response is neither, I had the opportunity to do something unusual and unique so I took it.  Now I have a car that not many others if any have, and it will be a focal point of discussion in years to come.