Monday, May 26, 2025

Passenger side front moulding fix

when i bought the GTR it was in pretty good nick but there were a few things needing done to make it functional. Fuel cap didn't release properly, boot lid struts were definitely dead and the front passenger side mudguard moulding was hanging off the wing. Not a huge deal as you can see below but annoying enough. 

front moulding sitting out from wing




















As part of the slowly slowly building up the car to be 'fixed' but standard I had bought some body clips to get the issue fixed but on checking the car the mechanic found that although I needed the body clips I also needed the moulding clips as well to allow the two wing and moulding to fit into each other. This was put on the back burner for a while as basically I was lazy. Fast forward a year or so and I started looking for the clips for the mouldings. I couldn't find them anywhere as a stand alone part though i could buy a complete set of clips for all the body mouldings but it was kerching.... Anyhow, I did a bit of asking around on the forums and somehow managed to find a part number which then lead to another of those GTR ownership moments. Yep you can get the part brand new in the UK / EU but kerching! So i searched the Japanese market and lo there were at a more sensible price and with postage to the UK I could get few clips for less than the price of one sourced locally. As it turns out, handy I did buy a few...

So with the clips in hand and about 5 months after I had actually received them today i tackled the problem. Moulding clips below and a spare body mount as well.

moulding clips












Since I do not have access to ramps at home a supplemental tool was required to locate the screws holding the bottom of the moulding to the car.

moulding underbody mounting points




















Doesn't have to be fancy it just needs to work :)  So underbody fasteners removed (two of) and the two wing mounted fasteners removed





















Pull the moulding off and tada there you have it. What this first picture doesn't show you is there are three body clips required

body moulding removed from car




















and it was only when I looked at the car itself that I noticed the three body clips looking all lonely for a moulding clip to fit

body showing mounting clips for moulding 3 clips












Another quick look at the moulding and yes there is the third clip position to match the body. Luckily i had bought more than the one clip I thought I needed. Zero clips in place originally (well from previous owner), no wonder it hung a bit out in the breeze eh ? So, three brand new clips in place and now to squeeze it back onto the car.

moulding showing the three required clip mounting holes












All back together again and matching the drivers side. Job done and knuckles and tools intact.

moulding reattached and everything looking good


Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Spring Break run to Applecross

 so the weather was forecast to be dry and sunny daytime but cold cold at night. At first I'd booked a wee camping spot but then quickly realised that was a stupid idea and upgraded myself to one of the cabins in the Applecross Campsite. Brilliant wee things, the one i booked was for two folks but they all have big thick foam mattresses either 2 or 4 depending on cabin size, a light inside, light outside and a heater! The also have at least one power point in them for charging phones etc. Cracking deal, highly recommend it. 

So I'm not one for taking tonnes of pictures but I took a few.

Run down the north side of the Pass of the Cattle, purpose built layby with viewpoint and good photo op


Got to the Applecross campsite and unpacked the sleeping bag(s) and sorted out the mattress. What that lurking in the background there?













After getting everything sorted in the cabin, time for some beers in the sun while drinking in the view. Then I walked to the Inn for some more beers, bit of chat and some dinner. Right outside the campsite I met these two just happily grazing on the local grass


This is the view from the seats outside the Applecross Inn and is mighty fine to sit outside when the weather is warm however don't be fooled by the sunny view here, it wasn't exactly warm by this time of the evening as the chill in  the May weather was beginning to bite. Still, it is warm and dry and cosy in the Inn


After a fine fish and chips, time for the walk home and what a view at night


Next morning set off early after a shower and headed for breakfast at the Waterside Cafe in Loch Carron. A mighty fine warm sunny morning it was so breakfast outside it was. Views and a fry up with the Bru, perfect.




After that mighty feed it was back into the car and heading for home. I will have to change my route to get home and potentially the route up there as the traffic was pretty bad and almost no opportunities to overtake safely. Far too many cars / vans on the road and it was a long trip sitting behind folks. I did however manage and avg of 25mpg which for the GTR is a poor reflection or my driving haha. Should be into the low 10s' :)