[mod_freak]

We are in final stages of restoration. Full repainting and clear coating is completed.

Final sanding and polishing is pending.

You can watch the detailed video here

https://youtu.be/4s7VKnCOnlw

clear coated and almost ready

https://youtu.be/blj0iReQqGw

first application of Base coat


second base coat - customized ink blue shade


Second base coat completed


wet sanding the base coat for perfection


First coat of paint applied - custom deep ocean blue


second coat of paint & clear coat completed


Look at the gloss! Final wet sand and polishing pending


Closer look at the shade


Deep ocean blue (looks black in low light


More pictures and videos coming soon. Stay tuned.

[viXit]

Originally Posted by mod_freak

We are in final stages of restoration. Full repainting and clear coating is completed.


More pictures and videos coming soon. Stay tuned.

Hey buddy, how's the rebuild coming along? Been a while without updates

[mod_freak]

Finally after a long delay in posting the updates. I'm here to show what all has been happenening so far with Blue A.K.A my Maruti Esteem Type 2 LX.

Firstly let the videos and pictures do the talking.

https://youtu.be/1KJvpp2KFPM

New AIS OEM front windshield got installed.

https://youtu.be/BuCIUas_9pM

Clutch, radiator, brake booster got replaced :

https://youtu.be/4FFk5AhBXro

Here is a DIY I did to fix the fault speedometer and wiring to get all lights working. Fogs got replaced too.

https://youtu.be/Mlm38C1M3sE

After this the works got delated due to lockdowns and other restrictions. But now, finally those have eased up a bit and the spares have started reaching me. I replaced the hood latch today and it works like a charm.

https://youtu.be/P-bzCYuy_Ow

For those of you who are waiting for pictures here they are :

1. Shining like a diamond


2. She is a Poser


3. Bathing time


4. Sourced a type 3 spoiler from scrap in Delhi and got it shipped to me. I don't like the look of type 2 spoiler. It will be painted to match the car color soon.



5. Scenes from the day when Blue and Knight got their batteries recharged.



More spares are on the way. Interiors will be done too to match the stock look. I will keep uploading more videos and pictures soon.

I'm looking for a used/new/working cassette player for the esteem. It was a Kenwood player. If anyone can help me source one I would be forever thankful.

Stay tuned for more soon.

[chiranjitp]

Originally Posted by mod_freak

Finally after a long delay in posting the updates. I'm here to show what all has been happenening so far with Blue A.K.A my Maruti Esteem Type 2 LX.

Awesome thread, keep up the good work . I think your car was originally a VX variant, since your car has power steering & four power windows.

I'm looking for a used/new/working cassette player for the esteem. It was a Kenwood player. If anyone can help me source one I would be forever thankful.

I suppose this is what you are looking for, this HU also came as standard on the Zen VX/VXi. Since Zen sold in more numbers, you could look for the HU in old Zens as well. This particular cassette player is from my erstwhile 2001 Zen VXi, which I had removed before selling the Zen. This HU will go in our 99 Omni.

[mod_freak]

Originally Posted by chiranjitp

Awesome thread, keep up the good work . I think your car was originally a VX variant, since your car has power steering & four power windows.

I suppose this is what you are looking for, this HU also came as standard on the Zen VX/VXi. Since Zen sold in more numbers, you could look for the HU in old Zens as well. This particular cassette player is from my erstwhile 2001 Zen VXi, which I had removed before selling the Zen. This HU will go in our 99 Omni.
Attachment 2170611

Attachment 2170610

Actually, the original car was a 2000 LX, the silver esteem if you have observed closely in the initial videos and pictures. It looks like a VX now because the donor shell is from a 2000 VX. Everything else inside the hood is carried over from LX, just the shell was used from the donor car that came with a few luxuries like the power windows that you have seen.

Yes, thank you for showing me the model number. I will try and lookout for zen HU to try my luck. If you do happen to know anyone who is selling this, do let me know as I need it desperately.

[ssjr0498]

I have it somewhere, it came in my 2001 zen vx. Will search and let you know!

Originally Posted by mod_freak

Yes, thank you for showing me the model number. I will try and lookout for zen HU to try my luck. If you do happen to know anyone who is selling this, do let me know as I need it desperately.

[mod_freak]

Originally Posted by ssjr0498

I have it somewhere, it came in my 2001 zen vx. Will search and let you know!

Oh yes! This will totally help if u have that one.

[sharanvenu]

Congrats on the ride. Looks sweet!

You should try a retro modern stereo like Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46. Will go very well with the interiors without compromising on the functionality. It is also a very capable device.

Looking forward to see more updates.

[mod_freak]

My heart told me that every inch of this Maruti Esteem deserves to be restored and to fulfill my dream (or atleast get closer to it) of becoming the owner of "the only stock maruti esteem type 2 which has 99% OEM parts and has 99% parts renewed except the engine". In short - The only fully restored stock Type 2 carb Maruti esteem in India. I have since taken up the pain and patience to expand my budget and renew everything that the eye can see and brain can think of. You name it and the part is being taken care Of.

I will treat all of your eyes with details and pictures at the same time.

1. Removal of the full floor carpeting.


2. Clear view of the 20 year old dirty floor Caspet that has seen it all.


3. Time to give it a deep clean wash. I used hot water, fabric cleaner, scrubber, and pressure wash (cold) and sun dry to bring it back to life. It looks new now.


4. Anti rust treatment done on the flooring. I used Anti rust red oxide metal primer.



5. Time to recover all plastic trims for restoration


6. Here are the before and after results







7. Next are the doorpads and rear trims





8. Why leave the door pad internal support frames?

[sc15523]

This article has really inspired me to restore my Esteem LX 2004 model. Thankyou for sharing.

[mod_freak]

Originally Posted by mod_freak

8. Why leave the door pad internal support frames?

I removed all 4 frames from doors and then sanded them down. I applied red oxide metal primer.



Painted it black first.



Then I thought why leave the jack?









Next, I removed the carburetor.

Boom, the secondary is jammed and its full of gunk




I also noticed the main butterfly does not shut fully. There is a gap as I can see the light passing through.


I decided to clean the carburetor and sprayed it with 2 cans of choke and carburetor cleaner. Years of junk loosened up and the secondary opened.


Wiped the surfaces with petrol to remove the deposits.




another shock, gasket is all cracked
Replaced this and the diaphrams


How can I leave this as is, I sanded it down, masked each sensitive part, nozzles and screws and repainted it to stock look




more updates coming very soon. Its under progress

[mod_freak]

Originally Posted by mod_freak

more updates coming very soon. Its under progress

Moving forward here is what has been going on so far.

Removed the left damaged ORVM.


New ORVM


Interiors of door panels coated in antirust


Cardboard side of Door pad removed for some cleaning


Primed it as I decided to paint this to waterproof and weatherproof it for years to come. Because this gets soft with time and becomes saggy


Painted 3 coats of enamel and changed the sponge supports as old sponge aged and is of no use


Replaced the inner and outer grill



After this I happened to change the driver side power window master switch harness and opened the right fender. To my horror I saw rust forming slowly at Some spots.






I immediately sanded down, cleaned the dust and covered the panels with anti rust thoroughly. I left out the rubberized part as there was no rust there and it was still intact.







This will be undercoated soon and the panels will be painted from the inside with black paint to make sure it has full protection from any further damage due to weather and rusting.

Since there was that on the right, I was sure it was under the left fender too. I opened it and it was on the brink of rusting. There was some oxidization like stuff on it. Cleaned it up and coated it with anti rust to make sure rust doesn't form.

Oxidation like formation on edges


Fully covered up. Will be painted in black soon


The doors had issue with locking. Isolated it to be the power door lock assembly.

The old one has made in Japan written on it
This assembly is on the right side of the boot under the parcel tray panel


Old and new comparison
The new one is from Maruti - Made In India and is black in Color.


Time to replace the aging trunk harness along with the power door lock assembly


Did not want to leave the socket harness alone. Got a brand new one


I bought new tail lamp assemblies last year when I started this project, however during repainting process the mechanic left the car unattended and someone broke the left tail lamp. He then gave me the old assembly which was looking okay at that time. However, upon close inspection I realized the right one has red stripes inside while the old one did not have these. They were faded. Now that I was fixing everything I got a new left tail lamp assembly to Match the right one.

Old and new comparison


Fixed in place. I will leave the protective cover on until I roll her our of parking for a final wash

[sohanbala]

This is probably the best Esteem thread out here.Ive came back here multiple times after I started works on my car.The efforts behind this car is massive.

[mod_freak]

Originally Posted by sohanbala

This is probably the best Esteem thread out here.Ive came back here multiple times after I started works on my car.The efforts behind this car is massive.

Thank you Sohan. We share the same passion and I know your efforts too. Esteem is more than a car for us.

[chethan.ram]

This is such a wonderful thread. Brought back some memories for me. I owned a Type 2 VX in maroon colour and I really loved her. What a beauty she was! I would love to drive an Esteem now, but no one that I know has. Hopefully I get to drive one of them.