Fujimi Lexus IS200 progress

[rhmatt]

One of the newest kits in my pile is the next on the table. It's a kit I acquired in a trade with a fellow AF member (VTEC-DA9-Thanks again!) and will be built box stock with the execption of a slight lowering job. This kit sits like a 4x4 in stock trim!

This is my second Fujimi and it seems to be an acceptable one. One note: some of the plastic seems very soft. In fact the interior pieces seem to be more like styrofoam than plastic!

The body will be in TS-8 (Italian Red) and the interior two tone black/gray. Pics will be up by Friday or Saturday at the latest. Not much to see until then!

-Rick

[chrismcgee]

if you need any reference pics from the real thing just ask, i will pop out and take a photo of stuff on my car if you want, but its black not red and has the beige leather and alacantara. but i will help as much as possible

[rhmatt]

Originally posted by chrismcgee
if you need any reference pics from the real thing just ask, i will pop out and take a photo of stuff on my car if you want, but its black not red and has the beige leather and alacantara. but i will help as much as possible

Thanks for the offer! I've loved the looks of these cars for a long time, now I get one of my own. It'll be smaller than yours, but it'll still be mine!

Thanks again,

-Rick

[chrismcgee]

i gotta order one of them myself, do a mini replica!!!

[chrismcgee]

but good luck, cant wait to see it, does it have an opening boot? would love to do an install in a model one

[Vric]

I got this exact kit on hold ! primer problem and the body is in bad shape.. will make this when I will have some decent primer

Also, take some pick of your lowering job.. could be usefull !

good luck !

[MaxSE]

I'm on that one as well.....Still at the "primer/putty waiting to dry phase" ....hehehe...mines going to be finished in TS-53...

[rhmatt]

This kit was way too high, so I lowered it about 2mm in the front and 3mm in the rear. It seems pretty level and I'm rather pleased with its new stance. Wheels will stay stock because I'm too impatient to order any. With that issue is out of the way I can move on with the rest of the build!

Vric- The lowering job was fairly quick and easy, I'll post some detailed pics of what I did later.


Comments are allways welcome!

-Rick

[MaxSE]

Nice stance she got. Good ride height.
Do your wheels still turn and steer?

Just lowered mine as well. A few hours ago actually.
About the same drop, but rolling on 18's :smoker2:

Keep us posted!

[rhmatt]

Originally posted by MaxSE
Good ride height.
Do your wheels still turn and steer?

Thanks! Yep, wheels still roll and steer. Any lower in the front and I would have some serious issues to keep the steering working!

This is what I did, I'll try to get graphics/pics up later if requested:

Front: I cut a 2mm section out of the upper portion of the strut and glued then glued them back together. I thought it was easier that way, rather than just cutting 2mm off the end and trying to reshape the tip to fit into the chassis (strut tower).

With the strut 2mm shorter than it was, it would no longer reach the lower balljoint. I'm refering to the hole in part A7, where the bottom of the strut sits. I took a piece of sprue and my new pinvise and made spacers to make up this 2mm difference. Just cut the end of the sprue straight, then drill a hole dead center and about 5mm deep. Once the hole was drilled I cut the two spacers I needed (2x2mm) and glued the to the top of the mounting area on A7. Making sure the holes lined up for appearence sake.

Rear: First attack parts B19/20 with a file. Remove the mounting tabs located at the top/bottom of each. This will allow the parts to be mounted "higher" on the part (A4) allowing the car to sit lower.

While checking for the proper mounting hieght for parts B19/20 I realized the metal axle was restricted by peices of the part (A4), so out came the knife/cutters and files. Once the peices were removed the axle can now sit firmly against the bottom of the chassis. This was good for an overall drop of around 2.5-3mm.

I'll try to get pics up soon, because reading this confuses me and I just did it!

Legal dissclaimer: "I am not liable for any damage caused by following the steps outlined above. Perform these mods at your own risk."

-Rick

[rhmatt]

This kit is becoming a PITA very fast.

While giving it a final sanding the roofline cracked. I was in complete shock, the plastic of this kit just seems very weak. It has been repaired, but I'm out of primer, so painting is onhold.


-Rick

[bigfrit]

Sorry to hear that!
Luckily you repaired it , and probably will look as nice as your Civic!

Olivier

[endlesskev86]

i don't really like the rims..... too "bling"....slap some Model 5 on it!! hahaha but who am i to tell you what to do...its your model

[primera man]

Looking good so far...the ride height is spot on.

Good write up on the lowering which will be very helpfull to others

[fullbloodchop01]

love the ride height, just think it needs some bigger wheels, and that write up is awsome
great job