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The GM52 Hustler clone conversion


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Some of you may remember my last run of Cars. Last season was 4 different Funco's for me. Pretty much had a car on my flatbed every trip, coming or going from camp or storage. I ended up with a car I have always wanted and one I felt would check all my boxes after owning a newer G52 and an early light Hustler.  The first trip with the car sealed the deal and it was smiles for miles. Second day with the car was unfortunate. Dogs in third gear were gone and i could not keep it in third without it popping out under load.  Finished the season in a camp chair with ideas running thru my head.

Decided I wanted the best of several worlds and to take what I liked it all those cars and build it into this one.

A lot of people are converting older Funco's and I figured why not. I'm not trying to hide the fact its a Gen 4, but trying to make it as close to a G52 or GTF as I can.  Its a feral cat right now as Grant has told me. I'm just hanging onto the tail. It will get out of control real soon but with the help I have, I shouldn't get scratched to much.

The car.  Its a 2007 Gen 4 Huster with a 6 cyl Subi. Mendi S4. Pretty much all original except for the engine. The engine was originally build by Gary and has been rebuilt by John as of 2 years ago. Horsepower is in the 450-550 range on E85 with a smart boost controller,

Plans:

Update the frame, powdercoat frame, new panels, seats, dash, console, controls, ecm and digital dash, new 3.0 king suspension, rebuild trans, have john go thru the engine for a health check, all new wiring with switch pro, switch out the rear tires to 17 inch and so on.

The build has started and not sure on how often we can update with picts and descriptions but heres the start.

I want to mention who's helping to date.

Trey at Arrive and Drive. He is a prep shop and is stoked to take on this project. He is doing most of the work. From tubing adaptation, welding, tear down, fitment adjustment to final build.

Grant, Cant say enough about Grant. He is supplying as much as he can for us to do this ourselves. Always answers my questions and is still pointing me in directions to help.

Are there other options, yes. I am aware of most of them.  Trey comes from a great background of offroading and prepping. He's ambitious and driven and I like that. I want him to succeed with this for his business as much as I want it for me and this car.

Here's the car. Most of you will recognize it.

 

PXL_20210202_211845608 (002).jpg

PXL_20210202_211854140.MP (002).jpg

PXL_20210213_011925227.MP (002).jpg

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Heres the initial stages of cut and mock up. There will be a lot to trim, cut, fit and make work both structurally and aesthetically.

IMG_20210510_092925 (002).jpg

IMG_20210510_092927 (002).jpg

IMG_20210510_092929 (002).jpg

IMG_20210510_092931 (002).jpg

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  • Grease Monkey changed the title to The start of my Hustler clone conversion

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She's gonna be a beaut Clark!

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I expect the final version to be BLUE!!!  if not the frame....do something neutral soo when I buy it off you after your next upgrade Ill only have to repowder the pannels Candy Blue.....OR if you can live with the candy blue now till the next upgrade.....even better..... 😃

Going to be BEAUTIFUL!!!  Congrats GM!!!

 

:poule:

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Not a chance.

Every car I've had has been someone else's car. This is my chance to build it and make it truly mine or my way. Outside of having Grant build me a new one this is it.

I have a rendering of what I want and will share that down the road. It will be black frame with red accents in the panels.

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My favorite build so far. Cant wait to see this beast finish and ripping the dunes!!!

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So looking forward to this Grease👊🤙

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Eager to see this unravel...and become something great   :moof:

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This is awesome GM! I love the bronco too

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Got my first order in for stuff.

Going with a complete Aeromotive fuel system. One nice thing is having a fuel valve at the fuel tank or first filter. Aeromotive has a nice primary fuel valve/100mic fuel filter.

I went with the marine pump for more exposure durability/ fire prevention and its black.

Fuel pump wiring harness, secondary fuel filter, brackets, etc.

 

Also ordered my air lift kit to plum to the bags.

Aeromotive 11108 - Aeromotive A1000 Marine Fuel Pumps

Aeromotive 12331 - Aeromotive Shutoff Valve Fuel Filters

Aeromotive 13114 - Aeromotive HP Marine EFI Fuel Pressure Regulators

Aeromotive 16307 - Aeromotive Phantom Fuel Pump Wiring Kits

Aeromotive 12385 - Aeromotive Fuel Filters

27681_v1_20200101-770x433.jpg

Cant forget the new steering wheel.

Grant Products 8548 - Grant Racing Suede Wheels

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Jet trim is on it as well. Placed my order for new front seats. I really liked the Racer extra high containment extra wide for my fat ass. This is the design I choose and they will embroider the Funco logo instead of the Racer logo. 

 

44th.jpg

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Aeromotive offers stainless screen fuel filters made for alcohol/E85.

I'm using a 100 micron for the primary and a 10 micron for the secondary.

Now I want to find the PTFE hose in bulk. Pricey stuff if you want good hose with a fancy look.

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She's gonna be a beauty! I can't wait! :bdance:

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GM - Great Build  - nothing like doing one yourself -   So surprised you used a Marine fuel pump 😀

I get it on Buying PTFE in bulk  its as expensive as Lumber today....but not all the PTFE hose is created equal as you know same with fittings.  I have done so much of it now I am sold on the XRP Pro Hose - but it is not cheap.  I just threw away a roll of  -8 PTFE China stuff  from that popular AN fitting website ...that someone gave me - it way impossible to route and it kinks.

What Digital dash are you thinking of using?  Did you see that Holley Bought AEM .. it might mean tighter integration in the near future

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Looking forward to the build process. I always love to see people's transformations. 

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Going to be not only looking amazing but a rocket in the dunes!

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14 minutes ago, Fullthrottleguy said:

GM - Great Build  - nothing like doing one yourself -   So surprised you used a Marine fuel pump 😀

I get it on Buying PTFE in bulk  its as expensive as Lumber today....but not all the PTFE hose is created equal as you know same with fittings.  I have done so much of it now I am sold on the XRP Pro Hose - but it is not cheap.  I just threw away a roll of  -8 PTFE China stuff  from that popular AN fitting website ...that someone gave me - it way impossible to route and it kinks.

What Digital dash are you thinking of using?  Did you see that Holley Bought AEM .. it might mean tighter integration in the near future

I'm using the Motec 12 inch as my base line. It's what I like. Holley is next in line. 

My biggest hurdle is with keeping the 3.0 Subi and buying a new ECU.

The car has an old Link G2 ecu. I will need a new modern ecu  and need to find someone to program it. Along with that is the engine wire harness.  John is comfortable with the AEM computer. If the Holley dash will communicate with the AEM ecu then I may be good to go. 

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Looking good and looking forward to the final version. 

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Oh I can't wait too see this all done...WOW gonna be so SWEET

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11 hours ago, Grease Monkey said:

Aeromotive offers stainless screen fuel filters made for alcohol/E85.

I'm using a 100 micron for the primary and a 10 micron for the secondary.

Now I want to find the PTFE hose in bulk. Pricey stuff if you want good hose with a fancy look.

I assume this is the filter you are running for the 10. Should be replaced each season. Should be an awesome build.

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5 minutes ago, onanysunday said:

I assume this is the filter you are running for the 10. Should be replaced each season. Should be an awesome build.

That's the element I'm going with in both filter housing. Just 100/10 mic.

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13 minutes ago, Grease Monkey said:

That's the element I'm going with in both filter housing. Just 100/10 mic.

Oh I didn't know they made a glass 100. I run the stainless mesh for the 100. Washable

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:headbang:

Awesome!

:dbart:

 

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Glad to see some progress on this!  Can't wait to see more.

Maybe I'll start a thread with my ambitious rebuild.  

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Any Updates

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  • Grease Monkey changed the title to The GM52 Hustler clone conversion

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