CubbyChowder finally got a BMW 2002 - it's project time

[99sil-teg]

haha don't you wish it'd be that easy?

It is actually, I'll even come to you haha

Can't wait to see more, your build is one of a few that has made me decide that once I move on from e21's I'm getting a 2002

[CubbyChowder]

It is actually, I'll even come to you haha

Can't wait to see more, your build is one of a few that has made me decide that once I move on from e21's I'm getting a 2002

solid choice

[CubbyChowder]

Toffe Brown

Thanks for that! I was wondering what the color was actually called. As of right now, Toffee Brown is my top choice, the '02 will definitely be some sort of brown I decided.

[CubbyChowder]

Just a small update today, haven't had too much time to work on the car as I've been busy with work and life lately. I'm also waiting on some stuff to come in the mail before I can really proceed with reassembling the engine bay.

My dad painted the block, I think it looks so good!



Also received my new GoLiners headliner in the mail. I originally wanted a black headliner, but I saw this brand new white one for sale on BMW2002FAQ for a really good price ($95 shipped, as opposed $175 shipped), so I decided to buy it. I think white will look good too.



Plus I got a little "thank you gift" from the guy who sold me the headliner. He ended up accidentally sending me his NOS OEM headliner (which he paid $300 for) instead of the GoLiners one, so he emailed me immediately and told me what happened. I told him it was no problem and that I'd ship his OEM one back as soon as I got the other one, so he decided to add a little thank you gift in the package, which I thought was really cool. Brand new locking gas cap!

[Dwob]

bmw marakeesh braun

[CubbyChowder]

^^ I like that too, I might go for something just a tad lighter though

[NorCalFocus]

I haven't been on in w while so thats why I'm going back...the paint probably was self leveling and thats why it ran. When something is made to level and you put it on a vertical surface, gravity goes to work and....

I lighter tan/brown with a white interior would be so sexy.

[CubbyChowder]

I haven't been on in w while so thats why I'm going back...the paint probably was self leveling and thats why it ran. When something is made to level and you put it on a vertical surface, gravity goes to work and....

I lighter tan/brown with a white interior would be so sexy.

that makes sense, I've learned to live with it, this car will never be perfect. Plus, I keep sweating the small shit too much, so I'm trying to change that haha. Brown/white would be sexy, too bad I already have my interior figured out. Sometimes I wish I would've stuck with the tobacco brown interior but I'm too far in to go back. Anyways, moving on!

[CubbyChowder]

Finally got some more work done today! It's about time haha I got a new job and have been working a shit ton, but today I had the day off so I made the drive up and got to work.

So I'm focusing on engine bay reassembly, and I started off by putting the whole brake booster/cylinder assembly back on and then ran all the wiring back to it's original spots, etc. I replaced almost every spring/bushing in the pedal box, greased it all up and got it ready to re-install:



Installed. Bolted the clutch cylinder back to the clutch pedal and the brake rod to the brake pedal. I'm still waiting on two little plastic bushings before I can install the gas pedal:



Here is the front subframe ready to go back in. Has a new tie rod assembly installed as well:



While I was lifting the front subframe into place, I figured it'd be a good time to install the new steering coupler (I swapped the little horn spring thing over to the new one, don't worry):



Got the front subframe bolted up and the steering coupler preloaded and tightened:



Then I installed the new control arms but didn't tighten them down all the way yet, I have to wait until the car is back on the ground to do that:




When I bought the car, the previous owner told me the passenger's side ball joint had recently been replaced, and he had an extra one for the driver's side but never changed it. So I decided now would a good time to do it. Here is the pitman arm with old ball joint still installed:



Bottom of strut housing where the pitman arm bolts up to:



New ball joint ready to be installed:



The old ball joint came out fairly easy with an impact gun and hammer, so in went the new ball joint:



Then I bolted the pitman arms to the control arms and connected the tie rods (only one side is pictured, and yes I will pack the ball joint area with grease before I re-install the struts). I didn't connect the sway bar yet because the bushings are shot and I'm considering getting the 22mm sway bar from Ireland Engineering. That will come at a later time:



So the engine bay is basically ready for the engine/tranny now and the front suspension is almost completely reassembled. More updates soon!

[99sil-teg]

Nice progress! I was actually doing lower control arms and ball joints last night haha

[zxert]

Stoked on this! Keep it up man. I can't wait for videos of it running. Awesome car.

[CubbyChowder]

^^thanks guys!

Today's update might seem a bit redundant to some, but some will appreciate it

I got a bit antsy today, so I got this out:



And wanted to test these out (longer studs are in order):



Will it work? Kind of a moment of truth situation:



It'll work just fine pretty much exactly what I was hoping for. This is what an "aired out" stance would resemble:




And this is probably what my regular driving height will resemble:





I'm pumped on how it's turning out, I just need to get my ass in gear and finish this damn thing!

[SmoresTM]

Just looking at pictures. But seriously Chubby, you make me want to run outside and work on my '02 right now... Love this build.

[deutschman]

Seeing those wheels in is nice.

[NorCalFocus]

lol 595's that tread is so unique.

I think rolling the fenders now is a good idea. **** to see you get it all painted and then have an accident rolling them.