Elbenzo // Bagged '92 190E Project

[Leeroc]

I think you're going to need ss5/6's.

A friend of mine has the OCD kit and ended up swapping over to ss6 bags because the UAS bags were too wide. Same situation for me but I have the gnar low kit.

[190Evan]

Looking at these two photos I'd say my rangers are about 16-17 inches, didn't realize the size difference wow

[190Evan]

Lemme know how those shocks end up working for you, may pick up a set and raise my car a little until I can get my alignment sorted. Also are you planning on welding on a sway bar mount to those custom FLCA's? might handle a little weird without it but I'm not sure. I used to have one of those caps but I may have thrown it away lmao wish I knew how much they are worth I'll take a look after school and see if I can find one for you. If I can find it she's yours if you pay shipping.

[JDMexican]

Got my Saab 900 KYB rear shocks today!
Elbenzo's KYB's by David Arellano, on Flickr

Elbenzo's KYB's by David Arellano, on Flickr

Elbenzo's KYB's by David Arellano, on Flickr

Elbenzo's KYB's by David Arellano, on Flickr

Elbenzo's KYB's by David Arellano, on Flickr

Also finally got around to unboxing the OCD (Only Charged Dubs) suspension kit today! The quality of these items are superb and I'm really glad that I went with their kit (even after the troubles with Bagriders). I'm really really bummed that I won't be able to make it to Wuste with the car but it'll all be okay once I get it all installed and take a step back to look at it.

PICTURE DUMP!
Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Only Charged Dubs 190E Kit by David Arellano, on Flickr

Also unboxed my Exo-mount setup! I'm probably going to mock up my tank setup to make me happy/sad until my damn wheels get done. Hopefully I get some updates on them soon. I've got 2k sitting out there with nothing to show for it yet.
Exo Mount by David Arellano, on Flickr

Exo Mount by David Arellano, on Flickr

Exo Mount by David Arellano, on Flickr

Exo Mount by David Arellano, on Flickr

Going to have to make an adapter plate or drill some hole so I can mount my Airlift manifold to this
Exo Mount by David Arellano, on Flickr

[JDMexican]

I HAVE UPDATES!

1. Sending back the Bilstein B8's and replacing them with KYB Gas-a-just rear struts from a Saab 900. Seems like it'll be the perfect middle ground between the B8's and the Ford Ranger front shocks. I'll still be able to hit the ground from what I've researched.
   
   
2. Bagriders still hasn't fully agreed to take back the bags that I received because "that's how they all are". This isn't a good answer, just because a company provided you with a product that doesn't look good, and you didn't question it or send them back doesn't mean that your customer doesn't reserve the right to returning the item and exchanging for something better. (Emails still being exchanged)
   
   
3. I got some rimzos until my ACTUAL rimzos are done-zo's! Found these on the local classified for $650 but talked him down to $450. Boy do I love coming across rare, quality stuff!

Here's the deets

From what I've researched they go by Centra/Ronal T31/R31's or ARC Alurad (what is stamped on the wheel). Long story short, there's like a billion size variants, and I seem to have picked one of the most rare variants in sizing. They measure in at a 16x8 +11 (which is rull good).

PICTURES!
Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

(nub)
Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr

Centra T31 // ARC Alurad by David Arellano, on Flickr


The good:

• They be rare
• They're a fantastic size
• They have all four center plates
• They don't have any bends

The bad:

• They've got some battle scars
• No lock and key was included
• The lock and key are stupid rare (been doing research all day) and stupid expensive (about as much as I paid for the wheels)
• The last last owner put silicon all around the plate to seal them on (scary, thank god they didn't fall off). (not really a big deal)
• One of the plates is missing the metal seating nub thing on the back (I should be able to have one machined)

I'm going to have to get creative with the lock and key setup. Here's what the lock looks like on the cap. The inner edge of the wheel has a seating groove where the nub seats and this lock rotates to secure the opposite side. Also, please note that there are two different styles of locks. The other style is your traditional bolt threading in to a tapped hole in the lug dish of the wheel. Mine will not work with that setup.

This one cap is listed at $350 with the single lock and no key.



This set of keys is for a Sierra RS Cosworth but they look to be exactly the same. Also listed at $350 and no guarantee that they would even work with my wheels.



Another set of Cosworth locks and keys but these come in at $750

[190Evan]

What would you recommend that offers amazing performance yet allows you to lay frame? I was told the toxic shocks from summit racing are the best?

Honestly there aren't many shocks that will give you performance while letting you lay frame on the w124 but I have heard the toxic shocks are good and honestly I'm SURE they are better than the ranger shocks because the ranger shocks kinda suck ass a lot.

[JDMexican]

Thank you! I hope to have some real progress soon instead of just this parts gathering. Once Bagriders confirms my return I'll be sending back the UAS bags and having them replaced with the SS5's (If they ever confirm my return).

In regards to shocks, Evan is using the Ford Ranger front shocks (in the rear), other's have used Saab shocks. But keep in mind that generally speaking Performance and laying frame don't typically go hand in hand.

[DropCulture]

Really excited for this project! I am doing something similar to my 124 wagon, but I went with the Gnarlow cup kit and ss5 bag. You are on the right path, looking forward to the finished product!

Also if you're trying to lay frame those bily rears will stop you before you hit the ground

What would you recommend that offers amazing performance yet allows you to lay frame? I was told the toxic shocks from summit racing are the best?

[Benwalsh91]

sucks about the bags not being to standard you expect.

in regards to the headlights, drop into my DMs if you want me to locate and send you some euro ones from over here in the UK

[190Evan]

Also if you're trying to lay frame those bily rears will stop you before you hit the ground

[190Evan]

Wouldn't worry about upgrading those camber arms they haven't really given anyone any problems and as for the BC racing upgrade talk if you go up in spring rates you might actually blow through your shock towers. The racelands are pretty comfy and will get you low enough, especially with bags. Those camber plates are what I used and can get some good adjustment but beware when you air out all of the weight on the car may bend them unless you lay frame. Sucks about the bag kit man try to tap those threads and make that shit work!

[JDMexican]

My OCD kit from Bagriders arrived today!... Sort of. Well part of it did at least. Both packages were not dropped off since one had to be signed for and unfortunately there wasn't anybody at home when they came by.

BUT, I did get the bags and some hardware! ...BUT, upon inspection of the bags I'm really not 100% happy with the products that I received. Got 4 UAS bags (as is standard with the OCD kit) but all of them looked used and/or mistreated in some way. Honestly they look like they were an open box item, which isn't what I paid for. Pics below

I know most of this stuff is just visual (except that I tried threading a bolt and one of the holes was particularly difficult to thread, then when I backed it out there was a ton of powdered residue) but nonetheless I want to ensure that I'm receiving what I paid for, or being refunded for the reduced quality of what I received. I have just now sent Bagriders a formal email addressing my concerns so I hope to have a reply by tomorrow morning with a response.

THERE ARE MORE PICTURES OF THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECTS BUT I DIDN'T FEEL THE NEED TO INCLUDE ALL IN MY THREAD

[evoDRichie]

love your photography skills!

[JDMexican]

^^ Haha thank you. Some consider me a professional photographer but I feel like I'm still an amateur. Really I just like taking pictures of stuff and (probably thankfully from you all) nearly every single thing I do will be photo-documented. If not by my DSLR than most certainly from my cracked-screen Iphone 5.
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I've got an update! (because I know you all love updates about me gathering parts and not actually doing anything on the car... right?)

Received my Coilovers - Camber Plates & Camber Arms on Friday! Only just now got to opening them up after a very busy weekend!

Please keep in mind that these aren't my first choice when it comes to getting a high quality product that I trust will last for Elbenzo, but given the circumstances and the cost, these were my best option by far. I'll most likely upgrade to some BC's in the future and perhaps some different rear camber arms (spherical)

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

Coils & Camber by David Arellano, on Flickr

[spaaals]

some real good photography going on here