[MatosMiata]

Got the basic shape of the bracket components cut out today using the angle grinder (which totally sucked to do). I will finish the shape tomorrow using a bandsaw and benchtop grinder. Unfortunately, both of these tools currently still reside at my parents' house (I need to make room in my garage for the bandsaw and I need to buy my own benchtop grinder).
20210403_201305 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

Paid a visit to my parents today. While I was there, I took advantage and ground the brackets to final shape on their benchtop grinder.
20210407_153002 by Jose, on Flickr

Here is what the final assembly will look like in metal
20210407_155758 by Jose, on Flickr

Here are the parts progressing slowly (I would take breaks and switch which piece I was working on; they would get really hot and I forgot my gloves)
20210407_155812 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

Here are the final ground parts next to the templates
20210407_175331 by Jose, on Flickr

As you can see, they are pretty much spot on
20210407_184403 by Jose, on Flickr

I can't wait to get this all installed
20210407_184429 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

I guess I'm a proper surgeon with a grinder. Can't wait to get some CNC machines so I don't need to perform so many manual surgeries though lol!

 

[MatosMiata]

Just put in an order for all of the hardware I will need for my brake brackets and calipers. That, and some slightly thinner metal that I need in order to properly space the bracket. Once that comes in, I can weld the brackets together and install them on the axle.

 

[MatosMiata]

I got some slightly thinner metal sheet that I ordered for the brake brackets. Managed to make the final spacer pieces needed. Tomorrow, I plan to assemble the brackets tightly just using bolts and doing a test fit of the caliper. If I am happy with it, then I will weld the bracket together.
20210412_233319 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

I was finally able to test fit the calipers using the metal bracket. For whatever reason, despite all my other hardware arriving from McMaster, the 3/8-24 nuts I need to hold the brackets to the axle won't come until early May. Of course, Lowes and Home Depot don't carry the fine thread stuff so I was stuck for a bit. Luckily, my local Autozone had them. There was literally one pack left and it only had 4 of the 5 nuts it was supposed to bring. Clearly some dude couldn't be decent enough to fork over the $3 for the whole pack he needed and he just stole one smh. Oh well, I only needed three for my test fit and the missing one got me a 10% discount lol. I wish I had thought to forget what Ford used on their stock bracket and simply used the closest metric bolt to the hole size, an M10.

Anywho, it is nice to finally see the caliper mounted with the metal bracket
20210415_152819 by Jose, on Flickr

20210415_152821 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

It initially looked like the caliper wasn't properly centered above the rotor, but a quick adjustment got it set right. If anything, I can also add a thin washer between the caliper and mounting bracket to shim it out slightly. We will see where everything ends up once the bracket is welded together.
20210415_152833 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

Once the brackets are done, I can clean and paint everything, including the calipers.

 

[MatosMiata]

I've been making some progress with the brackets lately. Mostly just massaging them with a hammer so they sit straight. I've got the caliper centered almost perfectly over the rotor. Unfortunately, it is still at a weird angle. Looking at it from the front, the bracket tilts outward so I will need to fix that. I would love to just have one machined from a solid billet so it would automatically be true.
20210420_172159 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

I forgot to mention that I welded the brackets this past week. Unfortunately, I didn't get any post weld shots, I just went straight to the bench grinder and smoothed them out. Here's my weld setup though.

I clamped all the metal parts in the vise and then cut grooves where they meet by using an angle grinder
20210416_180314 by Jose, on Flickr

Did the same thing on the underside
20210416_180330 by Jose, on Flickr

Here's a top part after welding the underside. I pretty much took this one, post weld picture because I loved the blue and purple colors that came out.
20210416_181333 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

I got a hold of a spare MKIV Supra 3 spoke steering wheel, so I ordered a new leather wrap for it and did the install. The final product left a lot to be desired, particularly because the stitching was too close to the edges on some parts of the leather and I ended up with uneven stitching throughout. Overall, it does look good and I realize most people aren't as detail oriented as I am, so I'm sure most would like it. I also ordered an alcantara wrap for my other MKIV 3 spoke. We will see how that turns out.
20210422_105728 by Jose, on Flickr
20210422_170336 by Jose, on Flickr
20210423_182559 by Jose, on Flickr
20210425_202924 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

While I wait on my alcantara wrap for the other wheel, my truck does need to be driveable. For this reason, I went ahead and put the steering wheel in.

Here's the truck without a steering wheel
20210426_162025 by Jose, on Flickr

First order of business was to clean as the clockspring was filthy with dust
20210426_162236 by Jose, on Flickr

Here's the wheel installed
20210426_163119 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

I need to give my interior a deep cleaning in order for it to match the wheel. However, I love how it matches my interior. The stitching is pretty spot on to the grey of the interior and the black of the leather goes with everything else.
20210426_163156 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

Got a new helmet for autocross and track days

 

[MatosMiata]

Made a video covering the process of the Supra steering wheel wrap

 

[MatosMiata]

I ended up snagging a couple more steering wheels at a good price
20210505_164220 by Jose, on Flickr

This one is a MOMO off a Lancer Evo, I plan to leather wrap it and sell it to a friend
20210505_170701 by Jose, on Flickr

 

[MatosMiata]

However, the Lexus wheel is the one that really has me excited. It's the same steering wheel as the Supra one, save for the Lexus emblem and steering wheel buttons! I'm going to use these to control the volume and change tracks on my radio. As you can see, the center section is interchangeable.
20210505_170552 by Jose, on Flickr