Hey legends — quick update & hoping for some advice
Just a little follow-up on the water pump situation — I grabbed the part, but ended up hitting pause on my own car for now. Been driving my late dad’s Hilux instead… and honestly, I’m really glad I made that call. There’s something grounding about being behind the wheel of his ute. Makes me feel a bit more capable — and yeah, a little emotional too. This little girl still wants a “you’ve got this, kiddo” moment now and then. (Those of you with daughters probably get it.)
I swapped in a new battery the other week — heavier than I expected, almost half my body weight — but I managed! Went with a heavy-duty deep cycle (maybe a bit overkill?), but it's been running like a dream, so I’ll take the win.
That said, I’ve been trudging through rain, cold, and driveway mud lately — not exactly glamourous — and I’d love to tackle a few small upgrades before the weather gets worse. Could really use some solid advice before I fall down another rabbit hole of confusing listings and cheap plastic:
→ Weatherstrip mouldings – Still running the originals from 2008. Cracking and peeling in spots, especially on Dad’s. Want to get ahead of any water or rust creeping in.
→ Weathershields – I like cracking the windows open a bit, even in the rain. No tint + no shields = freezing wind and fogged-up everything. Seen smoked OEM-style ones for ~$200, but also cheaper versions floating around — worth the extra $$?
→ Bonnet protector – Found one locally for $100. Does it actually help with stone chips and road gunk, or is it more for looks?
→ Rust treatment & underbody coating – Any good DIY products you’ve used to stop rust and protect under there? I want to keep Dad’s ute going strong.
→ Service stuff – What oils and filters do you all trust? I’m starting to do this on my own and want to get into good habits. If I’m going to be out bush more, I can’t afford to be a helpless city chick every time a light blinks.
→ Clear coat fixing? – The little plastic scoop thing on the bonnet has some nasty clear coat peel. I saw an ad for a spray-on “restorer” that claims to fix it, but it kinda smells like snake oil. Is that actually fixable without sanding everything back, or am I dreaming?
I’ve been doing my best to read up, but honestly? Online shopping is a minefield. I’m not chasing high-end mods or anything flashy — just reliable, good-quality parts that won’t fall apart in six months.
If you’ve got brand recs, Aussie sites you trust, or “wish I knew this earlier” advice, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance — still learning, still making mistakes, but every job I tick off makes me feel like I’m becoming the kind of capable woman Dad would’ve been proud of. (And yes, I am fishing for encouragement. It’s cold, I’m covered in mud, and a bit of praise might actually keep me going through winter.)
— Kimiko DIY Queen in Training™ (current status: slightly damp, very tired, proud anyway)Nearby car dealerships
