Spoonman

I thought Fitter was in reference to a Fitter and Turner (which is a dieing trade in Aus, along with Boiler Maker), not a basic technician who takes something from a box and bolts it to a vehicle (which is basically what a mechanic is these days, plug in the computer and it tells you what is malfunctioning, then replace that part).

I design and build bespoke armouring solutions for discrete civilian vehicles. Iam not an engineer.

A good enough site for buying batteries in Thailand, or seems to me anyway.

http://mittapapbattery.com/

Are dry or wet batteries best for Thailand?

Dry cell for cars are not "dry", they have fluid.

Is a gel or paste considered to be a fluid ?

When it comes to automobiles there are, broadly speaking, 3 main categories

Fitter

Mechanic and

Engineer

Fitters call themselves mechanics and mechanics call themselves engineers and Engineers just look on and smile wryly.

The difference between a fitter or even a mechanic and an engineer is that an engineer can analyse a problem and design a solution.

This is done scientifically.

lesser mortals tend to work through "association" rather than diagnose through "causation"

the result is they love to talk about the wierd and wonderful, looking for exotic causes where there are none ("but there COULD be")

there are a lot of "fitters" on this post.

Now sit back and wait for the fools to declare they are engineers........largely because it says so on their overalls. (Engineers in overalls??)

What would you call me then ?

I am someone who can make/turn a replacement/custom part on a lathe, or mig stuff to create/fabricate custom brackets or exhaust systems. Can rebuild an engine. Fabricate custom N2O systems, rebuild a gearbox, and much more.

PS. Have also worked on motorcycles destroyed in the British Motor Cycle Museum, plus other vintage machines.

Doesn't sound like an engineer as you would be telling me your Charted society/professional body.

People who list "jobs" they can do are those who are taught by engineers. It's a term that many non-engineers aspire to, or erroneously start using as they get more and more self-important over the years.

Hope I haven't disappointed you.

Heres one for you wilco, take a look at this photo. I designed and machined myself this Poly-V pulley system (4 pulleys) out of T6 alloy to replace V belts to use a Jap alternator and reposition it, as well as the steering pump. Sooo, am I a fitter, mechanic or engineer...?

Picturexterry 050.jpg

I would say fitter/Mechanic.

Some of our viewers seem to be " living in Cuckoo Cuckoo land " ....

Just to remind you all that most of Thailand is a 3rd world country and naturally is very cheap to live! I do get out and about quite often on the super cool " rot fai " ( train ) and here are the general price of rents in some parts of Thailand.

Pattaya : 1 small room with bathroom / wifi / Sat tv / etc = 2000 baht a month rent

Pattaya : 1 Bedroom small condo with balcony/ wifi / Sat tv /etc = 4000 baht a month rent

Pattaya : 1 Bedroom large condo with balcony/ wifi / Sat tv /etc = 5000 baht a month rent ( some with pool )

Pattaya : 1 Bedroom large condo with balcony/ wifi / Sat tv /etc = 6000 baht a month rent ( with pool )

Chiang Mai ( Village ) 2 bedroom house with garden = 2000 baht a month rent ( unfurnished)

Chiang Mai (Village ) 1 small room with bathroom = 1000 baht a month rent (unfurnished )

Buriram / Udonthani 2 bedroom " new " houses with garden 5000 baht a month

The list goes on and on but these above prices are all accurate and i have seen all of the above properties recently! This is just a simple guide to show " our viewers " the correct rental prices on 1 years contract !! Farang Jaidee x alt=wub.png>

funny enough I have been quite intrigued by canarysun's statements and did a little research on line and will admit it would not be all inclusive, as most of the the cheaper accomdations would not be advertised in English or on line

but the cheapest I can find in the Jomitem/Pattaya area is THB 4500/m for a 26 M2 semi-furnished room, Water/electric on top of that, no TV no Wifi

so one would really question what exactly does one get for THB 2k/m in that locale ?

Hello!

Those prices are 100 % accurate! But if you are looking to rent something firstly don't look " online " they will be with agencies etc etc.You need to get out and about on foot and start chatting with Thais ( its best to only deal with Thais ) i was looking at a lovely condominium yesterday while out for a stroll in Naklua,nice rooms,gym and had a lovely pool but it was 6,000 baht a month.In my soi where i live rooms start from 2000 baht a month ( but you have to know people and be quick!) they have many now for 4,000 & 5,000 nice clean rooms with flat screen TV's and balconies and wifi. Most people living in Pattaya shouldn't need to pay more than 5,000 baht a month - The place is flooded with apartments and condos! But you " have to get out there and start talking "

I helped a Thai girl find a nice room ( very small ) but clean with wifi in Bangkok a few weeks ago for 3,500 baht a month!If you want cheap accommodation then head out into the country villages ( " Bicycle territory " viewers! ) I have found rooms from 1000 baht a month! you won't find them online! lol

When a lot of local Thais who earn a normal low wage of around 7,000 baht a month of course there are cheap rooms! and some are very nice! ( and so are the ladies who rent them...... )

Just because some of " our viewers " live in " high priced rents well that's up to them! But start getting into the real world.This is Thailand and is still as cheap as it has always been! It's booze,women,farang food,motorbikes,cars,that make peoples lives expensive! Use the trains or buy a bicycle or even " walk " everywhere like me viewers you never know you may even enjoy it!

God bless you all viewers! ( irish accent )

Farang Jaidee

Can you find me a ground floor unit over on the darkside for Bt.1000 per month. I dont care for wifi/AC/TV etc as I just want it to use as a storage room.

Thais can live a reasonable life on 7,000 baht a month! Where I live that seems to be about normal. " fabulous " x

The minimum at my work is about Bt.12,000.... they struggle on this and all on that number are running food/coffee shops/are motosai riders on the side to make ends meet.

I should invite you into work to educate them on how to live frugally.

It`s not just crazy speeders that is a dangerous problem in Thailand, but slow driving vehicles as well.

If everyone could just drive at the same speeds, then death tolls would at leased be cut in half, minimum.

Cut in half, minimum Wow. You have proof of this ?

Here in the US the basic wage is equivalent to 42,000 baht a month. So it has got to be much lower in Thailand. My wife tells me 7,000 baht is the normal basic wage. 20,000 is a very good wage, equivalent to $22 an hour in the US. I get paid $10 an hour here. $22 an hour is a very high wage in the US.

Bt.20,000 per month x 12months = Bt.240,000 per year / by 52 weeks = Bt.4615.38 per week / by 48hrs per week = Bt.96.15 per hour.

Bt.96.15 = $3.01 USD per hour.

How is Bt.20,000 per month equivalent to $22 an hour in the USA ?

I don't know about the engine accessories as the vehicle is very much still in the build.

Iam sure it will have all the mod cons functioning though (power steer/Air-conditioning etc etc), it will have a GTX4508R turbo hanging off it when finished.

I'll ask for some pics.

I also know of a 1GZ into the 300zx currently in the build.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GZ_engine

Holy Sh1t! Those 300zx engine bays are squeezy with the V6 in em. You would have to stretch the chassis to get a 1GZ in!

VG30DETT dimensions;

Width - 775mm

Height - 695mm

Length - 710mm

1GZFE Dimensions;

Width - 600mm

Height - 700mm

Length - 750mm

The 1GZ has never really been a popular engine for conversions due to the conrods being like tooth picks, now that Pauter is making decent H-Beam forged rods for them they are becoming popular, reasonably compact but likes some boost... nice easy lazy horsepower.

Ever heard of Mercedes AMG, they for one wont stand you changing, unless you buy upgrades from them.Many are out of warranty by the time they change

Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep that in mind when I purchase one.

Excuse me for mentioning it but 2JZ is a straight 6 and your 300ZX is designed for a V6. Do you know something I and 300 million car enthusiasts don't know?

CropperCapture35.jpgCropperCapture36.jpg

Maybe he does know something that you don't know, the other 299,999,999 may know it also. What does the configuration of the engine matter? JZs can replace many original engines, V6s, i4s, rotarys, V8s, diesels.

The height of the bonnet.

VG30DETT Height = 695mm

2JZ Height = 685mm

There is no issue with bonnet clearance.

The 2JZ is 70mm longer though, this may cause fan to radiator issues.

I also know of a 1GZ into the 300zx currently in the build.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GZ_engine

And, I have not had an answer as to why hot hatch racers have to have a roll cage IF they are all perfect drivers, even 12 second drag street cars must have a roll cage................

Is the 12 second rule a UK Thing ?

I ask because both NHRA (USA) and ANDRA (Aus) the rule is 10.99.

This is for vehicles built before 2008, for vehicle built after 2008 the cut is 10.00 but they must retain all OEM safety devices.

Yep, UK fun stuff at our best strip.

Yeah 11.99 is the cut from what I have just read. thats pretty craptacular considering you can buy cars from the showroom floor that will run faster than 11.99.

It is a conversion that has been done by a few, the preferred and easier solution is the RB30.

And, I have not had an answer as to why hot hatch racers have to have a roll cage IF they are all perfect drivers, even 12 second drag street cars must have a roll cage................

Is the 12 second rule a UK Thing ?

I ask because both NHRA (USA) and ANDRA (Aus) the rule is 10.99.

This is for vehicles built before 2008, for vehicle built after 2008 the cut is 10.00 but they must retain all OEM safety devices.

mine is not nearly as concealed as the one pictured in the OP and not a ride (Pattaya and surroundings) went by without attention from the police.

A westerner fighting with two Thai Policeman in the Nana Police traffic office, close to the Nana Hotel.

He lost!

How is that being stingy, should he have taken on 10 or more instead ?

What are the Wheels in My Avater.?

Ugly.

But I guess that is subjective to ones personal taste.

I AM A RETIRED AMERICAN, 80, LIVED HERE 10 YEARS, HAD 77 CARS PREVIOUSLY - FROM $ 8,000 - $50,000. BEST 2 OF ALL WERE THE 8M MDELS -- KIA AND HYUNDAI BECAUSE ;

UNLIKE MY GERMAN 40-50 GRAND AUTOS, I NEVER HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR ANYTHING

THEY GOT ME FROM POINT A TO POINT B, SOMETIMES CROSS COUNTRY SLOWLY BUT TROUBLE FREE, & EFFORTLESSLY

BOTH HAVE BETTER MOTOR TRAIN WARRANTEES THAN EVEN ROLLS ROYCE

I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAMPER EITHER, SEEK PROTECTED PARKING, DRINK GERMAN WINE,( KA KA ), OR GET A TALL TELMUDIC BLONDE TO BEAT ME NIGHTLY

I BECAME FREE OF STATUS SEEKING AND NO LONGER GAVE A FLYING INTERCOURSE, ( EXPLETIVE DELETED ), WHAT MY NEIGHBORS THOUGHT.

NEVER HAD ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT AND INSURANCE WAS DIRT CHEAP..

KIA NEEDED NEW BRAKE LININGS AT 80,000 MILES SO I GAVE IT TO MY HATED, FAST DRIVING STEP DAUGHTER.

Yes ok, but why do you need to shout at us?

Give him a break mate, he is just posting the same as he talks in real life..... loudly, like all of our American cousins do.

Good for you buddy. Go run along and purchase one.

That’s slightly different post to your original ! What you actually said was;

“Good for you buddy.

The topic is about Thailand and I guarantee you nobody here except the military will be allowed to have one in which you replied some pommy guy on TV said anybody could have because they have a civilian model..

Well guess what, not any pleb off the street can have one either.”

Perhaps you haven’t understood my most recent post before this, or maybe any of them, so see really no point in trying to reiterate any of them.

Having said that you have now gone from

“nobody can buy one (except the Military)” because “I build armoured vehicles for a living. I know who can and who cannot buy one”

to “Civilian does not mean the average joe off the street can buy one unless they can satisfy the licensing and permit requirements of their respective countries.”

And now all the way back to;

“I guarantee you nobody here except the military will be allowed to have one ”

Guarantee is a pretty strong word, are you also something to do with the Thai authority that decides what vehicles can be sold in Thailand? They don’t seem to have a problem with allowing Hummers (Humvee), but that’s another story and one I'm not going to get drawn into.

It amusing to note your amended post does away with terms like “ Guarantee” and you now finish with “Good for you buddy. Go run along and purchase one.”

Did you actually read what I wrote, at any stage did I suggest that anyone would actually want to buy one ? The complete opposite in fact !

SDM

You can run your mouth and keep twisting/dissecting what I said all you like the simple fact remains not anybody can buy one PERIOD.

The TV show guy is that was driving it is categorically wrong with his claim you can buy one by passing a background check.

Spoonman,are you saying that a normal person cannot buy a Marauder and the clip is wrong? I don't see what your occupation has to do with who can buy this vehicle, unless you work for the Marauders manufacturer. Wikipedia says " In June 2011, the civilian version of the Marauder was featured in British motoring program Top Gear,[9] with Richard Hammond." Now unless I have forgotten it's meaning I'm pretty sure civilian means non-military. SDM

Civilian does not mean the average joe off the street can buy one unless they can satisfy the licensing and permit requirements of their respective countries, upon which time they will be issued with an end user certificate which will allow the purchase.

Good luck getting the license and permits.

It seems that you have gone from

nobody can buy one (except the Military)

because

I build armoured vehicles for a living. I know who can and who cannot buy one

to

Civilian does not mean the average joe off the street can buy one unless they can satisfy the licensing and permit requirements of their respective countries.

(I put the underline in)

So, if I understand your posts correctly, although you started of by saying that only military could buy this vehicle, you seem to go on to change your mind in that you then intimate that a civilian could buy this vehicle if they satisfy the regulations of where they live.

My original post was a bit of fun, humour, a laugh and not even sarcastic. Although the Paramount Group have made a civilian version of this vehicle available to the public on an order only basis, they have made less than 80 since 2007 and most if not all were for military use. It is unlikely in the extreme that anyone would spend 300, 000 GBP on such a monster, even if they would like to crush a few Tuk Tuks or Commuter Vans.

Actually your put-downs are typical of many of the threads I see on TV. I think its fair to say that the clip I posted was really quite funny but your curt retort pretty much took all the fun out of it and turned it into a debate on can you or cant you buy one. Its completely irrelevant since no one in their right mind would buy one, unless they are someone with far more money than sense. Perhaps I am the only one that had a good laugh at Richard Hammond showing us what it could do, perhaps its my odd British sense of humour, perhaps its not funny at all.

But I challenge anyone to find a stronger vehicle thats not a tank (ex-military tanks are also available by the way to be purchased by a civilian, depending on manufacture date, model and country of residence)

Have a nice day.

SDM

Good for you buddy. Go run along and purchase one.

Change the wheels you could lose your warranty. Folk here have had probs with this ride....Up to you.......

Who here on TVF has had warranty issues because they changed the wheels ?

Spoonman,are you saying that a normal person cannot buy a Marauder and the clip is wrong? I don't see what your occupation has to do with who can buy this vehicle, unless you work for the Marauders manufacturer. Wikipedia says " In June 2011, the civilian version of the Marauder was featured in British motoring program Top Gear,[9] with Richard Hammond." Now unless I have forgotten it's meaning I'm pretty sure civilian means non-military. SDM

Civilian does not mean the average joe off the street can buy one unless they can satisfy the licensing and permit requirements of their respective countries, upon which time they will be issued with an end user certificate which will allow the purchase.

Good luck getting the license and permits.

The best and safest car in Thailand, this would be my choice and I hope this link works

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDoRmT0iRic&sns=em

I would just love one of these in Phuket,mor anywhere in Thailand for that matter. And it's bullet proof !

SDM

How is that the safest car in Thailand when nobody can buy one (except the Military) even if they were for sale here.

I think it's probably the safest car on the planet (Earth), and why can't anyone buy one ? Richard was quite clear when he said that as long as the buyer passes a background check, anyone can buy one if they have the 300 large. I'm pretty sure they are only for sale in SA so anyone would have to import one, unless they live in SA that is. The real question is could it possibly be classed as a luxury good and attract that tax here ? Don't see much luxury.

My post was what we English call " tongue in cheek", in another words a joke. But to answer such a serious retort that seems unaware of that, the fact remains that, anyone can in theory buy one and without doubt there is no safer car anywhere. Personally I prefer my old motor, a Cayenne Turbo, a 3 ton SUV that thinks it's really a racing car.

SDM

I build armoured vehicles for a living. I know who can and who cannot buy one.