hj308's HZ Sandman Build

[HK1837]

BODY and VIN tags need to show it is a HOLDEN not Kingswood so an M not an N. There are other bitrs to look at too to make sure it is a Sandman for certain, and then to make sure it isn't rebodied. Rebodied is OK, however if it is identifiable you don't want to be paying the earth for it.

[RodneyHZ253]

can you identifie sill and door black outs
is the spare tyre bell shape wheel retainer the round one for sports rims or the standard one .see thread on this site http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/s...re+wheel+winch
this van is sounds very similiar to our yellow van and scratching of lattest paint job to revail original black out just helped me be confident that it is a sandman

[Kiwivan]

I have read this thread with great interest,But are still confussd with the XU4 and even the BO6 pack.Were there other packs??The springs and the case of the non GTS bits.
Is there a basic break down of what should be what.I get if it is WN it is a kingswood(then it cannot be a Sandman Or could it?)Could you get a Kingswood van/ute from factory with Sandman bits,Ie dash,rims steering wheel.
I am gathering that there were no Kingswood Sandmans.Was the Kingswood van the Sandmans poor brother?(lesser van or ute)The springs is another thing,Were there 6 or 4?Also the door switchs are they just a Kingswood/Sandman thing?Is see vans with Blackouts, And say say they have to have vents behind the doors is this all true.Apart from the engine and gearbox as well as the decals what could the Sandman be opitioned with?

Cheers Kiwivan

[HK1837]

It all depends upon the series. In general a Kingswood is a step up in luxury level from a HOLDEN (Belmont only in HQ commercials). GMH used option codes for special vehicle packages, the most famous probably being XU1 and A9X. XX7 is one of those, and in HQ and HJ it could be optioned on Belmont/HOLDEN van and utility and on Kingswood utility (there was no HQ or HJ Kingswood van). The XX7 package was just a list of "sporty" type items added like wheels, dash, buckets, stripes. Whatever other features were standard on the base vehicle the XX7 got. So in Kingswood it got Kingswood trim, stainless moulds around the doors etc. Only bits in the way of Sandman stuff were removed eg Kingswood side strips.
When HX rocked around, a Kingswood panel van was added to the range but the Kingswood Sandman was dropped. So the level of appointments on the XX7 package was raised to include many Kingswood features as standard: trim, door switches, grille, full headlining (on van) etc are just a few plus some GTS features like grille painted black, black headlight surrounds etc. In reality if it hadn't been for the Kingswood side strips being in the road of the stripes I reckon all HX and HX Sandmans would have been Kingswoods.
Back to option packages, BO6 is the Ambulance pack available on HJ-HZ 1-tonners and vans. Basically it was a Premier package - the factory 1-tonners you see with Premier fronts, doortrims, bucket seats and GTS dashes are normally BO6. XU4 is just a code for a commercial vehicle with passenger tyres, nothing else. meaning XU4 is nothing special. You could order N66 (rally rims) on any HQ-HZ as well (except 1-tonner) either by themselves or with XU4 on utes and vans. Almost all optional components had a code, some were nothing items like B30 for carpet or M40 for trimatic auto. Others are a whole vehicle package like XW8 (HQ GTS350 sedan) or A9X.

[Kiwivan]

That helps heaps!
You have placed the lot in one post and it clears it up for me.

Cheers Kiwivan

ps were there any GTS items ever included with the Kingswood van,Dash etc?

[hj308]

Was wondering if anybody lived near Brunswick Vic that could possibily help me out by going to look at this van tomorrow arvo or sat, looks like I am going to give this guy a deposit as he has other guys putting the pressure on to look at it and he isnt the most helpful guy when it comes to supply photos etc but the price is reasonable and no doubt will be snapped up if I hesitate, better to chance losing a couple of hundred on a deposit :Chin:

[HK1837]

That helps heaps!
You have placed the lot in one post and it clears it up for me.

Cheers Kiwivan

ps were there any GTS items ever included with the Kingswood van,Dash etc?

If the boxes were ticked on the order form either of the following could be had on Belmont/HOLDEN or Kingswood:

N66 rally rims (replaced by N67 late in HZ) - came with appropriate winch end;
U21 instruments (U17 HJ-HZ).

Sports steering wheel could be ordered for dealer fitment.

All 3 x were standard with XX7 and the later XU3.

It is in fact the reverse that you find especially in HX and HZ ie Sandman got Kingswood stuff combined with bits and treatment otherwise specific to GTS.

[HZSandman]

PM sent to HJ308

[hj308]

Finally got some pics on here (thanks again Blocker) 77 HZ from Brunswick Vic, Big thanks to Ian@HZSandman for taking the time and effort to go off and take heaps of pictures and call me whilst there to anwere any queries I had, will be calling you again Ian to pick your brain to try and end up with a van as schmick as your Valencia HZ. This is currently running blue 308 on gas. Has minimal rust with new passenger sill and drivers floor pan in 2008. Interior has either been painted black or replaced black and probably explains the missing tyre placard. Cowlings, gutters are good few spots in doors and drivers sill has a little rust. Glove box had a few goodies like original rego papers, log book and Holden colour chart. All in all pretty happy with what turned up on the truck just have to get rid of the side windows and the HJ sitting in the backyard. Oh and if anyone is looking for a blue 308 with gas will have one for sale next year.

[jennie285]

It looks in similar condition to our yellow van which we purchased earlier this year, only you at least still have the full length hoodling intact, and a 4spd manual....we too thought minimal rust until we soda blasted, but you will probably be lucky...nice van and nice colour, and original paint with blackouts...funny how they liked to paint everything black, black must have been the in thing of the time, we are changing all back to tan, and have bought most of it ready for when ours comes back from the paintshop.....we also changed the motor back from a gas/petrol run 308 to an unleaded 253, all fun and games for you now.....good luck with the resto...a lot of work but rewarding as each step is taken lucky you have the manuals, we don't for the yellow van so she is a mystery, but we do for the Red van of ours. Cheers Jennie and Rodney