TRAKA ( TONKA2 )

 

 

AS THE TRAKA IS PROGRESSING IT'S ABOUT TIME I STARTED TO PUT UP SOME PICTURES OF THE BUILD. THE DONOR VEHICLE WAS AN 86 VOGUE THAT WAS RUNNING A 2.5 DIESEL THAT HAD SUCKED WATER AND BLOWN THE ENGINE. WE HAD A 3.5 V8 DROPPED IN AND MATED TO THE LT77 5 SPEED BOX. WE HAD A PHONE CALL FROM DAVE STURMEY ( BLITZ MIDLANDS ) TO SAY WE COULD HAVE THE BODY KIT A FEW MONTHS EARLY SO IT WAS AGREED TO PICK THE DONOR UP AND THE BODY KIT ON THE SAME DAY.
AFTER RUSHING AROUND AND FINDING A TRAILER BIG ENOUGH AND GETTING JOHN SACKLEY TO COME WITH US ( BRINGING HIS DIESEL DISCOVERY AS A TOW CAR ) WE SET OFF AND COLLECTED THE BITS. WE HAVE ERECTED A CAR PORT IN THE GARDEN AND WORK IS COMMENCING UNDER THIS CANOPY.

 

THIS IS THE BEAST WE ARE MAKING. WE HAVE ALREADY MODDED THE SUSPENSION AND ALSO DOING A FULL POLYBUSH OVERHAUL ON THE CAR ....

 

THIS IS THE CAR PORT THAT WE ARE DOING THE BUILD IN.
THE MEASUREMENTS ARE ROUGHLY 20 FOOT X 10 FOOT. THIS LEAVES US ROOM AT THE ND FOR A WORK BENCH AND JUST ENOUGH ROOM ROUND THE SIDES TO WORK EASILY. WITHOUT THIS THE BUILD WOULD OF BEEN IMPOSSIBLE.

 

WHEN WE GOT THE V8 IT WAS STRAPPED TO A PALLET AND STARTED. YOU CAN SEE THE FLAMES SPITTING FROM THE PORTS ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE.

 

THE DONOR VEHICLE. SAD AND DEJECTED WITH A KNACKERED MOTOR. THE BODY SHELL WAS SOLD TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER SHELL WE WERE GOING TO HAVE.

 

AND THIS IS IT

 

THIS IS THE CHASSIS AS IT WAITS FOR THE V8 TO BE TRANSPLANTED.

 

THE CHASSIS ISN'T TOO BAD. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SMALL HOLES WE ARE GETTING WELDED UP AND THE REST OF THE ROT WAS IN THE REAR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE RAIL WHICH WAS CUT OUT WHEN THE CHASSIS WAS CUT DOWN TO LENGTH.

 

ON THE TRAILER WAITING TO GO HOME.

WE HAVE NEW PANELS TO BE PUT IN ON THE SIDE SO ALL THE ROT YOU CAN SEE ON THIS AND THE PHOTO ABOVE IS GETTING CUT OUT AND REPLACED. THERE IS NO POINT CHASING ROT A YEAR OR SO DOWN THE LINE. WHILE THE CHASSIS AND FLOOR ARE THIS OPEN AND CLEAR ITS WELL WORTH DOING IT NOW.

 

AT HOME IN THE GARDEN.
WE TIED THE ROLL CAGE TO THE TOP AND THE PANELS WENT INSIDE. THE CHASSIS AND FLOOR STAYED IN THE GARDEN FOR A FEW DAYS WHILE WE GOT A COAT OF PAINT ON THE CAGE TO STOP IT RUSTING.

 

INSIDE OF THE WORKSHOP. THIS IS WHERE ALL THE WORK ON THE TRAKA IS TAKING PLACE.

 

SCORPION DISCLOCATING CONES AND PROCOMP +2" REAR SPRINGS

 

PROCOMP 35% UPRATED FRONT SPRINGS +2" COMBINED WITH PROCOMP ES9000 +2" SHOCKS. THE FRONT CHROME SWIVELS AND BEARINGS ON BOTH HUBS WERE ALSO DESTROYED SO THEY HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. ONE SHOT GREASE ADDED TO THE HUBS.

 

CLEANED AND PAINTED REAR AXLE AND NEW BRAKE LINES WITH NEW FLEXIBLE HOSE

 

NEW SCORPION -2" FRONT TURRETS. DISLOCATION CONES HAVE ALSO BEEN ADDED TO THE FRONT

 

FRESHLY REPAINTED V8

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE SCORPION FRONT TURRETS

 

EVERY INCH OF THE CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR HAS BEEN STRIPPED BACK TO GOOD METAL AND PAINTED

 

WHAT A VIEW

 

ANOTHER TOY WE JUST GOT ... A 3 TONNE JACK AND AXLE STANDS ... GOOD KIT AND WELL WORTH THE MONEY

 

ALL THE BRAKE PIPES AND UNIONS ARE GETTING REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINE.
WE HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS ALONG THE WAY WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING WE TOUCH BEING RUSTED SOLID AND HAVING TO BE GROUND OFF.

THE LATEST IN THE LINE WAS ONE OF THE STUDS IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS , WE HAD REMOVED TWO OF THEM AS THE THREADS WERE SHOT SO THE LAST ONE HAD TO SNAP IN THE MANIFOLD. I TRIED HEAT AND OIL AND IN THE END DRILLED THE CENTRE OUT AND TRIED AN EASY OUT TOOL.
THIS ALSO SNAPPED IN THE MANIFOLD AND HAD TO BE DRIFTED OUT.
WE DRILLED IT AS CLOSE TO THE EDGES IN THE END AND THEN USED AN 8MM TAP TO CLEAN THE THREADS OUT AGAIN.

ALSO EVERYTIME WE COME ACROSS A GASKET IT GETS REPLACED. AT THE MOMENT AFTER LOOKING AT THE BRAKE CALIPERS, WE NEED TO HAVE ONE OF THE FRONT ONES AND ONE OF THE REARS OVERHAULED.... NEXT TO DO IS FIT THE NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND THE SINGLE BOX SYSTEM.
IN A FEW DAYS THE FLOOR IS GOING AWAY TO HAVE ALL NEW PANELS FITTED TO REMOVE THE ROT. WHEN IT COMES BACK WE WILL REFIT IT, PAINT IT AND THEN FIT THE CAGE BACK ON .... PROGRESS INDEED.

 

THE FLOOR IS BACK .....

 

ALL THE FLOOR BOLTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ALSO THE MOUNTING POINTS CLEANED UP

 

THERE IS NO ROT IN THERE NOW. SHOULD BE GOOD FOR A FEW YEARS TO COME.
WE CLEANED AND UNDERSEALED THE BASE OF THE FLOOR THEN REFITTED IT TO THE CHASSIS.

WE HAVE ORDERED NEW FIXING BOLTS TO FASTEN THE FLOOR BACK TO THE CHASSIS. WHEN THE FLOOR WAS REMOVED ORIGINALLY IT WAS FOUND THAT THEY HAD SEIZED AND WOULD NOT UNDO.

 

MUCH BETTER

 

SHE IS GONNA BE AWESOME ON THE ROAD, WHAT A PRESENCE ...

WELL I GOT THE ROLL CAGE ON YESTERDAY. NOW SHE IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A TRUCK AGAIN. I HAD TO GRIND THE REAR CHASSIS RAIL A TOUCH IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A PERFECT FIT BETWEEN THE OUTRIGGERS AND THE CAGE MOUNTING HOLES. IT TOOK 3 OF US TO LIFT THE CAGE INTO PLACE, VERY HEAVY.
WE COULD SEE THE SUSPENSION SETTLE ABOUT AN INCH AS IT TOOK UP THE WEIGHT.
SORRY THE PICTURES ARE A LITTLE DARK, I WILL TAKE A FEW MORE AND POST HERE FOR ALL TO SEE. ONE POINT TO MENTION IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO ONE OF THESE IS TO ENSURE THE REAR CHASSIS IS CUT EXACTLY TO SIZE. IF IT IS SLIGHTLY TO LONG YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE CAGE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE OUTRIGGER BOLT HOLES.
WE HAVE NOW FITTED THE REAR FLOOR PANEL BACK INTO PLACE. A POINT WORTH MENTIONING HERE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE FLOOR IS CUT TO THE RIGHT SIZE.WHEN WE CUT THE FLOOR WE MEASURED THE FLOOR AND DIDN'T ALLOW FOR THE FALL OF THE BACK PANEL WHEN THE BACK FLOOR WAS REMOVED. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO OVERCOME THIS BY USING A BUTT JOINT WITH THE PIECE THAT WE CUT OFF. WE HAVE ALSO FITTED THE INNER WHEEL ARCH PANELS(BEDDED IN ON A LAYER OF MASTIC) AND RIVETTED TO THE OUTER EDGE OF THE REAR FLOOR PAN. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL ARCH IS ALSO RIVETTED INTO PLACE AND ALSO THE FLOOR REPAIR PANELS ON BOTH SIDES. THE ACTUAL PICTURES IN THE MANUAL FOR THE CUTTING AWAY OF THE REAR FLOOR PAN ARE VERY VAGUE AND ITS BEST TO CUT AS LITTLE AS YOU THINK AND GO BACK TO TRIM LATER SO THE REAR REPAIR PANELS FIT PROPERLY.

 

SHE LOOKS A LITTLE BIT UNTIDY IN THIS SHOT BUT YOU CAN SEE THE WHEELARCHES ON BOTH SIDES ARE NOW IN PLACE

LIGHTS HAVE NOW BEEN FITTED INTO THE REAR WHEELARCH ... BETTER PICTURES IN A MOMENT .....
THE LIGHT UNITS ARE FROM A DEFENDER (THESE WERE NEW FROM THE LIVERPOOL LANDROVER SUPERMARKET). WE USED THE PROTECTIVE STEEL CAGES THAT FIT OVER THESE UNITS AS WELL. A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A ONE OFF MULTI UNIT, BUT LOOKS LOADS BETTER AND THE LENS COVERS ARE VERY CHEAP TO REPLACE.

 

GOOD JOB WE ARE GONNA FIT 35" SIMEX EXTREMES TO THE TRAKA, THE STANDARD TYRES LOOK LOST IN ALL THAT CLEARANCE.
NICE THE WAY YOU CAN SEE ALL THE LOVELY SUSPENSION KIT WE FITTED. DISLOCATING CONES ARE NEEDED AS THE DROOP IS AWESOME. SPEAK TO SAM AT SCORPION FOR ALL YOUR SUSPENSION NEEDS. TOP BLOKE!!!!!

 

WELL THESE WERE THE PICTURES I TOOK LAST WEEKEND. WORK HAS MOVED ON QUITE A BIT SINCE THEN, DUE TO THE FACT THE WIRING LOOM WAS CUT OUT BY THE GUY WHO CHOPPED THE ROOF AND FITTED THE V8 WE WERE GOING TO BE SLOWER AT THIS STAGE AS WIRING IS ALL NEW TO ME.
WELL
ALL THE LIGHTS TO THE REAR OF THE TRAKA HAVE A LOOM AND ALL WORK, NEW FUSE BOX HAS BEEN MOUNTED IN THE NEW DASHBOARD AND I WIRED THE ENGINE UP AND SHE TURNED OVER. I ADDED A BIT OF CHOKE AND SHE BURST INTO LIFE ...... SOON AS I REMOVED THE FEED TO THE STARTER SHE STOPPED AGAIN ... DAMN WHERE DID I GO WRONG. I SAT AND THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT THEN ADDED ANOTHER LIVE TO THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE COIL AND USED THE FEED FROM THE STARTER AS A TOUCH THEN RELEASE SWITCH TO THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE COIL ... AGAIN SHE BURST INTO LIFE AND SAT TICKING OVER ........... SUPERB
I HAVE RUN THE WIRES IN FOR THE FRONT LIGHTS/INDICATORS ETC SO WE ARE MOVING QUICKLY NOW.

 

FIRST DECENT SHOT THAT SHOWS BOTH REAR WHEEL ARCHES IN PLACE. JUST BEHIND YOU CAN SEE THE FUEL TANK.

THE NEW LOOM IS COMING ALONG WELL. WIRES EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

WE HAVE FITTED A BATTERY CUTOUT TO THE CAR AND ALSO DONE AWAY WITH THE IGNITION KEY. LIFT THE FLAP ON THE FAR LEFT AND LIFT THE SWITCH UNDERNEATH THEN THUMB THE BUTTON NEXT TO IT AND THE ENGINE SPRINGS INTO LIFE. THE OTHER THREE SWITCHES ARE SIDE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS AND REAR FOG LIGHT.

 

YOU CAN SEE THE NEW LOOM COMING INTO THE ENGINE BAY JUST BELOW THE NEW MAXXIMA 900 GEL BATTERY.

NEW LOOM ON THE RIGHT AND ALSO THE NEW GOODRIDGE BRAIDED HOSES ON THE LEFT. THERE IS VERY LITTLE LEFT TO DO ON THE BRAKES TIL THEY ARE FINISHED, WE HAVE REMOUNTED THE REDUCER VALVE AND JUST NEED TO TURN THE 3 REMAINING PIPES INTO IT.
AS FAR AS THE BASIC LOOM GOES WE NEED TO FINISH THE HEADLIGHTS AND WIRE IN THE NEW DASH BINNACLE. THE LAST ONE WE HAD WAS A LOT MORE COMPLEX THAN THE STANDARD CLASSIC ONE WE SETTLED ON. WE HAVE TAPPED THROUGH THE FEED CABLES AND WE NOW KNOW WHAT THEY ALL DO. ALL OF THE REAR LIGHTS AND FUEL PUMP ARE FITTED INTO THE LOOM AND ITS ONLY THE FUEL TANK SENDER THAT WE NEED TO FIT BEFORE WE CAN CLOSE THE BACK OF THE LOOM AND WRAP IT PROPERLY.
WINDSCREEN WIPERS WERE A NIGHTMARE...... WE ENDED UP WITH TWO SPEEDS AND THE POWER FOR THE JET WASHER OFF THE STEM. REAR FOG LIGHT IS DONE AS IS THE REVERSE LIGHT NOW FITTED TO THE GEARBOX SWITCH. STILL NEED TO SORT OUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS BUT THEY CAN WAIT ... THEN ITS THE DASHBOARD CLOCKS AND WE CAN REFIT THE DASHBOARD PROPERLY ... JOB DONE ...
WE NEED TO LOCATE THE MOUNTINGS TO GO ON THE ENGINE FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MOUNT A FEW OTHER BITS AND THE ENGINE WILL BE READY. THEN WE FIT THE BONNET....
THERE ARE MANY DISCUSSIONS GOING ON ABOUT TYRES BUT I THINK WE HAVE SETTLED ON SIMEX EXTREMES IN THE 35" FLAVOUR ...
MORE SOON

 

WE ORDERED THE WHEELS AND TYRES, THE TYRES ARRIVED FIRST THING NEXT MORNING FROM "DEVON 4X4". THEY ARE 10.50 X 16 X 35 SIMEX EXTREMES, SUPERB TYRES. THE RIMS WE ORDERED FROM "SCORPION RACING". THESE ARE MACH 5'S WITH A 4.5 INCH OFFSET TO ALLOW FULL LOCK ON THE TRAKA.
WE ALSO WERE HAVING A FEW PROBLEMS IN IDENTIFYING WHICH VEHICLE THE V8 CAME OUT OF, AS WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING A POWER STEERING PUMP TO FIT. WE WENT ONTO THE INTERNET LAST NIGHT AND SEARCHED WITH THE VEHICLE ENGINE NUMBERS.
AS IT TURNS OUT THE PREFIX ON THE ENGINE IDENTIFIES IT AS COMING FROM A ROVER 3500SE (SD1) AS WE THOUGHT IT WAS (IT IS ALSO THE HIGH COMPRESSION 155BHP MODEL) THIS STILL LEFT US WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE WATER PUMP NOT MATCHING THE VEHICLE WE THOUGHT IT WAS. IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY DID 2 VERSIONS OF THIS ENGINE, ONE WITH A LONG CASING ON THE WATER PUMP AND A SHORT CASING ON THE OTHER ONE. WE HAVE THE SHORTER ONE
THIS DID NOT HELP AS WE HAD JUST BOUGHT THE FRONT END OFF A 3.9EFI TO SOURCE A NEW PUMP THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FIT THE FULL HOUSING WITH BRACKETS TO MOUNT THE POWER STEERING PUMP........
IT DOESN'T FIT ... WATER PUMP IS A LONG MODEL
NEVER MIND ... I MANAGED TO ADAPT ALL OF THE BITS THERE AND HAVE MOUNTED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALSO A SECOND PULLEY OFF THE CRANKSHAFT STUB SO WE CAN RUN THE ALTERNATOR AS WELL. ALL I NEED TO DO NOW IS SOURCE A FAN THAT WILL BOLT ON TO THE EXISTING WATER PUMP AND WE ARE ON OUR WAY.

 

THE SIMEX ARE FITTED .....

 

WHAT A VIEW ....

 

THEY REALLY FILL THE ARCHES WELL .

THEY WILL STILL RUB A LITTLE ON THE FRONT SO WE WILL NEED TO ADJUST THE STOPS ON THE STEERING TO PREVENT THIS. WITH THE NEW BOOTS SHE STANDS AT A HEALTHY 6 FOOT 9 INCHES.

 

WHAT ELSE NEED I SAY ...?

 

NICE WHEELS AND TYRES

LOOKING BETTER

 

YOU CAN REALLY START TO SEE HOW BIG THIS TRUCK IS.
CAN'T WAIT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE HER OUT TO PLAY
MORE PICTURES SOON

ITS BEEN A FEW WEEKS SINCE THIS WAS UPDATED.... THE LACK OF POSTING HAS NOT BEEN DUE TO NO WORK BEING DONE BUT A LACK OF TIME TO UPDATE THE SITE.
WE HAVE NOW FOUND A NEW RADIATOR FOR THE TRAKA. IT CAME FROM AN 86 V8 RANGE ROVER AND WAS BEING ADVERTISED ON EBAY. £15.00 CHANGED HANDS AND WE HAD IT. WE HAVE FITTED IT TO THE TRAKA AND THE NEW MOUNTINGS FOR IT HAVE BEEN MADE UP. WE HAVE ALSO SOURCED TWO ELECTRIC FANS AND MADE UP A MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR THEM, I HAVE YET TO FIT THE THERMOSTAT FOR THE FANS BUT THAT WILL BE DONE OVER THE COMING BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
WE HAVE ALSO SOURCED HEADLIGHTS FOR THE TRAKA AND FITTED THEM, WE GOT THESE FROM STAFFORD VEHICLE COMPONENTS AND I WILL BE PUTTING A LINK FOR THEM UP SOON. SHARON HAS STARTED TO TRIM IN THE RUBBER FLOORING FOR THE INSIDE, A TEDIOUS JOB THAT MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE. PETROL TANK IS CURRENTLY BEING PAINTED AND THE FEED AND THE SENDER HAVE BEEN FITTED.
WE HAVE ALSO MADE UP A PAIR OF SEAT FRAMES TO MOUNT THE BUCKET SEATS ON. THIS INVOLVED USING A SET OF SLIDING MOUNTINGS FROM A PEUPEOT 205GTI AND WELDING THEM DOWN TO THE ORIGINAL BUT MODIFIED SEAT SUBFRAMES. THIS WASN'T THE EASIEST OF MODS TO DO AS WE HAD TO ENSURE THE HEIGHT WAS RIGHT AND ALSO THAT WE HAD ROOM TO WELD THEM DOWN TO THE SUBFRAMES.

 

THIS IS THE MODIFIED SEAT SUBFRAME. WE HAD TO WELD THE RUNNERS FROM A COBRA SEAT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR A PEUGEOT 205GTI AND THEN CREATE A SUPPORT FOR ONE SIDE .... IT WORKS REALLY WELL..

 

I ORDERED A THERMOSTAT FOR THE TRAKA. THIS IS IT TEMPORARY WIRED IN TO TEST IT WORKS OK.

TWIN ELECTRIC FANS AND A CUSTOM MOUNTING SYSTEM SO WE CAN EASILY REMOVE THEM.

 

AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE PAINTED THE NOSE CONE AS WELL NOW.

THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CLUTCH IS NOW HANGING ON THE FLYWHEEL AND WE ARE UNABLE TO BREAK IT FREE. THIS MEANS THAT THE ENGINE HAS TO COME OUT...
THIS WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA ...... BOTH THE COBRA CLUBMANS ARE NOW FITTED IN PLACE AND WE WOULD OF BEEN WELL ON FOR COMPLETION HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE CLUTCH. WE WILL FINISH AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND THEN SEE WHAT TIME IS LEFT BEFORE WE MOVE HOUSE. IT MAY NEED TO WAIT TIL AFTER THE MOVE BEFORE ITS DONE

WELL I HAVE ORDERED A NEW BORG AND BECK CLUTCH FROM "PADDOCKS" COST ME £85.00 WITH NEXT DAY DELIVERY ...2.00 PM THIS AFTERNOON IT ARRIVED. SUPERB SERVICE AS USUAL
THE BELL HOUSING THAT IS FITTED TO THE LT77 GEARBOX HAS BEEN MODIFIED AT SOME POINT AND A HOLE WAS SMASHED IN IT ( PRESUMABLY TO FIT A STARTER MOTOR WHEN IT USED TO RUN A DIESEL ENGINE) ANOTHER FACT WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT. SO WE VISITED A LOCAL RANGE ROVER REPAIR/SPARES GUY WE KNOW AND INVESTED IN ANOTHER MINT CONDITION BELL HOUSING.
HIS NUMBER IS 01233 750508 (HOME) 07979 756679 (MOBILE)
SO THE ENGINE HOIST HAS BEEN ARRANGED AND THE OTHER BITS AND PIECES I INTEND TO DO AT THE SAME TIME ARE SORTED .... TOMORROW 13/05/2004 I SWING THE V8 OUT AND FIT THE CLUTCH THAT SHOULD OF BEEN CHECKED WHEN THE GUY WHO FITTED IT FOR US .. LITERALLY DROPPED IT IN .......

 

WELL HERE IS THE ENGINE ATTACHED TO THE HOIST. TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO STRIP THE TRAKA DOWN TO REMOVE THE ENGINE.

ALL TO FIT THIS. THE CLUTCH IS FROM AN EARLY SD1 MOTOR BUT THE THRUST BEARING IS OFF AN LT77 GEARBOX ..... TALK ABOUT MIX'N'MATCH.

 

HERE IS THE NEW PLATE AND COVER FITTED TO THE FLYWHEEL. NOW TIME TO SORT THE NEW BELLHOUSING

HERE IS THE OLD BELLHOUSING. SPOT THE MASSIVE CHUNK MISSING FROM THE TOP EDGE. THE WORDS " I WILL ENSURE YOU HAVE A DECENT DRIVETRAIN WHEN THE ENGINE IS FITTED" STILL RING IN MY EARS. WELL THATS REASSURING ... DOH!

 

MUCH BETTER. THIS ONE EVEN HAD THE LOCATING COLLETS ON THE REAR. MISSING ON THE OLD ONE!!!!

 

ENGINE BACK IN PLACE. ALL DONE IN AROUND 5 HOURS WITH THE NEW BELLHOUSING

THOUGHT I WOULD PUT THIS ONE IN, ITS THE COBRAS FITTED IN SITU.
WORK DONE THIS WEEKEND

WE HAVE PAINTED THE INSIDE OF THE BONNET AND NOW REFITTED IT, FITTED THE TWO INNER WHEEL ARCH PANELS, FUEL LINE RUN DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE CHASSIS AND FUEL FILTER ADDED, FRONT MESH ADDED TO NOSE CONE.

TO DO .........................................

RECONNECT STEERING ................ DONE

HEADLIGHTS AND INDICATORS .......... DONE

BONNET CATCH (DONE) AND WIPER ARMS ... (DONE)

FRONT WHEEL ARCHES ............. DONE

WINDSCREEN (CURRENTLY IN THE DINING ROOM .. HEE HEE)......... DONE

SECURE FUEL TANK AND REFASTEN REAR ARCHES AND SIDE PANELS .............. DONE

FIX THE HANDBRAKE TO THE FLOOR PAN AND CONNECT THE CABLE ...... (DONE)

THEN A FEW ASSORTED MINOR JOBS AND TRY FOR AN M.O.T...................

 

WELL WE GOT LOADS DONE TODAY. WE HAVE A TRAKA !!!!!!!!!!

WHILE I WAS AWAY IN LIVERPOOL, SHARON GOT THE SIDE PANELS PAINTED SO WE WERE ABLE TO FIT THEM.
WE HAVE USED SOME OF THE DOOR TRIM TO PROTECT THE TOP OF THE SIDE PANEL FROM THE ROLL CAGE. WE THEN RIVETTED THEM TO THE CAGE FLOOR AND THE SIDE TUBE.

 

WE HAVE REFITTED THE REAR ARCHES AND SEALED THEM FROM THE UNDERNEATH WITH BLACK SILICON SEALANT

FRONT WHEEL ARCHES WERE A LITTLE MORE TRICKY THAN THE REARS. WE HAD TO REBEND THE BRACKETS IN THE KIT AND SLOT THE MAIN HOLE FOR SOME DECENT ALIGNMENT OF THE TWO SETS OF ARCHES. WE FOUND THE BEST WAY OF FITTING THE LOWER ARCH TO THE SIDE BULKHEAD PANEL WAS TO USE A B&Q SMALL ANGLE BRACKET THAT WE RIVETTED IN PLACE.

 

THE NEXT JOB ON MY LIST IS TO FASTEN THE WIRING LOOM IN AND SORT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INDICATORS. WE HAD PUT THE TRAKA OUT OF THE COVER SO WE COULD TIDY AROUND ( I AM TERRIBLE FOR LOSING SPANNERS ETC )AND AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IT STARTED TO RAIN. A CAN OF FUEL WAS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE AND A BATTERY PUT ON THE TRAKA AND SHE STARTED. I ACTUALLY DROVE HER BACK UNDER COVER ... A GREAT DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!! WE ALSO FITTED THE HOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME ..... AS SOON AS I FIND THE LEAD FOR THE VIDEO CAMERA I WILL POST THE PICTURES.

 

WELL I FOUND A LEAD THAT WORKED SO I HAVE TAKEN A COUPLE OF PICTURES FROM THE VIDEO CAMERA. AS YOU CAN SEE THE HOOD FITS ONLY THE TOP AND THE REAR QUARTER. THE DOOR APERTURES HAVE FRAMES WITH PERSPEX WINDOWS ( NOT YET FITTED )

 

THE SPARE WHEEL WILL NOT BE STAYING AS IT IS IN THE PICTURE AS IT PUSHES ON THE HOOD. THE BRACKET DESIGNED BY "NCF BLITZ" WAS ONLY MEANT TO TAKE A 33" TYRE MAXIMUM ( OOOOOPS ) NOT A SIMEX 35" ... HEE HEE

 

WHEN THE RAIN STARTED WE DROVE IT BACK INTO THE WORKSHOP. DUE TO THE FACT IT DOESN'T HAVE A THROTTLE CABLE AS YET, WE HAD TO MANUALLY WORK THE TWIN SU'S.

 

AT THE LEAST IT PROVED THAT THE CLUTCH WE JUST FITTED WAS GOOD .......

 

BACK WHERE SHE BELONGS

TODAY I HAVE FINISHED FITTING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WIRED THEM IN, MADE ONE OFF BRACKETS TO HOUSE THE DEFENDER INDICATORS AND FITTED AND WIRED THEM IN. THE HORN HAS BEEN FITTED AND WIRED, TWIN FANS RECONNECTED, NEW SPARK PLUGS FITTED.
TOMORROW ITS THE TURN OF TRYING TO LOCATE A PLACE TO FASTEN THE HANDBRAKE DOWN AS ITS ONLY A SHORT CABLE. THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE LT77 GEARBOX IS NOT THE SAME AS THE LINKAGE ON THE PROPSHAFT BRAKE ... OH WELL .........

 

IN THIS PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THE FRONT PIECE OF THE FRONT WHEEL ARCH. THE BRACKET IN THE FRONT OF THE PICTURE ALLOWS THE POSITIONING OF THE ARCH, THE REST OF THE ARCH IS RIVETTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BONNET LIP.

 

THIS IS THE LOWER PIECE OF THE FRONT WHEEL ARCH. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE THE SMALL ANGLE BRACKET THAT WE RIVETTED TO THE SIDE BULKHEAD PANEL. AND AT THE BASE OF THE PICTURE YOU WILL SEE THE SINGLE RIVET THAT FASTENS THE ARCH TO THE CAGE.

 

HEADLIGHTS AND INDICATORS ARE IN

 

THE BRACKETRY ON THE NOSE CONE IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO FIT THE INDICATORS SO I HAD TO MAKE SOME UP.

 

NOT THE BEST PICTURE IN THE WORLD BUT YOU GET THE IDEA. I CUT A HOLE TO FIT THE INDICATOR THROUGH AND THEN SHAPED IT TO FIT, THEN IT WAS RIVETTED TO THE EXISTING NOSE CONE.

 

I HAVE ALSO MADE UP A NEW MOUNT FOR THE SPARE WHEEL.

 

HERE YOU CAN SEE THE BRACKET I MADE BOLTED TO THE ORIGINAL STUDS THAT THE SPARE WHEEL SHOULD OF BOLTED TO. ON THE FRONT OF THE PLATE ARE TWO WHEEL STUDS THAT ARE WELDED TO IT.

 

I ALSO STARTED TO MAKE UP A NEW BRACKET TO HOLD THE JERRY CAN. IT SHOULD OF BEEN TWO CANS BUT THE 35" SIMEX ONLY ALLOWS FOR ONE.

TOMORROW ITS DOWN TO THE SCRAP YARD FOR THE FEW REMAINING PARTS WE NEED AND ALSO TO FIT THE WINDSCREEN.

 

WELL THE VISIT TO THE SCRAPYARD WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. WE MANAGED TO GET THE FILLER CAP AND TUBE FROM A RANGE ROVER CLASSIC, TRANSFER LEVER KNOB WHICH WAS MISSING FROM OURS AND ALL FOR A DECENT PRICE.
WE ALSO GOT ROUND TO FINISHING THE BRACKET FOR THE JERRY CANS. ITS A BIT OF A JIGSAW TO FIT TOGETHER BUT ITS SOLID ENOUGH.

 

WITH THE MODIFIED FUEL PIPE AND CAP FITTED THE TANK IS READY FOR FUEL. ITS A BIT UGLY LOOKING BUT THE WORD IS FUNCTIONAL ....
WE EVEN MANAGED TO GET THE KEY TO FIT THE LOCKING CAP. A BIT MORE PLANNING AT THE BUILD STAGE WITH "NCF" WOULD OF RESULTED IN A MUCH BETTER FINISHED FUEL TANK.

 

AS YOU CAN SEE THE WINDSCREEN IS IN. I GOT THE WINDSCREEN BONDING AGENT FROM EBAY .... AFTER I FOUND THE PRICE OF THE TUBES I WAS SHOCKED AND STARTED TO LOOK FOR A BETTER DEAL ... I CALL £10.00 FROM EBAY A GREAT DEAL.
THE TAPE WAS PUT ON THE SCREEN TO HOLD IT IN POSITION AS THE BONDING AGENT CURED AND ALSO TO REMIND ME THAT THE GLASS WAS IN THERE. AN ACCIDENT AT THIS STAGE WOULD BE A DISASTER.

 

WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE LOCATIONS TO STORE THE HI-LIFT JACK ARE LIMITED. WE DECIDED THE BEST PLACE TO STORE IT WOULD BE ACROSS THE REAR BUMPER. TO DO THIS WE SANK THREE LARGE BOLTS THROUGH THE BUMPER AND FITTED SPACING WASHERS. THE JACK IS PLACE ON THE BOLTS AND THEN THREE WINGNUTS PUT ON THE BOLTS TO HOLD IT SECURE. THE MIDDLE ONE HAS BEEN DRILLED OUT TO FIT A PADLOCK, MORE AS A DETERRENT THAN TOP SECURITY.


THINGS HAVE MOVED ON ONCE AGAIN AND A FEW MORE JOBS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
WE HAVE FITTED THE NEW TUNNEL HOUSING COVER AND CUT OUT THE HOLE FOR THE GEAR STICK AND ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER. THIS HAS BEEN RIVETTED DOWN AND THE MATTING CUT TO FIT ROUND THE EDGES.
I HAVE ALSO FITTED THE HANDBRAKE IN PLACE WHICH TURNED INTO A BIT OF A NIGHTMARE. I WAS UNABLE TO FIT THE LEVER TILL I HAD FITTED THE TUNNEL HOUSING COVER AS THE HANDBRAKE LEVER COVERED PART OF EACH. I CUT A LENGTH OF 6MM STEEL AND DRILLED A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE FOR THE CABLE TO FEED INTO, THEN DRILLED FOUR HOLES IN THE PLATE (ONE IN EACH CORNER) AND BOLTED IT DOWN WHERE THE CENTRE CONSOLE USED TO BE.
THEN FED THE CABLE UP THE MIDDLE AND FASTENED IT INTO PLACE. THE HANDBRAKE LEVER NEEDED THE BASE PLATE MODIFYING (WITH AN ANGLE GRINGER... HEE HEE) SO IT WOULD SIT FLAT ON THE NEW MOUNTING PLATE. THIS DONE IT TOO WAS BOLTED TO THE MOUNTING PLATE AND A SMALL ADAPTER MADE UP TO ENABLE THE CABLE END TO FIT INTO THE MECHANISM .... IT WORKS A TREAT.

MEANWHILE SHARON HAS TRIMMED THE OUTER EDGE OF THE WINDSCREEN (TRIM FROM WICKES)(DIY).
WHAT IS LEFT IS THE FITTING OF THE SEAT BELTS AND SORTING THE ENGINE TO RUN SWEET. WE CAN THEN BOOK HER IN FOR AN MOT AND SEE HOW WE DO.

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WELL WE GOT HER READY FOR THE MOT AND ARRIVED WITH A FEW PROBLEMS.
THE PLACE WE TAKE HER TO IS A FRIENDLY GARAGE AND THEY AGREED TO HOLD THE RETEST OPEN FOR US SHOULD WE WISH TO CONTINUE WITH THE TEST. WE AGREED AND THE TEST STARTED. THERE WAS SOME CONCERN OVER THE LACK OF HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS BUT THIS WAS RECTIFIED DUE TO THEM NOT BEING A REQUIRED ITEM ON VEHICLES BEFORE APRIL 1986. OUR DONOR CAR WAS REGISTERED FEBRUARY 1986 .... EXCELLENT .
THE NEXT POINT WAS I HAD NOT WIRED IN A DASH WARNING LIGHT FOR THE REAR FOG LIGHT ( A DEFINITE FAIL ) . OK WE KNEW SHE WOULD NOT PASS AND THE LIST AT THE END WOULD PROVE INTERESTING TO SAY THE LEAST.
THE TEST PROGRESSED AND AS WE KNEW SHE FAILED THE ANALYSER DUE TO THE LOW OIL PRESSURE.

#### BUT THAT IS ALL SHE FAILED ON ###.

WE WENT AWAY HAPPPY, GLAD THAT THE BUILD WORK WE HAD DONE ON THE TRAKA WAS ALL GOOD.
WE RANG OUR RANGE ROVER SPARES MAN( HIS PHONE NUMBER IS ON THE FRONT OF THIS SITE )HE HAD 2 ENGINES AVAILABLE

1 AN EFI THAT NEEDED THE HEAD GASKETS DOING

2 A CARB V8 THAT WAS UNTESTED.

WE WENT DOWN TO SEE HIM WITH THE INTENTION OF RUNNING THE CARB V8 MTO SEE HOW SHE SOUNDED, WE ATTACHED A WIRE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE POS SIDE OF THE COIL, REMOVED THE LOW TENSION FROM THE STARTER SOLENOID AND THEN REPLACED IT WITH A ROVING LEAD WE COULD TOUCH TO THE BATTERY. THE REASON WE HAD TO DO THIS WAS WHEN HE BOUGHT IN THE RANGIE THERE WERE NO IGNITION/DOOR KEYS FOR IT SO HE REMOVED THE IGNITION TO GET IT ON THE TRAILER.
AFTER A CHANGE OF PLUGS AND A JUMP FROM A DIESEL DISCO SHE STARTED. BLACK CRAPPY SMOKE TO BEGIN THAT SOON CLEARED TO A NICE EXHAUST NOTE ... .... WE AGREED A PRICE AND THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED A FEW DAYS LATER ..... INCLUDED IN THE SALE WERE ALL THE CARBS, AIR BOXES, STARTER MOTOR, FUEL PUMP AND A LOAD OF ASSORTED EXTRAS.

SHE NOW SITS ON A SET OF TYRES IN THE GARDEN WAITING FOR THE WEEKEND OF 30TH JULY WHEN I WILL HAVE TIME TO REFIT THE MOTOR AND WIRE IN THE WARNING LAMP. THEN ITS TAX AND OUT TO PLAY ... KENTISH ROADS BEWARE .... HEE HEE

WELL WE TOOK HER FOR THE MOT NOW THE NEW ENGINE IS IN AND ....... SHE PASSED

IT WAS NOT ALL SO UNEVENTFUL THOUGH
. WE TOOK THE OLD ENGINE OUT AND STRIPPED ALL THE AUTOMATIC TRAPPINGS FROM THE REAR OF THE NEW MOTOR IN READINESS FOR ADDING THE OLD FLYWHEEL. ONLY TO FIND THAT WE NEEDED A REAR CRANKSHAFT SPIGOT BUSH AND ALSO THE REAR CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL WAS LEAKING. WE ORDERED FROM THE LOCAL LAND ROVER DEALER .... AND WE ARE STILL WAITING. LUCKILY I WAS IN LIVERPOOL LAST WEEK AND VISITED THE LIVERPOOL LANDROVER SUPERMARKET AND THEY HAD THE PARTS NEEDED IN STOCK.

I HAD HIRED THE ENGINE HOIST FOR A WEEK AND THAT PROVED VERY LUCKY. ANYWAY THE NEW ENGINE WENT IN GREAT AND THE TRAPPINGS FROM THE TRAKA REFITTED. THEN I HAD TO ADD A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE REAR FOG LIGHT. THIS HAD TO WARN THAT THE LIGHT WAS ON .... DEAD EASY.
WE GOT THE TRAKA BOOKED IN AND GOT READY TO HEAD OFF. SHARON DROVE THE TRAKA ROUND THE BLOCK AND ....... SHE RAN OUT OF PETROL. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WE GOT THE JERRY CAN AND FILLED HER UP AGAIN AND LEFT FOR THE MOT CENTRE..... HALFWAY THERE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE (BRAND NEW) SNAPPED CLEAN AT THE MOUNTING LUG .... DISASTER .......
WE CUT AWAY A SECTION OF THE HOUSING AND CREATED A LOOP IN THE CABLE INNER WITH TIE WRAPS AND SEEING AS WE WERE NEAR A LARGE DIY STORE PURCHASED A CHEAP ROLL OF SPEAKER CABLE. THIS WAS TIED ROUND THE LOOP IN THE CABLE AND THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

IT WORKED A TREAT

WE GOT TO THE TEST CENTRE A BIT LATE AND THEY AGREED TO DO THE TEST FOR US. ...... SHE PASSED .... ( OOOPSS I ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT ) ......... ON THE WAY BACK TO THE HOUSE THE SPEAKER CABLE SNAPPED AS WE EXPECTED IT TO . WE MANAGED TO PARK THE TRAKA OFF THE ROAD (A21 ... A VERY VERY BUSY ROAD). EVEN THOUGH WE WERE OFF THE ROAD WE STILL MANAGED TO CREATE A TRAFFIC JAM DUE TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO NEARLY STOPPED AS THEY STRAINED THERE NECKS TO LOOK AT THE TRAKA ...

STILL IT WAS A VERY QUICK REPAIR THAT LASTED A GOOD FEW MILES TILL IT PARTED ONCE MORE. FIXED ONCE AGAIN WE GOT HOME IN ONE PIECE.

IT WILL BE OUT TO PLAY VERY VERY SOON .................

 

WELL AS YOU KNOW WE TOOK THE TRAKA OUT AND BROKE IT. THIS IS THE FIX WE DID........
AS YOU CAN SEE WE DID A REASONABLE JOB ON GETTING THE BAR STRAIGHT. SLACKENING THE BOLTS OFF AND A GOOD SMACK WITH A LARGE HAMMER SOON HAD THE BALL JOINTS SPLIT.

 

THE TWO BARS LAID OUT SIDE BY SIDE ... NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE.
THE SUMO BAR ( FROM QT ) HAS A LEFT HAND THREAD AND ALSO A RIGHT HAND THREADED TRACK ROD END WHERE AS THE RANGE ROVER CLASSIC HAS TWO OF SAME THREAD. PLUS ITS ABOUT TWICE THE THICKNESS... TOP KIT

 

YOU CAN SEE HERE WHERE THE NEW SUMO BAR PASSES INSIDE THE QT DIFF GUARD. THIS STOPS THE BAR BEING BENT DOWN AS THE LAST ONE WAS

 

VERY SEXY

 

LOOKIN GOOD. SHE IS SITTING PRETTY READY FOR THE NEXT OUTING. NEED TO GET A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON WELDED THE FULL LENGTH OF THE DRAG LINK. IF I DON'T DO THIS IT WILL BE AS WEAK AS THE STEERING ROD WAS.

 

THIS IS THE WINCH THAT WAS PUT ON SOME TIME AGO BUT NEVER DOCUMENTED ON THESE PAGES. RYDERS DV9000I AND PLASMA ROPE WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT OF AN ALUMINIUM SPIDERTRAX FAIRLEAD ...... TOP KIT

 

A FEW MORE PICTURES OF THE AXLE PROTECTION PLATES FROM "QT" THAT WE HAVE FITTED TO THE TRAKA. THE FRONT ONE HAS BEEN FITTED FOR A WHILE BUT THE REAR REMAINED IN A BOX IN THE GARAGE, WELL I HAD A DAY OF WORK TODAY AND THE WEATHER WAS MILD SO I GOT STUCK IN. PLUS THE STARTER MOTOR HAD PACKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.... A BIG JOB IN ITSELF AS IT TURNED OUT. MORE OF THAT AT THE END ... READ ON

THE ABOVE PICTURE IS THE SUMO DRAG LINK AND NEW TRACK ROD ENDS

 

A NICE CLEAR PICTURE OF THE SUMO BAR DRAG LINK AS IT PASSES INSIDE THE FRONT SKID PLATE

 

NOTICE THE RED ON THE FRONT DIFF CASING, THIS IS ACTUALLY POWER STEERING FLUID WHEN THE SYSTEM HAD A LEAK. INVISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE. MADE VISIBLE BY THE FLASH ON THE CAMERA

 

REAR SKID PLATE .. IN SITU

 

SOLID AS A ROCK .... AND LOOKING THE BUSINESS....

 

WELL IT DOESN'T REDUCE THE CLEARANCE AS IT FITS VERY FLUSH TO THE DIFF CASE. VERY STREAMLINED

 

THE SILVER PLATE BOLTS TO THE BACK OF THE DIFF CASING INTO TWO EXISTING BOLTS. THE MAIN PART OF THE SKID PLATE FASTENS TO THE BASE OF THE DIFF WITH TWO NEW BOLTS. THEN THE SILVER PIECE AND THE MAIN SLIDER BOLT TOGETHER ON TOP. THIS IS TOP QUALITY KIT AND I CAN RECOMMEND IT ........ SOLID AS A ROCK

WELL THE STARTER MOTOR ON THE TRAKA HAD PACKED UP AND THE SPARE NEEDED TO BE FITTED. IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BELLHOUSING WITH TWO ALLEN BOLTS THAT HAD SIEZED INTO PLACE. GETTING ACCESS TO THESE BOLTS IS VERY HARD AND I ENDED UP BUYING A HALFORDS PRO SOCKET WITH AN 8MM ALLEN KEY HEAD PRE FITTED TO IT. THEN IT WAS A CASE OF PLENTY OF SOCKET EXTENSIONS AND FLEXI HEADS, UNTIL I FINALLY GOT THEM TO MOVE. THEY HAVE NOW BEEN COATED WITH COPPERSLIP AND WILL BE BETTER NEXT TIME ROUND.