Streetneats FC Ute

[streetneat]

Another view of the Ute no bog work done as yet here.... Notice the weld on the lower front of the 1/4 panel near the door....

[streetneat]

The floors and tunnel have been done  the dash is a FE item I hate the plastic crap on FC dash's... Steering wheel is restored as is the colum which is shaved of its shifter...  Note how the tunnel fits the floor... I later re did the welds on the floor to dress them up a bit better ... I metal finshed BOTH sides of the floor as well as fabricate a member to run under the floor to continue the sub frame bracing... To answer KIWIS Question this whole project consumed 16 months and $80 000 0f shop time...@ $50/hr  Net material cost was $15 000 approx for all the parts put into the project... now you might know why I wont sell my cars.....

[streetneat]

Not the clearest of photos but shows the dash restored and painted ( parts of it anyhow)

[streetneat]

The green primer is the Glasurit epoxy primer the grey is PPG epoxy primer... I normally dont mix brands but as I know the products are compatable this is not a problem... ;)

[streetneat]

another angle - ute can be started but not driven

[streetneat]

Front floors being tackled... I took a break from these repairs and did other things to the ute... It had to be done eventually.. All was oxy hammerwelded with the wifes assistance...

[streetneat]

The ute has now been fully dissasembled  and loaded back onto the body pallet. It has been Spray polyestered (spray bogged) to find any irregularities and then epoxy primed one last time. That was then covered with this tinted blue primer and is ready for final rubdown.... :P

[streetneat]

Rear view... the floor has been made and this will be covered with Aqua fleck along with the rest of the load area... All the load area had to have rust removed as well... This is getting to the more interesting stage now... The black paint you see is a guide coat for rubbing down. This allows us to make final repairs and adjustments to the utes surfaces...

[streetneat]

Graham is checking for minor details after it has been wet rubbed... Note ute is now on axle stands for stability and ease of access to all surfaces to be painted.

[streetneat]

All is now carefully masked off. This is to ensure that any dust is kept out of the paint from the inside....

[streetneat]

Base coat colour being applied by GRAHAM... 8)

[streetneat]

Painters DO  bend their backs .... Sometimes... Graham is careful to get plenty of coverage....

[streetneat]

Its important to have the vehicle at a comfortable working height. Note the protective gear for two pack painting. At this stage this is only the base coat and the clear is the two pack part. This is why two pack cannot be sprayed at home . Very carcenogenic with free organic isocynates. Is only a hazard in spray form. Not a problem when its dry nor is the dust ... the dust can cause irritations and other problems ... so best left to the professionals...

[streetneat]

All is now painted and dried .... 8)

[streetneat]

Another view....note guards in back ground outside -they have been stippled on the inner surfaces.....

[streetneat]

This is worth getting X-cited over... The rebuilt 186s with celica five speed....

[streetneat]

Well this is how I put em together.... I fit the engine and box to the fully assembled front...not unlike Holden did.... This is moved around on the engine crane...

[streetneat]

At this point I have a video I made of this final assembly If any one wants a copy I will be getting some done. Its a bit amateurish but effective. Cost is $25 plus postage (no gst) goes for an hour or so... shows full assembly to turn key. Subframe going on here... ( after I repainted the jolly thing >:(!) I will give more details elswhere of this video and time of availability expressions of interest welcomed at this stage....

[FC0058]

Andrew
What a great thread a full diary of work in progress. I will save any questions that may arise untill you have completed your resto.

Believe me I will have plenty of questions especially in relation to rust repairs and welding.

[streetneat]

This is how Holden did it ... Steering is installed and the whole lot lowered onto the driveline/suspension....