So today I completed the leaf packs - new bolts, spring liners and a lovely orange rustoleum finish (Wests Tigers underbody colour scheme
) The front springs have been rubbed back and repainted to match.
The old girl is now completely stripped less the wiring from the cab to the tailights. I have left them in place so I can pull a draw wire through next time I am out there. The wiring harness is missing a few components so I will need to do an audit on the harness to order the missing components and cables in the right colour schem. That will be a fun task! As it was a commercial vehicle I will need to add the missing bits that I will be adding:
- Reverse lights
- Radio
- Cigar Lighter
- Dome light switches
- Brake Warning Light
- Glove Box Light
- Ignition Switch Light and
- Indicators (including converting the brake light indicator to a combination reverse (white) and indicator (orange) LED
I bit the bullet and purchased a rotisserie for this build - why I didn't fork out the $ previouslyis beyond me. It is so much easier to work on.
I think I spun her around a dozen times to get most of the dirt and dust out. It is still coming out of the rails so I will need to get some air/leave on rust converter and fish oil in them.
Found some addtional rust under the cowl - not too bad and identifed some "bog" based panel damage repairs just behind both doors - so I will have to sand out the bog, beat the dents out a little prep for paint. The rest of the body is straight. I identified a little more rust to be repaired but pretty straight forward repairs. The most challenging being aroudn the fult tank. the POR is in the post so I will get some fuel rated JB weld to deal with any pinholes I find.
I found that there wouldn't have been room to pein over solid rivets in the fuel sender. I have riveted it using blind rivets with a standard gun and will seal the rivets with POR to prevent leaks.
Progressing slowly but surely!
