FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi All

I have been doing the ebay and gumtree thing for some time in search of a van i like to no avail (except 1)
I had my heart set on one on gumtree and this is the style i want but i think its overpriced myself

So im asking if any members have a van they no longer use something around the 10 to 12ft in length must be fairly light for the FE to tow at the moment but will be towed by the ute later on.
I would prefer to build my own but time will get away for the 2016 nationals..

show us what you have available
if you want to remain private send to peter@mallaby.com.au



Pete

Join the Proboards,Vintage Caravan Forum,you'll have vg chance of finding what your after,Gaz!

You know you want to Build it Pete
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=teardrop+caravan+plans&rlz=1CDGOYI_enAU590AU590&espv=1&hl=en-GB&tbm=isch&tbo=u&sboxchip=Images&source=univ&sa=X&ei=DGFRVPf8NoTTmgXM6IDYCg&ved=0CCwQ7Ak&biw=320&bih=504

That way i can bag the chassis like i want too.

It's probably a long term project too, but nothing eventuated with the Carapark/Zestline near you a while back?

I have a 1957 Phoenix Bondwood Caravan that is for sale to the right person. Pm me if you are interested it is on the market but it is fully restored and looks great with the earlies 13 foot long , 2 tone green and black and white diner look inside, original ice box and tap and stove , FJ wheels, lots of 50's stuff with it as well and is over the $ 12000.00 mark though, if you are keen contact me.
Brett

They are too heavy the one i was chasing on the weekend is the exact same model as the $50 dollar one and its now converted to a hot dog stand he reckons its heavy as hell?
The $50 one needs a lot of work work i dont have time to do.
I looked at one of woodys ones on ebay but it needs wiring fridge curtains  annexe ect ect so cannot justify the 17K

I want one for the nationals in 2016.
Bretts one sounds like what im after just hoping its the shape im after..
I regret selling my old van i had yrs ago but i needed the coin the old fella that bought it was in a vintage restorers club and paid me to put it back to stock i had 40 series tyres on fat FJ rims under it. ;D
Pete

Wow Brett im impressed just found your pics

Mate pending shes in good nick SOLD im in love..


http://forum.fefcholden.club/index.php?topic=16526.0


Pete

Good luck with finding exactly what you want.
The '57 Phoenix looks great.

Its all class love the portholes just oozes style

Pete
The colour scheme is a little different and the strip altered but still the same van. Towed beautifully to Cora Lynn car weekend at Drouin  the other weekend and won best van! Pete and I will chat will try and load some photos .
Brett

Peter
I have emailed you pictures as promised
Thanks
Brett

Hi
 Caravan is now sold and heading north Thursday!!
Brett

Jesus that was quick

This bastard wont get off my arse
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/06/38781f98d388d714b43fa6e6169e357b.jpg)

24hrs of non stop driving later shes home.
Kids woke me at 5 had 3hrs sleep.
Blue slipped and nsw regoed this morning.
Big big drive hate the b doubles on the Hume really should have drove the fe down and stopped over night somewhere.
Shes a cutey
had a little sit down in there few things I will change.
I have a sheet of stucco sheeting at work I think ill add stone protectors on the front and a skirt at the rear maybe also some cool spatts.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/06/398da71c54a9b83c61ef26db1f0c47ab.jpg)

That is a huge effort Pete.  The van will look sensational behind any of your FE and or FC's.  Cheers, Graeme

Cheers Graeme

Fitting the tow bar to the FE sunday.
Looking for a pig tail tow tongue but will fit a stock one to get me bye.

Yeah cant wait to see that on the FE!!!

Long haul!
That's a great looking unit Pete. I can see why you didn't hesitate. Congratulations.

Hi
Really thrilled its gone to a good home and Pete is a top guy. Will looks ace with some spats and the alloy guard on the front would look good too!! Funds will help with my freshly restored EH that is assembled and awaiting the motor. Maybe an alloy van would look good behind the EH!! LOL
Brett

Pete,

You have an email.

Cheers
John

Use peter@mallaby.com.au as nothing has come thru John..

I've signed that email up to as many spam porn sites as I can!!!!

Jokes.....

Hi Pete,
I have used the address as advised.
Cheers
Johm

Lights all sorted
Took her for a run today.
I think i Will fit a disc front end to fe or fit brakes to the van its pretty woefull stopping.

Sits very nice on the road.

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/14/221038ebca2ebea7eeb6f1724c7e79f4.jpg)

That looks a million dollars Pete  :)

Beautiful.

Fit brakes on the van and  a proportional brake controller to the car.

Keith

Allready onto it today Keith.

Ordered electric brakes with HT stud pattern.
So the plan is to re drill the drum to suit FJ pattern and pull the studs into the new holes that way i can retain the Fj Pattern.

I ordered a redarc inertia controller their latest model.

My mate just fitted them to his sunliner and it can pull the car up without touching the brakes if he turns them up.
I had to draw the brackets up to mount the brakes onto the axle i will remove and re powdercoat the axle and springs while im going.
Factory 3 inch drop spindles :D
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/16/cbc4d27629991a6d919bbf3612801240.jpg)

Ebay Item #111504114874

This one?

Regards

Wayne b

Thats the one.
It will end up in the ute as it will be my go away car little bit more power than the fe.
Tows it surprisingly well tho for an old grey.
The hills out near denman will test her out.
Just started fitting a more accurate temp guage as well.

I must admit I am worried about towing my van with the FC.

Regards

Wayne b

Saw this bewdy on weekend Pete(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x448/fewithrb40/taxi/IMAG1877.jpg) ($2)


I decided not to roll the old man for it because I didn't know whether the spotters fee would be worth the trouble ::)

You could always upgrade to the FB, with optional heavy duty tow pack  :D ;D
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/V8EKwagon/DSC06704.jpg) ($2)
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/V8EKwagon/tow_zpseded7c51.jpg) ($2)

Cheers,
Harv

It's working a treat.

Wow thats loaded.

Love the little van thats cool

Hi Pete,

If that's a hollow axle I'd replace it.

Mark

I did look at that tho my conclusin was its lasted 60yrs allready.

Or do you think the brakes make screw it up and twist it ?


Pete

Hi Pete,
Don't know about other states but hollow axles aren't allowed in qld. That aside, because it is 60 year's old and black, not galvanised is a good reason. You don't know what its like inside.
It will have loads applied in 2 directions with brakes, twisting and bending. And road conditions have a good chance of bending it as well.

Mark

I think it's the same in NSW. I know of one that needed to be replaced after rego inspection last month. The only reason given was that it was hollow.

Can't find any reference prohibiting hollow axles in the trailer VSB:
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_b.aspx#anc_19

Cheers,
Harv

I shall use it and see how it pulls up and I might make another as the stubbs have some heavy grooves where the seal seats.

What are peoples thoughts on making a gusset off the back with a bump stop that hits the spring?
Im worried if the brakes are applied really hard it will load up the U bolts especially with 3 inches of leverage ?

Just a thought at about 2am this morning..
Might give this a try if succsesful ill make a new axle
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/23/d0cfe7c6646291fcdbb4b3c03e6324d6.jpg)

So it's offset cos it was originally not a live axle? The offset ones were the early rubber suspension (I'm guessing yours was too) as per our jayco van. There's much more load going through running hard over a curb than stopping cos electric brakes will actually be adjustable in their sensitivity but usually in the real world passively brake before the car, cos u don't normally press your brake quick enough to beat the stop lamp circuit. I think you are worrying too much (possible over thinking 😚) this a bit. I reckon a simple thick square or triangle plate would be enough if you were keeping the original setup.
http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle-technology/product-catalogue/axels/independent-rubber-suspension-irs/

Just to clarify, I'm just adding to the discussion not recommending you do it to yours but I really like this and it suits most vintage vans. See the bubble window in the door. I know everyone has different tastes but it looks good as an extension of the period rounded theme.

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/23/9e30d6062c3e45e4bda9fe2b1bb1c181.jpg)

They are hideous they look like a bee hive  ;D

I like my little port hole.

woodys caravans in qld re manufacture period style vans and also the metal spun port holes.

Pete

It's def individual taste similar to fe vs fc hey. By the way.... I do like your hole 😍

Hi Pete,
Stepped live axles have been around since Adam was a boy. The purpose is to lower the centre of gravity of the trailer and align that centre more with the chassis of the tow vehicle. Fitting a gusset will control the twisting force in one direction but as brakes are applied the top of the wheels will pull towards each other applying a force that is trying to bend the axle beam assisted by "3 inches a leverage". This is the second direction of force. I speak from experience when I say a broken axle when you are miles from nowhere ( remembering recent  sojourns to Tassie and Perth) is a major problem and disruptive to harmony between travelling companions. If all you intend to do in the near future is short trips close to home then don't mess with what you've got. But if there's a chance you might decide to tow it to Qld then save yourself the inevitable hassle, inconvenience and expense and replace it with a solid axle engineered for the job.


Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk

Ill just make a new one with stepped axle and solid square shaft i think..

Cheers..

Sounds good. Mine uses a 1 7/8" solid square and had been bent at the ends with a 3 1/2" drop. I'll send some photos if I can figure out how.

Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk

That's what I did. So cheap really but I had a round pipe lying around so used that. I put Commodore hubs on. (http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/24/833c625f1bbd62d2f25c3c3e384f645f.jpg)

This is my van that had the rubber suspension but later converted to leaf spring packs. It is very heavy duty though. I reckon strong enough to support a 5 ton load. Thicker than some small trucks.  (http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/24/87b64bd44560d131322e32655d86dbb2.jpg)

How cool will it look one day with a few of our trucks, the retro vans etc all cruising along

Finished the axle lucky I have a waterjet to cut the 40mm plate.
Ill fit it tonight.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/567d0715e1d9bfb0d0a3bc4eef4370a5.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/f09a2acaf8df0a5619cbc9c64e93b5ab.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/3705c45482c52c8c06515edbae223db4.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/cb16643ca9e103802d8290adfd852862.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/f41142eab3ddb1d1f22d6cbded6161ba.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/d7b9d563739c2389e64fd611ab5f826e.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/d6c7cd354ee30e96572f6a84488007db.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/798cad447ea702d6bcf574f4a959de00.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/6014bf3c14f86f24b3e210b5125d89d9.jpg)

Lucky all right. That's a good looking piece of work.

😃

Jesus Christ that water jet can get through some thick steel. Wonder if Bunnings sells em?😳

Think you need a caravan thread Pete

He will need a secretary soon just to coordinate tapatalk.

Vans done and dusted so I dont need a thread.
We have cut 150mm thick steel.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/196b0e9986eb5d74c469ecef01aaf4e9.jpg)

What's that stud pattern.

Looks like 15" FX/FJ rim.

Cheers Stewy  8)

Bought ht pattern for if I ever go 13 inch rims and re indexed on the mill to fj pattern as the tyres are excellent and the fx hubcaps are mint.

Gee, you don't do things by halves do you Pete! Good to see you getting some of your own stuff done. Awesome work.

I ddidn't paint the axle ends either their protective plastic doo dads I took them off after painting.

With the old one, are you keeping it or tossing it. I'm sure a caravan enthusiast might like an original. I like the colour of the rim. Would look nice with Breton blue on a fe.

So the final verdict for anyone contemplaiting doing a brake conversion worth every cent.
Wow what a difference took a few stops to settle in and you can overide the controller to add more force its so smooth pulling up now not unsettled at all.

I have found 2 little problems diff noise thru the body as i have lowering blocks in the rear and no insulator just alloy onto the spring so will get re set springs and  do it properly.
I also need to tow with the sway bars to settle it down at speed and may fit a set of air shocks to bring the back up a little it sits very well on the road tho.

The slotted bars with the big loop are simple and easy. Slots are 90 degrees. The bars will make a huge difference. You will never go back to anything else after having decent electric brakes. I got new 1 inch lowered rear springs for the taxi at "industrial springs" in radelaide. Looks so nice the new spring pack. Pete these are ideal. Push the loop end down from top at equal angle to rear bumper, then they swing around onto the bracket. When heavily loaded you use 2 but a van like yours probably 1. U move the caravan bracket end to adjust the leverage. Simple.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ningi/accessories/caravan-levelling-bars-with-tow-hitch/1062367733