NEW PROJECT FC UTE

[FireKraka]

Geez Mal not a lot of floor left there mate but by the looks of the work you have already done it won't be a problem for you.
Loving the photos.
Neil

[Mal W]

Thanks Neil, no not a lot left. Nothing like a challenge.
Errol, still got the FB. Haven't even had any genuine enquiries on it either. I've set my bottom dollar at 50k, If I can't get that for it, it can sit in the shed with the others.

[Mal W]

Continuing on with the front floor support.
Making the transmission tunnel







Finally both front and back sections cut to shape of the tunnel




Then I used cardboard shaped into the tunnel and fitted the front and rear tunnel sections to get the shape of the top of the tunnel




With the pattern made I cut out the top of the tunnel section, shaped it and fitted it into the tunnel and retrimmed the front and back sections to fit then started welding






With the tunnel all welded up I took it out to clean up the welds




Once that was done I refitted the tunnel and welded it all together






All done for now just needing the underside of the tunnel section to be made and fitted. I may leave this open just in case I need to trim it up a bit when I trial fit the engine and gearbox.

[ardiesse]

Brilliant, Mal.  It looks like you have a clamp for every conceivable application . . .

Rob

[Errol62]

Lovely job Mal. I hope the trans fits.
Cheers
Clay

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[my8thholden]

Great stuff mate ,she lives again ..stay well Vern .

[camxsmith]

Mal mate   I was just looking at yesterday ..  Now you done one could you maybe make another ..

Looks really nice well done

[FireKraka]

Nice Mal very nice.

[Brett027]

Amazing metal craft. There is so much talent in this group. Its amazing. Thanks for posting the fabrication sequence.

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[Mal W]

Just spent a few day messing around with the RHR wheel arch repair.

I ended up getting a wheel arch cut from another ute. Started by removing the inner wheel arch part from the cut and sandblasting the section I was going to use.

So this is the wheels arch in its unrepaired state




Next I cut out the rusted section and exposed the also rusted out inner wheel arch section






I started by repairing the rust to the inner section first










Then to trim the new section to fit






Then all welded in doing a small section at a time trying to keep the warping to a minimum






And finally all ground up and done

[Longman]

Very nice work mate.

[ardiesse]

. . . I'd say you succeeded in keeping warping to a minimum.

Rob

[Errol62]

Great job Malc. Yes the panel above would have been very susceptible to distortion. I’ve got to do the same repair on my EK van when I get to it. You did well to get a nice solid cut as this is another of the tailor made rust traps that the General kindly endowed us with.


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[Mal W]

Update time,

I made some adjustable car stands to sit the car on while I replace the chassis rails




I took the body off the roll over jig and got it all squared up on the new stands








To start with I cut out the rear wheel arches










Then started on straightening them up, never seen so many dints






Now just waiting for the new ¾ chassis clip to turn up from McDonald Bros Racing. All set up with triangulated 4 bar and coil overs with a new 9 inch housing mounted in it, and a set of Wilwood brakes as well.

[Errol62]

See you took care to preserve the original rails and outrighutriggers Mal and wondering why, as seems like they will be replaced. I guess you just wanted to use them to keep the quarters braced in position.

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[Mal W]

Yep you got it Errol, the original rails are just there to keep everything square and straight until I get the new chassis clip. The new chassis is narrower by 100 mm and will actually fit inside the original rails.

[Errol62]

Ok, don’t want to spoil the plot but it’s pretty obvious, seeing you’re straightening the original tubs, that you are going to make it look factory at least above the cargo floor by re-using. I must say I like the idea. While it is desirable to be able to fit big rubber and still get nice and low, I’m not so keen on the sheet metal fabricated  wheel tub look in the back of a ute. Great stuff.


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[Mal W]

Yes I don't like the look of the fabricated tubs either, I'm going to put about 60 mm in each side and refit them so it has the original appearance. Not that any of the mechanical s will be original but the body will mostly be.

[Patrick_R]

Lovely work mate.

Looking forward to more pics.

[Stewy]

Great progress Mal.
sure is looking good.

Cheers Stewy