Front windscreen in thanks to this little lamb. It kicked up a fair old fight but we got there!
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Majority of the dash built up, and wiring reconnected.
Like I’d just bolt on grubby bits! A stack of bits back from the platers ready for another 40 years service.
The bits I sent off to the powder-coaters last week were ready to pick up yesterday. This included all of the engine tinware and a huge stack of bits for the cab. For the amount of stuff I sent to them it was great value for money and has saved lots of time:
I also have a box of bits at the platers to save me having to clean them up which are ready to collect tomorrow (striker plates etc). I’m now in a great position for building up the dash area, so here we go!
Powder-coated foot controls, plus a butty’s bits throttle linkage good to go:
Pedals bolted in:
I had a small meltdown over the throttle pedal not looking right. I finally realised what was wrong this evening. The new hinge I’d bought was substantially different to the original one I’d used when fitting the weld-nuts as it sat a lot lower to the floor (original on the pedal, new one in front):
With the original hinge fitted instead I’m happy with the position (I’ll leave this on for now, but will source a new one as this one is a little rusty):
Washer bottle back in with new hoses and powder-coated bracket:
Hanbrake lever back in:
After longer than I’d care to admit I got the lock housing back onto the steering column. The secret? Put the bush, washer and circlip in the lock housing, then slide it up the steering column rather than down (the top of the column is a larger diameter):
And finally started re-assembling the dash itself:
Powder-coat makes everything look brand new!
Last few cab bolt on bits into Neptune Blue tonight.
Steering box off the bench, and back onto the van:
Turning my attention to the cab and dashboard area as there’s a fair few bits that need painting before I can rebuild the cab. As seems quite common someone in the past has had a go of fitting a single DIN radio into the dash by persuading the aperture open with a club hammer:
I hammer and dollied the aperture back into it’s original shape as best I could:
And then carefully marked and cut the aperture properly to take my new Alpine stereo. It’s a nice tight fit:
Much better:
Cleaned up another batch of bolt on bits in the blast cabinet:
Everything epoxied and high build primed:
Every time I paint bits I have to push the van out into the yard. She’s definitely the cleanest thing there!
Driveshafts all built up tonight with fresh GKN Lobro CV joints and boots. What a messy job! Finally got some proper circlip pliers as I was getting nowhere fitting the circlips with a normal pair and a screwdriver.
A few more bits painted and reattached to the van over the last few days.
Handbrake cable bar reassembled:
And back on the van (apologies for the awful picture).
Brake calipers all cleaned up. Unfortunately one of the pistons refused to budge under air pressure as it had completely seized so I’ve ordered a new one to replace it.
The other one looked fine when I took it apart so I’ve replaced the seals and primed it.
Gave a few random bits a coat of anthracite to neaten them up before I bolt them back on. Starter motor:
CV joints:
Steering box drop arm. I’ve got a new dust cover for this, it’s not leaking from any of the seals so I’m able to put it straight back in as is.
And making a start on reassembling the drive shafts. What a messy job!
Luggage rack all cleaned up and carnauba waxed. Cab roof given a wipe over and luggage roof pop riveted back into place.
Making a start on cleaning up the starter motor.
Just a few hours on the van this morning so painted the outsides of the cv joints with some black epoxy mastic I had left.
Stripped down the brake calipers ready for rebuilding (I’m not splitting them as I don’t think they need that).
And started cleaning up the luggage rack.
