N/S closing panel all welded in. Just the O/S panel to do now!
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Lots done this week. I’ve pretty much finished the cab area now. The arch step on the driver’s side has been reattached to the repaired floor:
And I’ve dressed all the welds and primed the driver’s cab floor repair. This is the first time I think I’ve seen the floor without it being riddled with rust and holes.
I also welded in the nuts needed for my new Buttys Bits throttle linkage and trial fitted it. It’s super smooth compared to the rusted mess that was there before.
I just need to weld in the closing panels that join the front arches to the deformation panel and everything in front of the B pillar is complete!
Buttys bits seat runners fitted to allow me to mount my early style seats to the donor late tub. Welded in to replace the old ones which were held in with self tappers!
Driver’s cab floor repair prepped and ready to weld in.
I’ve made a huge amount of progress over the last few days. With all the fiddly bits out of the way, fitting the arch and tub seemed to go really quickly.
With the arch tacked to the A and B pillars I fitted the tub by clamping it to the lip that it folds over and pinning it to the wheel arch and bulkhead (note the scissor jack between the chassis rail and arch to push it out a little to line up with the door better):
Double check the gaps again, and then start welding it in. Staggering the welds to avoid it getting too hot:
And all welded in and dressed. Looks good again!
I’ve removed the later style seat runner and will be fitting a new Butty’s bits runner which will allow me to keep my early style seats.
I’ve made a start on the cab floor area my side too. The chassis rails are solid and the strengthening plate looks perfect (I had to make a new one for the passenger side as it was rusting away) so I’ve just cleaned it up and zinc primed it all.
I’ll epoxy mastic it in the week and then look to get the floor in shortly after. Then that’ll be the front end entirely done!
I’ve a healthy pile of scrap to take to the tip this week too
I’ve managed to pull the front of the arch forward enough now (plus a bit of hammering!) to get it into a position I’m happy with. I’ve tacked it to the A pillar and added a few more tacks to the B pillar. That should do the job!
And a trial fit of the donor tub, everything seems to be lining up nicely. I’ve got an early finish tomorrow so should be able to get all of this welded in and finally have some strength back in this area.
Starting to get the drivers arch into position. It’s only tacked to the B pillar for now but the gaps are looking ok. I’m struggling to get it to stretch to the a pillar properly though, I knew it was getting late as I managed to smack myself in the head with a lump of wood I was using to brace the arch! A job for another day I reckon.
Got the inner and outer driver’s wheel arch welded together today. Max came down to do the all important workshop crossword!
Finished up the last few bits on the bulkhead and got some paint on it all ready for the wheel arch and tub to go in. Nice to have all of this area finally closed up.
Finished off most of the B pillar and closing panel, bar a few pin holes. Some more tough love for Iris, cutting out the wheel tub in preparation for the donor tub to go in.
