2 wheels on my wagon
Had to keep making progress on the chassis so the bed has been shelved for a bit, though it only needs a hinged number plate before it can go to the paint shop.. but I have until Thursday 6th Dec to get the chassis rolling so I can take it up to the body shop (Long Lane Garage) and get the help I need to fit the painted cab. After that I am working every single day so wont be able to get it sorted..... Today Sunday 2nd the chance of that happening now is very, very slim so I may have to do plan B, not sure what that is yet.
But anyway this is what I have achieved:
 
The chassis went to be blasted and primed, so before it came back painted i got the welding, grinding etc done on the front suspension as I didn't want to be doing that there here once the chassis was back home minted.
I cut off the old shock mounts and made up some new ones outa 6mm strap. put a fillet and gusset on the back and job was done... I have done a major boob with them that has pissed me off, one is shorter than the other by a few mil but to late now. Shouldn't matter unless it gets compressed so much it squashes the bump stops to nothing... but still it piss's me off I can be such a twat. I put it down to the lower shock mounts being different but I didn't notice until I stood back.. bugger and I wasn't about to cut one off and do it all again. I bolted the mount to the top of each shocker and then compressed the shocks fully closed that was where I cut off the strap doing one side at a time, maybe the bottom arm wasn't fully compressed, or maybe it is the lower mount shock mount that has one hole higher than the other (sure looks tad higher to me) either way wont matter only cosmetically, as they both have travel long way passed the suspension hitting the bump stops.But still Bugger!
Here is one side finished I was real proud, look strong to, I can wind up them front adjustable shocks if I really want to.
The bottom of the front crossmember had been buggin me for some time as it was badly dinged from where it had been unceremoniously stacked in the banger lads yard. I got some metal plate and seam welded it in situ. Here it is just tack welded.
A skim of filler on the edges and Viola! one smooth front crossmember base.
Once I had wire brushed, rust treated (phosphoric acid) then washed off and dried, I sprayed with 2 coats of Epoxy Primer and then 3 coats of anti rust smooth black paint.
Hanging from every available space I could find, man there are some parts to a Jag front end.
The chassis was done in double quick time, and taken straight up to Long Lane garage to get 2pack stone chipped.
While I got on with the suspension.
Here it is back in my garage, looks grey here but it is very black. Done in 2pack stone chip and baked hard. Should make the old girl last a few years extra now. though to be honest I think I should of gone the smooth black route and taken time filling the grind marks etc. This does look good, will be very hard wearing and covers all the marks, but it does look a bit to business like, not show truck like as I wanted.... Bugger 2!
Yeah you guessed it there is a Bugger 3 ;o( I had only welded up in my haste the bloody cab mount holes. The very ones I was so proud of fettling with tubes so the bolts could be fitted with ease now the chassis is boxed.. bugger bugger and thrice Bugger! gotta work out how to accurately transfer the hole to the outside now... damn!
Well woes aside I fitted the newly painted IFS crossmember hopefully for the last time as now we start the final build.
The top ball joints along with the bottom ones and all bushes are new, the shims are for setting castor angle, this is what was in originally so I have just refitted as was 3 in the rear 1 in the front.
Here are a couple of shots of the front mounts.
Originally I just had the outer ones as that is all Jag use, then I thought why not add the inner ones just for total stability.
Here is one of the antiroll bar mounts.
And seeing as I have showed all the other mounts here is the rear IFS mounting bracket using new factory rubber mounts with welded bolts to ease fitting.
Time for my trusty Jag front road spring compressor to get used again.
Originally the 4.2 Daimler suspension (I used) had nylon rings top and bottom of the road springs. I think to make it a more smooth and quiet ride. I wanted the truck low as possible so didn't use them first build up... But I thought about it and decided to fit just one to isolate the top. Don't think it will make much difference to the ride height but should make a bit of difference to the ride quality.
Here is the pin that fits in grooves on the crossmember top for the spring compressor, this allows the thread bar (compressor) to rock.
Sure is a lot of compressing to do.
Nearly there, Note large ring spanner, I had been using an adjustable and that was hard work and also it rested on the lower plate so would scrape all the new paint off, I needed something better? I also put some inner tube rubber between the thick locating plate and the lower spring plates to stop th epaint being damaged.
I tried a local ironmongers to get a ring spanner no avail.
I have a mate a very good mate who is the Snap-on rep locally. I knew it would be expensive but fuk it I needed a ring spanner and I knew he would do me a good deal. Yeah he would have one and I could borrow it, so no need to buy one he said.
But after a good look round his van nope he didn't have the 1 1/4" / 30mm I needed.. my face fell on the floor, I wanted to get this job done today. Then he said hang on and went in a drawer under one of his benches. hey presto a 1 1/4" ring... been in that draw for over 5yr he said. It was cracked on the ring but we could rebuild it and rebuild it I did and it did the job beautifully result for free.
IFS is coming together now all new Hi-Tensile 3/8ths UNF bolts try and get them at your local modern fastner supplier, especially if its a kid in his 20's you ask.. much sucking of teeth.. he came back with a dusty old box and said you can have the box for £3 no use to us ;o) Hey things are looking up..
Antiroll bar fitted now even if I have fitted it upside down here ;o) shhhhh don't tell anyone as I am sure no one will notice... it's the right way up now I just haven't done a photo yet..
I painted the front brakes and steering rack to finish the IFS.. See my inspiration on the wall the airride F100 awesome truck, awful circumstances though how they came to build it. Guy couldnt afford to see the final stages through due to finance so they kindly took the Truck off his hands to cancel the debt.. how gutted must he feel. It needed paint, wiring and interior if memory serves my right quote for job $40k... I thank you, see why no can afford to finish... Nice Truck. I hated reading that story, but shit happens.
The rack and brakes are fitted I just haven't taken a photo yet, but here is the re-skimmed discs fitted. There are some battle scars that need touching up but apart from that all the front is done. Now on with the rear..it's doing me nut in. I am not enjoying the pressure of having to get it done this week.
Page 31 |
