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The new green paint is still very slowly creeping to the rear.
new knobs found for the crane controls and I am experimenting with replacing the harder to read brass labels.
I am trying out the local trophy maker people to markout a new tyre pressure and crane operation plate in brass..............something which I cannot do with letter punches.
I cannot see the light at the end of tunnel, but just a dim glow.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/08/164.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/08/165.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/08/166.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/08/167.jpg
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Very neat. They've done a good job of that! Will finish it off nicely. I see on the old plate, that the rear axle has had a pressure increase at some point.... Any ideas?
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This pic should show the original plate a little bit better.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2013/08/53.jpg
If you look carefully the rear tyre pressure has been over stamped by the military.
I assuming the plates were all made for non crane models and then on crane models the rear pressure was over stamped.
The crane sits forward and adds about 1 tonne in weight.
The difference in tyre pressures between axle groups is all about letting the tyres unwind/scrub out.
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Many Stalwarts had the suspension adjusted to place more weight on the centre wheels , as to help the outers to unwind.
Note the low pressures.
The tyres do not act like your normal bar threads.........they are soft and flexible, more like balloon tyres.
With the pressure running so low it is not really necessary to have central tyre inflation like a DUKW.
I find the low tyre pressures supprizing considering the weight of the vehicle.
The brake air system is used to inflate tyres by hand via a outlet in the cabin.
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I should be picking up the crane control plate next week.
40 dollars a pop.
I silastic behind the plates as the original ones trapped moisture and caused corrosion.
The standard plates are held in place with extremely fine and small screws which were impossible to save.
The small brass plates are though the whole vehicle, on every drain and control lever and tap.
A lot of the plates on the out side of the vehicle are unreadable.
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I still have to check out the area of the cabin behind the batteries for rust and paint if needed and then its off with the RHS front wheel station and another learning curve.
The weather on the East coast has been good on weekends lately so a little bit is getting done.
The engineering in this vehicle continues to amaze me and they had it so close to being right............they just need those inter axle disconnects and a 2 speed transfercase.
Everything has been well thought out in detail, like cabin design, CES placement, servicing, major component access is good if you know the way to do it.
The petrol Rolls in the rear is growing on me as it is so easy to start and live with and it is just so designed to last.
It has fantastic flexibility in its limited power delivery which makes up a lot for its lack of 2 speed transfercase.
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nameplate
pic of nameplate pins in gallery
used on mine equip brass plates and mil equip
cant paste from phone here so jave a peek
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Not a lot is been painted inside the cabin, only whats needed to control rust.
It can be done at a later date.
The paint on the outside is only the first coat so the speak , as when the outside is finished I will give it another coat as working on this thing climbing over the cabin and body work with tools knocks the paint around.
At last count I have used some thing like 20 litres of paint so far and I am only say 1/3 of the way done.
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Roof top spot light overhauled and has been refitted sealed with silastic.
It had been full of moisture, as humidity from the hull and cabin can travel into the light via its control handle.
The reflector was in good condition and it looks to be a marine fitting, so only a sandblast and clean up was needed.( moisture didn't hurt anything.)
It throws a good light.
It is a very good idea to have it fitted as being able to spot light at night off road helps greatly with this sort of vehicle.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/09/1629.jpg
The handle for the light sits easy for the driver just in front of his head.
A good design feature.
Note the small round metal fitting in front of where the spot light goes though the roof.( under the wave deflector)
It is a exhaust outlet for the main air wiper motor and is made in a way so water will not want to run into the wiper motor if a wave splashed over the front of the vehicle when swimming,
The stalwart had a lot of thought put into it.
Inside the cabin is fitting to hold a hand held type spot light as to store it when not in use.( I have seen this type of light fitted to the out side of a Ferret scout cars turret, why you would need it on a stalwart with roof top light I don't know.)