Thread: The Ultimate FC

I will not be planning to up date this site untill well into the next year.
( I am sick of fixing the beast of a thing for now )
Now here are some old pics of stalwarts in action to keep the followers for this thread happy for awhile.


This one below has bulk refuelling pack fitted.

This one below is ammo resupply.

And this one below is just fun

Ron

Well its now been two years.
I am looking at where I have come from to where I need to go and what I now know.
No work was done to the stalwart over christmas or since.
I question if I can follow though on the Stalwart and get it to a standard I want it to be at.
Currently it is stored at work out in the weather and 40 degree days C or rain etc have not been my friend or my normal work load from my small business.
I have also been strained money wise so there is little to throw at the restoration of the stalwart..
My other projects are suffering because my small amount of spare time is going to the stalwart.
I am going to wait a bit more before starting up work again on the Stalwart and let the weather cool down a bit.
The pre chrismas run to the show and shine was a tribulation as when I done the steering tie rod ends I stuffed up some how as the wheel alignment over the four steer wheel was not correct and I chewed up two 1400 x20 bar treads badly to get it home.
people on the day were a great help, but the cause of the problem was not found.
I now suspect my work on the tie rods was OK , but a fault has occurred with the linkage from the steering hydraulic box/ ram.
The steering system is nothing like a normal twin steer truck set up .
The good news is for Christmas I got full workshop manuals for the stalwart and the important measurements and info to set the steering up from scratch.
Other things I have realised.
The performance of the stalwart off road has been good when off road, but has been a real dog on the tarred road.
Inter wheel wind up is the problem.
The vid a page or two back shows the stalwart performing well even with a few jugs miss firing , but the ground was rough and dusty so wind up didnt occur.
On road and the sparkle disappears.
Things that need to be done before the other stuff.
1/ Sort out the stuff up with the steering

2/Rig up dog clutches between drive wheels( will greatly increase on road performance, less wear and tear and allow replacement of tyres in pairs which will save running costs)

3/Fix the now badly leaking RHS front inner tracta joint.

Having a decent workshop information is telling me other things to check or look for.
The fire warning system has been disconnected and it is on the same circult for the high bilge level warning, the most likely reason is the one of the three fire wire circults has a short inside the special fire wire itself and is easily checked with the correct information and a lot of time.
The upper hull rust and side board/ tail gate sealing is not a issuse unless I want to swim the thing.
Overal I am disapointed with my self for not getting where I want to be with this vehicle, it size ,age, layout and different systems is beating me.
Ron........... humble army truck nut.

Ron - the work you have done so far to actually get it on the road is great work. I would be tempted to pause a bit where you are and just sort the stuff to make it a good runner on the road like the wheel/steering alignment and get out and start enjoying it when you are able.

After a while when funds and the itch comes back then look at Phase 2 - the work required to swim it - also maybe look at what mods can go in to make it easier to drive on the road like - say 2wd.

What you have done in a couple of years is great.

Cheers

Garry

Just a bit of good news today.
My glass window mate rang up today saying his blokes are sitting on there bums while waiting for materials to arrive for a job and he was wondering if I could take the stalwart around to his place for the windows to be removed.
This I did.
It was a very different job for the window boys but they had it done in short order.
The window glass is a much stonger than normal automotive spec.
It appears to be triple laminated I heard the boys say.
The reason for removing the bonded in 5 piece windsrceen glass is to treat rust.
The good news is the rust is no where near as bad as I though it was.
I now have to get my self sorted and start working on the stalwart again as the the sooner the glass goes back the better, as the weather will knock around the dashboard instruments and controls etc.

Hi Ron. Keep up the great work and I'm sure I speak for all other AULRO members when I say how much we have enjoyed following your progress on this site most of us can only dream of owning such an interesting vehicle!

I get like you with my Austin Champ some times when a string of problems come up, like now with bad brakes, oil leaks and front bushes that all need repairing. I try and wait for a rush of blood and get motivated

Keep going she is awesome

Cheers Simon.

I too have enjoyed reading this thread and admire how courageous and dedicated you are to have go as far as you have. I am not a military vehicle nut but can appreciate the interest others have. I think it is a real head turner and great to have all the bits of footage you have sourced for all to see what Defence could do back in the days when the the Reds were over the horizon.

I am sure you would regret it if you sell it Ron!!!

Keep at it!

Didn't Bill have some options for reducing wind-up on road?