Thread: Gav's 101.

Not strictly 101 related, but I consider it part of the package as I have nothing else that will tow it, so here is an update on what I've been doing to get it ready for its big trip North.

You know how a simple job can spiral out of control? Well, this one sure did, and it took a lot more effort than expected to get the result I wanted, but I'm very happy with the outcome.

While looking for new tyres for it, I called up Boof - a member here who does us Vic members proud on sales and service related to anything tyres.. The trailer had some VERY old 650/16's on it that belong in a museum somewhere, so new tyres were a must. Mick also helped me out here and let me go through his collection of 750/16's in which I found some tyres, but after going over things with Boof, decided to keep one of those as a spare, and bite the bullet and buy 2 new tyres. Big thanks to Mick as well.

So, some 235/85R16's were selected as these are very close to the same diameter as the 750/16 I now have as a spare. This size tyre also make the trailer sit level with the 101 as it was slightly low before. Now, these tyres sit a bit wider on the rim, and there is very little clearance between the old tyres and the chassis of the trailer - even less with the new rubber fitted - I'm talking just a couple of mm here, the wheel would turn, but it wouldn't need the suspension to move much and it would rub or get caught somewhere. I knew this before I started, so the solution to this was already brewing in my mind.

Now, before I go any further, I procrastinated about putting this up here, as I know there are going to be knockers of what I have done to remedy this, but in a nutshell what I have done works very well, is strong and safe. No further correspondence will be entered into here....

Solution - spacers... Yes, yes, I know - hold your tongue until the end..... I made up a 12mm spacer for the wheels, and this also meant I needed a 12mm spacer for the spigot, and 12mm longer wheel studs. All of which I have done. So here's a few pics...

Before.


Bits used - having access to a CNC plasma cutter helps when you do jobs like this...


During.


After.


As you can see, if it wasn't for the shiny bits, you would never know what I did. The new wheel studs are just some grade 8 bolts, and I got lucky and these sit dead flat on the back of the hub, and just snag a casting rib when you try to turn them, so you can get the wheel nuts on and off fine.

I will need to get something bent up to act as flares for the guards as the tyres stick out a long way now - they stuck out a bit before, but now they are WAAAY out there...

While I had the hubs off, I checked the bearings and regreased them, but they were all in good nick anyway.

I also resolved the issue of where to put the number plate. I have welded a small bracket on the back of the stabiliser and screwed the plate to that.



So, all in all, the trailer is now 100% mechanically ready for the trip, and registered, so that should keep NSW constabulary at bay. I just have to do some wiring for the solar panel and fridge that will be in there, and I'm done.

Norty boy.

I used some washers as spacers on my old trailer to get that little bit of extra clearance that I needed. Shuush - don't tell anyone - the RTA authorities even gave it a roadworthy with them on.

Excellent work! Just a thought tho... Would LWB rims not have done the same job? Having access to a plate cutter is very useful.. Currently drawing up my new bumper on a sheet of 3mm as it'd cost too much to go find a guy to load the drawing in and then cut it out!

Originally Posted by Sitec

Just a thought tho... Would LWB rims not have done the same job?

Maybe, but I was working with what I had. The rims on the trailer, and the spare rims I have from my Series III - one of which is now the spare for the trailer are all the same, so it was easier for me to do this rather than go looking for different rims.

The total cost all up for this mod (not including tyres) was just $40 for all the bolts I had to buy, so it was cheap too. If you had to pay for the spacers to be made, then maybe it would have been a different story, but I'm a tight arse and I'm always looking to do deals and barter, so the guy who owns the machine shop owes me quite a few favours for things like new power points, etc installed in his workshop over the years that I have never charged him labour on.

That makes sense.. Things are always better when they're free or you can do it yourself! It's been a good day today... Finally got back to mine! The first time in a week!

So, my 101 has a name!!!!!

As we were finishing packing, Mrs HH asked if anyone had come up with anything to which I replied no. A short discussion on how a 101 should have a tough name and how the HH's 'Herc' had been named followed.

Then, Pedro hit it straight away - CHUCK, as in Chuck Norris, because nothing is tougher than Chuck Norris.... Or it could be CHUCKY - as in this likeable fellow...


So there you go - Chuck or Chucky it is.

Thanks Pedro.

The cat dragged this into my front yard today.


I gave the owner a drive of a real 101, but he needed to eat extra spinach to steer my 101 with the wider rubber but other wise seemed to be happy.

I see you found your camera.

Yes, Your machine certainly does have Armstrong steering. It took quite an extra grunt to get it around the corners.

It is a very well set up and sorted vehicle, and there are lots of ideas and advice you gave me that I will be doing.

The first thing will be a pair of those marine vents you have in the front - they are fantastic, and a real simple solution to getting air into the cab. They just push all the hot air out the windows, and I really could have used those on my last couple of hours in the car today - it got quite hot this arvo and I did start to cook a bit.

Thanks heaps for taking so much time out of your day to show me your toys - I really did appreciate it mate.