Thread: International 1973 D-Series 1210 4x4 Van

Hello All,

My next stage on the van will be to weld some metal pipe between the windscreen pillars horizontally and have some cross braces coming off this, to support the cabin. Then I will separate the lower plenum from the fire wall. Then with the plenum removed I can decide how to approach the rust in the firewall itself.

The lower section of the body in this area has three layers: The bottom edges of the upper and lower plenums, the top edge of the firewall. These layers were all spot welded together at the same time. The worst layer for rust is the top of the firewall by far. There are also large rust holes that work their way from the bonnet brackets in the firewall that go across to the mudguards.

When the lower plenum comes off the metal pipe braces should be able to keep the cabin stable. The bracing will stay until new repairs have been completed on each of the three panels and they are welded back in their correct place.

After that I can cut a squared off hole in the cross brace where the lower radiator support mount should be. A previous owner attacked the area with a drill to make a 20 x 10 cm hole and they left it like that. I will have to butt weld a plate in before the radiator can be remounted. Then I can fix the rust in the cabin floor. There is extensive amounts of rust in the cabin floor.

Once this is done I can start putting the engine, clutch and gear box back in. Then I can sort out the auto electrics and get the engine started. From there I can fix the brakes so the van stops. Then I can tackle all the fibreglass issues that make up the majority of the van's cargo area. Weee

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by goingbush

Lionel, are you on Facebook , I'd be jumping onto the Dodge / Inter groups , they are the same cab , you should be able to replace that lot with a cab cut.

This is $500 on facebook marketplace now Melbourne , they come up often.

Hello Going Bush,

Thank you for the post about the Dodge cab. I did not see that Facebook posting. However, Melbourne is a tad far away. I am going to have a bash at repairing what I have - or currently, parts thereof. Even Swiss cheese has some solid segments.

I just have to make the metal panels whole again. From hole to whole. Or there could come a point where the whole extent of the holes becomes too much; and I say, "holy hell - I have had enough of these rust holes".

Kind regards
Lionel